Industry expansion over next four years expected to create 200,000 new construction jobs

Long term growth in the construction industry is set to create 200,000 new construction jobs between 2013 and 2015. That’s the view of the latest Construction Skills Network report which predicts a healthy future for the sector over the next four years.

Contraction in sector to be followed by long term growth

Although the report expects there to be some job losses in 2011, construction jobs are expected to stabilise in 2012 before expanding again between 2013 and 2015. These three years will enjoy steady growth leaving output by the end of the five-year cycle at 6.2 per cent above forecast levels for 2011.

This will mean a total of more than 200,000 construction jobs will be created, with an average annual recruitment requirement of 43,000.

Judy Lowe, Deputy Chairman of CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: “The next couple of years will be really tough for the industry. But as the CSN forecasts show, there are signs of longer-term confidence returning to the market.”

Housing and ‘green’ contracts likely to drive growth in jobs

The report predicts that private sector housing and the industrial and commercial sectors will be the main drivers for the industry over the five-year period. In addition, the increasing number of ‘green’ contracts - eco-friendly energy plants and retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient fabric and technology – will also help create construction jobs.

Ms Lowe continued: “As the SSC for the industry, we have a real role to play in supporting construction through these difficult times. Our objective is to help the industry maintain existing abilities, develop low carbon skills and meet the demand for new talent. Government support will help to ensure that we all have the right foundations in place, ahead of the recovery.”