Around 12,000 new workers are needed to meet Scotland's construction demand in the next five years, according to a new report.

The Construction Skills Network publication states all sectors are forecast for future growth up until 2021, with the exception of infrastructure and industrial.

The housing sector is set to grow modestly; public housing (1.1%) and private housing (2.0%) both on the up. Repair and maintenance of existing buildings is also expected to rise to 1.1%.

A decline in infrastructure activity following the completion of major projects is expected to lead to construction output contracting by 0.4% annually. As a result, overall employment is expected to drop 0.8%. However, CITB said an ageing workforce means the country still needs thousands of new workers.

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Ian Hughes, Strategic Partnerships Director at CITB Scotland, said: "Scottish construction has had an incredible few years, with infrastructure operating at record levels. The tapering off of output in this sector leaves the forecast for Scotland flat, but the picture for individual subsectors is brighter, with most due to experience growth.

"With nearly 12,000 new workers needed over the next few years, there remain excellent, rewarding career opportunities in construction. We want to support firms in Scotland to take on apprentices, and upskill their workforce, while encouraging young people to join the industry to help construction grow in years to come.

"While we have factored Brexit into this forecast, there remain many unknowns to life after leaving the EU. We will be working with our industry to understand what it means for our migrant workforce and what we must do to attract and grow more of our own."

(LM)