The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has welcomed the government’s decision to add a number of construction roles to the shortage occupation list.
The shortage occupation list includes jobs considered to be in short in supply within the UK resident labour market. As such, the government offers more relaxed eligibility criteria for sponsored work visa applications for these roles.
In March 2023, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its review of labour shortages in the construction sector. This resulted in a set of recommendations that were accepted by the Home Office.
Following the MAC’s recommendations, and to make sponsoring skilled workers easier for construction companies, the following roles have been added to the Home Office’s official shortage occupation list:
- Bricklayers and masons
- Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- Carpenters and joiners
- Plasterers
- Those in construction and building trades not elsewhere classified
CIOB’s policy, research and external affairs director, Eddie Tuttle, said: “We very much welcome this announcement which in our view is long overdue. The addition of these roles to the shortage occupation list is something we have called for through the Construction Leadership Council. We’re glad the industry’s voice has been heard as the construction sector directly plays a vital role in the UK economy and is an enabler to so many others.
“While we acknowledge our industry needs to work harder to attract workers from here in the UK, there is an immediate skills shortage which must be addressed. Without a good supply of skilled workers from abroad, as well as homegrown talent, projects large and small including the likes of schools, hospitals, new homes and key infrastructure, simply won’t happen.”
