The Construction Skills Network report 2007, recently published by ConstructionSkills, reveals that Northern Ireland (NI) will experience a strong demand for new recruits into the construction industry over the next five years.

This high demand, in particular for recruits with trade, and craft skills, will pose a real challenge for the industry, Sector Skills Councils and training providers.

The Construction Skills Network provides the most detailed analysis of workflow and project type available for the construction industry and forecasts the occupational skills requirement by region, nation and sector. It reveals that 2,940 new recruits will be needed each year in NI between 2007-2011 in order to meet demand and to take account of those leaving the industry.

The highest increase in employment will be seen in wood trades and interior fit out specialists. However, “white collar” workers such as construction managers, architects and technical staff continue to be in significant demand. Approximately 22% of the recruits forecast to deliver construction output between 2007-2011 are needed to fill “white collar” roles.

In Northern Ireland, the public non-housing and private commercial sectors are set to show the most growth between 2007 and 2011, with an average annual increase of 5.8% and 5.1% respectively. Government investment in improving health and education facilities and work on major projects such as Belfast’s £1bn waterside regeneration project, Titanic and the £360m Royal Exchange retail scheme will drive growth in the public non-housing and private commercial sectors.

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The outlook is also optimistic for the infrastructure sector in the Province. The roads and water sub-sectors should see an increase in activity over the next few years as Investment Strategy funding is spent. Greater investment in affordable housing should fuel a public housing construction boom during the forecast period with public housing output forecast to rise by around 5.2% on average each year.

Allan McMullen, Chief Executive of CITB (NI) commented: “There is no shortage of people wanting to join the industry, with recruitment onto construction and built environment courses and apprenticeships on the increase. One of our biggest challenges is ensuring that training is employer led with new entrants and existing workers having access to the appropriate courses and learning that will deliver the skills that are required for projects across Northern Ireland.

“In the future these projects are likely to require different skills to master new building methods and materials. Industry stakeholders must work together to ensure that there is adequate resourcing and provision to provide these new innovative training methods, technologies and skills that will meet the needs of the industry.”

The Construction Skills Network represents more than ‘just a model' and has grown organically from forecasting skills demand to beginning now to address the wider industry issues associated with managing specific skills gaps and shortages, including workforce mobility, diversity, sustainability and modern construction methods. It aims to help the industry to establish the skills demand which it faces on a national, regional and sub-regional level, enabling us to identify and prepare for potential future 'hot-spots'.

A full copy of the ConstructionSkills Network report can be downloaded here www.constructionskills.net

(CL)