The outlook, available online, predicts output growth of -0.2% this year, rising to 1.8% in 2027 and 2.8% in 2028. The strongest growth over the period is expected in new public housing, followed by new private housing and infrastructure.
In 2025, the construction sector employed 2,606,380 people in the UK. This is expected to grow to 2,681,800 people by 2030. To meet this demand, an average of 41,200 workers will need to join the sector each year, or 1.6% of the current number of construction employees.
The CITB says too few people are entering the sector, too many experienced workers are leaving, and productivity improvements have not been sufficient to close the gap. This will increasingly put a strain on the industry’s capacity to deliver on housing, infrastructure and retrofit commitments.
However, it adds, recent initiatives, such as the government’s £600m investment to support construction training and alongside additional funding such as the Youth Guarantee and Jobs Guarantee to help younger people into work, demonstrate a willingness to support the industry.
Tim Balcon, CITB CEO, said, “Our latest Construction Workforce Outlook highlights where construction skills demand is expected to grow, offering the evidence needed to guide workforce and skills planning in a period of significant opportunity and challenge.
“The construction industry is faced with balancing short-term business uncertainty while ensuring there are enough skilled workers to meet the expected demand for longer-term opportunities.
“Together, alongside government and industry stakeholders, we can ensure the construction industry is equipped to deliver for the UK’s future.”
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