Fewer construction workers will be hired over the next few years as a result of the economic downturn, with job opportunities expected to halve, a new report has found.

Research by the Construction Skills Network (CSN) suggested that the slowdown in the housing market and related sectors would cut the number of new workers needed every year from a previous average of 88,000 to 42,000 between 2009 and 2013.

Compared with previous forecasts produced at the end of 2007, the number of new recruits required to satisfy growth shows a total fall of 184,000 over four years.

Despite predicting a dramatic fall in the requirement for new recruits, the CSN said that the industry would continue to grow over the next few years.

It added that high value projects such as the London 2012 Olympics, coupled with investment in schools, hospitals and roads, would help the UK construction industry grow slightly.

Yet, while infrastructure is forecast strong annual average growth at 6.5% until 2013, just 0.3% growth is expected for private housing.