Housebuilding to drive Scottish construction growth

Growth in Scotland’s construction industry over the next five years will be mainly driven by housebuilding according to new research. Though many large-scale national infrastructure schemes will come to an end, more than 21,000 new workers will still be needed to replace those leaving the workforce.

The Construction Skills Network forecast from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), highlighted that the strongest area of activity in the Scottish construction industry will be in the housing sector. Public housing (3.6 per cent) and private housing (4.1 per cent) are both predicted to show “sustained and solid growth” during the next five years and repair and maintenance of existing buildings is also set to improve, with a year on year average of 2.3 per cent.

It’s predicted that housing will take over driving industry growth from infrastructure as large-scale projects, like the Queensferry Crossing, Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and key motorway upgrades are completed.

Scotland’s overall growth will be 0.5 per cent per annum from 2016-2020, compared with a UK average of 2.5 per cent. Despite that, the survey says that demographic trends will mean that Scotland still needs more than 21,000 new construction workers over the next five years to meet demand. 

Steve Radley, director of policy at CITB, said: “Scottish construction has had an incredible few years, operating at record highs, with a string of major infrastructure projects delivered. This report shows that housebuilding will now take over as the prime driver of growth. With over 21,000 new workers needed over the next few years, there remain excellent, rewarding career opportunities in construction.”

Reflecting the need for more workers in the industry, Simon Innes, managing director of Goodson Associates and the chairman of ACE Scotland, said: “The lack of trained construction personnel at all levels within the implementation and design sectors of the industry will stifle the growth of the industry and indeed the growth of the country as we struggle to deliver the housing and infrastructure improvements required to support the country.”