A new report released by the Construction Skills Network (CSN) on September 17 suggested that due to recent economic downturn, the number of new workers required in the housing market could drop from 88,000 to an average of 42,000 per year in the future four years.

The country’s construction industry currently employs a workforce of approximately 2.5 million. Building services recruitment experts are concerned that if too many experienced workers are leaving the industry, the country may have problem delivering much-needed affordable housing, schools, hospitals and roads.

But the CSN study remained optimistic, adding that high-value projects such as the 2012 London Olympics and ongoing investment in schools, hospitals and roads all over the country should keep the industry growing. “The fact is that we still need over 40,000 new entrants to the industry every year to fulfill some big projects, and that’s a significant requirement,???? said CSN manager Sandra Lilley.

“Despite some high-profile redundancies recently, our growth predictions remain strong and in line with industry and Government forecasts,???? Lilley stressed.

Building services recruitment experts advise that firms should continue training their employees. The key to survival is to develop a safe, professional and qualified workforce, as this will in turn help the firms remain strong, competitive and capable of winning and retaining contracts. By protecting and seeking to improve the quality of their workforce, businesses can mark themselves out to potential clients.