Over 1200 managers and directors in construction, the majority working for large companies employing more than 500 people, took part in the CIOB research.

The results reveal that people possessing crafts/trades, senior and middle management skills are highly sought after, yet migrant workers are mainly filling manual occupations. 

Nine out of ten respondents believed the UK construction industry is currently suffering a skills shortage. 83% of respondents felt that recruiting senior management was difficult, and 84% regarded the recruitment of middle management as difficult in 2008. This represents an increase of 7% and 9% respectively compared to results from the CIOB's skills survey in 2006.
 
Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive said: "Despite the current credit crunch, 70% of the respondents believe that there will be an increase in construction demand in 2008 together with a worsening supply of middle and senior management.

The shortage of professionals and managers within the industry is reflected in many parts of the world.  

"We also know that the demand from young people for apprenticeship is outstripping the number of training places available in the industry.

The findings also highlight a recent reduction in the numbers of migrant workers coming to the UK to work as labourers, and suggest that if migrant workers do hold management skills, they are not recruited due to poor English language competency.”