The construction industry struggles to recruit and faces worker shortages across the UK, which threaten to halt economic growth if not urgently addressed.

Industry figures suggest an extra 224,900 people need to be recruited in construction jobs by 2027, or an average of 44,980 a year if the sector is to meet expected demand.

A report, The Real Face of Construction, published by CIOB, says in the UK, the average annual earnings in construction in 2022 were around £36,000 compared to £33,000 across all other sectors.

Noting that while average earnings across all sectors rose by 15% between 2012 and 2022, the rise for full-time construction workers was significantly higher at around 24%.

However, in a recent survey commissioned by CIOB, when asked about remuneration in construction, more than half of people (57%) perceived average earnings to be lower than the true figure.

When it comes to recommending construction careers to their children or other young people, more than twice as many people (16%) said they were very unlikely to recommend a career in construction, as those who said they were very likely (7%).

CIOB says this is a major concern considering the industry’s significant role in the UK achieving not only economic growth but also the government’s levelling up and net zero ambitions.

Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, said: “Our survey shows there are big misconceptions around earning potential, job prospects and working conditions and this is something the sector needs to work together to address if we’re to bridge the existing worker shortfall that will over time become bigger if nothing is done.

“Without construction workers, including those in IT, planning, administration and management, as well as the frontline trades, there can be no new homes or other infrastructure and our economy will grind to a halt.”

The south-east of England is home to the largest number of construction workers (381,000) while the east of England has the largest percentage of its total workforce engaged in construction (7.9%), however, both still need more professionals to enter the industry to meet future demand, as does every part of the UK.

When asked to select words to describe construction jobs, “overly physical” and “dangerous” were among the three top answers from those who took part in the CIOB survey, supporting the belief that such outdated perceptions are a big factor in so many people, particularly women, not considering a role in the industry.

Increasingly more construction-related jobs are office-based or site-based roles using modern technology, that don’t involve much, if any, physical activity.