THE Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has called for ‘urgent action’ to address the UK construction sector’s ‘skills crisis’.
Chief executive Brian Berry visited Constructionarium in King’s Lynn, where he emphasised the importance of practical training to address the shortages plaguing the industry.
During his tour of the 19-acre facility, Brian witnessed students collaborating on scaled-down versions of iconic structures, including a replica of London’s ‘Gherkin’ skyscraper. The site offers a simulated construction environment where participants can safely experience the challenges of real-world building projects, from foundation work to structural assembly, under expert supervision.
This hands-on approach aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
The FMB said the visit highlighted the escalating skills crisis, with recent figures showing over 35,000 construction job vacancies nationwide. More than half of these positions remain unfilled.
The trade body’s own State of Trade Survey for Q4 2024 revealed as many as 42% of small, local builders reported having jobs delayed due to a lack of skilled labour.
Brian Berry said, “What I’ve seen at Constructionarium perfectly illustrates what our industry desperately needs – training that truly prepares people for the realities of modern construction. Our latest FMB State of Trade Survey shows that 33% of our members are struggling to recruit bricklayers, while 37% cannot find the carpenters and joiners they need.
“These aren’t just statistics – they represent real projects delayed, homes not built, and businesses unable to grow. If we don’t act decisively on skills development now, the UK’s ambitious housing and infrastructure goals will remain nothing more than an unrealistic aspiration.
“The skills gap isn’t just holding back individual businesses – it’s undermining our collective ability to build the homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure this country urgently needs. Facilities like Constructionarium exemplify the innovative approaches we need to champion across the country.”
The FMB is calling for a three-pronged approach:
- Produce a construction skills plan to set out a long-term delivery schedule for vocational skills
- Set clear minimum competence standards for building companies to help guide current and future training provision
- To work with industry to create clear training pathways for prospective builders, which will help professionalise the sector
