Why construction needs a rebrand to crack the skills gap

Andy Brown Head of Content, Construction and Engagement
Andrew Shaw

01 April 2026

Positive news came recently as research from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) showed that a quarter of the UK construction workforce are now under the age of 30, up from just 17% in 2021. CSCS put this down to younger people seeking skills-based roles that they believe are less likely to be taken over by AI.

But let’s not rejoice too quickly – the workforce is still ageing rapidly, with 35% of workers now over 50 and over a third set to retire by 2035, according to a Places for People report. 

While we work out how to tackle the growing skills crisis, it’s contractors who…

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