Construction recruitment specialist One Way said an increase in job vacancies highlights a growing skills shortage within the industry.

Analysis by the recruiter found that job growth in the sector, outlined in the latest Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI, shows the crisis is continuing to impact the industry.

While job figures have increased to a four-month high in May, this comes at a time when industry output is at its lowest since April 2013.

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Managing Director of One Way, Paul Payne, said: "On paper a rise in job vacancies should be great news for us, but when you consider the bigger picture it only highlights the growing skills shortages that the industry faces. Job vacancies have risen because there simply aren't enough professionals to meet the demand, and that's at a time when output is at a three-year low. Imagine what the situation will be like when we get over the Brexit uncertainty and look to raise productivity once again.

"We've been banging the same drum for some time now, but something needs to be done before we hit a wall and projects have to be put on hold because of skills shortages. The issue is a ticking time bomb and unless something drastic is done soon, the industry could be in big trouble."

(LM/MH)