Summer 2021: What's in store for construction?
Though the lifting of all restrictions across the UK has been postponed, it's not stopping the continual growth within the construction industry.
At MyGoHire we have seen firsthand how the market is increasingly candidate-driven, with more and more companies looking for new ways to bring top talent on board.
To find out what summer 2021 has in store for the industry, read on…
A post-Brexit deal between the U.K and Australia 🇦🇺🇬🇧
Early this summer the UK agreed on a historic trade deal with Australia.
This free trade deal has been hailed by Boris Johnson as "a new dawn" in relations between the two countries.
Australia identified one of their biggest challenges, was meeting the growing requirements for trained construction workers, particularly in COVID when there's such restriction on movements of people.
As part of the deal, age limits on working holiday visas will be increased to 35.
Good news for expat construction workers seeking a new opportunity in Australia!
CITB Jobs report: 217,000 new jobs will be created 📈
Research from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) suggests that 217,000 new jobs will be created in UK construction in the next five years.
According to the CSN, most English regions will experience an increase in construction workers by 2025, with East Midlands (1.7%) and West Midlands (1.4%) forecast to lead demand. Scotland (1.4%) and Wales (0.7%) are also predicted to fare well. The only region forecast to see a slight decline in the workforce is the North East (-0.1%).
Major projects such as HS2 are driving growth in some regions and infrastructure (5.2% per annum) and private housing (6.7%) should see the healthiest pace of expansion by 2025.
In terms of annual average recruitment requirement (ARR), the most in demand trades are forecast to be in wood trades & interior fit-out (5,500 per year), other construction professionals and technical staff (5,150), construction managers (3,600) and electrical installation trades and (3,400). There will also be substantial demand for non-construction, office-based professional, technical and IT support staff (7,850).
At MyGoHire we hope to aid in connecting businesses with the UK’s construction talent pool with our platform. 🚀
Can flexible working improve the wellbeing of site workers? 👷
Timewise, tested whether it is possible to improve the wellbeing of those working on-site through changing the hours and times of working, as well as considering home-based working, where possible.
The pilots ran between June 2020 and February 2021, through the pandemic.
Four of the UK’s largest construction companies took part: BAM Construct UK, BAM Nuttall Ltd, Skanska and Willmott Dixon.
A range of locations were studied, from a HS2 site in London through to a substation build near Weston Super Mare, amongst teams employing between 14 and 120 workers.
The results:
✔ Some stated that they would consider the ability to work flexibly as key criteria when applying for future jobs.
✔ Managers reported a greater sense of trust, ownership and a better team dynamic.
Emma Stewart MBE, director of development at Timewise, said: “Our trailblazing Pioneers: BAM Construct, BAM Nuttall, Skanska UK and Willmott Dixon have shown that wellbeing and balance should be possible to achieve for the whole workforce – not just those in-office roles."
Andrea Singh FCIPD, executive and HR director for BAM Construct UK, added; “Our new approach to flexible working is giving people a better work-life balance and is making construction an attractive career choice."
What's to come?
Overall, the outlook for construction in 2021 is positive, with the industry’s recovery gathering momentum. The value of projects starting on-site are 49% higher than the lockdown disrupted period a year ago and look to be on the rise over the summer months.
Nevertheless, challenges still remain. Namely, the unprecedented materials shortage which is set to continue well into the second half of 2021. Timber, roof tiles and bagged cement head the list of materials in short supply.
Climate Contributions
At MyGoHire we are proud to announce that we have been climate positive for 5 months. Planting 160 trees in our company forest and reducing the atmospheric CO2 levels by 8.86 tonnes through our support of projects such as Peatland restoration and conservation in Indonesia.
To keep up to date with all things construction, make sure to follow us @mygohire.
Happy Summer!
The MGH Team