A new survey has warned of a skills shortage within the construction sector, which could affect the pace of how the industry recovers.

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), for the first quarter of 2014, members reported the highest increase in workloads since 2007.

A reason for the upturn is said to be due to the private housing sector, but despite the improvement, the report warned that skills shortages still applied across a number of trades in the industry.

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The latest RICS Construction Market Survey revealed that 43% of respondents felt there were not enough quantity surveyors available to meet the rising demand for skilled workers, while a further 35% believed there was a shortage of general construction of professionals.

Sarah Speirs, RICS Scotland Director, is quoted as saying: "What we are seeing as the recovery takes shape is the impact of skills shortages in parts of the country, where companies failed to invest in attracting new talent or in the training of existing employees at the height of the economic downturn.

"Now that the upturn in workloads is broadening out across Scotland, the industry must ensure it has the capability to capitalise on these opportunities."

(JP/MH)