Scottish building confidence at record high

CONFIDENCE in the construction industry is at its highest level in at least seven years, the Scottish Building Federation has found.

It is the eighth consecutive quarter that Scottish building employers confidence has been rated positive overall. Picture: TSPL

Its Scottish Construction Monitor survey has hit a new record peak of industry confidence since it began in 2008, with a supply of new work and training grants available for new apprentices.

It is the eighth consecutive quarter that Scottish building employers’ confidence has been rated positive overall.

Employers responding to the survey are asked how confident they feel about their company’s prospects over the next 12 months compared to the previous year.

Scottish Building Federation managing director Vaughan Hart said: “It’s encouraging that employers’ confidence about their future prospects is continuing to rise.

“The results are particularly striking against the backdrop of recent reports that overall business confidence in Scotland has declined due to falling profits.

“In construction, there can be no doubt that margins remain very tight but there is at least a supply of new work out there now, which certainly wasn’t the case two years ago.

“As we’ve said before, certain sectors of the industry are faring better than others and we’re concerned that industry employment is lagging significantly behind output.

“I’m encouraged that employers view apprenticeships as a top priority for future investment from the industry levy.

“Hopefully, this finding will add strength to CITB’s arm in prioritising apprenticeship funding as it reviews the future training needs of the industry.”