The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has told Construction News that the UK construction industry needs more than 250,000 extra workers to cope with output growth over the next five years. It says around 50,000 extra workers will be needed each year from 2024 to 2028 to meet demand.
The CITB tells CN that construction output is driven by private housing, infrastructure and repair and maintenance work. In particular, nearly a fifth of these new workers will be needed in the Southwest of England; where both the Hinkley Point C, the first in a new generation of nuclear power stations, and the recently committed £4bn electric vehicle battery plant are located.
The CITB calculates that 210,000 workers left the industry last year and 200,000 joined, while the number of job vacancies averaged about 38,000 each month last year.
Professional and technical workers are the most in demand, with 10,950 non-construction office-based workers and 8,670 construction professionals needed by 2028. The biggest worker shortfalls within the trades are general labourers, electricians, plant operatives and carpenters and joiners.
The CITB chief executive Tim Balcon says, “the past few years have posed many challenges for the industry and as a sector we have shown significant resilience. 2024 and beyond hosts a more positive outlook, and through a joined-up approach to recruit, train, develop and upskill talent, CITB will continue to play a crucial role in supporting an industry that is a key driver of the UK economy.”
He concludes, “the CITB will continue to play a crucial role in supporting an industry that is a key driver of the UK economy”.
CONSTRUCTION NEWS; 15 MAY (ABRIDGED)
