Fears that the recession will impact the construction industry were pushed aside last month, with the sector seeing it’s fastest growth, since May 2022.
Reports published in February, have shown a sharp rise in activity across the UK, following a turbulent start to the year.
However, cutbacks have continued to affect the housing market, as demand falls and banks add uncertainty to mortgage applications.
Having said that, the housing market has rebounded in recent weeks, with property value rising again.
This comes at a time when the industry is struggling to keep up in key areas. The government’s target to build 300,000 new homes by 2030 is unachievable with the labour currently available.
More than 360,000 construction workers are set to retire by the end of the decade, which will add to the current shortages in the industry.
It’s predicted that the sector will need to find 950,000 workers in the next seven years, to meet demand.
VR is being used to teach prisoners scaffolding skills
To tackle this, some construction firms have looked to prisons to fill the skills shortage. As part of a two week campaign, Unlocking Construction sees offenders learning scaffolding skills through VR. Over 60 prisons across the UK have taken part in the programme in hope that skilled inmates will find employment upon release.
Over the 2022 Christmas period, plumbers, plasterers, and builders made more than £1,000 a week. So, there is plenty of incentive to get people into the industry.
Tradesman Talk
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