Sussex-based contractor Pilbeam Construction is urging the government to take immediate action to tackle the escalating skills gap and prioritise SMEs in the construction sector.
Without intervention, this shortage threatens to derail Labour’s ambitious housing targets and disrupt building projects nationwide, warned the firm. It also wants more incentives for young people to enter the profession and for older workers to retrain.
Alan Corbett, managing director of Pilbeam Construction, said: “There’s been a lot of talk about getting Britain building again and the need for more housing, but we need trained people to see these projects through.
“The lack of training and apprenticeship programmes among smaller construction firms, combined with the loss of skilled European labour following Brexit, has left the sector in a tricky position. We urge the new administration to address this issue in the upcoming autumn Budget.”
The Construction Industry Training Board warned earlier this year there was a shortfall of 152,000 workers needed to achieve Labour’s ambitions of building 1.5m homes in the next five years.
Pilbeam pointed out ‘tier one’ contractors often have their own registered training schemes, and although there is a shortage of labour, these larger businesses have the power and leverage to recruit from what is a small and therefore expensive pool.
Alan added: “Once you get down to medium and small-sized contractors, it has become more challenging to recruit at the bottom of the pyramid. The industry is struggling to find skilled people to do the work, and all our subcontractors are telling the same story.
“We need a major push from the government if we’re to meet housing targets. Construction can play a vital role in the UK’s economic recovery, but a skilled workforce is a must.
“The government should implement policies that incentivise new talent to join the sector, including expanding schemes like T Levels and apprenticeships.”
Pilbeam is not alone in this concern. According to Screwfix’s 2024 Voice of the Trade Report, the shortage of young people entering trades is a major concern amongst tradespeople.
Over 80% reported a lack of apprentices, with one in three small firms saying financial support for apprentice wages would help them hire more.
Pilbeam Construction suggested apprenticeships would be more attractive if the government took inspiration from the package of support students receive by providing a living allowance, free or subsidised travel or help to buy tools or equipment for apprentices.
Alan, who is just starting as an Enterprise Adviser with East Sussex County Council, where he actively engages with schools to promote construction as a career, said: “We have to improve access to apprenticeships and training schemes while raising awareness.
“At Pilbeam, we’ve taken on a management trainee and a young carpenter, but these initiatives need stronger promotion at both industry and government levels. We would like to see the government support our trade bodies and institutes by promoting the construction industry as a professional, safe and worthwhile alternative for both women and men.
“It’s vital to catch young people early. Not every career has to be behind a computer – there’s strong demand for tradespeople, and these roles offer excellent pay and job security if you’ve got the right skills.”
