Mind the Gap: Tackling Labour Shortages and Skills Gaps in the South West Construction Scene

It is no secret that construction in the South West is under pressure. Projects are stacking up, from new housing developments to vital infrastructure, but there simply are not enough skilled hands on site. Labour shortages and a growing skills gap are becoming real barriers, and at Leggwork we think it is about time we do more than just talk about it.

What is the problem?

Demand is booming, but workforce numbers are not keeping pace. According to the CITB, the South West needs over 42,000 extra workers by 2028 just to meet expected demand. That is a huge number, and it is not just bricklayers and carpenters we are short on, nearly every trade is feeling the pressure.

Part of the issue is an ageing workforce. A significant number of experienced workers are heading for retirement over the next decade. With fewer young people entering the industry, the pipeline just is not flowing fast enough.

Skills gap? Yes, that too.

Even when there are people ready to work, they often do not have the right skills. More than half of all construction vacancies are proving difficult to fill because candidates do not have the necessary training. Apprenticeship numbers have also dipped, down 1.4 percent last year, following an even steeper fall the year before (source).

That is a big problem for a hands-on industry like ours, where practical experience and proper qualifications make all the difference.

So, what is being done?

The government has started rolling out some support, including 120,000 new training opportunities through apprenticeships and skills bootcamps (source). There is also investment in new Technical Excellence Colleges aimed at giving people real-world, work-ready training.

It is a positive step, but it will take more than that. As an industry, we need to work together to make construction an attractive, long-term career path. That means better visibility in schools, more flexible training routes, and showing people what is possible with a career in the trades.

What are we doing about it?

At Leggwork, we are not just observing the issue, we are actively addressing it. We are proud to be working closely with several trusted training providers across the South West to upskill members of our loyal workforce. Whether it is Safety Critical Medicals, CSCS cards, Traffic Marshal or Banksman training, we are helping our workers access the qualifications they need to succeed on site  and stay there.

Of course, this isn’t completely selfless and as a business we benefit from candidate loyalty and long term progression, but as the relationships we build with our candidates are the foundation of everything we do, investing in their growth just makes sense. 

Looking ahead

The gap is real, but it is not unbridgeable. With the right training, support, and mindset, we can create a construction sector that is stronger, more skilled, and ready for the future.

If you are a candidate or client looking for dependable and committed service, get in touch.