RICS comments on UK Government announcement on skills reform and investment:

“The RICS UK Construction Monitor routinely records significant skills and labour shortages in the UK’s construction sector. These shortages stifle existing and future construction projects, including, perhaps most crucially, the UK Government’s target to construct 1.5 million new homes. This announcement provides a welcome boost to apprenticeship opportunities and supports the pipeline for driving fresh talent and upskilling seasoned labourers and professionals.

“Devolving decision-making to local mayors for the £14 million of adult skills funding for construction is a positive step and should make resource allocation more closely aligned with local plans. £100 million over four years to expand the Construction Skills Bootcamps as well as the ten new Technical Excellence Colleges opening across the country in September should provide the keys for each region to reap the benefits of this investment.

“RICS has called for greater equity and inclusion within the sector, opening the skills pipeline to communities underrepresented in the built environment. We also continue to advocate for a built environment GCSE qualification in England, like existing qualifications in Scotland and Wales. So, whilst this is welcome progress, there are still many other possibilities to enhance skills and labour access in the industry and reinvigorate it in time to meet ambitious targets.”

-ENDS-

Notes for editors

The full report may be found at this link. Commentary from survey respondents regionally can be found in the economic pdf on the back pages – you are free to use these.

About RICS

We are RICS. Everything we do is designed to effect positive change in the built and natural environments. Through our respected global standards, leading professional progression and our trusted data and insight, we promote and enforce the highest professional standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

Our work with others provides a foundation for confident markets, pioneers better places to live and work and is a force for positive social impact.

For more information:

Kris Hicks
Khicks@rics.org

Kate King
kking@rics.org

press@rics.org

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