Workforce survey calls for employer views 

Data gathered from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) 2024 Workforce Census will enable the employer-led body to respond to skills challenges facing the engineering construction industry (ECI). 

The ECITB has used feedback from the 2021 Workforce Census  to improve the process for data collection. Changes include the introduction of an online survey method, fewer questions, and employers being able to share anonymised files from their HR systems.

There is also a section which includes questions on expected workforce growth, business opportunities by sector, and recruitment challenges.  

The online survey is live until 16 June 2024, with the findings published in a series of reports from January 2025.

The data gathered will directly feed into the ECITB’s Labour Forecasting Tool (LFT), which was created using insights from the 2021 Workforce Census and data from 1,500 active and future engineering and construction projects. 

The findings in 2021 highlighted future labour shortages, given the industry’s ageing workforce and the recruitment difficulties facing many employers. 

ECITB chief executive Andrew Hockey said: “The Census gives not only the ECITB, but all our stakeholders, critical insights into the make-up and future direction of our industry and will allow for evidence-based, targeted initiatives and interventions. 

“We recognise that the Census represents a significant effort for everyone involved and so we greatly appreciate ECI employers taking the time to fill out the online survey.

“Taking part ensures that ECI companies and their sector footprint are accurately represented in our labour market intelligence work.

“It is the database we use to support discussions and collaborations with government, industrial clusters, training bodies, local enterprise partnerships and other organisations, and helps stakeholders understand the industry to better inform decision-making.”