Construction Confederation calls claims that skills crisis will hinder schools programme ‘seriously misguided’

Industry leaders have this week hit back at claims that the construction industry lacks the capacity to deliver its public sector workload.

The Chartered Institute of Building said delivery of the £2.2bn Building Schools for the Future initiative was being jeopardised by an overstretched workforce.

The Construction Confederation has called the CIOB’s comments “seriously misguided”.

Stephen Ratcliffe, the confederation’s chief executive, said problems with delivery would only arise if the government failed in its promise of consistent investment.

Ratcliffe accused the CIOB of undermining the industry’s chance to win that workload. He said: “The last thing we need is mixed messages about the industry’s ability to deliver. We frequently meet government departments to reassure them that the industry is ready, willing and able to deliver the public investment programme, and seek to convince them of the need for a smooth and consistent workflow.”

Ratcliffe’s anger was echoed by the Construction Products Association, which said it was “staggered” to hear the claims.

The last thing we need is mixed messages about our ability to deliver

Stephen Ratcliffe

A CPA spokesperson said there was “absolutely no substance” to the CIOB’s claim as far as manufacturers were concerned. The spokesperson added that the CPA was working closely with Partnership for Schools to ensure delivery.

The row was started by Michael Brown, the CIOB’s deputy chief executive, who said the industry was suffering a capacity problem as a result of its shrinking workforce, with low staff retention and a fall in recruitment. He said this would affect the feasibility of projects such as the programme to upgrade and refurbish 180 secondary schools across England within 15 years.

Brown said: “Recruitment takes time, as does the training necessary to produce the standard of workmanship for these projects to take place.”

However, Ratcliffe argued that the industry had never failed to deliver a project as a result of labour shortages. Instead, he praised the flexibility of a workforce that shifts transferable skills where necessary to meet programme deadlines.

Ratcliffe said: “The industry has demonstrated its ability to respond to growth, despite skill shortages in certain areas.”