The Most In Demand Construction Trades For 2026

Top 20 Most In Demand Trades for 2026

1. General Builders – 41,500 vacancies
A major shortage across refurbishment, maintenance work and housing related projects nationwide.
2. Plumbers and Heating Engineers – 59,000 shortfall
Decarbonisation and heat pump programmes are expanding faster than the workforce can grow.
3. Electricians – 9,365 vacancies
Essential for new build and renewable technology, with strong need for testers and EV installation skills.
4. Carpenters – 4,791 vacancies
Housing, MMC and interior fit out all rely on first and second fix carpentry.
5. Joiners – 3,865 vacancies
High demand across commercial refurbishment, manufacturing and fit out projects.
6. HVAC and Low Carbon Heating Specialists – Thousands of vacancies
A growing requirement for renewable heating and ventilation expertise.
7. Construction Managers – 3,600 annual demand
Supervisory and site management roles remain difficult to fill as experienced staff retire.
8. Renewable Energy Technicians – High demand
Solar, heat pumps, battery storage and related technologies continue to expand at pace.
9. Groundworkers and Civils Operatives – High demand
Infrastructure upgrades and utilities programmes depend on strong civils teams.
10. Prefabrication and Modular Construction Specialists – Rapid growth
Offsite construction is accelerating and needs skilled technicians and installers.
11. Bricklayers – around 7,500 vacancies
Housing restarts and remediation work have brought bricklaying shortages back to the forefront.
12. Painters and Decorators – around 5,200 vacancies
Ongoing demand from maintenance, commercial refurb and RMI activity.
13. Dryliners and Ceiling Fixers – around 4,000 vacancies
Education, healthcare and commercial fit out require large numbers of these trades.
14. Plasterers – around 3,300 vacancies
Finishing skills are needed across new build, retrofit and fire safety programmes.
15. Plant Operators – around 6,800 vacancies
Strong national demand for 360 operators, dumpers, rollers and dozers.
16. Steel Fixers – around 1,400 vacancies
Large civils, bridges and energy projects all require specialist rebar skills.
17. Scaffolders – around 2,700 vacancies
Essential for safety and compliance across refurbishment and maintenance work.
18. Roofers – around 3,000 vacancies
Housing delivery and solar installation are driving continued shortages.
19. Fire Stopping and Passive Fire Protection Installers – around 1,800 vacancies
One of the fastest growing shortage areas due to updated building safety regulations.
20. Multiskilled Maintenance Operatives – around 5,000 vacancies
Housing associations, FM providers and local authorities all report difficulty hiring.

Why Demand for Trades is Rising Into 2026

Despite economic uncertainty in recent years, the pipeline for construction work in the UK is strengthening. Forecasts indicate steady growth into the late 2020s, driven by housing delivery, infrastructure investment, water and energy upgrades and a rapidly expanding retrofit market. The RMI sector remains strong and commercial buildings are undergoing major refurbishment to meet new energy and workplace standards. At the same time, the construction workforce is still significantly smaller than it was in 2019. Many experienced tradespeople have left the industry and too few new entrants are coming through. This means supply cannot keep pace with demand, particularly in core trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, electrics, plumbing and groundwork. The result is a skills shortage across almost every major trade, with some categories now experiencing vacancy levels not seen for more than a decade.

Breaking Down the Highest Demand Trades

Below is a closer look at why some of the most in demand trades are under growing pressure and what this means for companies in 2026.

Carpenters and Joiners

Carpentry shortages remain high. First and second fix joiners are essential for housing completions, commercial interiors, MMC manufacturing and refurbishment programmes. As housebuilding begins to stabilise and recover from 2026, competition for joiners is likely to increase.

Electricians

Electricians are in short supply nationwide. The growth of EV charging points, solar installations, battery systems and commercial rewires will keep demand strong. Testing and inspection roles, in particular, are proving difficult to fill.

Plumbers and Heating Engineers

Heating engineers are under sustained pressure due to retrofit programmes, heat pump installations and the move away from traditional gas boilers. Vacancy levels are expected to rise year after year as net zero targets approach.

Bricklayers

Bricklayers are back in high demand following delays and pauses in housing development. When plots restart, developers often struggle to secure experienced gangs quickly enough to hit build targets.

Groundworkers, Civils Operatives and Plant Drivers

These trades underpin much of the UK’s infrastructure work. Utilities upgrades, water treatment projects, road improvements and rail activity all depend on skilled civils teams. With AMP8 funding coming online, the demand for groundworkers and plant operators will remain consistently strong.

Finishing Trades

Dryliners, ceiling fixers, plasterers and painters are essential for refurbishment and fit out programmes that require fast turnaround and high quality finishes. These trades are also needed for retrofit and fire remediation work.

Fire Protection Installers

Passive fire protection is one of the fastest growing specialist areas. Post Grenfell building safety standards have created sustained demand for trained and accredited installers.

What This Means for UK Contractors in 2026

Contractors, housebuilders and subcontractors across the UK are already reporting longer lead times to secure trades, higher day rates in shortage categories, increased pressure on programmes and difficulty covering peaks during restarts and handover phases. Companies that plan ahead and build reliable labour pipelines will be best placed to deliver consistently through 2026.

How Approach Personnel Can Help

Approach Personnel is already working with contractors to prepare for 2026 by providing vetted tradespeople across all shortage categories, rapid mobilisation of temporary labour for critical project phases, permanent recruitment solutions for supervisory and specialist roles and sector specific knowledge across housing, civils, fit out, utilities and refurbishment. Whether you are preparing for a new framework, stabilising a site team or facing shortages across multiple trades, we can help you plan ahead and secure the skilled labour you need. Call us today - 0115 9003 171