Not enough construction workers, says Ucatt

Construction trade union Ucatt has expressed concern at the shortage of skilled labour in the industry, stating that not enough new recruits were entering the building trade.

A spokesman for the body said that while over 80,000 new workers were needed, last year saw just 7,500 people taken on as apprentices, something he believed could hit housebuilding targets.

He commented: "It has a huge impact and there are concerns about the slowdown of the housing sector."

The spokesperson added that at present the gaps were being filled with migrant labour.

In the south-east and London the situation may be worse still, due to the high demand for labour to build the 2012 Olympic facilities.

Last month the BBC reported that the Construction Skills Network had projected that 182,000 additional workers were needed just for that project, with the required number of such employees set to peak at 2.8 million in 2011.


© Adfero Ltd