EUKN - United Kingdom - Scotland’s Construction Industry: skills needs and access to opportunity

Scotland’s Construction Industry: skills needs and access to opportunity

Introduction

A summary of research into Scotland’s construction industry from Communities Scotland focussing on making recommendations to bridge a potential skills gap that could affect Scotland’s economy.

Description

Research study of Scotland's construction industry looking at how skills are generated for the industry, and the skills development and training requirements of those involved.

Background information

The construction industry is a major contributor to Scotland’s economy. A substantial ramping up of construction investment was forecast, driven by the investment programmes of New Housing Partnerships, many of which would focus on groups of the population most at risk of social exclusion., living in neighbourhoods in need of regeneration.

It was estimated that by 2005 Scotland’s construction industry would need an extra 27,000 recruits – this skills shortages is a result of lack of awareness of opportunities within the industry; negative image about the industry; changing skills demand; and contracting, for example.

Methodology

The study involved a comprehensive review of labour demand and supply trends in the industry, with a detailed focus on the Glasgow economy. As well as analysing statistical data, interviews and workshops were held with a wide range of construction industry stakeholders.

Surveys and discussion groups were also held to capture the images of the industry held by students, employed people and residents. A set of detailed case studies of construction-related initiatives was prepared.

Conclusions

This wide ranging study of Scotland’s construction industry found that there was already (in 2002) a skills shortage, and that this was likely to intensify. To tackle the skills shortage, it was deemed essential to take a harder look at how skills are generated for the industry with a greater emphasis on more specialist skills training.

It was also thought important to widen the industry’s recruitment base to bring in more recruits from socially excluded groups.

Contact info

Communities Scotland
scr@communitiesscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Publication date

Project finished

//2002

Researcher

Alan McGregor, Andrea Glass, Malcolm Greig, Anne Lavery and Lynne Macdougall, Training & Employment Research Unit at the University of Glasgow

Links

Visit the Communities Scotland website

Download the 'Scotland’s Construction Industry' Report (PDF, Eng, 224 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Housing, Urban environment, Transport and infrastructure