Global construction firms struggling with skills gaps

A shortage of skilled construction workers is among the main concerns of building industry chiefs around the world, according to the results of a new survey.

Around half of project owners polled by KPMG Admitted they had found it difficult finding skills construction workers. It is just one of number of issues facing the heads of building firms around the world, from failing projects to problems meeting budget estimates.

There were budget problems for many in the survey after just 31% of projects the sample had worked on came within 10% of the original cost estimates.

And 70% said they thought one of the main reasons for this lies in a failure to accurately plan for delays.

Just over 100 senior managers took part in the survey, which was carried out at the end of last year and mainly involved face-to-face interviews.