Insight

DRAFT - Scotland’s Skills Gap

Tue, 1st Apr, 2025 Updated: Thu, 3rd Jul, 2025

It is well known and widely documented that there is a skills gap across the construction sector.

With growth in the UK construction industry in the three months to January 2025 and ambitious targets for the ‘Plan for Change’ alongside major infrastructure and construction projects gearing up to achieve net zero emissions targets by 2030, there is a significant need for an extra 251,500 construction workers across the UK by 2028 to meet these levels of construction output*.

In Scotland alone, 26,100 extra workers are needed by 2028. Projects such as the £200m Scottish Gas Networks mains replacement, and the £91m Clyde Waterfront & Renfrew Riverside scheme being the main growth drivers, this figure is the equivalent of recruiting 5,220 workers per year to deliver the expected work between 2024-2028.

At SCAPE Scotland, through a combination of our policies, procedures, groups and memberships, we, alongside our framework delivery partners are continually striving to deliver real social impact and meaningful social value to directly tackle these issues. Working with our clients, local communities, schools, colleges and other educational establishments, we can ensure that we’re effective in our support for the industry, and that our future workforce has the robust domestic skill base required to deliver.

Below, we look at Scotland’s skills shortage, and how our Construction framework delivery partner Morgan Sindall, are collaboratively working with local communities via SCAPE Scotland projects to tackle this pressing issue.

*Construction Skills Network Report, 15 May 2024.

Why is there a skills shortage in Scotland?

One of the main reasons behind the construction industry skills shortage is Scotland’s aging population. By 2045, it is expected that Scotland’s 65+ working category will rise by a third*.

With 22% of Scotland’s workforce aged 55+, for key sectors including construction and transport, retirement is a significant risk.

The construction industry faces a demand for skills in a wide variety of roles, and yet recruiting, particularly young people, into these roles, is a challenge. The ‘Skills for Today and Tomorrow’ report from the Fraser Allander Institute and University of Strathclyde found that:

¼ of Scotland’s employers reported vacancies
31% of which are ‘skill-shortage’ vacancies – and in the Skills Trades, this figure is 47%
15% of employers also report a skills gap in their existing workforce

*Skills for Today and Tomorrow, October 2024. Fraser Allander Institute. University of Strathclyde.

The importance of collaborative construction and social impact

Morgan Sindall and SCAPE Scotland have been collaboratively working together for over 10 years through our Construction framework. Delivering projects of all values across Scotland for the public and private sectors we are proud to have generated more than 25% social value and economic value return on a total project value of £32.2m since 2022.

Morgan Sindall are passionate about social value and as the SCAPE Scotland framework is a ‘two-stage tender’ framework, early contractor engagement is encouraged and actively promoted to allow transparency from the outset. As well as proven to improve buildability, save time and save money, this early engagement allows our clients to set out their social value ambitions for their local communities at the very start of each project, which allows our delivery partners to deliver meaningful local value throughout.

To date, Morgan Sindall have:

13 school visits hosted
30 apprenticeship weeks
255.5 hours volunteered visiting local schools and colleges for career talks
34 weeks work placements

Discover our legacy work

Overview of case study here.

Overview of case study here.

Overview of case study here.

Collaboratively addressing the Scottish skills shortage

Through the SCAPE Scotland Community Legacy Charter, a joint commitment between SCAPE Scotland and all framework delivery partners, Morgan Sindall have

As a shared commitment to the future of communities in Scotland, when addressing employment, skills and training, Morgan Sindall are working closely with local suppliers across the supply chain to increase employment and training opportunities for young people, to actively support and encourage the next generation of construction industry experts.

Collaborative events such as ‘SCAPEing out a work of work’ – a unique and large-scale work taster event - can act as a catalyst and offer a great introduction for young people into the varied opportunities within the construction sector.

