Construction Industry Brick Shortage

The effects of the recession are still being felt in the UK construction industry as the ongoing brick shortage threatens to impact on plans to get britain building again to alleviate the housing shortage.

Reigniting the Kilns

During the recession, not only did many skilled workers, including bricklayers, lose their jobs, but suppliers and manufacturers were also dealt a serious blow. As the recession took hold and there were fewer new-build projects being commissioned, brick manufacturers and suppliers received fewer and fewer orders, putting many out of business.

Now the market is picking up again, these manufacturers are reigniting their kilns and beginning to replenish their stocks, but can’t keep up with demand. This has lead to concerns that larger developers and contractors are snapping up the available stocks, leaving smaller firms with nothing.

Mr Brian Berry, of the Federation of Master Builders, stated recently that their latest survey had found up to 62% of firms waiting up to two months for new brick orders, with 25% waiting as long as four months, and 16% waiting for six to eight months.

Shortage of skills

On top of this, contractors are also struggling to recruit the bricklayers they need to keep up with demand. The number of firms reporting difficulties in finding the skilled workers they need has doubled in less than a year. This is one of the reasons many firms are turning to migrant labour to bridge the skills gap, but in the longer term, it is essential that the UK construction industry is recruiting and training UK workers.

Mr Berry explained that to guarantee the amount of skilled workers required as the industry continues to grow, the government and employers need to work together to create an apprenticeship framework that will get more skilled workers ready to meet demands.

Apprenticeship Framework

Apprenticeship programmes provide benefits not only to the workers looking to become skilled and employable, but also to employers looking for a cost effective way to bolster their workforce. Businesses that take on apprenticeships are proven to have a higher retention rate of staff and are often favoured by consumers and contractors over those that don’t.

Health and Safety Training Ltd

Here at Health and Safety Training Ltd we provide a range of apprenticeships, alongside our traditional courses, that combine classroom and practical industry training with functional skills such as maths and English.

Our instructors provide all the practical knowledge apprentices need to underpin their learning, followed by workplace visits to reinforce their training, monitor their progression and assess their work.

So if you’re struggling to recruit skilled bricklayers, get in touch today to find out how you can grow your workforce with specially-skilled new recruits, or provide further training to your existing staff and get them trained to the required level.