Construction industry still crying out for skilled labour

A career in construction is looking increasingly attractive, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)construction survey published today (Thursday).

In what will be seen as a huge boost for the industry, the survey shows that construction continues to outshine every other UK sector in the prevailing economic gloom.

While other industries such as financial services and manufacturing continue to suffer badly, the survey covering the last three months of 2002 revealed the biggest increase in labour shortages since 1996.

A massive 56% of surveyors reported recruitment difficulties 'on the tools' during quarter four, up from 39% in quarter three. Shortages of bricklayers are most acute, followed by plumbers and plasterers.

Total construction workloads grew in the final quarter 2002, with public housing recording its largest quarterly increase. Private housing levels remained firm with commercial building rebounding modestly after a slight decline in the previous quarter.

Growth in public work and infrastructure projects accounts for much of the sector's current vigour and higher levels of public investment are due to continue for some time. But surveyors' profit expectations for the first quarter of 2003 are fairly muted, reflecting concern over higher labour costs.

Paywise, an average construction weekly wage of £411, compares favourably with a national average of £368 across all industries - 12% higher.

Recent increases in construction pay also outstrip other sectors as construction wages rose by 6.7% from April 2001-2 - compared to a national average of 4.4%.