The Welsh Construction Forum: “Building Back a Better and Greener Wales”
The Construction Industry plays an important role in both supporting economic development in Wales and the resultant positive impacts on our society and people.
Construction remains a great enabler for the Welsh economy despite facing major challenges and uncertainty. But it is the way that we collectively respond to these challenges that really matters. The sector plays an integral role in helping set Wales on a path to deliver a greener, fairer and more prosperous Wales. Creating an economic environment to support both wellbeing of the population and increase a focus upon productivity and growth, where nobody is left behind.
In 2023 the construction industry in Wales is estimated to have had a total output of around £7.8 billion, with 8,230 employers in the construction sector which is 14% of all employers in the nation. The sector had the largest proportion of employment in small/medium enterprises (SMEs) in Wales.
In December 2023, the index of construction long-term trend showed a 26.5% increase for Wales and a 2.1% increase for the UK compared with the previous 12 months.
In 2024 there was an increase in demand for construction jobs (engineering etc.) with growth in the sector expected at an annual recruitment rate of 2,200 workers. In March 2024, the sector had approximately 100,000 workforce jobs. An equivalent of an extra 11,000 workers will be needed in the nation from 2024 to 2028.
The current level of recruitment within the Welsh Construction Industry is 8,900 workers per year, the following occupations have some of the strongest recruitment requirement values: Electrical installation trades (350 per year) Bricklayers and masons (290 per year) Directors, executives and senior managers (290 per year).
Construction and the construction process is a cross cutting foundational sector essential to supporting Welsh Government climate change ambitions, sustainable buildings and the creation of skills, employment, wealth and prosperity. Following feedback from the construction sector leaders the need for improved government capability, responsiveness and engagement and alignment of priorities was highlighted. This resulted in funding being made available for a more focused approach and engagement providing improved real-time intelligence and advice using contracted support via Constructing Excellence Wales to generate additional capacity.
The Welsh Construction Forum brings together leading figures from the private and public sectors across Wales’ construction industry along with Wales’ social partners, to agree a way forward for the industry to help Wales “build back better”.
Chaired by Jeremy Miles MS Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language.
The forum’s work is integral to helping the industry thrive over the coming years. By collaborating through expertise, knowledge and best practice, the forum represents the interests of Wales’ diverse construction supply chain to establish positive actions, giving expert focus to important sectoral issues.
For further information contact Ed Evans, Welsh Construction Federation Alliance (ed.evans@cecawales.co.uk) or Catherine Griffith-Williams CEO, Construction Excellence Wales, (catherine.griffith-williams@cewales.org.uk).
