As we head into the final few weeks of 2025, many of us will already be starting to look ahead and wonder what 2026 might have in store for the construction industry. 

While this year has presented several challenges across the sector, a shortage of skilled tradespeople continues to pose one of the biggest problems for bosses. 

According to research carried out by the Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research, published by Places for People, 140,000 construction vacancies are going unfilled, leading to project delays. Additionally, the findings predict that more than one million additional construction workers will be needed to meet demand by 2032. 

So, while gaps in the workforce persist as a massive hurdle, they do present ample opportunities for those with sought-after skills and qualifications, or for those considering a career switch.

A new year is always a popular time for taking stock and weighing up a potential career move. If that’s something that could be on the cards for you, we’ve taken a look at just some of the construction trades we expect to be in high demand in 2026. 

Carpenters

While it may be one of the oldest professions on record, the unique skills that carpenters possess remain a vital cog in the construction industry. 

In fact, according to the new SME State of Trade Survey, carried out by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), 33% of firms say that carpenters are the tradespeople they are finding it hardest to recruit, a trend likely to continue throughout next year. 

Roofers

Closely following carpenters as one of the most in-demand trades, the State of Trade Survey revealed that 32% of firms are struggling to hire roofers with the necessary skills and knowledge, up from 21% in the final quarter of 2024. 

Again, with Labour’s ambitious plans to build 1.5 million new homes over the next few years, and private housing construction forecasted to grow 2.1% annually, it’s unlikely that this demand will fade anytime soon. 

Bricklayers and plumbers

Bricklayers and plumbers are both equally sought after, with 28% of the senior construction figures surveyed stating that these were the two areas proving the most difficult to hire in. 

Green and emerging technologies

Unsurprisingly, knowledge in sustainable technologies and green alternatives is increasingly valuable. 230,000 skilled workers are expected to be needed for retrofitting by 2030, while 30,000 new workers may be required for green energy installations like solar panels, EV chargers and heat pumps. 

Again, while upskilling will be needed, these present excellent opportunities for tradespeople working or training in ‘traditional’ sectors looking for ways to future-proof their careers. 

Similarly, demand for AI-driven construction and modelling will almost certainly continue to rise through 2026 and beyond. 

While there is no quick fix to solving the skills shortage, it’s clear that the demand for construction projects, and the workers to complete these projects is there. The State of Trade Survey actually found that net workload had increased by 25%, reversing the 11% decline in the fourth quarter of last year. 

Whether you’re already working in the construction industry and looking to upskill, or are looking towards a new career altogether, Able Skills offers a range of training packages that could have you ready to take on work in the new year. You can find more information about all of our construction training courses here.