YOUR FMB IMMIGRATION
I n a big win for FMB members, the UK Government recently added construction workers to the Shortage of Occupation List (SOL), which will now make it easier for employers to recruit skilled workers from overseas. The decision comes after the FMB provided member feedback directly to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which advises the Government on migration issues. This is significant news given the industry’s ongoing concerns over
the shortage of construction workers – caused, in part, by the negative perception of the industry and the Government’s lack of focus on vocational skills. More recently, additional factors have contributed to the skills shortage, such as: An ageing workforce: The FMB’s recent member census reported that the main business owner in more than 60% of our firms is aged over 50. With many construction workers nearing retirement, and not enough new people joining the
industry, the sector faces a number of challenges. Tighter restrictions on immigration regulation: This is the case since the UK left the European Union. There are skills shortages across many occupations, all of which are critical to small and medium-sized building companies. The FMB’s Q1 2023 State of Trade Survey revealed that: 41% of local builders are struggling to hire carpenters; 36% are finding it difficult to hire bricklayers; and 51% of jobs by FMB members are being delayed because they cannot find the skilled labour they need. Your voice has an impact At the FMB, your voice makes a difference. Members have consistently noted skills shortages as a major issue. In our Q4 2022 State of Trade Survey , you called on the Government to ease immigration measures to help with skills shortages. So the FMB set out to make this happen. Working in partnership with key stakeholders, the FMB provided feedback directly to the MAC, which identifies where there are skills shortages, leading to the Government updating the SOL. Occupations added to the SOL include: Bricklayers and masons; Roofers, roof tilers and slaters; Carpenters and joiners; Plasterers; and Construction and building trades (to cover retrofit coordinators). This is just one example of how your voice makes a difference. It is vital, therefore, that we gather feedback from our members to accurately reflect what is happening in the industry. We encourage all of our members to get involved and voice their experiences through our quarterly State of Trade Survey and our policy groups so we can feed those views directly to politicians.
The UK Government recently announced that more skilled workers from overseas will be able to work in the construction industry to help solve the skills shortage FEWER IMMIGRATION BARRIERS FOR CONSTRUCTION
If you want to play a part in influencing government decision-making, contact us at PublicAffairs@fmb.org.uk or find out more about our policy on our website at www.fmb.org.uk/news-and-campaigns
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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