Report finds downturn in output will cut recruitment requirements by a third
Skills shortages in construction will be eased by up to a third over the next five years due to a slowdown in the sector鈥檚 growth, according to a report from the CITB.
The training body鈥檚 latest forecasts say the Brexit vote has exacerbated the decline in the industry鈥檚 growth prospects and therefore means it will need less workers.
It forecasts average output growth of 2% per annum over the next five years 鈥� down from its 2.5% average growth forecast in January.
Estimates for the industry鈥檚 recruitment requirement by 2021 have consequently been slashed, dropping by a third from 232,000 to 157,000.
Over the next five years, the CITB forecasts the industry will now need 25,350 new workers every year in England, 3,540 in Wales, 1,810 in Scotland and 650 in Northern Ireland.
While the average growth forecast is 2%, the picture across the UK varies.
Wales鈥� average growth rate is above the average at 5.7%, while England, the South-west (2.8%) and North-west (2.2%) have the highest growth outlook.
Scotland (-0.6%), the North-east of England (-0.1%) and the East Midlands (-0.2%) are all predicted to contract, while the biggest shift in the forecast is for Greater London, where average growth has fallen from 3.5% in January鈥檚 forecast to 1.5%.
Commenting on the latest forecasts, CITB director of policy Stephen Radley said 鈥渄elays and uncertainty over investment decisions and access to migrant labour will likely intensify as Brexit nears鈥�.
He added: 鈥淲hile employers鈥� main focus in the short term will be to weather the storm, it鈥檚 also important that they equip their workforce with the right skills for the challenges ahead.鈥�
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