Construction Skills Shortage: CITB Says the UK Needs 41,200 Extra Workers a Year to 2030
CITB’s latest Construction Workforce Outlook puts a number on the construction skills shortage. Here is what it says, and what it means if you work in the trade or want to.
If you have spent any time on UK construction forums lately, you will have noticed two moods running side by side. One says there is no work about. The other says firms cannot find good people. The construction skills shortage is real, and CITB's latest forecast shows just how big it is going to get over the next five years, even if the next few months feel slow.
What CITB Actually Said
CITB published its Construction Workforce Outlook on 17 June 2026. The headline figure is that the industry will need an average of 41,200 extra workers a year between 2026 and 2030 (Scaffmag report). Over five years that adds up to about 206,000 people, or roughly 1.6% of the 2025 workforce every year.
The workforce itself is large. CITB put it at 2,606,380 people in 2025 and expects it to reach 2,681,800 by 2030. So this is not about the industry doubling in size. It is about replacing people who retire or leave, and filling the extra roles that new work creates.
Why the Construction Skills Shortage Gets Worse From 2027
The interesting part is the shape of the forecast. CITB expects output to dip slightly in 2026, by 0.2%, before picking up: 1.8% growth in 2027, 2.8% in 2028, 2.3% in 2029 and 2.1% in 2030.
In other words, this year is the quiet one. Once projects that are stuck in planning or waiting on funding start moving, demand for labour rises quickly, and it rises in an industry that already struggles to recruit. That is why the construction skills shortage keeps coming up even in a year when some trades are finding it hard to get steady work.
The sectors CITB expects to grow fastest are public new housing, at an average of 3.6% a year, and infrastructure and private new housing at 2.5% each.
Which Construction Jobs Will Be in Demand?
The report summary we have seen does not rank individual trades, so we will not pretend it does. What we can say is where the growth sits. Housing and infrastructure work pulls in a familiar mix of people:
What This Means If You Want to Get Into Construction
If you are thinking about a career change, the long view is good news. The industry needs tens of thousands of new people every year, and that includes plenty of roles you can train into as an adult. A sensible first step for most site roles is getting a CSCS card, which we cover in our guide to construction careers.
Be realistic about timing, though. With output flat in 2026, some employers are cautious about taking on trainees right now. Apprenticeships, college courses and labouring roles with a firm that is still winning work are the most reliable ways in.
What It Means If You Already Work in the Trade
For experienced tradespeople the message is simpler. Skills you already have are going to be worth more over the next few years, not less. If work feels thin at the moment, it is worth keeping your cards and tickets up to date so you are ready when the pipeline opens up. You can see who is hiring now on our live vacancies page or browse roles on our construction jobs hub.
What Employers Should Take From It
For contractors, the forecast is a warning about 2027 and 2028. If you wait until projects start to look for site managers or skilled trades, you will be competing with everyone else at the same moment. Building relationships with candidates and recruiters now, while the market is calmer, is cheaper than paying a premium later. Our construction recruitment team is happy to talk it through.
Construction Skills Shortage: Frequently Asked Questions
How many workers does UK construction need?
CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook, published in June 2026, says the industry needs an average of 41,200 extra workers a year from 2026 to 2030, about 206,000 in total.
Is there a construction skills shortage in the UK?
Yes. CITB's forecast shows demand for workers rising as output grows from 2027, on top of the need to replace people who retire or leave the industry.
Which construction sectors will grow fastest?
CITB expects public new housing to grow fastest, at about 3.6% a year, followed by infrastructure and private new housing at about 2.5% a year each.
Is 2026 a good time to get into construction?
Output is expected to be flat in 2026, so some firms are cautious. The longer outlook is strong, so starting training or an apprenticeship now puts you in a good position for the pick-up.
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