Skill
shortages in the construction industry are threatening to stifle the sector’s
growth, according to research.
Seventy
per cent of respondents to the survey, by Personnel Today’s sister publication
Contract Journal, cite retaining and motivating employees in their top three
main concerns.
Despite
this the industry does not have a clear and consistent strategy for dealing
with the problem. Better communication, leadership, pay and training are all
highlighted as possible solutions by the survey’s respondents.
The
inability of construction companies’ managers to attract effective employees is
identified as the biggest barrier to the growth of companies. Many firms are
now working at full capacity and cannot bid for new work as they lack
sufficiently skilled employees to service the contracts.
Over
600 UK-based construction companies were surveyed with a combined turnover of
£30bn.
