Builders are by far the most in demand, while electricians and plumbers are also in short supply, HVP Mag reported.

There are currently over 140,000 job vacancies in construction trades overall, highlighting a nationwide skills shortage.

With the UK expected to be the fastest-growing larger construction market of the major Western European economies over the next 15 years, this shortage is only predicted to get worse.

The number of vacancies identified by the study breaks down as follows:

• Builders (52,113 vacancies)
• Electricians (12,005 vacancies)
• Plumbers (11,928 vacancies)
• Gas Engineer (9,873 vacancies)
• Flooring Contractor (7,812 vacancies)
• Painter (7,597 vacancies)
• Carpenter (6,997 vacancies)
• Window Cleaner (5,887 vacancies)
• Joiner (5,729 vacancies)
• Roofer (4,547 vacancies)

Firms employing plasterers, bricklayers, and tilers are having less trouble filling positions, with fewer than 2,000 listings for each trade across job sites. 

The skills shortage is at an all-time high in the trade industry, and this is predicted to continue. A recent industry report revealed that 937,000 new workers will be needed in the construction and trade industries by 2032 to meet the ever-growing demand.

According to the chief executive of The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the industry is experiencing a serious skills shortage.

The study also revealed the trades most in demand within different UK cities. Flooring contractors are high in demand in London, while there is a shortage of gas engineers in Birmingham and Liverpool. Joiners are a highly sought-after trade in Edinburgh and Leeds.

Paul McFadyen, chairman at metals4U, explained what he thinks an industry-wide skills shortage could mean for the trade sector: “Construction, building, and metal materials have been in heavy demand in the UK over the last few years, with increased development in residential and commercial properties.”