The training body’s annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) report anticipates average annual industry growth of 1.3% until 2023.
That is down a third of a percent on last year’s forecast and is based on the scenario that the UK agrees an exit deal with the EU, rather than a ‘No Deal’ Brexit.
Despite the wider economic uncertainty approximately 168,500 construction jobs are to be created in Great Britain over the next five years – 10,000 more than in last year’s forecast.
Construction employment is expected to reach 2.79m in 2023 – just 2% lower than its peak in 2008.
Steve Radley, Policy Director at CITB, said: “Assuming that a deal is agreed, we expect low but positive growth for construction.
“Even as infrastructure slows, sectors like public housing and R&M are strengthening.
“This will see the number of construction jobs increase over the next five years, creating growing opportunities for careers in construction and increasing the importance of tackling the skills pressures we face.”
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