The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has released a major new forecast highlighting the scale of workforce needs facing the UK construction sector over the next five years.
Published yesterday, the Construction Workforce Outlook 2025–29 offers a detailed view of the jobs, skills and training required to meet future demand across the industry. It replaces the former Construction Skills Network report, reflecting a broader and more strategic understanding of long-term workforce challenges.
According to CITB, sustained investment in training and recruitment is essential if the sector is to deliver on major national priorities, including housing, infrastructure, energy, and net-zero targets.
The report, which uses both historical and forward-looking data, remains the only forecast of its kind tailored specifically to the UK construction workforce. It identifies the number of additional workers needed, where gaps may emerge, and what training provision is required to address them.
A new online interactive tool accompanies the report, allowing users to explore projections by region, trade and sector in greater detail.
Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of CITB, said the Outlook underpins the organisation’s strategic approach:
“Construction offers huge opportunity, but realising it requires long-term thinking and action. We need industry, government, training providers and CITB to work together to bring new talent in and upskill the current workforce. This report is a key part of making that happen.”
CITB has been producing workforce forecasts since 2006. The latest edition plays a central role in informing its own business and investment plans, aimed at supporting employers and training providers to meet demand on the ground.
The full Construction Workforce Outlook 2025–29 is available to download via the CITB website.
