Jessica O'ConnorBritain’s multi-billion-pound construction pipeline is under threat, as new figures reveal the industry must recruit 61,000 new workers each year to meet demand.
Analysis by CV-Library, which saw a 7.9% rise in job vacancies between January and July 2025, highlighted the pressure facing the sector.
Despite growing demand, the construction workforce has shrunk by 14% over the past five years, while 15% of workers are now aged over 60, according to data from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
A survey of 625 construction professionals conducted by CV-Library suggested dissatisfaction is rife among workers.
More than half (52%) said they had not received a pay rise in the past year, two-thirds (66%) believed employers do not invest in upskilling, and 58% felt access to training and development was lacking.
Lack of career progression was cited as the top frustration by 52% of respondents, while nearly a third (30%) said they would only stay in their current role if offered higher pay.
Despite the challenges, CV-Library’s analysis showed strong interest in construction roles, particularly in the West Midlands and North West, where application volumes remain high.
Among the most in-demand roles were project managers, site managers, surveyors, and skilled trades such as groundworkers and labourers.
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, said: “Urgent action is needed to ensure the talent is there to build Britain.
“Labour’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2030 won’t be possible without the workforce to build it.
“Without confronting the growing construction talent gap head on, these ‘homes of the future’ won’t be built.”
He added: “The industry is under significant pressure and there needs to be urgent investment in skills if the Government is serious about delivering the UK’s major infrastructure goals.
“More needs to be done to retain existing workers and attract new entrants through apprenticeships and career changes.”
