Workforce Mission launched to transform recruitment and skills across Scotland’s construction sector

Scotland’s construction sector is facing a critical challenge: recruiting, training, and retaining enough skilled workers to deliver the infrastructure and built environment needed for a thriving, sustainable future.

The Construction Accord Transformation Board is taking decisive action with the launch of its Construction Workforce Mission, aimed at tackling this challenge head-on.

The sector’s shortage is not just a numbers problem, it’s a skills problem. Ensuring the current workforce and new entrants develop the right competence through training, knowledge, behaviours, and hands-on experience is essential for building a professional, future-ready workforce capable of supporting Scotland’s net zero goals.

This initiative follows a summer 2025 survey by the Construction Accord’s Skills and Workforce Group, which gathered industry insights on workforce challenges, specialist skills engagement, and potential solutions. Using this sector insight, the Transformation Board has defined a clear mission to focus attention on workforce development.

The Construction Workforce Mission will:

• Recognise best practice in recruitment, training, and retention models across the sector.

• Champion clear workforce models that define where workers are employed and trained to develop essential skills.

• Encourage employer responsibility in building the workforce needed for the sector’s future.

• Inspire collaboration among industry stakeholders and public sector partners to create the conditions and training support that underpin workforce growth.

The Construction Accord’s Skills and Workforce Group will maintain broad representation to champion key activities and support the Mission. By working collaboratively with employers, industry stakeholders, and public sector partners, the group will address barriers to workforce growth and drive practical, industry-led solutions.

Elaine Ellis, Skills Planning Manager (Construction and Net Zero) at Skills Development Scotland and co-chair of the CLF’s Skills Working Group, said: “The challenge we face cannot be addressed by any single group or organisation. The collective responsibility sits firmly with employers, industry stakeholders and public sector partners.

“The results from the survey showed there was a collective understanding across the construction and infrastructure sectors that action is desperately needed to help shape our future.”

Marking a decisive step for the sector, the Construction Workforce Mission highlights the need for sector-wide collaboration to tackle workforce challenges to ensure Scotland’s construction workforce is skilled, sustainable, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.