A CRITICAL shortage of skilled workers is jeopardising the government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029, according to research.

Skills development organisation City & Guilds surveyed employers, training providers and employees, finding 76 per cent of construction firms are struggling to recruit the skilled people they need, with 84 per cent agreeing the industry is suffering from critical skills shortages.

The latest outlook from the Construction Industry Training Board suggests the industry needs to recruit 239,300 workers by 2029 to meet the projected demand for the 1.5m homes target.

More than half of employers do not think the sector has the workforce it needs to meet this target, with the same percentage also putting into doubt the sector’s ability to deliver net-zero housing goals.

City & Guilds chief executive Kirstie Donnelly said: “We can’t build 1.5m homes without the people to deliver it.

“We urgently need to reset how we attract, train, and up-skill talent across the construction sector, with flexible routes, smarter investment, and collaboration between industry, education and government.

“With the government signalling a clear intention to reduce reliance on overseas workers, investing in and nurturing skills isn’t optional — it’s critical.”