28/08/2026
Where Is Construction Growing Fastest in the UK?
Where is construction growing fastest in the UK?
The answer is not simply London.
Construction activity and workforce demand vary considerably between UK regions, and the areas offering the strongest opportunities can change depending on the type of project, occupation and investment taking place.
Current Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) forecasts indicate that the UK construction industry is expected to return to growth over the medium term, but recruitment and skills shortages remain significant challenges. CITB says the industry will need more than 47,000 additional workers every year to meet demand by 2029.
The regional picture is particularly interesting.
CITB's England workforce analysis forecasts the strongest workforce growth in London, followed by the South East and North West between 2025 and 2029.
But that does not mean jobseekers should automatically move to London.
Construction opportunities are influenced by housing demand, infrastructure investment, commercial development, industrial projects, regeneration, retrofit and the availability of skilled workers.
For someone looking for construction jobs, understanding where demand is growing and why can be more useful than simply looking at today's vacancy numbers.
Which UK region is expected to have the fastest construction workforce growth?
Based on CITB's England workforce forecast, London is expected to have the fastest construction workforce growth between 2025 and 2029, at approximately 1.1% per year.
The forecast suggests London could add around 21,400 construction workers over that period. The South East is forecast to add around 15,900 workers, while the North West is expected to add approximately 12,080.
The forecast also highlights differences between regions:
|
Region
|
Forecast workforce growth, 2025–2029
|
|
London
|
1.1% per year
|
|
North West
|
0.9% per year
|
|
South East
|
0.8% per year
|
|
West Midlands
|
0.5% per year
|
|
North East
|
0.4% per year
|
These figures refer to workforce growth rather than a direct count of advertised vacancies.
That distinction matters.
A region can have strong construction demand without every occupation growing at the same rate.
Why is construction demand strong in London?
London has one of the UK's largest and most complex construction markets.
Its construction activity is supported by a combination of:
- Housing
- Commercial development
- Infrastructure
- Transport
- Regeneration
- Public-sector projects
- Building refurbishment
- Specialist engineering
CITB's regional workforce forecast identifies London as the fastest-growing English region between 2025 and 2029.
London also has a particularly diverse construction workforce.
A major project can require architects, engineers, surveyors and project managers as well as large numbers of skilled trades.
This creates opportunities across different experience levels.
However, London also has high living and commuting costs.
Therefore, a higher number of construction jobs does not automatically mean the best financial outcome for every worker.
Is the South East a good region for construction jobs?
The South East is another important construction market.
CITB forecasts workforce growth of around 0.8% per year between 2025 and 2029, with approximately 15,900 additional workers expected.
The region has a mixture of:
- Housing development
- Infrastructure
- Commercial construction
- Industrial projects
- Refurbishment
- Public-sector development
Its proximity to London also creates economic links between the two markets.
For construction professionals, this can mean opportunities across a broad geographic area rather than within one city.
Why is the North West becoming important for construction?
The North West is particularly interesting because CITB forecasts workforce growth of approximately 0.9% per year through 2029, making it one of England's faster-growing regional construction markets.
The region includes major urban centres such as:
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- Preston
- Warrington
- Lancaster
Construction demand can come from multiple sources, including housing, commercial development, infrastructure and regeneration.
The North West also features prominently in CITB's new regional skills initiatives.
For example, Greater Manchester is one of the first areas selected for CITB's Accelerated Apprenticeships programme, designed to respond to regional construction skills shortages and support the homebuilding workforce.
This is an important signal for jobseekers.
Training investment is increasingly being targeted at areas where future construction demand is expected to be significant.
Is Manchester becoming a major construction jobs market?
Manchester and Greater Manchester deserve particular attention.
The area has experienced substantial development over recent years across:
- Residential construction
- Commercial buildings
- City-centre regeneration
- Infrastructure
- Industrial and logistics facilities
The fact that Greater Manchester is included in the first phase of CITB's Accelerated Apprenticeships programme is also significant.
The programme is designed to train workers more quickly in key homebuilding trades such as bricklaying, carpentry and roofing and connect training more closely with regional labour demand.
