Dr. Hannah Holmes, Dr. Gemma Burgess, Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research, University of Cambridge | March 2025

Commissioned by Places for People, this report examines the skills gap in the UK construction sector. It identifies several contributing factors: an aging workforce, lack of diversity, Brexit-related labor shortages, and insufficient training. The authors stress the urgent need to address digital, environmental, and AI-related skills in the industry and recommend localized training, expanded apprenticeships, and inclusive practices to build a resilient and future-ready workforce.

Keywords: