Contractors battle it out for shrinking pool of staff

Grant Prior 7 years ago
Share

Construction companies are trying to hire staff at their fastest rate for more than a decade.

But a lack of skilled workers means many vacancies could go unfilled.

The latest survey from recruitment giant ManpowerGroup reveals construction as the most upbeat sector when it comes to hiring.

James Hick, Managing Director for ManpowerGroup Solutions said: “Britain’s builders are as optimistic now as at any time since the financial crisis.

“Construction hiring often slows in the winter months, but the UK is set to buck the trend this year – our data suggests this could be the strongest fourth quarter for hiring since 2005.”

Hicks said that testing and repair work in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy had caused a surge in demand for staff.

He said: “Some of this work is the urgent testing and repair that is being carried out up and down the country on much of Britain’s public housing stock.

“The state of housing in the country is under the microscope like never before and the need for both building and remedial work have caused demand in the construction industry to shoot up.”

He added: “Thetough reality lurking beneath all these positive indicators is that these hiring intentions may not come to fruition because of difficulties attracting and retaining skilled employees.

“Take construction, where companies are reporting a stronger pipeline of work than they have for years.

“However, without a pool of skilled workers to actually do the work, buildings will go unbuilt and projects will flounder.

“There is lots of talk around what we need to do to fix the UK’s ailing housing market at present but politicians’ promises are just hot air without the essential skilled talent needed to deliver these programmes.”

For all the latest jobs and to promote your vacancies to the Enquirer’s vast industry audience click here

Latest news

Carpenter killed by falling timber frame panels

Court fines specialist contractor £8,000 after site tragedy
3 days ago

Road sweeper specialist files administration notice

Go Plant lodges court notice
3 days ago

Anglian Homes rides in to finish crashed Everest contracts

Rival doubled glazed window specialist commits to complete orders
3 days ago

Final work starts to connect super sewer to London system

End in sight with 1.5m thick concrete wall to be demolished to link-up to Lee Tunnel sewer system
3 days ago

Legal challenge launched against £1.5bn A66 dualling

Balfour Beatty, Kier and Keltbray must now await outcome of court challenge
3 days ago

John F Hunt wins 24-storey Battersea tower

Specialist to carry-out demolition, enabling works and RC frame construction
4 days ago

William Hare wins steelwork on £500m Broadgate towers

Specialist to work on 2 Finsbury Avenue with McAlpine
4 days ago

McAlpine appoints MD to grow ventures business

Owain Thomas will build on private rental and healthcare development successes
4 days ago

BAM Co-op Live Arena opening delayed yet again

Another gig cancelled last night amid last minute safety concerns
4 days ago

National Grid unveils winners for £9bn network upgrade

New 'enterprise model' to deliver infrastructure schemes quicker and cheaper
5 days ago

Turkish insulation panel maker to build £45m UK factory

Assan Panel to open first UK plant at Freeport East
4 days ago

Expanding consultant Stantec swoops for Hydrock

Stantec UK business expands by a third as 950 staff join from Bristol-based engineer
5 days ago

Contractors wanted for £800m highways deal

Bids invited for Eastern Highways Alliance Framework 4
4 days ago

Galliford Try names group head of infrastructure

David Lowery promoted to Divisional Managing Director – Infrastructure.
4 days ago

Chigwell Group looks at stock market listing

Essex contractor registers as Public Limited Company
5 days ago

A57 Mottram Bypass clears final legal challenge

Balfour Beatty to get go-ahead to start shortly
5 days ago

100 jobs axed as Geoffrey Osborne confirms administration

Chairman Andrew Osborne calls it a 'sad day' as board loses fight for survival
6 days ago

Midgard set for Notting Hill office tower overhaul

Landmark project edges towards final approval after 10-year planning saga
5 days ago

Cumbrian civils firm clinches £40m Sellafield contract

Civils specialist Stobbarts will support McAlpine on groundworks and concrete
5 days ago

Designers named for London 2000-bed student rooms job

Bouygues will build £400m London School of Economics student scheme next to Tate Modern
5 days ago

£117m-turnover contractor files administration notice

ARJ Construction lodges court notice
6 days ago

£1bn London Blackfriars tower blocks approved

Trio of buildings rising to 45, 40 and 22 storeys approved by Southwark Council
6 days ago

Council decides to end Balfour deal after 13 years

Contractor has been maintaining roads across Herefordshire since 2013
6 days ago

Six civils clients to switch to low carbon concrete and steel

National Highways, Northumbrian Water and Sellafield sign fresh decarbonising pledge
1 week ago

Fortem extends homes repair deal across Birmingham

Willmott Dixon owned firm adds another two years to deal worth £170m
6 days ago

Kier wins £118m civil service Darlington hub

Work is expected to start towards the end of this year
1 week ago

Green light for 34-storey Digbeth apartments tower

480 flats will be delivered for Clarion housing association
6 days ago

LHC starts race for major retrofit and decarb framework

Hunt starts for firms to help with 6.1m social homes upgrade target
1 week ago

Windows giant Everest crashes into administration

Around 350 jobs at risk while hunt starts for a buyer to salvage business
1 week ago

Green light for £500m Newcastle health complex

Mixed use scheme will promote healthy living across all stages of life
1 week ago

Contractor services