Opinion: Skills shortages and delivery bottlenecks remain key construction challenges

Jonny Murton, of Lancaster based energy efficiency specialists Murton and Co attended Construction Expo North in Bolton and shares his key takeaways from the event.

One of the things I have always valued about industry events like this is the opportunity to step outside the day-to-day and hear what others across the sector are seeing on the ground.

When you’re focused on projects, deadlines and delivery, it’s easy to become absorbed in your own corner of the industry. These events are a useful reminder of the bigger picture and where the wider market’s heading.

What struck me most from the keynote discussions was that there is a strong sense of long-term opportunity across the North West construction sector.

The figures being discussed were significant. Around £78bn of new construction work expected across the North West in the next five years, with roughly £30bn of that in Greater Manchester alone.

A few of the key themes discussed included a strong long-term construction pipeline across the North West, a mismatch between project pipeline and actual delivery activity on site and economic and political uncertainty continuing to affect confidence and delivery.

Skills shortages remained one of the industry’s biggest long-term concerns and there is a need for greater engagement with schools and colleges to support future talent entering the sector.

One point that particularly stood out was the discussion around timing and delivery.

The suggestion from several speakers was that overall industry capacity may not actually be the biggest issue. Instead, it is the uneven flow of projects and delivery bottlenecks creating pressure across the sector.

That feels fairly accurate from what we’re seeing too.

At the same time, the overall tone of the event felt positive. Realistic, but positive.

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