The latest CITB figures confirm what anyone in the construction industry already knows: we are still in the grip of a skills shortage. This isn’t new - it’s been an ongoing problem for years.
Why we're here
One major reason lies in how we’ve been taught to view work. Somewhere along the way, manual trades were branded as “lesser” careers. That message couldn’t be more wrong.
I know countless people in construction who are not only skilled and respected, but also financially successful. Yet, for decades, central government and society at large have treated the sector as second-class.
The “Upward Mobility” trap
In the 1980s, the idea of being “upwardly mobile” was splashed across newspapers. The poster children were young stockbrokers, usually privately educated and already well-connected, who supposedly symbolised success. Naturally, parents wanted their children to have the same opportunities. University was pushed as the only route to a better life, while vocational trades quietly faded into the background.
The result? A generation was encouraged away from learning practical skills, leaving gaps in the workforce that we’re still struggling to fill.
Immigration and opportunity
In the early 2000s, workers from across Europe saw the opportunity. Skilled tradespeople from Poland, Bulgaria, and the Balkans brought expertise we sorely needed. They did the jobs that many young people in the UK had never been taught to do, and they did them well.
Brexit’s impact
Like it or not, Brexit changed the dynamic. Many skilled European workers felt unwelcome and chose to return home, taking their abilities with them. They had contributed hugely to our industry, but once again, we were left facing a skills gap of our own making.
The way forward
It’s time to change the conversation around skills and manual labour.
Stop the stigma. We must stop treating vocational work as a second-tier career. Success isn’t defined by a degree - it’s defined by capability, contribution, and ambition.
Educate early. We don’t need to bring back the old 11-plus exam, but we do need to reintroduce respect for different talents. Let’s celebrate the people who can design a bridge and the people who can build it.
Invest in training. Skills in construction will always be in demand. Apprenticeships and trade qualifications should be as well-funded and promoted as university degrees.
Encourage ambition. Many tradespeople go on to run their own successful companies, creating jobs and opportunities. This should be celebrated as entrepreneurial achievement, not dismissed as “second choice” work.
A shared effort
In the 1950s, Britain invited skilled workers from around the world to help rebuild the nation. Together, we created infrastructure that still stands strong today. That spirit of collaboration, investment, and respect for skill is exactly what we need now.
The labour shortage is not unsolvable. But it will require a shift in mindset, a commitment to training, and a willingness to value every role that builds our homes, workplaces, and communities.
If we get this right, the next generation will see construction not as a “lesser” path, but as a vital, respected, and rewarding career. And that would be something worth building.
MyRAMSApp
If we want to build a stronger, future-proof construction industry, the right skills are just the start. We also need the right tools. That’s why we created MyRAMSapp, to empower contractors and tradespeople to spend less time on paperwork and more time building. With MyRAMSapp, you can create fully compliant RAMS documents in minutes, keeping projects on track and supporting a more efficient, skilled workforce.
Ready to take the next step? Try MyRAMSapp today and discover how effortless compliance can be.