Competency-led, modernised recruitment and selection practices are key to solving construction’s skills crisis, writes Nicola in an article for Construction Management.

The Construction Skills Mission Board, a private and public sector partnership body launched in June 2025, has set an ambitious target to recruit 100,000 new workers every year by 2030.

This is a laudable step forward, but with a recent report from The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) speculating that the industry must recruit closer to one million new employees, Nicola explores how the industry can tackle this issue, arguing that competency-led, modernised recruitment and selection practices are key to solving the construction skills crisis.

Key highlights from the article include:

Competency-led recruitment – focusing on skills and behaviours, not just CVs.

Broadening attraction – engaging underrepresented groups and challenging outdated perceptions.

Retention through development – investing in apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with education providers.

Driving cultural change – making construction careers purpose-driven and aligned with sustainability values.

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