The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched its Construction Workforce Outlook 2025–29; a report that sets out the workforce needs of the UK construction sector over the next five years.

Previously named the Construction Skills Network report, the Workforce Outlook reflects a broader understanding of the sector’s needs.

The outlook shows that there are opportunities ahead. Successfully achieving them requires long-term commitment from employers, government, training providers and CITB. For construction to have the workforce it needs in the future, investment in training that supports people into jobs is crucial. The report forecasts that the UK construction workforce will grow to around 2.75 million by 2029.

The overall number of extra workers needed for the 2025–2029 period is estimated at 47,860 per year, which is equivalent to 1.8% of the 2024 workforce. This means the UK construction industry needs to recruit the equivalent of 239,300 extra workers over the next five years. 

CITB has been producing workforce outlooks since 2006/2007 to provide evidence and insights into the number of workers needed to meet forecasted demand. It is still the only report of this type for the construction industry and is compiled using a range of both backward and forward looking data.

Having a view on changes in the construction workforce and the need for extra workers is a core part of helping CITB better understand future training needs.