Employment in the glazing sector is set to grow to 29,637 by 2018, according to new research released today by CITB.
The CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast shows that, 3,850 glaziers will be required over the next five years to meet growing demand and the UK’s construction industry will need 36,400 additional employees overall.
The change in fortunes is being fuelled by forecast demand for housing, which is expected to account for over a third (37%) of the UK’s total annual construction output between now and 2018, in addition to the demand for 245,000 new homes across the UK each year and the impact of Government’s Help to Buy scheme.
Across the whole of the construction industry, the employment footprint is forecast to show that Plant Mechanics (3.9%) Civil Engineering Operatives (2.8%) and Scaffolders (2.4%) will be most in demand, while at the other end of the scale, fewer Plasterers (-1.2%), Steel Erectors (-1.0%) and Labourers (-0.7%) will be recruited into roles.
Whilst marginal employment growth is welcome news for an industry which saw 40,000 construction jobs shed and public non-housing work contract by 13% in 2013, employment levels within the sector remain 196,000 below pre-recession levels.
The CITB is calling for sustained investment in infrastructure and industrial projects to help secure longer-term growth.
James Wates, Chairman of CITB, said, ““The CSN report shows that the economy is turning the corner and the glazing sector will benefit from that. But growth needs to be sustainable; underpinned by long-term infrastructure projects and continued investment.
“The Government’s ‘Help-to-Buy’ scheme has kick-started demand across the housing market and announcements on nuclear power, rail and roads have the potential to breathe fresh life into infrastructure and industry. Alongside this, we’d welcome fresh incentives to encourage house building, and the assurance that major infrastructure projects in the pipeline go ahead as planned.
“Clarity and certainty of future projects is an important element of a sustained recovery. That gives employers the confidence to train and to plan”.
CITB works with industry to minimise skills gaps by addressing forecasted shortfall, investing in apprenticeships and promoting careers in UK construction.
For more information on the CSN and to read the full report, visit www.citb.co.uk
