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With an ageing workforce and fewer overseas workers, the industry must work together to inspire young people
Published on 27 May, 2025
Author: Markel UK
Experts have warned that despite plans to train 60,000 more workers for the construction industry, there won’t be enough skilled people to meet the Government’s ambitious housebuilding targets.
In her spring budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves admitted the Government was likely to miss its initial target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of the parliament but would remain ‘within touching distance’ at 1.3 million. Even this smaller target, however, may be out of reach due to a lack of workers.
The Government is simplifying planning rules and has earmarked £600m to train thousands of additional workers, such as bricklayers and electricians. But some experts believe there simply won’t be enough and that far more young people must be attracted to construction careers to meet the industry’s needs.
"This new investment of funding 60,000 more people in the industry us really a drop in the ocean" David Barnes, CIOB
Little information
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) says its research found that 47% of young people had received no information about the sector while in education. Without proper communication of the opportunities within the industry, the CIOB says additional funding for construction careers will be wasted.
David Barnes, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the CIOB, welcomes the Government’s focus on the sector but says: “These bigger demands, whether for 1.3 or 1.5 million homes, are going to require more labour and getting labour into the construction industry is, historically, a very difficult issue.”
He adds: “The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimated before the election that the UK needed to recruit around 250,000 people to meet demand, so the numbers are now going to be significantly higher and at least double those quoted by the CITB in May 2024. So, this new investment of funding 60,000 more people in the industry is really a drop in the ocean.”
Ageing workforce
The industry has suffered from an ageing workforce and, as skilled people retire, they aren’t being replaced quickly enough. In addition, Brexit has led to a lack of flexible labour from Europe. This means the industry needs homegrown talent, but schools tend to promote careers such as medicine and law to pupils rather than construction, which suffers from a perception of being ‘low-skilled’.
So, while the Government plans to accelerate recruitment by establishing new Technical Excellence Colleges, launching new foundation apprenticeships, and expanding Skills Bootcamps, young people must first be inspired to join the industry.
Barnes adds: “There has been a lot of stigma that construction is a low-paid, last resort career for a lot of people when, actually, the earning potential is quite high. And a lot of people now want to go into an earn-while-you-learn role rather than incur university debt, which is something the construction industry is very good at.
The industry has several routes in, some of which are academic-driven and many of which aren’t. So, there are roles for everyone, from those who leave school with minimal exam passes to university graduates. Many of our members who are now working at a management level in construction began their careers in frontline trades and worked their way up. Construction needs people to work in the sector – you only need to look at the Government’s targets. So, a lot of this is about trying to improve the appeal of the sector.”
"These outreach activities are about more than recruitment - they are a vital part of delivering long-term social value" Dr Amrit Sagoo, Nottingham Trent University
Promoting construction
Dr Amrit Sagoo is Head of Construction Management at Nottingham Trent University, Chairman of the RICS East of England Regional Board, and a Board Member of Constructing Excellence West Midlands. He says: “The industry is already facing a well-documented skills shortage, particularly when it comes to key trades like bricklayers and electricians as well as civil engineers. The Government’s plan for 60,000 new workers is certainly a step in the right direction, but given the scale of the challenge and the strain on the existing workforce it’s unlikely to be enough on its own.”
Dr Sagoo says what’s needed is a collaborative approach whereby colleges, universities, employers and professional bodies work together to change perceptions and explain why construction is a vibrant, exciting, and often well-paid career.
As part of the levelling-up agenda, Nottingham Trent University is working in partnership with Vision West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield, where young people learn construction trades. The link with the university provides pathways so that those who prefer to remain simply as a tradesperson can do so, but those who want to move into other areas such as site management also have opportunities.
Dr Sagoo explains: “Many schools across the country have faced significant budget cuts in recent years. As a result, staffing levels have been reduced, particularly in non-teaching roles such as career advisory services. It’s now quite rare to find dedicated careers advisors in schools, and even when they are present, their understanding of the modern job market and industry landscapes is often limited.
From my conversations with students, it’s clear that careers guidance in schools tends to focus on a narrow range of traditional professions – such as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and accountancy. These are all valuable career paths, of course, but there’s a noticeable lack of promotion for roles within the construction and built environment sectors. Unfortunately, most careers advisors don’t have the knowledge or skillset to effectively promote opportunities in construction, particularly in areas like skilled trades, surveying, and project management. This creates a significant gap in awareness among young people.”
Inspiring students
As part of Nottingham Trent University’s broader vision to actively engage with and support our local communities, it has taken a proactive approach to addressing the growing skills gap in the construction industry. Staff regularly visit sixth form colleges to speak directly with students, helping them understand the breadth of opportunities available in construction and the built environment.
These sessions aim to challenge outdated perceptions and open students’ eyes to the many exciting career paths the industry offers – from traditional trades and site management to roles in design, sustainability, digital innovation, and professional services such as surveying and project planning. Many building contractors, surveying practices, and industry partners are also stepping up, recognising the shared responsibility to invest in the future workforce.
These outreach activities are about more than recruitment – they are a vital part of delivering long-term social value, creating pathways for young people, and supporting inclusive economic growth. By connecting education with industry in this way, they hope to inspire and empower the next generation to see construction not just as a job, but as a meaningful and rewarding career.”
Sources:
2) CIOB
3) CITB