Construction Skills Shortage ‘Could Halter Output Growth’

The construction industry experienced output growth last month, but this expansion could be halted as there are problems with a skills shortage in the sector. 

Property and construction consultancy McBains noted there is a lack of bricklayers, roofers, carpenters and plasterers, and these will be added to the Shortage Occupation List from the summer. 

Managing director Clive Docwra told Construction Enquirer that electricians and other trades professions should have also been included, as this would help to close the skills gap in these areas. 

This comes after figures showed construction output rose by 2.4 per cent in volume in February, which was driven mostly by repair and maintenance, as this increased by 4.5 per cent.

At the same time, February experienced the biggest monthly value in level terms (£15.6 billion) since January 2010, which is the highest on record. This is despite a construction output decline of 1.7 per cent in January. 

While these statistics are promising, Mr Docwra noted figures for last month might not be as positive, as it was the wettest March for 40 years.

He noted this would have meant “site work will have been impacted”.

Mr Docwra added “skills shortages are also still biting”, which is likely to affect output in the coming months. 

Make UK Homes also stated a lack of labourers is becoming a big problem for construction, and will hold the government back from achieving its housebuilding target of 300,000 new properties per year by 2025. 

The UK, therefore, needs more people to join a construction recruitment agency in order to boost the building sector.