Construction is booming in the UK. The construction sector is forecast to increase by 3.5% per year for the next five years, according to the Construction Products Association (CPA). This growth is needed to meet demand from investors and consumers alike. More businesses are stating they need assistance recruiting qualified personnel for their projects.
Also, the Open University Business Barometer reports that in 2020, UK businesses spent £6.6 billion to fill gaps that might otherwise have arisen due to a lack of skilled workers. This article examines what the UK’s skills shortfall means and what can be done to address it.
Understand Skill Shortage in the UK
In connection to a job opening, a skills shortage is the need for more qualified candidates. A skills gap in a particular field can be seen when companies or industries have trouble filling open positions with qualified candidates. Although the pool of general applicants is expected to increase greatly in 2020, companies still need help finding the proper individuals, according to 56% of UK organizations this year.
A candidate’s qualification degree is only one aspect of a skills deficit. It can also mean that it is difficult to find the ideal candidate for a position in the required location for the price that an employer can afford or under the conditions of employment. The correct execution of available jobs can go a long way towards closing the gap in a candidate pool already contracting, such as construction workers.
Additional Read: How would the UK function if the Brexit Referendum had never occurred and it was still a part of the European Union?
Skill Shortage in the UK Construction Industry
The expense of construction is the main consequence of the skills shortage. Construction businesses have to spend more money and expand their efforts to try and attract people, which raises the cost of recruitment. As a result, firms may have to pay more than they should to acquire scarce skills, which could increase inflated compensation.
Another problem with temporary staffing is paying too much for labor. Companies frequently are forced to pay a significantly higher fee for temporary workers as a stop-gap measure while searching for a long-term solution. Organizations in the UK paid £2.2 billion more in 2020 due to short-term gaps than in 2019. Additionally, there is the cost of retraining employees who have been hired with lower qualifications to the desired level of proficiency.
Construction companies must be aware of the serious ramifications of turning away work and the reputational damage resulting from accepting contracts they can’t fulfill. The need for skilled workers can prevent projects from running over schedule and budget, impacting projects and construction businesses.
Effects of Skill Shortage on the UK Construction Industry
With the highest concentration of shortages among all other sectors, the construction industry in the UK is grappling with an ever-growing skills shortfall. Although the skills gap has received considerable attention, it is rarely examined in research studies whether it is a direct cause of the rising cost of building. This study examines the severity of the existing skills gap, pinpoints its root causes, evaluates how they affect cost growth, determines the results, and then acknowledges the solutions. In this investigation, a hybrid methodology was used.
By adopting purposive sampling, 78 questionnaires and three semi-structured interviews were conducted. The complementing data were then statistically analyzed. The literature frequently distinguishes between time, money, and quality, but this study shows that business professionals are hesitant to do so. All problems have an impact on project costs.
Project prices might rise even faster due to policies that address the industry’s skills gap, including the direct employment requirement for public works. This study provides organizations with practical advice based on observations from policy influencers and practitioners that can help to address the skills shortage challenge and reduce project costs.
How to Tackle the Skill Shortage?
Since more people are looking for employment than available jobs, this is fine for the construction business. Making a career in the sector appealing will help to address the skills gap in the construction sector. Changing attitudes towards the sector is the first step in addressing the skills gap in construction in the UK.
First, many young people need to be made aware of the wide range of occupations that fall under the construction industry. The wealth of available options and professional routes will be clearer to young people, encouraging them to think about a future in the sector. Modernizing building methods will make them more appealing to young people who prioritize more long-lasting and forward-thinking positions when picking a career path, as occupations in digital technology are becoming increasingly popular for young people.
Statistically, the perception that construction is a field dominated by white, middle-aged men isn’t far off. Some populations believe the construction sector is not the right location for them, contributing to the skills gap in the field. One of the numerous advantages of a diverse workplace is the expansion of the talent pool for hiring, and broadening the workforce will assist in ending the industry’s traditional entry barriers. The sector will become more appealing to women and attract a significant increase in the number of persons interested in a career in construction by combating the perception that construction is a “boy’s club” and addressing gender disparity in the field.
More than just a roll of adhesive tape will be required to keep the construction industry stable. Employers must strike the appropriate balance between luring in fresh talent and taking care of their present workforce if they want to see an improvement in the industry picture.
The UK has also come up with easy visa processing for skilled workers. Read this to know more: New Update: UK Govt Processing Visas In 15 Days And Priority Visa In 5 Days.
Bring in New Talent
Young candidates need to join the area for the industry. Despite a slight rise in the number of persons beginning apprenticeships, the current uptake rate still needs to be increased to support government ambitions.
The crucial thing here is an investment, but firms may need more significant assistance and bring in talent themselves. The government has raised the possibility of increasing productivity, but organizations might need to exert more effort to hire and train new employees. With the UK Commission of Employment and Skills urging more collaboration between firms, unions, and the workforce, business owners have been urged to take the initiative in closing the present skill gap.
This method can help in solving the skill shortage problem in the UK. By bringing in new talents, the UK can help the construction industry and save it from the financial losses it is already facing.
Ensure the Welfare of the Current Workforce
The dwindling workforce due to a shortage of new workers entering the field only emphasizes the issue’s urgency. Experienced professionals could be forced to consider an early retirement due to the work demands involved. Therefore, by extending senior experts’ careers, industry knowledge will be around for longer and may be transferred to up-and-coming talent.
Employers can reassign senior employees to new, less labor-intensive positions by impending retraining retirees. One of the biggest drawbacks of employing “older” personnel is their lack of physical condition, which is also a legitimate ground for dismissal (if the type of work dictates). Employees can advance their careers while imparting important knowledge by working in management or training.
Staff who may require a little encouragement to stay at work longer may find flexible work appealing. All sectors are affected by the aging workforce, and 27% of UK firms have implemented flexible working arrangements to retain existing staff. Although flexibility isn’t necessarily a strength of the construction sector, it would allow workers to schedule their time around motivation and health. It is not an option for many smaller businesses already under pressure to meet demand.
How Dynamic Staffing Services can Contribute to Tackle the Construction Skill Shortage?
Dynamic Staffing Services are experts at handling the hiring procedure and can assist your business in finding foreign workers. By identifying qualified individuals, we can ensure they receive the instruction and assistance they need to succeed.
We are among the top engineering recruitment companies in the UK and have a wealth of expertise in hiring candidates from around the world. We have assembled a skilled staff with a sizable network to find candidates worldwide.
To fully understand your needs, preferences, and requirements for hiring in the UK, our staff at Dynamic Staffing Services will work closely with you. DSS can assist you with multiple services:
- Recruit globally to find the best personnel for your project.
- Ensure that the applicants you receive for your project are of the highest caliber.
- We ensure all procedures are quick and efficient.
Wrapping Up
Employers in the construction industry have identified a skills shortage as their biggest threat to growth over the next year. The UK is facing an imminent shortage of skilled workers, and employers increasingly have to rely on overseas recruitment to fill these positions.
Young people also need more awareness about what jobs are available within construction, particularly outside London and the Middle east. The government should do more to encourage more people into apprenticeship programs or vocational training programs that provide qualifications relevant to working in the industry.
Also, companies looking for skilled workers in the UK can approach a good global recruitment agency. Our recruiters at Dynamic Staffing Services have years of experience dealing with businesses in your sector so that they can match your requirements with possible employees according to their skill sets, experience levels, and other factors.
In case of any query regarding determining where to start or how much it will cost you when employing skilled foreign workers, you can call us at +91-11-40410000 or email enquiry@dss-hr.com.
