The figure represents a 20% jump on current levels with severe skills shortages set to bite by next April.

A new report by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and KPMG warns that training levels need to double to plug the gaps.

Richard Threlfall, KPMG UK Head of Infrastructure, Building and Construction said: “For the first time in many generations, the UK has a strong pipeline of construction and infrastructure projects to reinvigorate the economy and drive our future competitiveness.

“But delivery of that pipeline is now in jeopardy – not for lack of political will or funding – but for lack of a sufficiently large and trained workforce.

“Unless action is taken now, our housing targets will be missed, and infrastructure projects delayed.

“This report calls on the industry itself to wake up and take responsibility to increase levels of training dramatically.

“It also calls on Government and training providers to recognise that the industry is changing, with ever greater application of technology and a trend towards offsite manufacturing – the skills required in the industry tomorrow will be very different from the skills required today.

“And above all it calls on all in the industry to take steps to boost the image of the construction sector as an attractive career path for the next generation in our schools and colleges.

The ‘Skills to build’ report states that 255,000 workers will be needed on site to deliver the 2015 pipeline of housing while 400,000 of the current workforce are expected to retire in the next 5-10 years.

Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive of LCCI said: “Our members have long spoken to us about their difficulties recruiting sufficiently skilled workers.

“The detailed findings of this report highlight just how grave skills shortages are in the construction sector, with significant deficits of capable workers across numerous trades and professions.”

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