Insights
Construction
Sector groups bring together recruiters with a common interest to lobby, champion best practice, and share knowledge.
Get the latest information affecting specialist construction recruiters and meet other REC members in this sector.
We fight your corner and champion the positive impact you have on the economy, business and people's lives. Together, we're upholding standards and compliance across the construction sector as our members help to build the UK's infrastructure, homes and businesses. Our key campaigns and topic areas for this sector are:
- The CITB Levy
- Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
- Immigration, candidate shortages and retention
- Diversity and inclusion
- IR35
- Modern slavery
- The role of umbrellas
Benefits of joining:
- Stay informed on the latest issues affecting the sector
- Prepare for upcoming legislation
- Advice to help you to develop your business
- Play a role in shaping the REC's lobbying and campaigning
- Feed into and support our research projects
Join the Construction sector group
If you’re interested in joining the REC Construction sector group, contact your REC account manager at info@rec.uk.com or 020 7009 2100
Construction sector update
04.04.2023
In the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced a “rapid assessment” of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) for the construction and hospitality sectors, ahead of its full review of the SOL concluding later in 2023. The government accepted the Migration Advisory Council’s (MAC) interim recommendations to initially add five construction occupations to the SOL, which will take effect before Parliament’s summer recess (20 July).
Construction roles that will be added to the SOL are:
- Bricklayers and masons
- Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- Carpenters and joiners
- Plasterers
- Construction and building trades n.e.c.
In addition to these changes, the wider review of the SOL is currently open for consultation. The REC is preparing its submission, but we want to hear from you – if there are other construction roles you’d like to see added to the SOL, please share these with us by emailing sam.beggs@rec.uk.com.
The SOL is a list of skilled occupations where UK employers face a shortage of suitable labour in the resident market, and where it is sensible to fill those shortages with migrant workers. Occupations on the list are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa, and are subject to more favourable immigration arrangements, enabling employers to access a wider pool of suitably skilled workers more quickly. Those working in a shortage occupation can be paid 80% of the job’s usual ‘going rate’ and still qualify for a visa, and benefit from a lower visa application fee.
In addition, we want to know what other issues your sector is facing at present and understand how we can help. If there are any issues that we should be campaigning on, please email Sam on sam.beggs@rec.uk.com.
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Announces New Recruitment Framework
On 16 January 2023, the CITB unveiled a new framework to support recruitment across the construction industry.
The framework is open to suppliers who support all aspects of the recruitment process at all levels across the construction industry, including Executives. The CITB has stated that this framework applies to permanent, fixed-term and contractor roles within the CITB.
CITB is inviting expressions of interest from organisations (including recruiters) interested in signing up for a CITB Recruitment Framework. The Framework is open to any organisation that can prove they can meet CITB requirements. The REC will be gathering further information from the CITB about the process and will advise members further in due course.
If you are interested in the framework, please express your interest by clicking here by Wednesday 15 February.
If you have any additional questions about CITB's framework, please don't hesitate to reach out to Usman Ali at Usman.Ali@rec.uk.com
Government announces Energy Bills Discount Scheme
09.01.2023
The UK Government unveiled a £5.5bn Energy Relief Scheme for energy-intensive businesses, replacing the current £18bn package. This will take effect from March 2023 - April 2024.
The Government has provided a short summary outlining sectors (such as manufacturing and construction), which are classified as ‘Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII). To qualify under the scheme, the sector has to:
- Fall in the top 20% of sectors by energy intensity across the UK
- Fall in the top 40% of sectors by trade intensity across the UK
In March 2023, the Government will provide details about the ETII scheme, including guidance for firms who believe they have not been correctly classified.
This REC will provide further updates as we get them.