Construction Industry "Cautiously Optimistic"

Scotland's construction industry is cautiously optimistic about the future, despite challenges to the sector after the recession.

A survey of Scottish building federation members found less than half of firms said they would hire within three years.

45 percent of businesses have seen their workforce decline, while 37 percent seeing an increase in employement. 

However, the report says the industry is experiencing an ageing workforce, with the average worker estimated to be aged 40.

Despite this, just five percent of firms said they expected their workforce to shrink in the future.

Managing director, Vaughan Hart, said: "These survey results confirm the general decline in employment the industry has experienced over the past three years. More encouragingly, they point to growing expectations that employment will begin to recover over the next three years.

"We've seen a decline in confidence this quarter but employers continue to be optimistic about future prospects for their business overall.

"I think general uncertainty created by the referendum may have had a dampening effect on confidence this quarter. I would expect to see industry confidence rebound next quarter, now that the referendum has taken place."

He said it was unsurprising that the workforce was ageing, given that apprentice numbers were down significantly on where they were before the recession.

"It has to be a cause for concern as we seek to re-build capacity," he said.

"Attracting new blood into the industry must be an absolute priority.

"Proactively managing occupational health is equally important so a greater percentage of the workforce is able to keep working in the industry in good health until retirement age."