Published in 2007 this report was commissioned by the Homes & Communities Academy (HCA). It builds on research carried out by a number of organisations including Ernst & Young, DTZ, York Consulting, Asset Skills, CIS and CABE. It provided information on current and forecast labour shortages and skills gaps by region and profession.

 

Key findings were:

 

• Significant investment and progress has already been made by organisations in tackling shortages.
• Labour shortages and skills gaps are widening.
• Multidisciplinary working and generic skills are essential to delivering sustainable communities.
• Further research is required.

 

The sector is fast moving and the report does not take account of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, the Housing Green Paper and the impact of the Olympics post 2012. A second stage of the report is already underway that will address these and other developments.

 

The report highlights the work of the HCA, Regional Centers for Excellence such as Inspire East, the Sector Skills Councils and the professional Institutes in addressing skills and labour shortages.

 

The Regional Picture

 

There is a North South divide in terms of skills shortages with greater shortages in the south and east of England. Skills shortages are forecast to rise to over 9% by 2012.

 

Other key findings of the report were;

 

• There is predicted to be a shortage of professionals across the sustainable communities workforce in the East of England by 2012. This is expected to be particularly acute amongst environmental specialists and planners. This could potentially be offset by projected surpluses of those professionals in the South East and West Midlands.
• The East of England workforce is older than average and more likely to work in the public sector, particularly in planning.
• Organisations in the East of England are less likely to face financial constraints on recruitment but more likely to have trouble attracting good candidates as a result of their location or organisation.

 

You can download the full report or an executive summary here;

 

Click here to view Mind the Skills Gap - Full report

 

Click here to view Mind the Skills Gap - Summary

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