Skills
shortages and rising salaries in the construction sector could hit government
plans for new schools and hospitals, an industry chief claims.
Graham
Watts, head of the Construction Industry Council, told the Financial Times that
the industry was in crisis and was short of as many as 380,000 staff.
He
said the cost of recruitment and wage inflation was being passed on to
customers and claimed the Government would not get as many buildings as it
expected for its investment.
A
report by the Construction Industry Training Board claimed that the sector will
need 380,000 new workers over the next five years with at least 325,000
required to cover retiring staff.
It
also said that many builders were earning more than £40,000 because of a lack
of skilled workers. Recruitment efforts are being hampered by a poor image and
a lack of interest among young people.
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