• Industry is still recruiting, official statistics show
• Free Government-backed jobs portal has almost 1,000 vacancies listed already
• Construction Talent Retention Scheme expecting a boom in New Year – use the quieter holiday season to prepare, experts say

According to December’s Office for National Statistics figures, the number of job vacancies now available in the construction industry is back up to pre-Covid levels.

26,000 vacancies are currently available in the sector, which represents a 43% increase since the last quarter. Construction is one of only three industries that has seen an increase in vacancies overall since the same time a year ago.

Almost a thousand of those vacancies have recently been uploaded to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy funded Construction Talent Retention Scheme (Construction TRS), a recruitment platform launched by the Government, construction industry groups and businesses earlier this year. A national portal for construction jobs and free to access for employers and candidates, it is straightforward to search, view and apply for jobs.

Chris Jarman, director of the Construction TRS, says:

“Every week we get another 200 live vacancies advertised on our platform. From electricians and forklift drivers, to site managers, customer services, project managers, engineers and office administrators – every sort of role you could imagine is here, and the demand from businesses is strong. Employers with vacancies range from large contractors, housebuilders and engineering firms through to a vast array of smaller regional and local businesses throughout the UK.

“My advice for anyone who’s looking for a new role in construction is to go to the Construction TRS website and upload your CV today. You can search for jobs in your trade or profession in your geographic area and you can sign up for alerts to be told when new jobs are advertised. It’s completely free of charge and is simple to use.�

Kat Betts, senior resource business partner at civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale says:

“The Construction TRS is an essential tool for people looking for jobs in the construction industry. Applications come through directly to the recruiting companies which means a faster, more streamlined process. We have a range of great vacancies and graduate opportunities available on the site with more to be uploaded in the new year. Christmas is the ideal time to upload your CV so you’re ideally placed to apply for jobs in the new year.�

Here are 10 ways to increase your chances of securing your dream job in construction this Christmas:

1. First, make sure your CV is up to date and tells an employer why you’re suitable for that job
2. Get free information, advice and guidance from the National Careers Service, including tips on great CVs
3. Ask family or friends to check your CV and provide some objective feedback
4. Take a look at your social media profiles and make sure they show you in your best light
5. If you have a LinkedIn profile, get that updated too
6. Dig out any certificates, accreditations or proof of qualifications you may need
7. Sign up to relevant job boards including the Construction TRS
8. Set up alerts so you’ll be told when interesting roles are advertised
9. Follow Construction Talent Retention Scheme on Facebook for regular updates
10. Last but not least, don’t hesitate to apply for the roles that interest you – get in early.

Sarah Beale, chief executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), says:

“Throughout the pandemic UK construction has worked hard to stay open. There is a very strong demand for skilled people in our industry – the number of vacancies is back to where it was before the pandemic hit.  And with the level of government investment in infrastructure, new homes and retrofitting for reducing carbon, we are expecting a big recruitment drive in the New Year. There’s a wide range of opportunities available – so get registered and be the first to see them.”

www.trs-system.co.uk/construction

About the Construction Talent Retention Scheme

The Construction Talent Retention Scheme (CTRS) is a not-for-profit programme, funded by Government, and backed by business organisations, professional institutions and construction unions.

The online portal allows skilled individuals to showcase their experience and expertise and helps businesses across the industry find the skills they need. 

There has been strong interest in the scheme since it was announced as part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Plan for Jobs in July 2020. More than 700 employers have signed up to use the scheme. These companies, drawn from across Britain, range from multinational engineering giants to micro businesses. While almost half of all live vacancies are posted by regional SMEs, some of the bigger companies with vacancies listed include Barhale, Kier, Aecom, Balfour Beatty, ISG and Travis Perkins.

The free-to-use site allows the redeployment of staff at risk of redundancy and enables temporary employee loans between businesses. It also gives displaced workers from other sectors a route to find new employment.

The platform offers a fully featured system allowing companies to easily search candidates’ online profiles and CVs on a local, regional and national basis. It allows you to promote and directly manage information about your business, services, latest vacancies, news and events to skilled workers seeking new opportunities and to contact them directly.