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Construction is vital to Lancashire and Cumbria – it supports more than 50,000 jobs across our region and drives forward the housing, infrastructure and economic growth that the region depends on.
However, this sector is facing challenges. With rising housebuilding targets and evolving sustainability standards, the types of skills required are becoming more specialised and technically demanding than ever before.
Lancashire now needs to build 6,500 homes every year – a requirement that has more than doubled. Meanwhile, Cumbria must increase its housing output by over 50% just to hit the new targets that the government has set.
We’re already facing a serious skills shortage. Across the UK, the construction and trade sector is looking at a gap of 937,000 workers by 2032. Our workforce is getting older and there aren’t enough young people coming into the industry to replace them.
Our Skills Barometer 2025 explores how the construction industry is responding – from new green building requirements to the rise of digital tools and diagnostics.
It features insights from employers and educators, including Preston College and industry leaders like Pettit Singleton Associates, and shows how colleges are embedding new technologies and soft skills into training.
Employers told us they need adaptable, work-ready staff – from digital-savvy site operatives to retrofit specialists – and training that keeps pace with the sector’s rapid evolution.
Whether you’re a housebuilder, contractor or supplier, the Skills Barometer offers valuable, practical insight to help your business grow.
Download the Skills Barometer 2025 today and get ready for the future of construction.