A bounce-back from the construction industry in the region following the Covid crisis is set to see the creation of 16,750 new jobs by 2025, according to a new study.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), says the sector in the South East is expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 and grow an average of 4.4% annually.

Construction output in the South East dropped 10% last year compared with 2019.

But a string of major projects and housing is expected to breathe new life into the sector - and with it thousands of new jobs.

The 16,750 additional jobs required are on top of the anticipated annual average workforce growth of 1.3% per year until 2025 which includes turnover from new recruits and retirements. The South East’s construction workforce was estimated to be 373,400 at the end of 2020 and is set to increase to 398,900 by the end of 2025.

However, the CITB warns the commercial sector faces risks due to a reduced demand for office use and also retail space as more shopping goes online, requiring warehouses.

Shirley Ratcliffe, CITB senior customer engagement manager for the South East, said: “The recovery in the South East from the past year shows the resilience of the construction industry and its workforce here, who kept on throughout most of it despite the ever-changing and alarming circumstances.

“It’s great to see the industry coming back so strongly in the South East to create lots of job opportunities.

“We’re working with the government and further education to help make apprenticeships more flexible, as well as investing in skills for net zero, building safety and digital technologies.”

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