CLC wants these trades added to Shortage List

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) newest recommendations look to address the industry’s struggle to access domestic labour.

On the back of its initial report in March, the CLC has expressed dissatisfaction with the Government’s current Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and low engagement with overseas workers. 

Jeremy Hunt did promise more relaxed rules for overseas workers in his Spring Budget, however it did not cover jobs needed to facilitate the country’s most important projects. 

This new report to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will help a broader set of construction and engineering firms access the UK’s points based immigration system.

Inside the report 

The CLC has recommended the following occupations to be added to the SOL: 

• Architectural and Town Planning Technicians.
• Bricklayers and Masons.
• Business and Related Associate Professionals.
• Carpenters and Joiners.
• Construction and Building Trades (N.E.C).
• Elementary Construction Occupations (General Labourers & Ground Workers).
• Mobile Machine Drivers and Operatives (Plant Operatives and Piling Rig Operatives).
• Plasterers, Dry Liners* and Ceiling Fixers.
• Road Construction Operatives.
• Roofers, Roof Tilers and Slaters.
• Sheet Metal Workers.
• Steel Erectors.
• Welding Trades.

Regarding demand, 225,000 extra construction workers are needed in the UK by 2027 and there are currently 2.7 million workers in the industry according to data published by Statista. 

Consequently, oversees workers who come under these additional occupations can support the delivery critical construction projects in the UK, including: 

• House building.
• National infrastructure. 
• Levelling-up.  
• Net zero and building safety. 

Alternatively, the CLC has chosen not to recommend the following occupations to be added to the SOL:

• Production managers and directors in construction.
• Property, housing and estate managers.
• Architects. 
• Town planning officers. 
• Quantity surveyors.
• Chartered surveyors. 
• Chartered architectural technologists.  
• Construction project managers and related professionals. 

In addition, the CLC has offered to work with the Government to improve engagement with overseas workers, with provisions on language and mobility barriers. 

Enjoyed this? We recommend Plea to protect workers during hot weather.