Survey says nearly three quarters of consultants and engineers say job applicants lack necessary skills

Engineers, architects and surveyors are facing a damaging skills shortage, according to research carried out by the Construction Industry Council.

The CIC Professional Services Survey says that almost three-quarters (74%) of consultants and engineers say job applicants are likely to lack the necessary technical skills for the job. Between 40% and 53% of professional services firms agreed they had vacancies that were 鈥榟ard to fill鈥�.

The sector is clearly concerned about the widening skills gap; some 70% of those questioned said a shortage of recruits was the biggest problem facing the sector, and half said they were anticipating recruitment difficulties over the next year.

The CIC says that one in five professional services professionals are expected to retire in the next decade.

Around 28,000 professional services firms carry out 拢13.9bn of work on UK construction projects. The sector covers consultants, architects, surveyors and engineers.

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