Construction boost

Published: 15 April, 2007

The Construction Skills Network report 2007 published by ConstructionSkills reveals that Government spending on education, and specifically Building Schools for the Future, will provide the single largest boost to construction employment outside London. The national picture shows that this eclipses even the resource demands of the 2012 Olympic build in the next five years.

An expected £4.7bn is set to be released for construction and ICT (information and communications technology) improvements in schools over the next five years. 90% of the investment on each site will be allocated to construction, making the scheme a significant demand on industry resource and expertise. The £14 million investment in Newall Green High School in Wythenshawe is just one example of nine secondary schools in Manchester that will be renewed in the first wave of the programme, eventually rising to 33 in total.

The Construction Skills Network provides the most detailed analysis of workflow and project type available for the construction industry and forecasts the occupational skills requirement, by region, nation and sector. It reveals that 87,600 recruits will be needed each year between 2007-2011 in order to meet demand and to take account of those leaving the industry – a slight increase on 2006 estimates.

Jim Knight, Minister for Schools, Department for Education and Skills, said: "Building Schools for the Future represents a new approach to maintaining and refurbishing school buildings and engaging the investment, skill and expertise from the construction industry is absolutely vital."

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