Construction industry faces talent shortage

13/03/2008

The construction industry is facing a shortage in talent and people ready to take up work.

Brian Berry, the director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said the industry is relying on workers from abroad to make up the difference.

"There is a serious skills shortage and that is why migrant workers are important in filling the gap," he said.

"We need 87,500 new people to go into the construction sector every year from now until 2011 to meet current demands."

The UK is in the middle of ambitious building projects to create new towns, which it is hoped will help solve its current lack of affordable housing.

Mr Berry commented: "Britain is experiencing the highest level of building activity it has seen since the end of the Second World War."

The government has introduced Ownhome, a new initiative that hopes to make it easier for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder.

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