Skills Gaps
Closing the Skills Gap in Construction
Skills Gaps
Closing the Skills Gap in Construction
A skilled workforce is essential to a strong, resilient construction industry. Yet right now, the sector is facing growing shortages across key roles. CIOB has made tackling the skills gap a priority in our Corporate Plan, recognising its impact on quality, safety, innovation and the future pipeline of talent.
What’s Causing the Gap?
The skills gap isn’t the result of one single issue, but a combination of factors:
Perception problems: The industry isn’t always seen as an attractive or modern career option, especially among young people and career changers.
Retiring talent: A large portion of the current workforce is approaching retirement, with too few new entrants to replace them.
New skills demand: Rapid change in areas like digital tech, sustainability, and modern methods of construction has created a gap in knowledge and capability.
What We're Doing
CIOB is actively involved in tackling the construction skills shortage through research, partnerships and direct recommendations.
Our key work includes:
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Advocating for a Built Environment GCSEA new qualification to introduce construction earlier in education and broaden the talent pool.
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Pushing for market reformWe’re calling for better procurement, long-term investment in skills, and more stability to attract and retain talent.
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Supporting employersWe help construction firms understand and implement best practice around training, upskilling and supporting career development.
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Advisory PanelOur expert panel brings together voices from across the industry to guide our work on closing the skills gap.
What's Happening?
Across the UK, government and industry bodies are working to improve the pipeline of talent. Current developments include:
Briefings
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Calling all construction clients – CIOB launches first client survey
Survey aims to gather information on the key priorities and challenges faced by clients across all sectors
CIOB appoints new Client Steering Group Chair
Ayo Allu will replace Mike Foy in December 2025
CIOB backs Code for Construction Product Information
The code was initiated and developed by the Construction Product Association (CPA) to raise standards in construction product information and marketing