The shortage of skilled workers such as carpenters and bricklayers threatens to hold back the UK government’s promise to create 200,000 new homes by 2020. Building site demand is increasingly high, with some areas paying bricklayers £50,000 per year for their skill set. Britain's need for new homes is being held back by a shortage of skilled workers such as bricklayers and carpenters, experts have warned. The Federation of Master Builders has found that 59% of small- to medium-sized construction companies are struggling to find skilled bricklayers, with 55% having difficulties in finding joiners and carpenters. The government is attempting to tackle the issue by putting £2.5bn into apprenticeships by 2020. But there have been concerns about whether apprentices will be able to cope if they move from one building site to another.
The shortage of skilled workers such as carpenters and bricklayers threatens to hold back the UK government’s promise to create 200,000 new homes by 2020. Building site demand is increasingly high, with some areas paying bricklayers £50,000 per year for their skill set. The Federation of Master Builders has found that 59% of small- to medium-sized construction companies are struggling to find skilled bricklayers, with 55% having difficulties in finding joiners and carpenters. The government is attempting to tackle the issue by putting £2.5bn into apprenticeships by 2020. But there have been concerns about whether apprentices will be able to cope if they move from one building site to another.