Commercial construction bucks building trend

Despite the forecast of a downturn in the housing market the commercial sector has full order books for 2008, according to a cladding and curtain walling expert.

According to Edward Whipp, pre-construction director at English Architectural Glazing (EAG), the only shortage the sectors faces is skilled workers to deliver the orders.

Whipp said: “With so many regeneration projections in the UK from town centres to large private and public sector projects, commercial construction is in boom time.

“We have a full order book of £25m and are already looking at large schemes with repeat clients for 2009.”

EAG is working on a number of schemes including the town centre regeneration of High Wycombe, the Open University in Milton Keynes and St Barts in London.

Though the company employs a number of people from other parts of the EU it will not take on any more projects this year without securing more resources in terms of design, project management and site personnel.

Whipp continued: “The only real shortage our industry faces is enough skilled workers, both in the factory and on site, to deliver our contracts.

“We need more people to be trained and we are calling on the government to do more to encourage young school leavers onto training schemes particularly on the technical, engineering and design side of our industry.”