A skills shortage in construction has pushed wages in the sector above the national average, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The RICS’s UK Construction Market Survey has reported a 6% rise in average construction earnings last year – four percentage points above the average UK wage increase.
The survey showed 61% of construction professionals received pay rises in 2015.
Labour shortages were reported by 66% of professionals to be the biggest barrier to growth in 2015, with bricklayers and quantity surveyors in particularly low supply.
RICS chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: “While workloads are still growing at a relatively healthy pace, labour shortages in the construction sector are causing delays at different stages in the development process and leading to significant problems with project planning.
“That said, industry wages are becoming increasingly attractive, and I would hope that over time this will encourage skilled workers to return to the sector, as well as drawing school-leavers and graduates towards construction industry careers.”
RICS talent and skills director Sally Speed called on the government to tackle the talent shortage to prevent delays and spiralling costs in its key housing and infrastructure programmes.
She said: “To tackle the problem, government must deliver a new skills strategy that will enable industry, unions, and educators to work together and deliver real solutions. “Apprenticeships alone will not be enough. Ministers must look to draw a link between education, future careers and skills. Employers need to take the lead in improving skill levels, providing more vocational pathways to work and actively engaging with our country’s schools and colleges.”
Net lending to the sector fell by £274m in the three months to November, and 64% of respondents emphasised the continuing issues around financial constraints.
Despite this, 45% said that they expected profit margins to rise during 2016.
Some 33% of respondents saw an increase in the number of new projects they were taking on during Q4, down from 39% in the third quarter.
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