Are construction jobs in demand in the UK?

Construction appears in official ONS vacancy data every quarter and is one of Skills England's priority sectors, with evidence pointing to demand for trades, retrofit and green building skills. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, so treat the data as context rather than a guarantee.

What is a CSCS card and do I need one?

A CSCS card shows you have health and safety awareness for construction sites, and many sites expect one. Health and safety courses linked to CSCS are a common starting point for people new to the sector. Requirements are set by employers and sites, not by this website.

What courses relate to construction?

Course areas often linked to the sector include construction skills, health and safety (CSCS), and sustainability and retrofit. Providers confirm course availability, funding and eligibility, and the eligibility checker can help you see what you may be able to access.

← Job Market Guide

Construction jobs in demand

Construction is a Skills England priority sector linked to housing and infrastructure goals, with evidence of demand for trades, retrofit and green building skills. ONS vacancy data shows how recruitment in the sector is moving nationally.

This page shows what the latest official data says about the sector. It can help you explore whether a construction-related course could be a practical next step. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, and no course can guarantee a job.

Check if you could get a funded course

Data updated 6 July 2026. Latest vacancy period: Mar-May 2026.

Quick answer

Is construction in demand right now?

In the latest official data (Mar-May 2026), construction recorded around 33,000 UK vacancies (0% on a year ago). The sector shows around 2 vacancies per 100 employee jobs. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, and no course can guarantee a job.

Demand snapshot

What the latest vacancy data shows

Construction shows around 33,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period, broadly stable compared with a year ago.

UK vacancies

33,000

Mar-May 2026

Change on a year ago

Stable demand

Vacancy pressure

vacancies per 100 employee jobs

Recent trend

last 8 quarters, thousands

Source: Office for National Statistics, VACS02: Vacancies by industry (Mar-May 2026). Industry-level vacancy data does not identify exact job roles, and a vacancy count does not guarantee a job is available in your local area.

Regions

Where construction employs the most people

Regional figures show workforce jobs by sector: where the sector has a strong employment presence relative to the size of each region or nation. This is useful context, but it is not the same as live vacancies near you.

East of England284k jobs, 8.5% of jobs there
South East369k jobs, 7.3% of jobs there
North East86k jobs, 7% of jobs there
East Midlands175k jobs, 7% of jobs there
Yorkshire and The Humber192k jobs, 6.7% of jobs there
Northern Ireland63k jobs, 6.5% of jobs there

Want to compare sectors in your region? Use the region and sector explorer on the Job Market Guide.

Source: Office for National Statistics, JOBS05: Workforce jobs by region and industry (Mar 2026). Regional workforce jobs are not the same as regional vacancies.

Future skills

Longer-term skills outlook

A Skills England priority sector linked to housing and infrastructure goals. Skills England evidence suggests demand for trades, retrofit and green building skills.

Example job areas

Site trades · Retrofit and insulation · Site management support · Estimating

Skills employers often value

Trade skills
Health and safety (CSCS)
Retrofit and sustainability
Project support

Source: Skills England, Skills England Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026. Skills England notes these projections show broad trends, not precise forecasts, and being a priority sector does not guarantee a job or growth for any individual.

Take a step

Course areas that may help you build relevant skills

A course can help you build knowledge, confidence and evidence of recent learning. It cannot guarantee a job, and providers confirm course availability, funding and eligibility.

Course areas

Construction skills
Health and safety (CSCS)
Sustainability and retrofit
Project support

Example jobs

Construction operative · Site administrator · Trades labourer · Estimating assistant

Who it may suit

May suit practical, hands-on people
A growing focus on green building and retrofit skills

Useful next steps

Funding and course availability depend on your circumstances and provider confirmation.

Interested in construction?

Check whether you may be able to access a funded course in a few minutes. Funding and course availability depend on your circumstances and provider confirmation, and a course cannot guarantee a job.

Check if you could get a funded course

FAQ

Common questions about jobs in demand

Transparency

Sources for this page

This page uses official statistics and cautious editorial mapping. Data describes patterns, not guarantees.

VACS02: Vacancies by industry (Office for National Statistics, Mar-May 2026): national vacancy levels and change.
JOBS05: Workforce jobs by region and industry (Office for National Statistics, Mar 2026): workforce jobs by region, not live vacancies.
Skills England Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026 (Skills England): longer-term priority sector context.

Data updated 6 July 2026. Latest vacancy period: Mar-May 2026. Full methodology, dataset details and a glossary are on the Job Market Guide. Learning Gateway is not a government body, college or training provider, does not provide regulated careers advice, and does not make final funding decisions.