The Chartered Institute of Building's (CIOB) annual skills shortage survey has revealed that 77 per cent of respondents had problems recruiting during 2006.

The sample consisted of 623 respondents across the UK, 96 per cent of which were members of the CIOB and currently working at the management level within the built environment.

The results support other existing data that there is a significant skills shortage in the UK construction industry. 72 per cent of respondents expected that demand for construction would increase over the coming year and that they would not be able to recruit enough skilled workers to meet it. 68 per cent felt that the existing workforce was not sufficiently skilled.

Recruitment difficulties were reported at all levels in the industry but the greatest problems were reported at both management and at craft/trade levels. The reasons given for this were varied but most commonly respondents felt that the construction industry was simply not attractive enough to potential recruits.

The survey also looked at issues of migrant workers in the industry. 91 per cent of respondents felt that the numbers of migrant workers in the industry had increased during 2006, and that the bulk of these workers came from Eastern Europe.

The results suggest that migrant workers might not be plugging the skills gap in the area that needs them the most. Migrant workers were reported to be most commonly found among labourers where recruitment appears to be less of an issue; and were perceived as very rare among senior management where recruitment is seen as very difficult.

However, this is not the case at craft and trade level where recruitment is seen as very difficult but migrant workers are common according to respondents.

Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive said: “A combination of small numbers leaving university and a buoyant global construction industry have both been factors in the skills shortages we now see.

“We believe that the recruitment of non-cognate graduates is fundamental to plugging the gap and growing the industry. If we also exploit young people's potential by giving them meaningful responsibility in their careers this would aid both retention and development.  It is relatively easy to import migrant workers at craft or supervisory levels locally, from Eastern Europe, but considerably more difficult to recruit senior managers.”