CITB survey reveals truth about skills shortages

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has today (Wednesday) released two new reports, which give a new insight into skills shortages in the construction industry.

The Skills Needs Survey has found that although skills shortages are still high the problem is mainly with the temporary end of the market. 

CITB surveyed 470 construction companies in the Skills Needs Survey and found that 79% had experienced difficulties recruiting skilled staff in the previous three months compared with 76% surveyed in spring 2001. However, only 63% of companies said they had had a long-term vacancy. 

These findings are complemented by research conducted by IFF research for CITB and the Department for Education and Skills, which shows that labour-only sub-contracting (LOSC) militates against formal training. 

In the study called The Effect of Employment Status on Investment in Training, 32% of employers with directly employed staff provided off-the-job training to their staff, compared to only 13% of employers with LOSC staff.  In fact, 86% of the self-employed who had achieved an apprenticeship had done so while directly employed. 

The report also found that 22% of companies that rely heavily on LOSCs had apprentices compared to 54% of employers with more directly employed staff.  Similarly with on the job training, a quarter (23%) of those using LOSCs had provided on the job training to any LOSCs over the last 12 months.  This compared to 44% of those with directly employed manual staff.