Investment in construction skills will be needed to deliver a potential £100bn-plus pipeline of energy and infrastructure projects across Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, according to new research from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
The Local Skills Scotland 2026 report forecasts that Scotland will have sufficient construction workforce capacity overall between 2026 and 2030. However, it warns that workers and skills are not evenly distributed across the country, with some regions facing significant recruitment challenges.
Proposed energy infrastructure projects in the Highlands and Islands, including offshore wind, electricity transmission networks, pumped storage hydro and green hydrogen developments, could more than double construction workforce demand in the region if they proceed as planned. This would increase demand across Scotland’s construction workforce by around 12%.
The findings highlight the importance of Workforce North, a collaborative initiative bringing together industry, government and training providers to ensure the region has the skills and people needed to support the energy transition.
The report also warns that Scotland cannot rely on workers moving from elsewhere in the UK to meet future demand. Research shows that 99% of construction workers employed in Scotland also live there, while workers generally travel shorter distances than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK.
As a result, developing the local workforce through training and apprenticeships will be central to meeting future labour requirements.
CITB is calling for greater collaboration between employers, government and training providers to align skills development with the project pipeline. It says early workforce planning and sustained investment in training and career pathways will be essential to ensuring the industry can meet demand.
‘Significant opportunity’
Ian Hughes, CITB engagement director Scotland, said: “There is a significant opportunity for the construction industry in Scotland. However, projects do not build themselves. Behind every wind farm, energy network, road, school or housing development is a skilled construction workforce.
“Scotland needs to plan ahead if it is to meet the upcoming demand. Workforce North is an important opportunity for industry, government and training providers to work together to build the skills that are needed to support future investment.”
Elaine Ellis, skills planning manager (Construction and Net Zero) at Skills Development Scotland, said: “The pipeline of work surrounding infrastructure and energy alone will bring massive opportunity, both at a sector and regional level. Workforce North recognises the importance of the regional opportunity and the need to act now to help secure the future workforce.
“This research by CITB helps bring clarity to the scale of the workforce and skills challenge that sits behind the pipeline potential.”
