CPA calls for 'significant investment' in construction skills

Significant investment in skills is required if the construction sector is to reach its growth potential in the coming years, a key industry body has warned.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has forecast that the sector will grow by a total of 21.7% by 2019, with private house building and infrastructure projects the main drivers of the expansion.

However, it identified a shortage of skills to fill construction jobs as a likely brake on growth unless more is done to encourage new workers into the industry and train them up.

Dr Noble Francis, Economics Director of the CPA, described the skills shortage as a “key risk” for the industry.

“So far, the lack of skilled labour has primarily affected the house building sector. As the wider industry activity picks up, however, this issue is likely to spread across the industry,” he said.

“In the short term, it is already putting upward pressure on costs. In the medium term, the forecast growth will not be possible without significant investment in skills.”

The CPA’s warning echoes those from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Construction Industry Training Board, Federation of Master Builders, Local Government Association and The Prince’s Trust about the mismatch in demand for and supply of skilled trades.

Many construction businesses are already finding that problems sourcing the right skills are having a detrimental impact on their projects and some are turning work down because of it.

Kalcrest Site Services has vast experience in finding experienced construction workers to fill both temporary and permanent jobs, including in the most severe skill shortage occupations, such as bricklayers, plasterers and joiners.

For more details about our recruitment services or to speak to one of our team about staffing for a current or forthcoming project, please call us on 01709 720348 or contact us via info@kalcrest.co.uk.