What does 2015 hold for construction contractors?
There may be good news on the horizon for contractors in the UK, with a number of large-scale developments beginning in 2015 and steady growth predicted across the sector.
As of September 2014, the constructor sector had experienced 16 consecutive months of year-on-year continual growth. The only issue seems to be a shortage of skilled workers on hand to complete upcoming projects. Although there are 3 million construction workers in the UK, there aren’t enough skilled workers to meet the needs of the booming industry.
It was recently estimated that London and South East need a 51% increase in training provision to meet demand in the coming years (see Skills to Build for more information). This skills gap is made even more significant by the £96 billion pipeline of construction projects scheduled for the area in the near future.
Housing developments, energy and transport projects will be amongst the many areas of expansion next year. The Construction Products Association recently released its autumn forecast, predicting huge growth, with road construction expected to rise by 46%, private housing starts by 6.1% and energy infrastructure by an amazing 118.2%. Whilst 2014 was a time for investment, 2015 may be the time for return on investment.
The infographic below reveals what 2015 has in store for the construction industry. It was prepared by Quantic UK and is reproduced here with permission from Quantic UK Brand Development Manager, Bethany Trenbath.
Bethany Trenbath is Brand Development Manager at Quantic UK, a specialist accountancy firm based in the UK, with over 11 years' experience helping you make the most of your money.
See more Construction industry infographics.
Featured articles and news
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.























