The UK construction industry’s lack of skill in building information modelling has emerged as a key concern for industry professionals.

A survey of 300 industry professionals found that while they were concerned about skilled labour shortages in traditional trades, building information modelling (BIM) was a bigger issue for them.

The survey was conducted by BRE Academy, the training arm of the Building Research Establishment.

Its report said that sustainability and environmental skills as well as trades such as plastering, electrical and plumbing were in short supply across construction. However BIM and management skills, seen as key to future development, were seen as lacking on a wider industry as well as an individual company or organisation basis.

The survey also highlighted construction’s image problem, with 91% of respondents saying that people outside the industry have a different perspective of the industry than those within it.

A need was identified to establish ‘clear and appealing’ career pathways for young entrants to the industry, with 74% of respondents saying that these should be ‘actively promoted’ and 67% saying that there should be more focus on promoting construction’s hi-tech and digital aspects.

In addition the industry should be promoted more to academically minded students as well as those aiming for vocational qualifications, according to the survey respondents.