Since so many people left the construction industry after the recession and due to a limited amount of demand for construction activities during the downturn, there is a chronic shortage of skilled construction workers in the UK, however according to a survey by KPMG the construction skills crisis is a problem that’s endemic throughout the world.


Head of Infrastructure at KPMG, Richard Threlfall says the survey shows that whilst we view the skills shortages as a UK-based problem it’s a problem the world faces, arguing that the best solution in the long term is more construction apprenticeships.


He said: “This survey highlights the prevailing issues affecting the sector both in the UK and globally.


“We will only see a turnaround of poor performing contracts once we start seeing contractors and project owners adopt technology such as building information modelling (BIM) to enable more efficient planning, mandated apprenticeships to ensure skilled labour are bought up through the ranks, and more accurate planning of projects.”


One of the biggest problems facing construction companies around the world is coming in on budget, with those surveyed indicating only 31% of projects came in within 10% of the original quote with 70% suggesting the problem was not being able to plan for delays based on the lack of supply in construction workers. In addition, the rising costs of building supplies continue to have an impact on the ability of construction firms to plan in advance with many construction products increasing in price dramatically as demand increases and supplies run low.