Building industry battles to recruit candidates with vital sustainability skills

The construction industry is sounding the alarm on a critical shortage of sustainability skills, which threatens to undermine its competitive edge and hinder progress toward crucial environmental goals. 

A recent survey by the University College of Estate Management (UCEM) reveals that 77% of industry professionals believe their organisations would lose their competitive edge without employees equipped with sustainability skills.

According to the survey, 88% of respondents highlighted the relevance of sustainability skills across all roles in the sector. However, 78% pointed to a severe shortage of such skills, and 73% reported significant challenges in finding a builder with appropriately trained talent.

Significant 'shortage of skills required to meet legal requirements'

UCEM, an online university, which aims to lead the way in sustainability in the built environment, commissioned the research to highlight gaps in vital eco-friendly skills.

The survey also revealed the demand for those skills will only increase, with 75% of respondents anticipating the need to recruit people with sustainability skills will soar in the next few years.

Stephen Bartle, Pro Vice-Chancellor at UCEM, says sustainability is an increasingly pressing concern for the built environment, which will need to reduce emissions drastically to meet the UK’s net-zero targets.

“The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe which creates significant problems around sustainability and energy conservation,” he said.

“Built environment professionals are facing looming environmental legislation, yet there is still a shortage of the skills required to meet legal requirements.

“This is a wake-up call for the sector to invest in training that meets financial, legal, and ethical obligations, yet it also highlights the economic opportunity that sustainability presents to both employers and jobseekers.”

Employers fighting for skilled talent

The shortage has ignited fierce competition among employers, with 76% of respondents indicating they are vying for skilled sustainability talent. 

Additionally, 87% acknowledged that upskilling current employees will be crucial to bridging the sustainability skills gap in their industry.

A striking 90% of respondents believe that creating a sustainable built environment is essential for society's future.

Stephen added: “More and more we are seeing that colleagues feel passionately about being part of an organisation that has a positive social impact. They want work to be meaningful and meeting that drive is strongly linked to both performance and retention.”

93% say more sustainability training is needed

Other significant findings from the survey include 93% of respondents saying their workforce would benefit from more sustainability training and development. 

Meanwhile, 91% highlighted optimising energy use and reducing carbon emissions as the most sought-after skills, followed by improving buildings for health and wellbeing (89%), and actively enhancing the sector's overall sustainability performance (89%).

Ultimately, 83% of those surveyed agreed that sustainability solutions are a core focus for their industry. This urgent need for sustainability skills underscores a broader shift in the construction sector towards embracing eco-friendly practices and underscores the vital role of targeted training and development to meet the challenges ahead.