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Carillion workers may benefit as construction skills shortages hit record levels

Skills shortages in the construction industry have hit a record high, according to industry leaders, with two thirds of bosses running small or medium sized firms struggling to hire bricklayers and carpenters.

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Carillion bricklayers and carpenters facing the loss of their jobs could find small construction companies keen to hire them

But it could provide a welcome boost to workers set to lose their jobs in the collapse of Carillion, with a ready supply of companies ready to welcome them with open arms.

The latest State of Trade survey from the Federation of Master Builders, which assesses the UK's SME (small and medium-size enterprise) construction sector, found that 68 per cent of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers and 63 per cent are having difficulty finding carpenters and joiners – the highest figures since records began in 2008.

Also 48 per cent of firms reported difficulties hiring plumbers and electricians, 46 per cent plasterers and 30 per cent floorers

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The silver lining to current skills shortages among construction SMEs is that the numerous tradespeople and professionals, who may find themselves out of work following the collapse of Carillion, have a ready supply of alternative employers.

"The FMB is working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Construction Industry Training Board to match-make ex-Carillion workers with small construction employers in need of skilled workers.

"We’re also working hard as an industry to re-home the 1,200 Carillion apprentices who are the innocent victims of the major contractor’s demise. It’s in everyone’s interests to ensure that these young people continue on their path to a rewarding career in construction.”

Mr Berry added: “Skills shortages are sky rocketing and it begs the question, who will build the new homes and infrastructure projects the Government is crying out for.

"The Government has set itself an ambitious target to build 300,000 homes every year in England alone. More than two-thirds of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers which is one of the key trades in the building industry. This has increased by nearly 10 per cent in just three months which points to a rapid worsening of an already dire situation.

"What’s more, nearly as many are facing difficulties hiring carpenters and joiners. These figures are the highest we’ve noted since records began a decade ago. As a result, the wages for these increasingly scarce skilled tradespeople continue to rise sharply; that’s a simple consequence of supply and demand. This, coupled with the fact that small construction firms continue to face significant material price increases, will inevitably squeeze their margins and put a brake on growth.”