More than 10,000 new workers will be required for Scotland's construction industry over the next five years, according to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

New research by the organisation has revealed industry output in the country is expected to marginally rise by 0.1% per year between 2018 – 2022, with a boost in housebuilding leading growth.

Public housing is expected to grow 3.9% each year for the period, with private housing growing at 2.9%. Examples include the Winchburgh Village Development in West Lothian and the Countesswells Housing Development in Aberdeen.

This expansion is being driven by the Scottish Government's target to build 50,000 new affordable homes by 2021. Repair and maintenance of existing buildings is also expected to grow, with a year on year average rise of 2.6%, and 1.7% for non-housing related work.

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The CITB said: "Falls in infrastructure work will be mitigated by growth in most of the remaining sectors. In fact, if infrastructure was removed from the Scottish forecast, overall output would average growth of 1.4% a year.

"A small drop in overall employment of 0.7% per year is expected over the forecast period. Despite this, an ageing workforce still means that Scotland needs thousands of new workers. In particular there is a demand for construction trades supervisors, logistics and civil engineers."

Overall all sectors, with the exception of infrastructure, commercial and public non-housing, are expected to experience growth, with 10,650 new construction workers needed to meet demand.

Ian Hughes, Partnership Director at CITB Scotland, said: "The forecast for Scottish construction sees a stable five years to 2022. It is encouraging to see strong growth for housing in particular.

"With over 10,000 new workers needed over the next five years, there remain excellent, rewarding career opportunities in construction. Our modern apprenticeship programme in Scotland continues to go from strength to strength, with over 5000 apprentices currently being trained.  We want to support firms in Scotland to take on more apprentices, to upskill their workforce, and to champion construction as a rewarding lifelong career."

To view the 'Construction Skills Network UK report for 2018 – 2022', visit here.

(LM)