Mass shortage of bricklayers and carpenters

This post has already been read 6882 times!

 

More than two-thirds of small and medium-sized construction firms are struggling to hire carpenters and bricklayers.

The latest trade survey by the Federation of Master Builders reveals skills shortages at record highs.

Other trades where firms are struggling to find people include plumbers and plasterers (46%) electricians (48%), plasterers (46%) and floorers (30%).

FMB chief executive Brian Berry commented saying: “Skills shortages are sky rocketing and it begs the question, who will build the new homes and infrastructure projects the Government is crying out for.

“More than two-thirds of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers.

“This has increased by nearly 10% in just three months which points to a rapid worsening of an already dire situation.

“These figures are the highest we’ve noted since records began a decade ago. As a result, the wages for these increasingly scarce skilled tradespeople continue to rise sharply; that’s a simple consequence of supply and demand.”