23/05/2024
Over 225,000 workers are needed in construction by 2027 to meet demand. If demand is met, the construction industry in the UK will boast over 2.67 million workers, up by 2% from its peak in 2008.
The sectors with the most demand are Private Housing, Infrastructure, Repair and Maintenance, however, to meet this demand we have a long road ahead with over 58% of construction companies reporting that they’re struggling with recruitment.
Despite facing challenges due to economic uncertainty and the skills gap, the industry is actively adapting and seeking solutions to inspire the next generation of construction workers and upskill existing employees. By offering degree apprenticeships and investing in modern construction techniques, employers can attract and retain a talented workforce, fostering growth and innovation within the sector.
However, while these strategies meet long-term goals, the industry is struggling with short-term goals affecting the delivery of major construction projects. As an agency, we regularly consult with our clients on how they can remedy the current situation and get teams on the ground and projects running efficiently.
Our advice to our clients and those recruiting across construction;
✅ Look at skill set rather than sector experience; candidates are robust and with the right onboarding and training can become dependable workers.
✅ Team fit is everything; Choose candidates who can demonstrate reliability over candidates with high skill and low reliability. Candidates with low dependability can affect crews more than we realise through tardiness, productivity and efficiency.
✅ Be flexible; whilst projects have set timelines and deadlines that need to be met, the rest of the world is now working more flexibly. Take this into consideration when setting project requirements, and allow for variable shift patterns.
✅ Get on-site; for our clients who are predominantly office-based, we see the highest staff retention from those companies whose HR, Talent Acquisition and operations teams have a good working relationship with those onsite, especially project managers.
At HSQ Recruitment, we bridge the gap between clients and candidates. If you’re looking for support in recruiting for positions across construction from groundworkers to regional managers, design engineers and surveyors, and want an agency that can truly guide you in how to get the best for your teams, then contact HSQ Recruitment on 0113 887 4430 or email [email protected]