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12 Autumn/Winter 2021 INDUSTRY NEWS W ages in the construction sector saw good growth between February and July this year, seeing a higher increase than witnessed in any other industry sector in the UK. Recruitment agencies have revealed that advertised wages in the sector rose faster than the rest of the UK economy, by 6.7% in the period, compared to an average increase across all industries of 0.8%, as demand for labour soared. Driving and manufacturing jobs, where workers are also in short supply, were slightly behind construction in the increase in salaries offered, according to an analysis of more than three million advertisements by Indeed and the Central Bank of Ireland. During the same period, around 27% less people clicked on construction job adverts than in previous months, researchers have revealed. The shortage of labour and its effect on the construction sector is apparent from the higher wages now being offered, experts have said. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently revealed that, between May and July, there were 38,000 vacancies in the construction industry. This is an all-time high. Construction News recently reported that Darin Burrows, director at construction recruitment agency City Site Solutions, said clients were paying increasingly higher rates to secure skilled labour. Hourly pay for carpenters, for example, had risen from around £22-£23 per hour a year ago, to as much as £32 per hour now, he said. Earlier this year, consultant EY warned that profit was at risk as a result of higher labour and materials costs. “With a looming low- carbon retrofit boom, there is no doubt that construction needs to attract more skills, which may in turn require a change in business models as well as an increase in pay.” (Source: Building .co.uk ) Simon Rawlinson, Head of Strategic Research and Insight, Arcadis “Boosting wages will not fix industry’s labour shortage crisis.” (Source: Building .co.uk ) Mark Reynolds, Chief Executive, Mace “According to our data, the average construction salary in the UK in 2020/1 is £45,774 per annum and the average hourly rate is £12.88 per hour. In 2019, this was £43,946 annually representing slow growth of just over 4% over the past year.” Linear Recruitment Growth of 6.7% in first half of year. CONSTRUCTION SECTOR SEES BIGGEST SALARY RISE