CLC Calls for Easier Access to Overseas Construction Workers

THE CONSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (CLC) has published a report on shortage occupations in construction.

Following this, CLC has updated guidance to help construction businesses access the Points Based Immigration System. One of these roles was roofers, slaters and tilers.

In February 2023, the CLC provided stakeholder evidence to the Government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). It advised on shortage occupations that could be considered for inclusion on the Shortage Occupation List of the UK’s Points Based Immigration System. It also supplied potential roles to be added to the Skilled Worker route.

In the report, the CLC’s Movement of People Working Group gave its recommendations, an evidence base and the actions industry is taking to increase the domestic workforce. It also included other ideas to help tackle skills shortages.

Shortage Occupations

The CLC recommended occupations for inclusion on the Shortage Occupation List:

• Roofers, Roof Tilers and Slaters
• Bricklayers and Masons
• Carpenters and Joiners
• General Labourers
• Ground Workers
• Piling Rig Operatives
• Plant Operatives
• Plasterers, Dry Liners and Ceiling Fixers
• Retrofit Co-ordinators
• Road Construction Operatives
• Scaffolders, Stagers and Riggers
• Steel Erectors
• Thermal Insulators

The CLC also recommended that Building Safety Managers be included in the Skilled Worker route. It proposed alternative ideas for making access to overseas workers easier. Proposals included a clearing house model and widening the Youth Mobility Scheme to all European Economic Area countries.

Dynamic Immigration System

Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the CLC and Group Chairman and CEO of MACE

Co-Chair of the CLC and Group Chairman and CEO of MACE, Mark Reynolds, said: “The CLC is committed to building our domestic construction workforce and championing construction as one of the best career choices for new entrants but the fact is we are still currently facing chronic shortages.

“A dynamic immigration system allows us to bridge gaps in workforce need and meet the people requirement for the sector’s pipeline of work. That’s why we are calling for the inclusion of these occupations in the shortage occupation list, to help make it a little easier to access the right people, at the right time.”

James Butcher, Director of Policy and Research NFB

James M. Butcher, Director of Policy at the National Federation of Builders, and the report’s lead author, added: “Construction faces a vacancy rate higher than the all-industry average, so it is fair to say we are in a worse position than many other industries.

“The occupations we have recommended are based on a solid evidential base for the sector’s need over the next five years. If we are successful in getting these occupations listed, we’ll work hard to ensure construction companies know what they need to do to engage with the immigration system, which is why we are also launching new CLC guidance on how to do that.”

Access the CLC’s revised 2023 Immigration Guidance ‘Movement of People – What you should know’ here.

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