Scottish construction is set to benefit from new CITB research which – for the first time – will give a detailed five-year overview of skills, demand and supply at a regional level.

This report is the first-of-its-kind and will be renewed annually, alongside the existing research offer. The aim of the report is to help CITB work with industry and the education sector to address the challenges raised by the findings, and to create a series of regional skills action plans that are meaningful and direct future training needs.

With overall demand in 2018 estimated at 247,300 and an existing workforce of nearly 241,000, the overall workforce in Scotland is estimated to need nearly 6,400 workers. This represents a shortfall of 3% on current employment.

Headline findings from the report include:

  • Construction skills pressures in areas such as the Highlands & Islands and South East;
  • potential shortages in painting and decorating and plumbing trades;
  • need for support staff who work in the supply chain – IT specialists, researchers, lawyers, procurement experts – further emphasising that construction is a career for everyone.
Further information is available from Amanda Scott, Sector Skills Engagement Manager amadascott@thefis.org