The latest NSCC State of Trade survey has revealed an increase in the number of businesses reporting that they would be unable to bid for work due to the lack of skilled workers and job applicants.

Forty per cent of respondents reported that they had been unable to bid for work due to labour shortages; up from 20% in the previous quarter and 18% in the same quarter for 2006.


The effects of the skills shortage will be felt more acutely as, for the first time since 2004, more than 50% of respondents to the NSCC State of Trade survey anticipated an increase in work. There was also an increase in the number of respondents reporting an increase in orders; 37% compared to 27% for the previous quarter and 21% for the same quarter in 2006. The average wait for payment remains consistent at between 30 to 60 days.

Suzannah Nichol, Chief Executive of NSCC said: “Lengthy payment terms and skills shortages are linked – Specialist Contractors find it extremely difficult to invest in the training of their workforce that is necessary to fulfil the needs of the industry when they are constantly battling to get the money they are owed.”

(CL)