Episode Details

Construction Disrupted Episode 119 - A Familia Story For UK Construction (10.06.26) in partnership with Adobe Acrobat Studio. Check them out and show them some love.

In this episode, we're delving into the evolving landscape of the UK construction industry, examining market trends, workforce initiatives, and efforts to address skills shortages. Each headline provides insight into a major development that is set to shaping the sector’s future. Let's go:

Is UK commercial construction experiencing a comeback?

The UK construction sector continues to face significant challenges, with Glenigan’s June 2026 Construction Index showing a 7% drop in project starts over the last quarter and a 23% decline year-on-year. The industry is grappling with persistent economic uncertainty, political distractions, and the ongoing Middle East conflict, all of which have contributed to a subdued market. Residential construction remains particularly weak, with private housing starts falling sharply due to affordability issues and reduced investor confidence. Civil engineering and infrastructure projects have also seen notable declines, reflecting a lack of momentum in planned capital works.

Despite these headwinds, there are signs of resilience in non-residential construction. Office projects have experienced remarkable growth, buoyed by major developments in London, while retail and leisure sectors have shown modest gains, hinting at a tentative return of consumer confidence. Public sector construction, especially in education and health, has also posted positive results.

Regionally, London stands out with strong performance, largely driven by office construction, while other areas show mixed results. Although the overall outlook remains cautious, these pockets of growth suggest that a broader recovery could be on the horizon if economic conditions stabilise.

Construction careers campaign could help tackle rising youth unemployment, says CIOB

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) emphasises the importance of targeted careers campaigns to address both rising youth unemployment and the construction sector’s skills shortages. With an aging workforce and a growing need for skilled professionals, the CIOB advocates for greater collaboration between industry, government, and educational institutions.

By promoting construction as a viable and rewarding career path, and by connecting young people with training and apprenticeship opportunities, such campaigns can help bridge the gap between job seekers and employers. These efforts are seen as essential not only for reducing youth unemployment but also for ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of the construction industry.

CITB launches Accelerated Apprenticeships to boost homebuilding and tackle regional skills shortages

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched Accelerated Apprenticeships as part of a broader strategy to meet the government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029 and to address regional skills shortages.

This innovative programme allows apprentices to complete their training in as little as 14 to 18 months, compared to the traditional two to three ye