Around 44,690 people, including 900 floorlayers, need to be recruited each year between now and 2019 to meet demand and deliver expected annual output growth of 2.9%. Wales is forecast to enjoy the highest growth (5.9%), followed by Greater London (4.2%) and the South-west (3.8%).

Total construction employment in the UK is projected to reach 2.74m by 2019, still slightly below the 2008 peak of 2.86m. The most serious shortages are expected in the wood trades and interior fit-out, where 4,260 recruits are expected to be annually to 2019.

CITB is calling for:

• Renewed focus on improving the quality and delivery of careers advice in schools to attract the next generation of construction workers.
• Government investment in the energy efficiency and retrofit market, given the anticipated future skills demand and the UK’s pressing environmental targets.
• Industry and government to back CITB’s industry-wide campaign to create clear and accessible pathways into construction for people from all backgrounds. www.citb.co.uk

Source

Contract Flooring Journal