Elaine Ellis

It is widely understood that companies working in different parts of the sector, such as housing, retrofit or infrastructure, share many of the same workforce issues and in some areas compete over the same workforce pool.  While there is not a shortage of activity to try and address skills and workforce issues, many are trying to solve the problem working in silos rather than as a collective industry.

One of the biggest challenges the sector is facing is ensuring it can attract, train, and retain the skilled and competent workforce it needs to meet a growing future demand and fill vacancies of those leaving the industry or retiring.

Failing to take necessary steps now to secure tomorrow’s workforce will prevent Scotland from creating the infrastructure and built environment it needs to help the country thrive.

The Construction Leadership Forum is working to establish a Workforce Mission; a new approach that will set out the steps to create the conditions that will bring about the necessary changes to improve collaboration and to support Scotland’s construction sector work collectively to address current and future workforce shortages.

To help shape that Mission, the CLF has launched a short survey to gather greater industry insight.

Elaine Ellis, skills planning manager, construction and net zero at Skills Development Scotland and co-chair of the CLF’s Skills Working Group, said: “The challenge we face cannot be addressed by any single group or organisation. The collective responsibility sits firmly with employers, industry stakeholders and public sector partners.

“I urge those working across the construction and infrastructure sectors to get involved and help shape our future by taking part in this short survey.”

The Skills Working Group includes representation from CIOB, CITB, Historic Environment Scotland, hub North, Mclaughlin & Harvey, RICS, Robertson Group, Skills Development Scotland, SECTT , SNIPEF and Scottish Government.  There is also a wider pool of organisations connected via associated working groups.  One of the goals is to widen participation.

The survey is open to all with the deadline for submissions being 31 July 2025.