This week, the Advantage Construction Insurance team’s been reading about a new project which has been launched to help address a looming shortfall in the number of construction workers across rural Scotland.

As reported by the BBC: The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is putting £5.4m over three years into on-site training hubs.

It expects to see 4,500 people gaining skills across 28 categories of construction job. Across the UK, similar schemes are under way to cover 18,000 new workers, funded through the CITB payroll levy.

The board is inviting bids, by October, to host one of three hubs for the on-site skill centres.

A spokesman for CITB suggested it could have a particular impact on the Highlands and Islands, the Borders and rural east Scotland.

Data from the industry has raised concerns that many within its workforce are soon to retire, and access to European Union recruitment is being shut down due to Brexit.

The Scotsman stated: The Scottish construction sector requires 13,950 skilled people to enter the industry during (the next five years) with the sector forecast to grow by 0.5 per cent, according to a CITB report. A total of 20 hubs will be established across Scotland, England and Wales.

CITB chief Sarah Beale said:

“We face the perfect storm of an uncertain post-Brexit migration system, and an ageing workforce, with many set to retire in the near future.

“It is therefore essential that the industry attracts, trains, and retains new talent wherever it can be found to ensure construction isn’t hampered by a shortage of site-ready workers.”

Ian Hughes, partnerships director for Scotland, said:

“This major cash injection will give the Scottish construction industry a real boost, specifically within Highlands and Islands, Borders, and rural East Scotland.”

You may also enjoy the recent Advantage Construction Insurance blog on how Scotland may give local communities more involvement in the planning process.