Construction workloads plummet

Construction workloads have fallen to their lowest levels since spring 2006 and builders do not expect the picture to improve for the rest of the year.

The State of Trade Survey by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) shows the national construction workload has dropped from +6 in quarter four 2007 to -8.

Domestic renovation, modernisation and improvement works are the worst hit with the lowest balance of -38.

And the decline is expected to level off and remain steady in quarter two and for the remainder of the year.

FMB director of external affairs Brian Berry said the construction industry had bore the brunt of the global economic downturn and risked further falls if it failed to come to grips with skill shortages.

He said: “30% of employers are indeed facing problems recruiting employees. If there are problems at the moment when we have a plentiful supply of migrant workers, what will happen as they begin to return home?

“It is critical that the construction sector starts to think about the next generation of builders and takes on more apprentices to fill the growing gap.”

See the full survey.