Demand For Bricklayers Continues To Grow

The strong demand for skilled construction workers has seen the number of unemployed bricklayers and plasterers fall to its lowest level for more than a decade.

An Office for National Statistics report showed that 1,775 bricklayers claimed Job Seeker’s Allowance in August 2014, down from 3,975 a year earlier and a peak of 15,425 in March 2009.

It also revealed that just 1,795 plasterers and 120 surveyors claimed the benefit, as the availability of job opportunities for experienced construction staff continued to grow.

The figures are further evidence of the skills shortage faced by the industry, which saw 400,000 workers leave it completely during the economic downturn.

The Construction Industry Training Board, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and Recruitment and Employment Confederation have all warned that a shortage of skilled trades and other site staff could restrict output in the sector.

There is also some anecdotal evidence that projects are being delayed by a lack of available skilled workers for both short and long-term jobs.

One way that construction, refurbishment and fit-out contractors can avoid the problems that could result from the skills shortage is to use a specialist recruitment agency to supply the staff they require on a temporary basis.

At Kalcrest we provide skilled trades, civils workers, surveyors, labourers and managers to sites across the UK from the pool of reference-checked workers we have built up over the past few years, and have more than 250 staff out on assignment each week.

If your business needs experienced site workers for its projects or you would like more information about our services, please call Kalcrest on 01709 720348 or contact us via the website.