If the industry wants to close the skills gap, it must first break down the barriers preventing it from becoming more inclusive, writes Caroline Gumble.

The annual industry forecast from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has highlighted persistent skills shortages, with the industry facing an ongoing need to match growth with recruitment and retention.

A new report by CIOB is urging the government to break down barriers blocking people with criminal records from working in construction.

Skills shortages, falling outputs, rising costs and insolvencies are putting pressure on construction’s capacity, writes Pablo Cristi Worm.

The Construction Industry Training Board is calling for construction employers’ understanding and awareness of post-Brexit immigration rules to be improved.

Kirsty Moore, from the immigration law firm Fragomen, explains which practical steps construction companies can follow to access workers from overseas.

CIOB has noted that many of the chancellor’s proposals will rely heavily on the construction sector, including the creation of new investment zones, growing renewable energy generation and local schemes to improve roads.

New website will focus on construction’s people development challenges in areas such as leadership, EDI, mental health 

There is no doubt that construction companies are finding it difficult to recruit, needing traditional skills. Why is this, and how are the shortages affecting the sector?

The government is to offer a total of 65 free short and modular courses to train adults in STEM sectors, in subjects including digital construction.

Recent ONS data shows new orders rising significantly, but finding talent to fill the skills gap is likely to require long-term investment, writes Kris Hudson.