Research into Migration in the UK Construction and Built Environment, the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) new Green Paper, has revealed that less than a third of employers have taken action to deal with the impact of the UK leaving the EU.

The key findings of the research include: one in three construction employers are feeling the impact of Brexit (up 9% since last year); almost half expect the recruitment of skilled workforce to become more difficult over the next two years, with just 4% expecting it to get easier; less than a third has taken action with regards to Brexit; only 8% of employers who have started making Brexit contingency plans said they will increase training; and the most important goal employers have in the run-up to Brexit is to keep hold of the workers they currently employ.

“With Brexit approaching, construction employers are expecting the recruitment of skilled workers to get harder as they anticipate restrictions on access to migrant workers. However, few employers are making firm plans to address this and instead are focusing on retaining their existing migrant workforce,” said Steve Radley, Director at the Construction Industry Training Board.

Mr Radley added the paper highlights the need for a “twin-track strategy – investing in the domestic workforce while enabling employers to continue to secure the vital talent of migrant workers”. “With an estimated 158,000 construction jobs to be created between now and 2022, it is critical that industry works together to deliver its part of this strategy,” he said.

CITB is the Industry Training Board and a partner in the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry in England, Scotland and Wales. Its job is to work with industry to encourage training, which helps build a safe, professional and fully qualified workforce, by offering support and funding.