Research from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) suggests that the industry may face extreme demand in the next five years
The research on engineering construction workers was conducted using the Labour Forecasting Tool (LFT).
This predicts the numbers needed for the workforce across regions and sectors, predicting trends and demand.
The LFT was launched in 2023
The first report using the LFT was made in November 2023, predicting that another 40,000 workers would be required in the industry by 2028.
The now updated forecast says the same number needed, but stating the peak is now two years later in 2030.
This is due to factors including planned activity coinciding with a wave of retirements in key roles as the workforce ages.
Also revealed is the size of the workforce in the sector may total 135,000 workers by 2030 in order to meet demand, an increase of 19% of the current number. This marks a decrease from the previously forecasted 28% increase by 2028. This may be an indicator that the drive to increase recruitment has been working.
In 2023 the estimated size of the ECI workforce was ~101,000; this has also increased by 13,000 to ~114,000 in 2025.
“By investing in the workforce, the industry has a fighting chance”
Andrew Hockey, chief executive of ECITB, said: “These updates to the LFT give us the latest picture of future labour needs. It provides a strong evidence base to inform decision-making in helping address ECI skills shortages, which is central to our Leading Industry Learning strategy.
“2025 is the final year of our current strategy. But this is not just the ECITB’s strategy – it is our industry’s training and development strategy that ensures the ECI develops the generation-defining skills and workforce landscape needed to meet demand.
“This is why we’ve been consulting with industry in a series of workshops throughout April and May to help shape the future of engineering construction.
“Our new strategy will be published in September and will guide skills development across the industry for the next five years. It will aim to grow the number of new entrants, support employers to attract a more diverse talent pool and enhance workforce competence to ensure learners are both skilled and safe.
“But we recognise that addressing skills shortages requires a collaborative, multi-agency approach that includes employers, governments, training providers and the ECITB.
“So, we’re calling on all of industry to work together to help increase the pool of people joining the ECI, while continuing to train and upskill existing workers.
“By investing in the workforce, the industry has a fighting chance of closing the skills gap and ensuring the ECI has the skilled workforce it needs both for now and the future.”
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