Skills Gaps
Closing the Skills Gap in Construction
Skills Gaps
Closing the Skills Gap in Construction
The construction industry has long faced challenges in recruiting enough applicants to maintain demand (skill shortages), as well as address skill demands in the existing workforce to meet evolving regulatory requirements and technological changes (skills gaps).
Why is there such a challenge?
The skills challenge is not the result of one single issue, but a combination of factors:
- Perception problems: The industry is not always seen as an attractive or modern career option, especially among young people and career changers. There also remains the perception that construction is just a physical career and one that is dominated by a ‘macho culture’.
- Loss of workers: A large portion of the current workforce is approaching retirement, with too few new entrants to replace them, leading to a loss of knowledge and expertise.
- New skill demands: Rapid change in areas like digital technology, sustainability, and modern methods of construction have created a gap in knowledge and capability that the industry desperately needs to fill.
- Lack of diversity: Of all construction staff in the UK: only 14 per cent are women, with up to 2 per cent in on-site roles; only 6 per cent are from Black, Asian or other ethnic minorities; and only 6 per cent declare a disability. A lack of diversity in decision making during construction hampers the industry’s ability to reflect the communities it serves.
What are we doing?
CIOB is committed to raising awareness about opportunities in construction and the changes necessary to improve access to the profession. In particular, we:
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Publish Research:We publish research to highlight construction’s capacity challenges, sector attitudes, and ways to diversify routes for underrepresented groups.
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Campaign on Policy Recommendations:We advocate for a Built Environment GCSE, better careers advice, and broader routes into the sector to widen the talent pool.
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Support Employers:We help firms implement best practice in training, upskilling and career development, and develop new courses and CPD.
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Push for Greater Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:We campaign for a more diverse, inclusive built environment and support the sector through our EDI Charter and campaign page.
What is happening at a policy level?
There are major changes being made to the skills system in the UK. Some of the most recent changes and proposals include:
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Our News
State of Trade survey findings published
CIOB and FMB publish the SME State of Trade survey results for the first half of 2025