200,000 new jobs could be created in the construction sector over the next five years, according to figures from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The forecast from the half year Construction Skills Network (CSN) survey show that 40,280 additional workers could be required every year to deliver the forecast growth and replace those retiring from the industry.

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With growth predicted to run at 2.9% over the period 2015 – 2019, up from 2.2% and 36,000 new jobs per year, which was predicted in January, the new figures reflect the increasing strength of the sector.

James Wates, Chairman of CITB, said: "Construction is one of the UK's most important industries and it is good to see such a positive outlook forecast. The thriving housing sector and numerous UK infrastructure projects in the pipeline have helped bring confidence back to the industry.

"Employers are in a better position to plan ahead than they have been for some time and through the Industrial Strategy, construction is playing an increasingly important role in delivering economic growth."

(CD/JP)