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Increased construction activity among reasons behind shortage
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Delays and cost overruns possible risks as labour demand peaks
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Reports reveal positive role for construction in diversification
A report commissioned by the
organisers of The Big 5, one of the largest and most respected construction events
in the world, has revealed that a shortage in labour is currently one of the biggest
challenges facing the Middle East construction industry.
In addition to technical
skills, soft skills are said to be in increasing demand across the region,
and in some cases are seen as being as important among increasingly selective
employers.
“The implications of
skills shortages in the GCC are such that project delays and costs are
becoming a real possibility,” said Andy White, vice president of dmg events
Middle East and Africa. “However, when you consider that some skills shortages
are emerging due to renewed confidence in construction, economic growth,
rising populations, and a revival of projects put on hold during the global
economic recession, the report is very positive”.
“It is also something we
fully expected based on industry trends and feedback received from The Big 5 over
the last few years.”
However, while engineers rank
highly among the top jobs held by expats, shortages are not present across
the board. In fact, junior and senior level skills are said to be readily
available.
The fact that strong
growth in construction is driving diversification from oil means mid-level
skills-gaps will need to be filled in countries like Saudi Arabia.
According to the report
produced by Ventures Onsite on industry trends, construction in the Kingdom registered
the highest non-oil GDP growth rate in the region, reaching 6.7 percent in
2014.
Saudi Arabia also
retained the highest share of the regional construction market, with its 44
percent, followed closely by 31 percent in UAE.
Skills will also need to
be filled as governments are poised to spend big on affordable housing,
healthcare and education.
Bahrain, for example, has
announced plans to build 10 new schools in the next 3 years, with at least
40,000 social housing units to be constructed by 2022. A further 45,000
affordable homes are planned for Kuwait, while the Dubai Municipality has
allocated its own space for affordable housing projects in the emirate.
