Industry needs extra 45,000 workers a year by 2027, CITB report says

The Construction Industry Training Board has said an extra 225,000 construction workers will be needed by 2027 to cope with demand.

The group’s annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) report shows that an extra 45,000 new workers a year will be needed, adding that it expected the number of people to be working in the industry in four years’ time to be 2.67m.

It said all parts of the UK would need more workers with demand especially strong in private housing, infrastructure and repair and maintenance.

Among the regions which need the most workers are Scotland with an extra 19,550 workers required by 2027, the West Midlands and North West which both need more than 25,000 workers and the South West which needs an extra 38,000 workers.

CITB chief executive Tim Balcon said: “The latest report clearly shows that despite current economic uncertainty, recruiting and developing the workforce remains vital to ensure the industry can contribute to economic growth.”