UK construction needs to tackle lack of key skills

A report launched at Ecobuild by the BRE Academy has revealed that sustainability and environmental skills as well as trades such as plastering, electrical and plumbing were in short supply across construction in the UK. BIM and management skills were also seen as lacking on a wider industry as well as an individual company or organisation basis.

The survey also highlighted a continued image problem for construction, with 91 percent of respondents saying that people outside the industry have a different perspective of the industry than those within it.

BRE Academy Director Pauline Traetto said: "Construction currently contributes £92 billion a year to the UK economy with a workforce of 3 million people. In order to support future growth in the UK as well as rapid expansion in developing countries a talented, engaged workforce is critical. Only by grappling with the skills shortage highlighted in this report in areas like sustainability and digital design will the industry be able to deliver a low-carbon, high-performance future."

The BRE Academy skills survey was supported by CITB IEMA and CIAT."This important research contributes to the evidence we need to work together, with industry, to close the skills gap," said Alex Birks, Head of Strategic Training Provision & Development, CITB.

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