For construction jobseekers, this suggests that regional skills demand is becoming increasingly important.
What is happening in the West Midlands construction market?
The West Midlands has a major construction and infrastructure base.
Cities such as Birmingham have a large concentration of:
- Commercial development
- Residential projects
- Infrastructure
- Regeneration
- Industrial construction
- Public-sector projects
CITB's current England workforce forecast places the West Midlands at approximately 0.5% annual workforce growth through 2029.
That is slower than London, the North West and the South East.
However, workforce growth should not be interpreted as a simple ranking of job opportunities.
The West Midlands can still offer significant employment because of its large existing construction workforce and diverse project pipeline.
Is Birmingham a good place to find construction work?
Birmingham remains one of the UK's major construction employment centres.
Its importance comes partly from its size and the wider West Midlands economy.
Construction employment can span:
- Building
- Civil engineering
- Infrastructure
- Commercial development
- Housing
- Refurbishment
- Engineering
For jobseekers, Birmingham can therefore provide a broader range of roles than smaller cities.
The key is to look beyond generic labouring positions and consider specialist occupations.
What is happening to construction demand in Yorkshire and the Humber?
Yorkshire and the Humber presents an interesting regional picture.
CITB's workforce analysis identifies steel erectors and metal workers as one of the fastest-growing construction occupational groups nationally, with growth expected to be particularly strong in Yorkshire and the Humber.
The forecast points to around 2.7% annual growth for metal workers in Yorkshire and the Humber between 2025 and 2029.
That illustrates an important point:
Regional opportunity depends on occupation.
A region may not have the fastest overall construction workforce growth but may have exceptionally strong demand for a particular skill.
Which construction trades are expected to grow fastest?
The regional outlook is not only about geography.
CITB forecasts that some occupational groups will experience stronger growth than others between 2025 and 2029.
The occupations highlighted include:
- Steel erectors and metal workers
- Scaffolders
- Civil engineers
- Plant mechanics and fitters
CITB forecasts annual average growth of approximately:
Steel erectors and metal workers — 1.6%
Scaffolders — 1.4%
Civil engineers — 1.3%
Plant mechanics and fitters — 1.3%
This creates an important lesson for jobseekers.
Instead of asking only:
“Where are construction jobs growing?”
ask:
“Where is demand growing for my particular skill?”
Is there construction growth in the North East?
The North East is expected to experience slower workforce expansion than some other English regions.
CITB's current forecast puts annual construction workforce growth at approximately 0.4% between 2025 and 2029.
But slower workforce growth does not mean the region has no construction opportunities.
Regional construction markets can be supported by:
- Infrastructure
- Housing
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Industrial development
- Public-sector projects
- Regeneration
Jobseekers should therefore avoid interpreting one regional percentage as a complete picture of employment prospects.
Is construction growing in the South West?
The South West has a diverse construction market covering housing, infrastructure, commercial projects, refurbishment and specialist engineering.
One particularly interesting area is plant mechanics and fitters.
CITB's workforce forecast identifies plant mechanics and fitters as a fast-growing occupation nationally and highlights this occupation as particularly strong in the South West.
This demonstrates why occupation-specific analysis can reveal opportunities that a simple regional ranking may miss.
What is happening in the East of England?
The East of England has its own mix of construction demand.
The region includes:
- Housing development
- Infrastructure
- Logistics
- Commercial construction
- Energy-related activity
- Public-sector projects
CITB's workforce analysis identifies civil engineers as the fastest-growing occupation in the East of England and East Midlands in its 2025–2029 forecast.
That could be relevant to people with civil engineering qualifications or related technical experience.
Is construction demand becoming more regional?
Yes.
This is one of the most important trends for construction jobseekers.
CITB's latest workforce mobility research found that construction workers are becoming less willing to travel long distances for employment.
In the 12 months covered by the research:
- 34% had worked no more than 20 miles from home
- 28% had worked more than 50 miles from home
- 18% had worked between 50 and 100 miles away
- Only 10% had worked more than 100 miles away
This represents a major change from earlier mobility patterns.
