A new report in Britain has warned that the country is suffering from a severe shortage of skilled tradesmen, threatening housing ambitions.
Checkatrade, a trades provider, said there was an urgent need to recruit 1.3 million skilled workers and 350,000 apprentices over the next decade to meet government targets and growing demand in the construction, home improvement and repair industries, according to the British PA Media agency.
The report indicated that with the improving economy, lower interest rates and accelerating planning processes, the home improvement and repair sector is expected to grow by 40% over the next decade.
growth at risk
According to Checkatrade, this promising growth is at risk due to a severe shortage of skilled workers, exacerbated by the aging workforce, with more than a third of current workers over 50 and many planning to retire within the next decade.
To meet retirements, the sector will need to hire 377,000 new workers, plus another 734,000 to meet existing demand in the home improvement, repair and construction sectors, according to the forecast.
Britain granted 286,382 work visas in the year ending in June, down 11% from the previous year but more than double 2019 levels, according to official UK statistics.
Of the visas, Britain granted 89,095 visas (health and care worker), in addition to 88,653 skilled worker visas, and 34,332 visas for seasonal workers.
