The Increasing Construction Labour Shortage

Construction has bounced back quicker than expected from the Covid-19 pandemic. By 2025, the industry will need to recruit an additional 217,000 new workers just to meet demand. (Construction Skills Network, 2021-25). However, the number of job applications for construction roles has crashed by more than 10% this year. In the second half of 2020, there were more than 350,000 applications for construction vacancies. But, in the first half of 2021, the number is around 315,000. (Randstad) Randstad continued saying the number of jobs it will post in the first six months of 2021 could be as much as 40% higher than in the second half of 2020. The clear issue being there are fewer applicants for more jobs. So what is causing this labour shortage? Brexit, The furlough scheme and IR35 have all been listed as contributing factors. The combination of EU workers emigrating because of Brexit, the extension of the furlough scheme to the end of September and the introduction of the IR35 tax reforms have coalesced to tighten the construction industry?s labour supply. The last thing needed on-site is damaged surfaces. Damaged surfaces call for repairs or replacement - leading to more budget expense. With the given labour shortage, getting the repairs or replacements complete without jeopardising the project hand-over date will be difficult. Avoid this stress by protecting the surface beforehand. Protectapeel? is a liquid applied, temporary protective coating that bonds to the surface. As it dries, a tight, protective layer forms, protecting the surface from damage throughout construction. Surfaces are protected throughout, allowing you to focus on the construction rather than repairs. When you're ready to hand over, hand peel the coating (and the construction damage!) away with the coating. Your surfaces are left as clean and damage-free as when they were installed!

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