Interactive sessions included:

‘Digital Den’ where young attendees explored sites using BIM and VR,
‘Count on Us’ session which explored the world of quantity surveying and the variety of costs associated to construction,
'Site life’ session which provided an insight into the tools and equipment used by onsite operatives
as well as practical sessions in stonemasonry and bricklaying

More information on each of the tasters can be found here.

The first event, held in October 2023, welcomed over 200 young people aged 16-25 from across Scotland. From this, students reported a significant increase in considering a career in construction as well as an increase in knowledge on the various job and roles available. They also reported an improvement to their teamwork and communications skills as a result of the event, while 97% of students said they would recommend the event to friends and family - a real testament to the event and the value it offered students.

Upon the success of the event in 2023, a second work taster event was held in March 2025, and saw 163 young adults aged 16+ attend.

Following the same format, young people got to experience a range of roles first-hand with an addition of a scaffolding, roofing, and mechanical and electrical workshop – further diversifying the range of careers the industry has to offer.

SCAPEing out a world of work

Discover more about how Morgan Sindall are continuing their commitment to tackling the construction skills gap below:

Following their attendance at the 2023 work taster event, pupils from Lenzie Academy were invited to visit Lennoxtown High Park, a project delivered by Morgan Sindall through the SCAPE Scotland framework.

Continuing our partnership with Lenzie Academy, we were excited to host 7 young people from Lenzie Academy.

AWAITING MORE INFORMATION FROM MS INC. PICTURE & QUOTE FROM TEACHER

Since its inception in November 2021, Morgan Sindall’s Joint Venture Apprenticeship model with Tigers Group has bridged positive career pathways for young people across Scotland.

Together with the aim to create opportunities for progressive and fulfilling careers within construction, helping to break down barriers through collaboration, by providing training and employment opportunities across the industry.

Before becoming a Joint Venture apprentice, Tigers work with 3rd and 4th year pupils guiding them through Foundation Apprenticeships and Pathways programmes. This then leads to a funded Pre-Apprenticeship programme opportunity. This programme can last between 12-20 weeks, depending on the Local Authority. Young people are committed to 30 hours per week for up to 20 weeks, consisting of 12 weeks in training, and 4-8 weeks on site undertaking a work placement.

The Pre-Apprenticeship programme not only allows young people to understand basic employment skills, but also comes with certifications including CSCS Cards, Asbestos Awareness, Health and Safety, Manual Handling, Sustainability for the Built Environment Unit and more.

Morgan Sindall are delighted to have supported 153 young people through pre-apprenticeships.

For the young people who demonstrate the values and behaviours aligned with the Joint Venture and successfully complete the pre-apprenticeship stage, they are offered a 12-month apprenticeship with Morgan Sindall as a Joint Venture Apprentice. They become employees of Morgan Sindall, but 100% seconded across the supply chain to those that can support the Joint Venture and give experience to young people in their industry.

This model allows Morgan Sindall’s supply chain and construction businesses to work closely with the young people for 12 months and assess their skills, capabilities and fit for the team before offering further employment or a trade-specific apprenticeship.

To date 90 Joint Venture apprenticeships have been supported, and Morgan Sindall are currently supporting 24 young people from North Lanarkshire, and 7 young people from East Dunbartonshire Council.

Opportunity for another example.

Looking forward

Whilst projects, events and programmes like the above are making great strides into attracting young people into working in the Scottish construction sector, there is still a long way to go if we’re to achieve the recruitment targets of an extra 26,100 workers by 2028. The whole industry needs to join forces to open training and recruitment opportunities. By making a concerted effort as a collective, can we then truly engage with young people and educate them on the full myriad of opportunities on offer within construction.

Looking ahead, Morgan Sindall is due to start on site at Ardrossan Community Campus. Delivered via the SCAPE Scotland Construction framework, North Ayrshire Council will soon boast a state-of-the-art educational facility, built to Passivhaus standards, that will serve the community’s learning needs while boosting local economic growth.

As part of this project, Morgan Sindall …. MS TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.