Report shows growing demand in skills in the construction industry
In February 2018, CITB (The Construction Industry Training Board) published a report revealing that there will be a large demand for transferable skills as recruitment will become more difficult after Brexit. https://www.citb.co.uk/news-events/uk/2018/construction-set-for-growth-despite-brexit-uncertainty/
There will be no shortage of opportunities for workers because the report estimates that 158,000 new construction jobs will be created between 2018-2022. The problem is that those new positions need to be filled with skilled workers.
[edit] Why is there a lack of skills in the industry?
The government has given house builders tougher targets as the demand for houses increase year after year, and the number of positions needed to achieve these targets is not getting filled. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has predicted that the lack of skills could affect 27,000 construction projects every year due to the lack of staff.
More than 400,000 UK construction workers were set to retire in the 5-10 years from 2013, so it is important that the younger generation is upskilled and meeting the goals of building 300,000 new homes every year. Ref https://www.citb.co.uk/news-events/archives/uk-construction-skills-time-bomb/
The benefits of learning new skills can include:
- Better salaries.
- Investment in up-skilling or training.
- Increased job satisfaction.
- Increased motivation and confidence.
[edit] How do we encourage younger people to get into construction?
The good news is that the government are encouraging young people to take more apprenticeships by setting a target of 3 million across all sectors.
It’s good to see that more apprenticeships are being introduced in this sector but it’s important that the basic skills are taught in secondary schools as well. This should help encourage and inspire young people to get into the world of construction and enhance their skills.
The decline in skilled workers in this industry was expected, but this can be fixed if industry experts, the government and schools collaborate to try and encourage younger people to work in this sector.
Featured articles and news
BSRIA Statutory Compliance Inspection Checklist
BG80/2025 now significantly updated to include requirements related to important changes in legislation.
Shortlist for the 2025 Roofscape Design Awards
Talent and innovation showcase announcement from the trussed rafter industry.
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese aswell as English.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.