Merryweather Powell, J. and Shibeika, A. (2025) Brexit and beyond: Addressing skills shortage in the UK construction industry. Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers: Management, Procurement and Law, 179(1), pp. 50-57. ISSN 1751-4304
Abstract
This study investigates the causes of and responses to skill shortages in the UK construction industry, focusing on the impact of Brexit. This study employs a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with industry professionals, including quantity surveyors and commercial directors. The data were analysed thematically to identify key themes and insights. The study finds that skill shortages in the UK construction industry are exacerbated by both Brexit and long-standing issues such as negative industry perceptions, an aging workforce, technological shifts, and educational barriers. These shortages have far-reaching impacts on project timelines, costs, tendering processes, and shareholder returns. Current strategies, including government initiatives and educational reforms, have had limited success in addressing these issues. This study suggests several strategies to mitigate skill shortages, including enhancing apprenticeship programmes, improving the industry's public perception, and adjusting immigration policies post-Brexit. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the multi-faceted nature of skill shortages in the UK construction industry, particularly in the post-Brexit context. This study offers practical recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders to develop a more resilient and sustainable workforce.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | built environment; construction management; education & training; workforce |
| Index terms: | shortages, skill shortage, government initiatives, programme, strategy, interview, qualitative approach, construction industry, apprenticeship, tendering process, quantity surveying, built environment |
| Subjects: | management, industry analysis, project controls, economic analysis, research methods, profession, tendering, infrastructure and transport systems, data collection methods, professional education, political science |
| Topics: | Procurement, Business Strategy, Education, Human Resources, Urban Studies, Governance, Time Control, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here