Discover what the construction sector must do over the next five years to head off the impending skills shortage.

1. SKILLS SHORTAGES: WHAT THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LOOKS
LIKE NOW AND INTO 2020
Uncover how to head off the looming construction skills shortage that
threatens to destabilise the sector

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On the surface, the UK
construction sector is booming;
the industry has turned the
corner on the 2008 recession.
Better still, according to analysts:
300,000
homes must be built each year
to meet the government’s house
building targets by 2020.

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THAT’S GOOD NEWS
– IN THEORY.
But the reality represents a stark
challenge for the sector between
now and 2020. To hit the
government target, the industry
needs to hire:

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ONE
MILLION
NEW STAFF BY 2020.

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20,000TRAINEES ENTERING THE INDUSTRY PER ANNUM.
BUT THERE ARE CURRENTLY ONLY

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40,000EXISTING CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE EXPECTED TO LEAVE
THE INDUSTRY DUE TO RETIREMENT OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
AND…

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That represents a
very real construction
skills shortage now
and in the future.

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The construction
skills shortage issue is
exacerbated further by the
lack of white-collar workers
coming into the sector.
From quantity surveyors
to architects, the numbers
needed simply aren’t there.

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THE IMPLICATIONS?

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THE INDUSTRY IS ABOUT TO BE
ENGULFED IN A TIDAL WAVE OF
WORK BUT IT’S STRUGGLING
ALREADY WITH A HUGE SKILLS
SHORTAGE, WEAK TIER 1
BALANCE SHEETS, AND A LACK
OF INVESTMENT IN CAPACITY.
– Richard Threlfall, Head of Infrastructure, Building and Construction at
KPMG UK talking to Construction Enquirer in July, 2015.

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HOW SHOULD THE
INDUSTRY REACT TO THIS
CONSTRUCTION SKILLS
SHORTAGE CRISIS?

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According to the
ConstructionSkills 2020 Vision
Project, there are several
scenarios that could affect how
the industry evolves over the
next five years and beyond.
The FOUR key areas that
are pertinent to the issue of
staffing are:

13. WWW.EQUE2.CO.UK
IMPROVING THE UK CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY’S IMAGE
In the eyes of potential employees, making it a more attractive sector
to work in and to ensure critical inward migration rates don’t fall; the
sector must ‘shout out’ about its success stories to attract fresh talent.

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ENHANCING INDUSTRY
PRODUCTIVITY
Through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and
innovation via training (especially for managers) to help
deal with any potential skills and labour shortages, plus
boost productivity and reduce waste, while reducing
labour requirements via automation where possible.

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TRAINING PERSONNEL ON A
ROLLING BASIS
To ensure as the industry evolves over the next five years,
the existing workforce does as well so they meet quality
and health and safety commitments while bolstering their
own skill sets.

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INCREASING THE ROLLOUT OF
ICT SOLUTIONS
To help drive up efficiency and enhance the
communications, collaboration and integration of all key
project departments whether on- or off- site.

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These four steps are essential for creating an
engaged workforce who will benefit from having all
pertinent information to hand wherever they are,
making their working lives simpler and more efficient.

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These four steps are essential for creating an
engaged workforce who will benefit from having all
pertinent information to hand wherever they are,
making their working lives simpler and more efficient.
It’s a key strategy for boosting staff retention rates while
safeguarding your company from ‘poaching’ and the
construction skills shortage, and encouraging those who are
new to the industry to work for you, and not a competitor.

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REMEMBER:
The next five years represent a very real opportunity for the construction sector - as
well as a series of challenges that will need to be overcome for the industry to grow.
- Train and equip all staff to ensure they are ready to meet the rigours of next five years.
Ultimately, the construction industry must boost its image to ensure existing
workers don’t leave the sector, all while attracting new talent into industry.
- Aim to make their working lives easier so they spend more time on the job, rather
than being distracted by admin ‘busywork’.

20. Uncover more about how IT can
help secure your business’ future by
downloading Eque2’s free eGuide:
MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY BY
MANAGING FLUCTUATING
RESOURCE IN THE
CONTRACTING INDUSTRY
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE EGUIDE NOW