Understanding the current and future construction skills landscape in Cornwall
The Cornwall Construction Sector Skills Deep Dive brings together evidence from employers, training providers and labour market research to build a picture of Cornwall's current and future construction workforce.
The findings highlight growing demand for skilled workers, ongoing recruitment challenges and opportunities to strengthen the local skills pipeline to support housing, infrastructure and net zero ambitions. Download the reports below to explore the findings in more detail.
Key insights from the report
Growing demand
Construction activity is expected to increase over the next 10 years, driven by housing, infrastructure and the transition to net zero. Workforce demand is forecast to remain strong, with replacement demand from an ageing workforce adding further pressure.
Recruitment challenges
Employers continue to report difficulties recruiting key trades and technical professionals, including electricians, heating engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers.
Skills pipeline
Around 1,500 learners enter construction-related education and training each year in Cornwall, but progression into apprenticeships and employment remains inconsistent, reducing the number of new entrants reaching the workforce.
Collaboration
Stronger collaboration between employers, training providers and partners will be essential to grow apprenticeships, improve progression into employment and develop the construction workforce needed for Cornwall's future.
Construction workforce demand: looking ahead
- Groundworkers
- Labourers
- Bricklayers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Mechanical and electrical trades
- Site supervisors and managers
- Technical and project management roles
Did you know?
Challenges facing the sector
The research identified several key challenges affecting workforce growth and sector capacity:
- An ageing workforce and increasing replacement demand
- Apprenticeship capacity constraints, particularly among SMEs
- Skills shortages in key trades and technical occupations
- Transport and housing barriers affecting workforce mobility
- Skills pipeline leakage between training and employment
- Growing demand for digital and low-carbon construction skills
Opportunities for growth
Despite these challenges, the research identifies significant opportunities to strengthen Cornwall's construction workforce through collaboration between employers, training providers and partners:
- Increasing apprenticeship participation
- Expanding construction bootcamps and entry-level pathways
- Supporting workforce upskilling and progression
- Developing technical and higher-level skills
- Strengthening employer and provider collaboration
- Increasing participation from under-represented groups
- Aligning training provision with future industry needs.
Strengthening local skills, supporting new entrants and helping employers access the workforce they need will be essential to future growth.
