The UK is experiencing a construction skills shortfall

Construction skills gap

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is urging companies to take advantage of training grants for young employees in order to ensure the long-term growth and development of skills in the industry.

A CITB study showed that around 42% of construction companies are struggling to recruit workers with the right skills and about 18% of employers said that a skills gap has damaged their growth over the last two years.

Exceptional training grant

In a move to get construction industry training back into growth, the CITB Board has approved the Exceptional Training Grant (ETG). The £30 million grant is designed to encourage and provide incentives for those who continue training. £15 million of the funding was used for training carried out under the 2012/2013 Grants Scheme and a further £15 million will be used for the 2013/2014 Grants Scheme.

UK construction statistics

• Construction output in November 2013 is estimated to have fallen by 4% m/m (£395 million) compared with October 2013. There was also a 3.9% m/m (£240 million) decline in new work and a 4.2% m/m (£155 million) fall in repair and maintenance.
• Construction output grew by 0.7% in September – November 2013 compared to June – August 2013. There were also small increases in new work and repair and maintenance of 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively.
• Despite the m/m fall in November, long-term growth is anticipated, with construction output estimated to have risen by 2.2% y/y in November 2013, compared with November 2012.

Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/17012014/the_uk_is_experiencing_a_construction_skills_shortfall_611/