Construction has historically relied heavily on workers travelling between regions for projects.
If that mobility continues to decline, local skills shortages could become more important.
Why does local construction demand matter to jobseekers?
Imagine two situations.
A bricklayer lives in Manchester.
A major housing programme is expanding in Greater Manchester.
The worker does not need to relocate.
Another bricklayer lives hundreds of miles away.
The second worker may face:
- Accommodation costs
- Travel expenses
- Long commutes
- Time away from home
The first worker may therefore have a practical advantage even if both have similar skills.
This is why local construction demand can become an increasingly valuable job-search factor.
Are construction employers becoming more focused on local skills?
There is evidence that regional skills planning is becoming more important.
CITB has explicitly argued that construction skills strategies need to become more place-based, reflecting local labour markets and regional demand.
Its Accelerated Apprenticeships initiative is a practical example.
The first programmes are focused on:
- Greater Manchester
- West Yorkshire
- West Midlands
- Kent
- Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
These areas were selected because of housing activity and identified training gaps.
That means future construction recruitment may become increasingly connected to where projects are actually being built.
Which UK cities could offer strong construction opportunities?
Rather than creating a simple “best cities” ranking, it is more useful to look at cities with large or strategically important construction markets.
Potential areas to watch include:
London
Large and diverse construction economy with strong forecast workforce growth.
Manchester
Strong regeneration and housing activity, with Greater Manchester included in new skills initiatives.
Birmingham
Large regional economy with construction, infrastructure and regeneration demand.
Liverpool
Major regeneration and infrastructure activity across the wider city region.
Leeds
Important commercial, residential and infrastructure market within Yorkshire.
Bristol
Strong South West construction market spanning housing, commercial and infrastructure projects.
Cambridge and surrounding areas
Part of a wider East of England market with housing, infrastructure and commercial demand.
The right city depends heavily on occupation.
Does the region with the most construction jobs always offer the best career?
No.
A large construction market may also have:
- Higher living costs
- Greater competition
- Longer commutes
- Higher accommodation costs
Meanwhile, a smaller regional market could offer strong demand for a specialist skill.
For example, a civil engineer may find a particularly attractive opportunity in a region investing heavily in infrastructure.
A plant mechanic may find stronger demand in a different region.
A bricklayer may benefit from an area experiencing significant housing construction.
Therefore, career decisions should combine location data with occupation data.
How does the construction skills shortage affect regional jobs?
Skills shortages can create opportunities for qualified workers.
CITB's 2026 Industry Picture warns that construction demand is growing faster than the available workforce and that too many experienced workers are leaving the sector.
If this gap continues, employers may face greater difficulty finding workers with the right skills.
That can create stronger competition for experienced professionals.
However, shortages do not mean every construction worker will automatically receive a higher salary.
Demand still depends on:
- Skill level
- Experience
- Qualifications
- Project type
- Employer
- Location
- Economic conditions
Could construction skills shortages push salaries higher?
Potentially.
When employers compete for scarce skills, they may need to improve compensation or working conditions to attract workers.
CITB's Industry Picture warns that an increasing skills gap could limit the amount of construction work delivered and push up tender prices as firms compete for scarce labour and skills.
However, jobseekers should not assume that every shortage immediately translates into higher wages.
The effect can vary considerably between occupations and regions.
Why should construction workers consider regional mobility?
Although workers are becoming less mobile, there can still be advantages to being flexible.
A worker willing to travel may access:
- Larger projects
- Specialist work
- Better progression opportunities
- Higher rates
- Temporary project work
- Major infrastructure programmes
However, mobility needs to make financial sense.
A higher daily rate may not be worthwhile if accommodation and travel costs consume much of the difference.
The right question is:
What is the net benefit of moving or travelling?
What does the regional construction outlook mean for apprentices?
It could be particularly important.
CITB is increasingly linking training programmes with areas where construction demand is expected to be strong.
The new Accelerated Apprenticeships programme aims to train people in key homebuilding trades in areas with high housing demand and training gaps.
This could mean future apprentices have an advantage when their training is closely aligned with actual local employer requirements.
