The findings of the latest UK Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) construction skills survey show that a shortage in construction skills will continue to be a challenge for the UK construction industry, and one that will worsen as the demand for building work increases.

Over 1200 construction managers and construction company directors, the majority  from UK construction companies employing more than 500 construction staff, took part in the CIOB survey. The results show that people possessing construction crafts/trades, senior and middle construction management skills are highly sought after, yet migrant workers are mainly filling manual construction vacancies.

• 90% of respondents believed the UK construction industry is currently suffering a skills shortage;
• 83% of respondents felt that senior construction management recruitment was difficult and;
• 84% regarded the recruitment of construction middle management as difficult in 2008.

This represents an increase of 7% and 9% respectively compared to results from the 2006 CIOB construction skills survey.

Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive said: “Despite the current credit crunch, 70% of the respondents believe that there will be an increase in construction demand in 2008 together with a worsening supply of middle and senior construction management. The shortage of construction professionals and construction managers within the industry is reflected in many parts of the world. Areas such as the Middle East will be a continuing draw for UK talent, exacerbating the situation in the UK.”

He added: "We also know that the demand from young people for construction apprenticeships is outstripping the number of training places available in the UK construction industry. In 2007 ConstructionSkills, the industry's Sector Skills Council, was only able to place 8,500 people into apprenticeships out of the 50,000 who applied. This lack of apprenticeships will have a long-term impact on the skills base of the future."

The findings also highlight a recent reduction in the numbers of migrant workers coming to the UK to work as construction labourers, and suggest that if migrant workers do hold construction management skills, they are not recruited due to poor English language competency. In terms of the construction recruitment process, the majority of respondents said that their organisation relied on those migrant workers who are already in the UK.