The UK construction industry will need an average of 41,200 extra workers each year between 2026 and 2030 to meet expected demand, according to new figures from the Construction Industry Training Board.
CITB’s latest Construction Workforce Outlook predicts that construction activity will remain weak in 2026 before growth returns from 2027.
The annual report, published on 17 June, sets out expected construction demand over the next 5 years and the impact this could have on the industry’s workforce.
It forecasts UK construction output growth of -0.2% in 2026, before rising to 1.8% in 2027 and 2.8% in 2028. Growth is then expected to ease slightly, with forecasts of 2.3% in 2029 and 2.1% in 2030.
The strongest average annual growth over the period is expected in public new housing, at 3.6%. Infrastructure and private new housing are both forecast to grow by 2.5% a year on average.
Growth expected from 2027
The forecast supports recent market data from Glenigan, which also pointed to a recovery in construction starts from 2027 after a difficult start to 2026.
Scaffmag reported earlier this week that Glenigan expects UK construction starts to fall by 1% in 2026 before rising by 11% in 2027 and a further 4% in 2028.
Glenigan’s forecast also said activity could be 13% higher than 2025 levels by the end of its forecast period, with stronger pipelines expected in housing, public sector work, civils and utilities.
Taken together, the 2 reports point to the same pressure point for contractors: workloads are expected to recover, but the industry may not have enough skilled workers ready when demand returns.
Recovery brings fresh labour pressure
For scaffolding and access contractors, that creates a familiar problem. A stronger market from 2027 would bring more tender opportunities, but it would also increase pressure on labour, training and supervision.
CITB estimates the UK construction workforce stood at 2,606,380 in 2025. It is forecast to rise to 2,681,800 by 2030.
But the report says growth alone does not tell the full story. The industry also needs to replace workers leaving construction and deal with regional and occupational gaps.
Across the 5-year period, CITB says the sector will need about 206,000 additional workers. That is equal to 1.6% of the 2025 workforce each year.
The forecast comes after a difficult period for construction, with short-term uncertainty and cost pressures continuing to affect activity.
CITB said the industry faces a difficult balance: dealing with current business pressures while making sure it has enough skilled workers to meet future demand.
Training pipeline under strain
Tim Balcon, CITB chief executive, said the Outlook gives industry and government the evidence needed to plan for future skills demand.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The Outlook also links the workforce issue to wider delivery targets, including housing, infrastructure and retrofit work.
CITB said too few people are entering construction, too many experienced workers are leaving, and productivity gains have not been enough to close the gap.
The report follows recent government announcements on construction training, including a £600m investment package and wider support through youth employment and jobs schemes.
Mark Reynolds CBE, co-chair of the Construction Skills Mission Board, said the report gives employers a clearer view of the workforce needed across key trades and professions.
He said it showed “significant demand for new people to join our industry” and should give employers more confidence to recruit and train new entrants.
Mark Farmer, a member of the Construction Skills Mission Board and the Construction Leadership Council, said the industry still had to deal with weak trading conditions while preparing for future demand.
“The latest Construction Workforce Outlook published by CITB indicates that despite industry currently grappling with challenging economic conditions, longer-term needs to replenish and sustainably grow the workforce remain,” he said.
“Bridging the gap between current capacity to employ and train and the imperative to build a future ready workforce remains the central challenge.”
CITB has produced the Construction Workforce Outlook since 2006/07. The latest report includes UK-wide data, national and regional forecasts, an interactive tool and downloadable reports.
