Latest research has revealed that the sector is suffering from “one of the greatest skills shortages of any UK industry”.
money.co.uk analysed ONS data to reveal the UK industries suffering from the largest workforce shortages. The study found that 16% of construction businesses are experiencing worker shortages.
Joe Phelan, money.co.uk business loans expert, offered his tips on how companies can prevent a skills gap with recruiting and training efforts: “Closing skill gaps and preventing future staff shortages is essential for businesses looking to stay competitive and grow.
“So, as businesses focus on staying ahead and being more efficient, here’s how you can tackle skill gaps and prevent staff shortages effectively:
“Retention strategies: Staff retention is one of the key areas of an effective workforce. Beyond competitive salaries and benefits, fostering a positive work environment is crucial. Employees who feel valued, supported, and engaged are more likely to stay. This means creating a culture of recognition, ensuring meaningful work, and promoting a healthy work-life balance through wellbeing policies and professional development opportunities.
“Boost your business reputation: Attracting top talent starts with building a strong employer brand – but authenticity is key. Showcase your company culture, values, and career development opportunities in a way that genuinely reflects the employee experience. Use social media, job fairs, and industry events to highlight what makes your workplace great, ensuring that what you promote aligns with reality to build trust with potential hires.
“Utilise apprenticeship and internship schemes: Collaborate with educational institutions to create apprenticeship and internship programmes. These initiatives can help businesses identify and nurture talent early while offering hands-on experience. This can be a great opportunity to engage with the younger generation and encourage a new wave of workers into the industry.
“Develop your onboarding process: A well-structured onboarding programme is key to helping new team members feel welcomed and valued from day one. Beyond covering company policies and job-specific training, onboarding should introduce new hires to the company culture, connect them with colleagues, and provide mentorship opportunities. Creating a supportive and engaging experience helps employees settle in quickly, boosting confidence and long-term retention.
“Addressing skills gaps may require extra recruitment efforts or workforce training, which could be supported by responsible business lending. Financing options can help fund tailored training programmes, launch a recruitment marketing campaign or refine your hiring strategy.
“One way businesses can get help is by securing a business loan. This can provide crucial capital to help you overcome specific challenges. These funds could be used for developing custom training programmes, recruitment marketing campaigns, or enhancing your recruitment processes.”
