Construction sector needs 9,000 new recruits by 2025
THE reviving construction sector will need more than 9,000 new recruits by 2025 in Wales to meet growing order levels.
A new analysis of the sector by Construction Industry Training Body (CITB) shows that the sector has bounced back quicker than expected from the Covid-19 pandemic, and most of the industry will reach 2019 levels of output in 2023.
It said that by 2025 the Welsh construction industry will need to recruit an additional 9,250 new workers – equating to 1,850 per year – just to meet demand.
The amount of construction work in Wales is set to grow by 4.1% annually, on average, until the end of 2025, slightly below the UK average of 4.4%, with private housing being the fastest growth area.
While the workforce of 114,400 is set to increase by 0.7% over the next few years, an additional 9,250 workers will be needed to meet demand.
Key trades needed in Wales include an extra 500 bricklayers and an additional 350 electricians annual over the next five years.
There will also need to a further 100 each for civil engineers and architects.
For the UK as whole, CITB has identified the need to recruit a further 43,350.
CITB Wales’ partnerships director Mark Bodger said: “Welsh construction is playing a leading role in supporting Britain’s post-Covid economic recovery.
“It is great to see our industry bouncing back so strongly, and we will need to adopt new approaches to meet these growing skills needs and deliver these quickly.
“We are also making significant investments in supporting work experience that make it easier for employers to bring in new blood.
“We’ll be working closely with our partners in industry, in learning, and in Welsh Government to ensure our industry can rise to the challenge of meeting these ambitious targets.”
In Wales, major projects driving growth over the next few years include the £750m South Wales Metro and the £336m investment from Welsh Water this year, part of the organisation’s £2.3bn investment being made by 2025.
Gareth Wyn Evans, manager of the Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), which is funded by the CITB for scaffolders, said: “CWIC’s pan-Wales skills strategy is underpinned by a large amount of research and extensive industry engagement relating to the continued drive for a highly skilled construction talent pipeline across Wales.
“Welsh industry, much like other regions of the UK, has a significant challenge in working towards attracting the volume of workers.
“This is especially prevalent within emerging skills and developing roles that are required to achieve modernisation and decarbonisation of the sector.
“Our work shows how we and our partners are uniquely placed to drive forward the industry, tackle the challenge head-on whilst continuing to future-proof construction skills.”
However, it is not all good news – the commercial sector faces significant near-term risks, while the public sectors could be impacted by tighter government finances.
CITB Wales is working with colleges, schools and Careers Wales to promote the industry, and its wide range of professions, as a career for young people.
On the impact of the lost EU workers post-Brexit, the CITB said a third of construction firms expect to provide more jobs for British workers.
Based on recent research, it said that 41% of employers will look to increase the skills of British workers, almost a third (30%) will provide more permanent jobs for British citizen, a quarter (24%) will increase minimum salaries, while 16% will look to take on more local apprentices. While employers reported a fall in the number of migrant employees, there was a rise in the number of self-employed migrants working for the industry.