Roundtable Addresses the Talent Shortage in Construction
The Thames Valley LSIP (Local Skills Improvement Plan) convened a roundtable discussion in January 2025 at The University of Reading, to tackle a pressing issue: the construction industry’s struggle to attract and retain talent. Despite being a vital sector worth £134bn annually to the UK economy, the industry faces a projected shortfall of 250,000-270,000 workers by 2027.
Several challenges contribute to this talent shortage. Stereotypes about the industry being lower-class, dirty, and manual deter young people and diverse candidates. Nicola Hieatt from CITB noted,
You need to demonstrate the scope of construction earlier to reduce the stigma and perception of the industry.
Additionally, the industry suffers from a lack of visibility, with few role models and negative media coverage.
Brexit has also impacted the workforce, leading to a loss of skilled and unskilled workers and raising recruitment barriers. The complexity of the industry, with its various technical disciplines and project stakeholders, can be off-putting.
Mike Mullan from Newbury College mentioned:
From my experience, only around 20% actually stay within the construction industry after completing their FE course.
A lack of understanding of the industry’s breadth of roles further exacerbates the problem. Edward Collett from Abingdon and Witney College highlighted, “There is a lack of understanding of the more modern trades: people tend to know the domestic bit alone.”
Retention issues also plague the industry. Tribalism and traditionalism make it difficult for individuals without connections to break into it. Alex Rabey-Bennett from Enborne Project Consultancy stated,
It’s hard to break into construction without links to or family in the industry.
Limited growth opportunities and competition for talent, with businesses poaching employees with higher salaries, further hinder retention.
The roundtable discussed several possible solutions to address these challenges. Better promoting the industry’s value by highlighting its economic and social importance through events, outreach, and better communication would help. Demystifying the industry by developing more resources for educators and supporting recruitment to related courses and potential employees is also important. By offering better role models and increasing the visibility of the industry’s diversity, they hope to attract more talent.
Adrian Tagg from the University of Reading emphasised, “If you’re passionate about helping the planet, join Greenpeace… if you want to make a real difference, work in the built environment.”
The LSIP is committed to using positive language to emphasise the vibrancy and legacy of the industry and the importance of all roles within it. They plan to spread awareness at local, regional, and national levels to build momentum for the cause. Additionally, they aim to improve recruitment processes to ensure trained individuals can secure jobs. As Lawrence Wright from Helix Construct noted, “As main contractors we have a responsibility to support SMEs. They are small and time poor. We’re trying to support them to develop and retain new entrants more now at Helix through our Foundation….”
The LSIP is dedicated to changing perceptions, attracting diverse talent, and retaining skilled workers to ensure a thriving future for the construction industry. For more information or to get involved, contact Simon Barrable at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce: simon@thekwp.co.uk
Based on an article by Emma White, on behalf of Helix Construct
