London’s construction industry is growing fast, but the workforce isn’t keeping up. Even with higher day rates, bonus schemes and constant recruitment, contractors across the capital are struggling to fill key roles. From groundworks to M&E, the message is the same everywhere, we just can’t find enough skilled people.
This skills shortage is now affecting programme delivery, tender pricing, safety standards and even the ability to start new projects on time. Below we break down the five most in-demand construction skills London can’t find in 2025, and why the gap keeps getting bigger.
Skilled Groundworkers
Groundworkers are the backbone of every project: drainage, foundations, ducting, kerbs, soft landscaping, and external works. But in 2025, London is facing a real shortage of experienced operatives who can work quickly, safely and independently.
Why they’re hard to find:
➜ Fewer young workers entering the trade
➜ Experienced groundworkers moving abroad
➜ High physical demands pushing workers into other roles
➜ Strong competition between contractors for the best labourers
As a result, good groundworkers are now commanding higher pay and are often booked out weeks in advance.
Qualified Supervisors (SSSTS / SMSTS)
Supervisors are under huge pressure as regulations tighten and paperwork grows. But London simply doesn’t have enough reliable SSSTS/SMSTS-qualified people who can manage teams, organise work and deal with clients.
The shortage comes from:
➜ A large number of older supervisors retiring
➜ Not enough operatives stepping up into management
➜ High demand for supervisors on safety-critical jobs
➜ Extra admin workload discouraging potential candidates
➜ Good supervisors are now one of the most valuable roles in the city, with day rates increasing every year
Formwork Carpenters & Shuttering Joiners
With the rise of new high-rise schemes, deep basements and reinforced concrete frame projects, shuttering carpenters are in extremely high demand.
Contractors report:
➜ Skilled shuttering carpenters are fully booked months ahead
➜ Labour agencies can’t keep up
➜ Many workers returned to Europe and didn’t come back after Brexit
➜ The trade requires years of experience to master
➜ This shortage is one of the reasons concrete frame prices continue to rise across London.
Mechanical & Electrical Technicians
Whether it’s a new office building, residential tower or hospital, London heavily relies on M&E teams, but there simply aren’t enough technicians.
Why the gap is growing:
➜ Rapid expansion of EV charging infrastructure
➜ More complex building services and smart systems
➜ A major push for net-zero, requiring specialist M&E skills
➜ Very few apprenticeships compared to demand
From HVAC installers to qualified electricians, the shortage is now delaying handovers on major projects.
Testing & Inspection Specialists
As compliance becomes stricter, demand for testing experts has exploded, from concrete scanning and load testing to structural investigations and destructive testing.
But only a small number of specialists in London are trained and equipped for this work.
Causes of the shortage:
➜ Increased safety rules under the Building Safety Act
➜ Limited availability of high-skill operatives
➜ More refurb and retrofit projects needing detailed surveys
➜ Complex equipment requiring training and experience
➜ The few specialists available are often fully booked, pushing contractors to schedule weeks ahead.
What This Means for 2026
London’s construction skills shortage is not slowing down. It is affecting: programme delivery, tender pricing, day rates, project planning, safety standards, recruitment costs. Unless training improves and more people enter the sector, the shortage will continue to push wages higher, especially in technical and supervisory roles.
