The CITB Migration Report 2023

[edit] Summary of the reports findings by CITB

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) latest Migration and Construction report highlights low levels of awareness and engagement with the Points-Based System (PBS) post-Brexit, continuing to exacerbate existing skills shortages within the sector. It is the sixth report and the first since the end of the pandemic and the introduction of the Points-Based System in January 2021 when the UK formally left the EU.

Although there are plans to work closely with industry to make employers more aware of the benefits and how to navigate the PBS system, the report highlights that only half of employers surveyed were aware of the PBS, and only 7% of employers reported that they had signed up as a licensed sponsor.

Addressing any barriers preventing employers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accessing the scheme and benefitting from recent changes to the Shortage Occupation List would help enable employers to more easily recruit migrant workers in high-demand occupations. Other key findings of the report included:

The share of migrant workers in the construction workforce fell to 9.8% in 2021 (latest year data is available for) from 10.2% in 2020 and 10.7% in 2018.
Even in the early stages of recovery from the pandemic, and despite modest growth in output, over half (55%) of employers indicated that they have faced recruitment difficulties over the past two years.
Almost a quarter (23%) of firms reported that recruitment had been very difficult. These problems have been greatest for larger firms employing more than 100 people (76% of employers) and in London, South-East and East of England (62%).
The industry needs to deliver on its commitment to grow and invest in its domestic workforce by tackling long-standing weaknesses in how it attracts, retains and develops its workers skills and capability by raising the levels, quality and relevance of training.
However, the Government, Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and industry need to work together to raise employer understanding and awareness of the PBS and to make the system work better for construction to address some of the critical short-term skills needs that industry now faces.

For further details and to download the report visit this link

[edit] Response to the reports findings by CIOB

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has reacted to CITB’s newly published Migration Report, highlighting the significant barriers the construction industry faces in recruiting workers from abroad.

David Barnes, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at CIOB, said: “Migration is a vital factor in plugging the significant skills gap across the construction industry. CIOB welcomes this new report by CITB which further highlights the clear need to increase the domestic pool of construction workers.

“Research clearly shows many construction companies feel migrant workers are critical to their business, but the new points-based system is convoluted and expensive – potentially deterring companies from looking overseas when recruiting.“CIOB has also worked closely with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) following the recent Migration Advisory Committee’s review of the Shortage Occupation List.

“Together, we identified the most difficult areas to recruit within alongside the need for far more flexibility to help achieve key governmental targets in areas such as housebuilding. We urge the Government to consider drastic improvements to its engagement with construction companies regarding the points-based system and to review both its cost and navigation.”