HVAC engineers are among the massive shortfall of skilled labour that will be required by the construction industry over the coming years, according to a report by recruitment consultants Resourcing Solutions.

The research predicts that a deficit of around 10,000 workers every year for the next four years, going on to warn that if the volume of work continues to rise, the sector could be left searching for up to 150,000 workers by 2010 if projects are to be completed by anticipated deadlines.

The resourcing problem is compounded by the fact that not only is the industry chasing fewer workers, but the structure of the workforce is also shifting. Demand has increased for qualified professionals - including a positive 10% growth in the call for plumbers and HVAC engineers.

"The industry needs to attract more individuals with a management skills set," adds Richard Lawrence, managing director of Resourcing Solutions.

The report by Resourcing Solutions coincides with a call by skills minister, Phil Hope for building services employers to play a part in the major skills developments taking place in 2006. "I want to encourage employers to engage with SummitSkills in producing an agreement to meet priority skill requirements and map the main drivers for change in building services engineering over the next 10 years," says Hope.

Source

Building Sustainable Design