Construction skills shortage threatens housing aims, LGA warns

New analysis by the LGA shows that there were 58 per cent fewer completed construction apprenticeships last year compared to 2009. While the construction industry’s forecasted annual recruitment need is up 54 per cent from 2013, there are 10,000 fewer construction qualifications being awarded by colleges, apprenticeships and universities.

The LGA has called upon government to work with the construction industry, councils and education providers to develop a national strategy to solve this growing shortage, which would include devolving careers advice, post-16 and adult skills budgets and powers to local areas.

Cllr Peter Box, chair of the LGA's Housing Board, said: "For too long we've trained too many hairdressers and not enough bricklayers. Too few apprentices are getting the construction skills to build the homes and roads our local communities need and developers are struggling to recruit skilled labour to build new homes.

"Industry is clear that skills gaps are one of their greatest barriers to building. If we are to see the homes desperately needed across the country built and jobs and apprenticeships created, councils must be given a leading role.

"Skills demand will always vary significantly across the country. For example, the Northwest is desperate for bricklayers while the West Midlands have a higher demand for wood trades and interior fitters.

"Councils are best-placed to understand the needs of their residents and local economies but have no influence over skills training and employment support in their area.

"In return for increased funding and powers, councils, schools, colleges and employers could work together to reduce unemployment, close this widening construction skills gap and ramp up housebuilding."

Read more