The construction industry will lose a further 45,000 jobs this year, signalling a “lost decade” for the sector, according to a report.
Manual trades will be worst hit, with 6,300 fewer painters and decorators expected to be working by 2016 than in 2010, 3,000 fewer labourers and 2,500 fewer bricklayers, CITB-ConstructionSkills said.
One area of growth will be among construction managers, with an expected increase of 30,000 in the next few years.
Construction output is set to fall by 3% this year, and growth will be “slow and uneven” in the next five years, the report said.