Scottish construction 'faces skills crisis'

CITB warned that action is needed to replace ageing construction workers

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has warned of a skills "time bomb" facing the Scottish industry.

Drawing on figures from the the Office of National Statistics (ONS), it said 25% of the construction workforce is likely to retire within 10-20 years.

About 19%, or 35,389 people, are likely to retire in less than 10 years.

The CITB said employers would need to act now to avoid a skills crisis such as they faced in the early 1990s.

CITB Scotland Director Graeme Ogilvy said: "Almost one in five workers is set to retire from the Scottish construction industry over the next 5-10 years, so not taking action now to encourage young people to join the industry - and investing in the training to up-skill our existing workforce - is no longer an option.

"The construction sector is essential for local and national economic growth and to avoid the similar skills crisis that affected the industry in the early 1990s, we urge employers to act now."