Search Consultancy highlights current skills shortages within construction inductry

Scotland is in the midst of a major skills shortage within the construction industry and is losing too many skilled workers to projects down South, according to Search Consultancy.

Scotlandís fastest growing recruitment specialists also predicts that this situation will continue to worsen in the latter half of this decade.

With an ever-increasing workload such as the refurbishment of council houses, a new headquarters for the BBC and around fifty new schools to be built in Scotland, the construction order book work load has never looked healthier, but a lack of both suitably qualified tradesmen and project managers threatens to restrict the benefits to the Scottish economy.

Andrew Stephen, Head of Construction at Search Consultancy, comments, ìWith construction projects worth billions of pounds looming on the horizon, there has never been a greater need for workers in this industry. However, lucrative projects such as the Olympic bid are drawing an increasing number of skilled workers to London, stunting Scotlandís capability to service this forthcoming work.

ìIn an attempt to fill the gap in terms of the site labourers, we have been able to bring across many skilled workers from overseas countries such as Poland. We are able to offer these people good jobs with competitive salaries which they cannot find at home.

ìWe are delighted with the workers that have come over to us so far. They are all highly motivated and hardworking and our clients reported virtually zero attrition and absence rates during the period of the contract. Outstanding productivity and efficiency were also achieved.î

Good quality site managers however are proving more difficult to come by, as an increasing number are being seduced by profitable jobs down South.

The response from good employers could also be good news for the industry however as many are stepping up their training and experience programmes in order to grow their own talent.

Andrew says, ìThe opportunities are currently good for inexperienced candidates to get more involved in site managing, to gain relevant qualifications and to pick up essential training. We are seeing an increasing number of candidates receiving on-the-job training in fundamental skills such as surveying and customer service to help them progress to become qualified site managers.

ìAs ever, there is a positive side to the coin and where skills shortages loom it makes good employers become even better ones. Opportunities for both experienced candidates and entrants to the construction industry are as good as they have ever been but thereís no room for complacency as, on current trends, construction skills shortages are going to be with us in Scotland for several years to come.î