The Construction Skills Gap

We are almost halfway through 2021 and the challenges of ensuring the industry has enough people are coming to a head. With the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme at the end of this month, the construction sector is caught between increased demand for infrastructure, housing and RMI and the new Points‐Based Immigration System which is difficult to navigate and preventing people with the skills we need from entering the country.

 
Build UK continues to raise this issue which could delay projects at the same time the industry is being asked to drive the economic recovery. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Construction Minister Anne‐Marie Trevelyan have both acknowledged our calls for assistance, and the impact on the industry has been highlighted by Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol in the Financial Times and on Politics Live over the last week.
 
With the difficulties in employing foreign workers, there couldn’t be a better time for Build UK to publish the results of their flexible working project with Timewise which can help to attract and retain a diverse workforce, and we would encourage all our members to have a look and see what is possible within their businesses.