A shortage of QSs has been a problem for years.

But the latest Construction Market Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) highlights increasing anxiety over the standard of available recruits.

The survey showed 65% of respondents reported insufficient availability of quantity surveyors.

It added: “The results also point to the quality of available workers (rather than simply the quantity) being the principle driver in skill shortages, with 67% of respondents taking this view.

“Looking at this further, 59% of contributors feel that improved education pathways and training would be the most effective policy response to alleviate labour supply pressures, whilst 31% of contributors feel direct government subsidisation of training would be the most effective.”

Among those members quizzed Ian Millar of Michael Jarrett Ltd from Newcastle Upon Tyne said: “Too many graduates are told they are able to work as Project Managers etc. instead of learning the basics such as being able to take off quantities and produce a Bill of Quantities.”

Philip Boulcott of ARTELIA UK in London added: “As a consultancy, our main constraint is finding good quality candidates at sustainable salaries.

“In managing construction projects, Principal Contractors are at capacity and their supply chains are equally stretched.”