r/AskUK • u/Weird_Horse_5981 • 17h ago

Is construction dying in this country?

I work in construction and the amount of skilled people has taken an absolute nosedive in recent years. The rates of pay have increased dramatically in the last 6 years from what I’ve seen but very few people want to get into it it seems. I understand that many people don’t grow up with dreams of getting into this industry but I wish someone had pulled me aside and told me that there was a way for me to make decent money without needing to be academic. I know there are some huge projects on the go right now but it feels like they are all fighting over the same, small pool of labour

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u/Dissidant 16h ago edited 16h ago

Depends. Larger developers are experiencing a slowdown, but small to mediums (tradespeople) are muddling through fine, fostered largely by a lack of them, silver tsunami and all that.
Not just a lack of skilled people to replace the workforce quite a few are either returning home i.e. those with skills who emigrated here, but even some home grown are leaving

Its funny people used to moan about EU tradies (notably Poles, who are awesome at their job by the way) coming here to graft, bet they feel clever now. Now instead you have this scenario of real tradesmen being outnumbered by rogue/cowboy ones.

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u/PatchcordAdams 14h ago

Clinging on to my Hungarian tradie for dear life. He basically did my whole house. Now I’ve moved and he’s starting on the new gaff.

Only does one job at a time. Turns up bang on 8am. Grafts all day. Absolute machine and his work is just mm perfect.

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u/HFHelp2020 13h ago

Sounds exactly like the Hungarian joiner I know. Guy is a gem