RICS Survey Reveals ‘Critical’ Skills Shortages in Surveying Sector

A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND surveying skills report which measures the state of skills in the global surveying profession has been released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The survey revealed that the profession continues to face significant and widening skills shortages, with nine in ten surveyors reporting that their area of work is being affected.

Nearly one-third of respondents describe the shortfall as “critical,” warning that it is severely impacting project delivery and productivity. A further two-thirds see the shortage as “moderate” but caution that it could worsen without immediate intervention.

The most acute shortages were reported in building surveying and quantity surveying, disciplines central to delivering new homes, infrastructure and decarbonisation projects.

An Ageing Workforce and Lack of New Entrants

Two-thirds of surveyors cited an ageing workforce and high retirement rates as key causes, noting that new entrants are not arriving fast enough to replace retirees.

More than half of respondents said the shortage is reducing work capacity and output, while two-fifths reported rising costs and over a quarter highlighted a slower pace of innovation across the built environment.

Embracing Technology and AI

Despite pressures, the survey reveals optimism around technological transformation.

Around 60% of respondents were positive about AI, recognising its potential to improve outcomes and efficiency across the sector. Concerns about job security and being “overwhelmed” by technology were rejected by majorities, particularly among younger surveyors, with two-thirds of 17 to34-year-olds confident about the profession’s digital future.

RICS recently released a separate report on the use of AI in construction, which revealed that whilst optimism is high, adoption remains low.

Respondents are committed to increased digitalisation and AI use, with many identifying advanced digital skills, data analytics, and big data management as top priorities for future training, alongside expertise in decarbonisation and financial management.

When asked about solutions, surveyors pointed to:

• More apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities
• Better promotion of surveying careers
• Upskilling existing professionals
• Stronger collaboration between academia and industry

RICS Acting President, Nick Maclean, said: “The results speak for themselves – there is an enormous demand for surveyors, and the profession is swiftly advancing with the pace of technological change. These are immense opportunities for both a new generation of surveyors and for existing professionals to upskill across the exciting landscape of technological change.

“Closing the skills gap is a crucial part of delivering the 1.5 million new homes target, as well as the essential infrastructure improvements that the Government has committed to in its ten-year strategy. RICS continues to listen and act on the advice of its members, leading the profession into the future.”

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