The skills gap in construction is an issue that has been kicked from pillar to post, but if we really want to reach the housing targets proposed by the government, as an industry, we must work together and act now. We need to have real conversations about employment models, the positive impact of technology, and addressing modern slavery, if we are serious about building the workforce of the future.

It is worth reflecting on recent research from City & Guilds, which highlights what many of us in the industry already know: 76% of construction firms are struggling to recruit skilled workers, and 84% acknowledge that there are critical skills shortages. 

Perhaps most striking, nearly a quarter of respondents place the blame on a lack of interest among young people. This is an increasingly common narrative that misses the point – and we must accept responsibility.