The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has called for more apprentices as it predicts a further 232,000 jobs to be created over the next five years.
The call comes following the release of its Construction Skills Network (CSN) report that predicts sustained growth from 2016-2020 with an annual average increase of 2.5% to be driven by infrastructure and private housing.
Steve Radley, policy director at the CITB said: “All types of training, and especially apprenticeships, will be vital to delivering this pipeline of work. This positive forecast should inspire more people to start apprenticeships, and more firms to take them on.”
The report predicts that more than 44,000 jobs could be created every year for the next five years, including 2,510 building envelope specialists, 4,320 in wood trades and interior fit out and 2,870 bricklayers.
Annual growth is predicted across the whole of the UK in the next five years, with Wales set to lead with year-on-year growth of 7.1%, followed by the south west, London and the north west, which will experience 4.4%, 3.5% and 2.6% growth respectively.
In response to the growing need for skilled workers, the CITB is launching a series of new partnerships with local and regional training providers in 2016 to make sure the right training takes place where it is most needed.
It is also continuing to work closely with the construction industry to further develop Go Construct – an industry-led web portal showcasing the opportunities in the industry in order to help construction firms recruit the talent they need to grow, and increase awareness of the opportunities available.
Mr Radley continued: “We can’t build the Britain we want without growing apprenticeships – and the careers they lead onto. That’s why it is vital that these new statistics, showing solid, sustained growth, inspire more people join the construction industry.”
Employment Minister Priti Patel said: “We’ve got Britain building again with a 25% increase in the number of new homes delivered over the past year alone and construction workers are benefiting from growing wages too – giving families the security of a regular paycheck.
“Today’s report highlights the great opportunities on offer for people to take advantage of the three million new apprenticeships this Government is delivering.”
The full report from CITB can be viewed here.