For young people choosing a trade, therefore, the question should not only be:
“Which trade should I learn?”
It should also be:
“Where is that trade likely to be in demand?”
Is London still the best place to find construction work?
London remains one of the strongest construction markets based on CITB's workforce growth forecast.
But “best” depends on what a worker wants.
London may suit someone seeking:
- Large projects
- Professional construction roles
- Infrastructure
- Commercial development
- High project diversity
Another worker may prefer the North West because of regional living costs, proximity to home or demand in a particular trade.
There is no single best UK construction location for everyone.
What should construction jobseekers look for when choosing a region?
Consider five factors:
- Project pipeline
Are housing, infrastructure or commercial projects expanding?
- Occupation demand
Is your specific skill in demand?
- Qualifications
Are employers asking for particular certifications?
- Travel
Can you realistically reach the work?
- Cost of living
Will the expected income provide a worthwhile improvement after accommodation and travel?
This produces a much more useful decision than simply searching for the region with the largest number of vacancies.
What does the future look like for regional construction jobs?
The overall outlook is one of moderate growth combined with significant skills pressure.
CITB's 2026 Construction Workforce Outlook expects construction demand to grow over the medium term while the industry continues to face recruitment and retention challenges.
The organisation estimates that more than 47,000 additional workers will be needed each year through 2029.
That creates opportunities, but it also means employers and training providers need to make better use of regional workforce planning.
The future construction job market is therefore likely to be increasingly shaped by three things:
Where projects are being built.
Which skills those projects require.
Whether local workers are available to deliver them.
So, where is construction growing fastest in the UK?
If we look specifically at forecast workforce growth in England, London currently stands out, followed by the North West and South East.
But the bigger story is more nuanced.
Different regions are developing different strengths.
- London has strong overall workforce growth.
- The North West has strong regional expansion and major skills initiatives.
- The South East remains a substantial construction market.
- Yorkshire and the Humber has particularly strong projected growth for metal workers.
- The East of England has strong projected demand for civil engineers.
- The South West has opportunities linked to plant mechanics and other specialist roles.
- The West Midlands remains a major construction centre despite a slower projected workforce growth rate.
For jobseekers, this means the best strategy is not simply to follow the biggest construction market.
It is to find the intersection between regional demand and your own skills.
That is where the strongest career opportunities are likely to emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK region has the fastest construction workforce growth?
CITB's current England forecast identifies London as the fastest-growing region between 2025 and 2029, at around 1.1% average annual workforce growth.
Is London the best place for construction jobs?
London is one of the UK's largest construction markets and has the strongest projected workforce growth among English regions, but the best location depends on occupation, salary, living costs and personal circumstances.
Is construction growing in Manchester?
Greater Manchester is an important construction market, and it is one of the first areas included in CITB's Accelerated Apprenticeships programme targeting homebuilding skills shortages.
Which region needs the most construction workers?
CITB estimates that the UK construction industry needs more than 47,000 additional workers each year to meet demand by 2029. Regional requirements vary according to project activity and occupational demand.
Which construction trades are expected to grow fastest?
CITB's England forecast identifies steel erectors and metal workers, scaffolders, civil engineers, and plant mechanics and fitters among the fastest-growing occupational groups through 2029.
Is there a construction skills shortage in the UK?
Yes. CITB's Industry Picture 2026 identifies a widening gap between construction demand and workforce capacity, driven by factors including fewer new entrants, growing demand and experienced workers leaving the industry.
Are construction workers becoming less willing to travel?
Yes. CITB's 2026 workforce mobility research found that workers are increasingly less likely to travel long distances for construction employment.
Is the North West good for construction careers?
The North West is one of England's faster-growing regional construction workforces, with CITB forecasting around 0.9% annual workforce growth through 2029.
Which UK region has strong demand for civil engineers?
CITB's forecast identifies civil engineering as a particularly fast-growing occupation in the East Midlands and East of England.
Should construction workers move to another city for a job?
Not necessarily. Moving can provide access to larger projects or specialist opportunities, but workers should compare the potential earnings with travel, accommodation and living costs before making a decision.
