As of 2024, construction project managers are on the UK’s critical employment list – so yes, they are in demand. This indicates a significant shortage in this specific role, and more managers are needed within the construction industry.
This shows that more job roles are being filled, and amidst the current skills gap, this is a positive sign. That being said, the demand is evident and construction project managers, even though increasing in number, are still among the highest in demand.
In this article, we will dive deeper into why the UK needs more construction project managers and the opportunities currently available.
Exploring the Role of a Construction Manager
The role of a construction manager varies, but they’re mainly responsible for overseeing projects from start to completion, ensuring everything runs smoothly and deadlines are met on time.
Construction managers will manage the day-to-day runnings on-site while also taking on several other important duties, such as:
- Monitoring and supervising workers on-site
- Checking the correct materials are being used
- Overseeing quality control
- Reviewing the progress of their project
- Managing costs to ensure projects remain within budget
- Ensuring projects are compliant with health and safety regulations
Experienced construction managers should have relevant skills in leadership, communication, and general project management.
Undoubtedly, working in construction comes with some risks, and those who operate in this line of work (especially construction managers) should have a great understanding of risk management, too.
Construction project managers should be able to effectively plan to prevent any issues from occurring during the course of a project and know how to mitigate risks.
Why is There a Demand for Construction Managers?
There are an estimated 87,000 construction managers working in the UK as of the first quarter of 2024 – however, there’s still a demand for individuals to operate in this role.
Although the number of construction managers has started to rise compared to recent years, it’s still not at a healthy or sustainable level.
This slight increase highlights the ongoing demand for project managers in construction, but it also leaves us questioning why the overall numbers remain lower than they should be. Let’s explore some potential causes for this continued shortfall.
Replace Retiring Workforce
The ageing workforce could potentially be causing the demand for more construction managers. As more construction workers retire, including project managers, fewer people are left who possess the necessary skills and experience required. It’s believed that roughly 1 in 5 builders over the age of 50.
Build UK revealed that 40% of students undertaking a construction-related course have zero involvement in the industry just six months after finishing. This shows that fewer younger people are entering the industry, leaving gaps as the older generation retires.
Increased Need for Developments
There’s an increased demand for developments across the UK. But, we need more workers, especially construction managers, to complete upcoming projects. According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), we need 251,500 extra workers by 2028 – and this will include construction managers.
Regarding developments, when Boris Johnson was elected back in 2019, he promised to build 40 new hospitals by 2030. However, just 32 have been built so far, with many that are just far too small. The government aren’t set to reach its target by 2030, which could be troublesome, as our population is expected to grow to 70 million by 2026.
Because of the growing population, the Government now estimates that 300,000 new homes will be needed every year. Our current Labour Government has pledged to tackle this by setting to build 1.5 million new homes within five years of being in power, but many worry that it might not be delivered – possibly due to the demand for more construction workers.
Current Skills Gap
Construction projects can be difficult to manage, requiring expertise, skills, and experience. As more buildings are set to be constructed, there’s a chance that they could become more complex to complete.
We need skilled construction managers to lead these projects to ensure safety is prioritised and no risks occur. It’s believed that more advanced and technological skills are required for future construction projects, meaning that more of the younger generation will need skills in areas such as digitisation, as well as the standard skills that have always been in demand.
Construction Manager Job Outlook
The job outlook for construction managers is looking positive. Employment of construction managers in the UK is expected to grow over the coming years, meaning steady growth is in the pipeline. It’s predicted that the employment of project managers in construction will increase 11% faster than average until 2030.
This is mostly down to the demand for new buildings due to our fast-growing population, renovations to make buildings safer, and reaching various Government initiatives. With such a high demand for construction managers, having the right experience and qualifications is likely to set you up to land a role in the industry.
The role of a construction manager generally comes with some benefits, including chances to progress, job security, and the opportunity to work on new and exciting projects.
Hire Top Talent With Strategic Resourcing
If you’re looking to hire a construction manager, you’ll be glad to know that you’re in the right place. At Strategic Resourcing, we help connect you to your next employee. We understand the difficulties you might be facing trying to find a reputable and skilled construction manager, but we’re here to make the hiring process much simpler.
Both company directors and HR professionals utilise our platform to hire the construction industry’s top talent. We save you time and money, allowing you to hire the best workforce. Our easy-to-use platform is a modern alternative to the typical method of recruitment – making it easier and less stressful to find your next project manager.
To learn more about finding your next construction manager for upcoming projects, we encourage you to get in touch with us today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Construction Manager FAQs
How could strategic resourcing help find construction managers?
We can help you find construction managers for your next project through our innovative platform that allows you to connect with experienced recruitment professionals to hire top construction managers in your area.
We have a dedicated team of top recruiters who send their top 3 matches to your job description – ensuring only top-quality and talented managers come your way.
What is the typical salary range for construction managers?
Experienced construction managers can earn anywhere between £35,000 and £75,000. Typically, working hours for a project manager are up to 43 hours per week.
What qualifications should I look for when sourcing top construction managers?
Ideally, you should look out for an apprenticeship or university degree while looking to hire construction managers. This could be a foundation degree, or if you’re looking for senior managers, check for a degree in related subjects in the likes of construction engineering, building studies, and, of course, construction management.
As an operations manager, Marley orchestrates the synergy between people, processes, and projects. She is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to enhance recruiters’ platform performance, continually refining processes to maximise efficiency and effectiveness for Strategic Resourcing’s client base.