UK and Irish employers across multiple sectors are facing a serious challenge: they simply can’t find enough skilled workers. From construction and civil engineering to healthcare and logistics, skills shortages are driving up costs, slowing delivery times and putting major national projects at risk.
Recent headlines paint a clear picture. Just this month, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) published a report stating that the UK construction sector alone needs to recruit over 250,000 additional workers by 2029 to meet demand. Meanwhile, industry bodies such as Build UK and the Federation of Master Builders are warning that without urgent action, delays and rising project costs will become the norm rather than the exception.
At Aureol Global Connections, we see this issue first-hand every day. We work closely with employers in construction, infrastructure and related industries who are doing everything they can to attract skilled local talent, raising wages, improving benefits, offering apprenticeships, yet still face significant gaps in their workforce.
So, what’s driving this shortage? And more importantly, what can businesses do about it?
The Drivers Behind the Skills Gap
There’s no single reason why the UK and Ireland are facing such a severe skills shortage. It’s a perfect storm of several factors:
- An ageing workforce: In construction, around one-third of workers are over 50, and many will retire in the next 10 to 15 years.
- Reduced inflow of younger talent: Fewer young people are entering vocational careers, despite efforts to promote apprenticeships and training pathways.
- Brexit impacts: The departure of many EU workers post-Brexit in the UK has left a shortfall in both skilled and semi-skilled labour.
- Changing industry needs: The drive for greener building methods, modular construction and digital engineering is creating demand for new skills that are not yet widely available domestically.
It all adds up to an increasingly competitive market for skilled people – one where UK and Irish employers are fishing in a shrinking pond.
Why International Recruitment is Part of the Solution
Given the scale of the challenge, international recruitment is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s a critical component of any robust workforce strategy.
Skilled workers from overseas, particularly from regions such as Southeast Asia, bring much needed experience and capability to UK projects. They help businesses:
- Fill urgent vacancies where no local candidates are available
- Maintain delivery schedules and meet contractual deadlines
- Scale up quickly for new projects or client demand
- Transfer skills to local teams through knowledge-sharing
At Aureol Global Connections, we specialise in sourcing highly skilled workers — including tradespeople, engineers, supervisors and technical staff — who meet UK industry standards and can integrate seamlessly into client operations.
For example, in recent months we’ve helped UK and Irish clients recruit:
- Carpenters for modular home builds
- Steel fixers and concrete workers for major transport infrastructure projects
- Plant operators for renewable energy sites
- HVAC specialists for large-scale commercial developments
All of these roles were proving difficult to fill locally, despite the employers’ best efforts. International recruitment enabled them to secure the right talent quickly and keep projects moving forward.
Navigating a Changing Regulatory Landscape
One concern we often hear from employers is whether they can still access international talent under the UK’s current immigration system.
The answer is yes, but expert guidance is crucial.
The government has introduced a range of updates to the Skilled Worker visa in recent months. New salary thresholds, revised shortage occupation lists and tighter compliance requirements mean that navigating the system can be complex. Mistakes can lead to costly delays or failed visa applications.
That’s why we provide our clients with end-to-end support, including:
- Advising on eligible roles and current visa rules
- Preparing the necessary documentation for sponsorship
- Managing candidate applications through to arrival
- Providing cultural and workplace induction support
By taking care of the details, we allow our clients to focus on running their businesses with the confidence that they are fully compliant and able to secure the skilled people they need.
Building a Sustainable Workforce
It’s important to stress that international recruitment is not about replacing local talent — it’s about complementing and strengthening the domestic workforce.
The reality is that training new workers takes time. Apprenticeships, while essential, cannot on their own fill the short-term gap in critical sectors such as construction. International workers help to bridge this gap while also contributing to long-term workforce development.
Many of the workers we place with UK employers bring years of experience and a strong work ethic. They often become valued long-term members of the team, passing on their expertise to younger colleagues and helping to raise overall standards.
Our clients regularly tell us that these workers are not only filling vacancies but also improving productivity, quality of work and team morale.
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, it’s clear that the demand for skilled people is only going to grow. Major UK and Irish infrastructure programmes, from HS2 and road improvements to new housing developments and green energy projects will need thousands more skilled workers over the next decade.
In addition, as the UK transitions towards net-zero, the construction sector will require new skills in low-carbon building techniques, renewable energy systems and sustainable design. International recruitment will remain a vital part of meeting these evolving needs.
At Aureol Global Connections, we are committed to helping UK businesses thrive by delivering trusted, skilled international workers. We understand the pressure our clients face to deliver on time and on budget, and we pride ourselves on being a reliable partner in building sustainable workforces.
If your business is facing skill shortages, whether for current projects or future growth – we’re here to help. Get in touch today to discuss your needs and find out how we can support you in building the team you need for success.
