Skills shortage in the housing industry?

Development companies make redundancies

Reading about a skills shortage in the housing industry (an extract of which is below) surprised me, especially with the current market situation.  There have been many recent redundancies made for both small and large development companies so surely these workers would be looking for a new opportunity to continue in their trade? According to this article, they are now in real demand!

“Skills shortages in the construction sector are likely to become more acute as the industry grows 11 per cent by 2011, according to a study by the Chartered Institute of Building (COIB).

Increased demand for construction, as a result of the government’s target to provide three million new homes by 2020, the London Olympics and a raft of new schools and academies, is likely to heighten the problem.”

Is the demand for these skills in the wrong areas?  Are skilled workers prepared to travel for work? What can be done to rectify this situation?

Post comments and thoughts …