The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has called for the government to make it easier for the sector to employ migrant workers under the points based immigration system
The CLC has submitted evidence to the government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), detailing the roles it believes could be considered for inclusion on the shortage occupation list.
The CLC’s Movement of People Working Group has compiled a report, detailing its recommendations, and it has updated its guidance on employing migrant workers.
The following roles have been recommended for inclusion on the shortage occupation list:
- Bricklayers and masons
- Carpenters and joiners
- General labourers
- Ground workers
- Piling rig operatives
- Plant operatives
- Plasterers, dry liners and ceiling fixers retrofit co-ordinators
- Road construction operatives
- Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- Scaffolders, stagers and riggers
- Steel erectors
- Thermal insulators
The CLC also recommended that building safety managers be included in the skilled worker route and proposed alternative ideas for making access to overseas workers easier. Proposed solutions include a clearing house model and widening the Youth Mobility Scheme to all European Economic Area countries.
Mark Reynolds, co-chair of the CLC and group chairman and CEO of Mace, said: “The CLC is committed to building our domestic construction workforce and championing construction as one of the best career choices for new entrants but the fact is we are still currently facing chronic shortages.
“A dynamic immigration system allows us to bridge gaps in workforce need and meet the people requirement for the sector’s pipeline of work. That’s why we are calling for the inclusion of these occupations in the shortage occupation list, to help make it a little easier to access the right people, at the right time.”
Skills gaps
James Butcher, director of policy at the National Federation of Builders, added: “Construction faces a vacancy rate higher than the all-industry average, so it is fair to say we are in a worse position than many other industries.
“The occupations we have recommended are based on a solid evidential base for the sector’s need over the next five years. If we are successful in getting these occupations listed, we’ll work hard to ensure construction companies know what they need to do to engage with the immigration system, which is why we are also launching new CLC guidance on how to do that.”
The MAC is expected to report on construction shortages imminently.
