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Cumbria Construction Skills Survey 2026

Construction is a key LSIP (Local Skills Improvement Plan) priority, with a focus on addressing skills shortages, increasing apprenticeships, upskilling the existing workforce and preparing the sector for future demands such as retrofit and net zero. This survey looks at the real needs of construction businesses and how we can apply this to the LSIP going forward
1.What is the name of your business
2.Where is your business based?
3.How many employees does the business have? Firstly, in Cumbria and secondly, in total (i.e if the business has other branches elsewhere in the country)
Sole Trader
2-10
11-249
250+
n/a
In Cumbria
In Total
4.Which areas of construction does your business operate in? (Select all that apply)
Recruitment and Skills Shortages

This section looks at recruitment in construction, and the skills shortages associated with this. This will inform us when interacting with local colleges and providers to make sure that their provision is aligned with demand from employers.


5.Are you finding any of the below roles hard to recruit in?
6.What are the main barriers you face to recruiting skilled construction workers?
7.How would you describe the availability of suitably skilled applicants in Cumbria?
Apprenticeships and Young People

Our 2026 LSIP report found that Cumbria has a high volume of construction apprenticeships- 12% of total employment is apprenticeships compared to 5% nationally. This section serves to look at how the apprenticeship system can benefit construction businesses.

8.Does your business currently employ construction apprentices?
9.What would make it easier for your business to recruit an apprentice?
Training and Upskilling

Training provision is a key focus, with the LSIP highlighting the need for more apprenticeships in priority trades, and the role that Skills Bootcamps can play in upskilling existing employees.
10.Which skills would you most like your existing workforce to develop?
(Select all that apply)
11.What barriers are there preventing you from upskilling or training people in these areas?
12.How well does current training provision meet the needs of your business?
13.What could colleges and training providers do differently to better meet your needs?
14.Are there any construction skills or qualifications that you cannot currently access easily in Cumbria?
Skills Bootcamps in Cumbria are flexible, intensive training courses lasting up to 16 weeks designed to build sector-specific skills for existing employees and those out of work. They are partly funded (70-90%) by Skills England.

For more information. please click here.
15.Are you aware of Skills Bootcamps? If yes, what are your experiences with them?
16.Would your business be interested in learning more about Skills Bootcamps?
Future Construction Skills
The LSIP looks at the future skills needs of the county, with retrofit, energy efficiency, and net zero all listed as critical skills.
17.How important will the following be to your business over the next 3–5 years?
Not Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Retrofit
Energy Efficiency
Net Zero
Digital Construction
Modern Methods of Construction
New Materials/Technology
18.Are there any skills or occupations that you expect to become difficult to recruit for over the next 3–5 years?
19.Have you any further comments to make about construction skills and training in Cumbria?
Thank you for taking part in this survey. We will be taking the results to colleges and training providers and seeing how best we can work together with employers to ensure that the construction industry in Cumbria is thriving.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce are looking to engage further with construction employers, and facilitate more interaction and engagement between employers and providers. If you would like to be involved with focus groups and roundtables, please let us know below.
20.Would you be interested in joining a Cumbria construction employer network to discuss skills, training and recruitment?
21.Would you be interested in taking part in focus groups and roundtables in person with providers and other employers?
22.If you have answered yes to the above two questions, or would like to stay in contact with us, please provide your name and email address below
Current Progress,
0 of 22 answered
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