Skills shortage could worsen, warns FMB

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned that the UK lacks adequate numbers of skilled people in the construction industry.

Furthermore, it believes the skills gap could worsen if there is a major decline in the amount of migrant labour available from countries such as Poland.

Discussing this problem, FMB director of external affairs Brian Berry said: "The government under Gordon Brown has started to recognise the need to train more apprentices because there is evidence that migrant workers are returning to their country of origin."

He said the industry was seeking to open up another 20,000 apprenticeships.

With concerns about the availability of enough skilled labour to meet Britain's house building requirements, many may decide to plump for the self build option.

Last month it was reported that government figures for Polish immigration showed an 18 per cent drop in the number coming to Britain to work in the third quarter of 2007 compared to a year earlier.


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