Bricking It: Can the UK Construction Industry Fix Its Widening Skills Gap?

The UK’s building and construction sector is facing an existential challenge—an acute and growing shortage of skilled workers. From housebuilders and civil engineers to retrofit specialists and water infrastructure technicians, the demand for qualified labour is far outstripping supply. Unless this gap is addressed urgently, it could delay major infrastructure projects, hinder the green transition, and put sustainability targets at risk.

A Crumbling Workforce

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimates that the UK construction sector will need 225,000 extra workers by 2027 just to meet demand. The problem is being driven by a combination of factors: an ageing workforce, fewer young people entering the trades, Brexit-related labour shortages, and increasing demand for low-carbon and resilient buildings.

The picture is just as stark across specialised sectors. In water-related construction alone, there are calls for thousands of new professionals to maintain, expand, and modernise ageing infrastructure. With billions pledged for climate adaptation and clean water systems, the question remains: who will actually do the work?

Training the Builders of Tomorrow

Recognising the scale of the problem, the UK government has launched a number of initiatives to increase recruitment, training, and retention in the construction sector. Among these:

• Apprenticeships and T-Levels: The Department for Education offers funding for Level 2 and 3 construction-related apprenticeships, such as bricklaying, civil engineering, and building services. The Construction Support Fund also covers equipment, PPE and travel for apprentices in priority areas.

• Skills Bootcamps: As part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, Skills Bootcamps in construction offer free, fast-track training for adults seeking to retrain or upskill. These cover areas like retrofit coordination, sustainable construction, and site supervision.

• Construction Skills Fund (CSF): Previously delivered through CITB and now succeeded by newer localised schemes, the CSF helped deliver onsite training hubs near major building projects. Local authorities and mayoral combined authorities are now receiving similar devolved funds to support training infrastructure.

Despite these steps, industry leaders argue it’s not enough. A recent Federation of Master Builders (FMB) survey found that 68% of small construction firms had to turn down work due to labour shortages. The same report noted rising wage pressures, with some skilled trades earning 25–30% more than in 2020.

The Green Skills Crunch

One major driver of demand is the transition to net-zero. Retrofitting Britain’s leaky homes, installing low-carbon heating, and creating flood-resilient infrastructure all require specific technical skills—many of which are in short supply.

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has called for a national Green Skills Strategy to support retrofit, sustainable construction, and nature-based solutions. “There’s a growing mismatch between what we need and what we’re training for,” said a recent CLC report.

In response, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is supporting green jobs through schemes like the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition, offering grants to training providers focused on retrofit coordination, insulation installation, and air source heat pumps.

Additionally, construction firms working on water infrastructure projects—like flood defences, stormwater management, and drainage—may benefit from Environment Agency investment. The EA recently secured commitments worth £22 billion from water companies, expected to create thousands of construction jobs.

Funding Opportunities for Individuals and Employers

Whether you're a jobseeker or a construction firm, several funding routes are available:

• Apprenticeship Levy Transfers: Large employers can transfer unused levy funds to smaller businesses, helping to cover up to 100% of apprenticeship training costs.

• Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs): Backed by government funding, LSIPs are being developed across England to align skills provision with employer needs—particularly in sectors like construction and infrastructure.

• National Skills Fund: This fund helps adults without a Level 3 qualification access fully funded courses in key sectors, including construction trades.

• Levelling Up Funds and Town Deals: These often include capital for training hubs and construction training, particularly in regions with regeneration plans.

Mind the (Diversity) Gap

Another issue is the industry’s lack of diversity. Just 15% of construction workers are female, and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented. The Building People platform and the CITB are working to make the sector more inclusive and accessible through targeted outreach and mentoring programmes.

By broadening the appeal of construction careers—especially in schools and underrepresented communities—the industry hopes to tap into a wider talent pool.

Building the Future

The message is clear: the construction industry is fundamental to the UK’s net-zero and economic ambitions—but only if it has the workforce to deliver. That means not just recruiting more people, but training them in the right skills, and doing so quickly.

If we’re to build resilient homes, sustainable schools, and water infrastructure fit for the future, the foundations must be laid now—with investment in people as much as in concrete and steel.