Construction skills in recession

Results from the Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) fourth annual skills survey showed that 72% think the industry is suffering from a skills shortage despite the recession and a subsequent downturn in construction demand.

The lack of apprentice recruitment is emphasised by 67% as the biggest threat to the future skills agenda. Furthermore, 52% of the sample reported that the recession has resulted in a decline in apprentice recruitment. Insufficient education about construction at school-level was reported by 47% of respondents as the second-biggest threat to the future skills agenda, while an ageing workforce was underlined by 46% as the third-biggest threat.

Graduate recruitment in the industry is also on the decline, with only 2% of respondents reporting an increase in graduates, compared to 12% in the 2009 skills survey. In total 66% of the sample believe graduates do not have the necessary skills to work in the industry when they leave university, though 63% believe a graduate intern scheme, which would supplement those skills, would be beneficial to the industry.

Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive said: “Future investment for the industry is clearly essential. But it will be pointless if we do not have a skilled industry capable of delivering projects, and that means the industry must find ways of retaining, developing and recruiting its future human capital.

“Respondents called for apprenticeship and graduate schemes to be aimed specifically at the industry. This could suggest a lack of awareness, or relevance, of the current range of initiatives already on offer. Our view is that if the industry is to successfully recruit tomorrow’s skilled workforce then it must increase its participation in schemes like the Graduate Talent Pool that cut across all industries. There is evidence that construction is keen to recruit that talent from outside the industry.”

The worst of the recession appears to have passed, with 74% of the sample expecting construction demand in 2010/11 to either increase or remain the same. In comparison with 2009, when 67% of respondents expected a decrease in construction demand, this is encouraging news. However, 43% of respondents expect the construction workforce to continue to decrease, further adding to skills shortages and suggesting the industry has not recovered from the downturn.