Who should download this report?

Talent acquisition leaders, heads of TA, recruitment and employer brand leaders, HR leaders, and workforce planning professionals in construction and adjacent industries with similar challenges.

What is the "missing million" and why does it matter?

The UK construction sector is projected to require approximately 937,000 new workers over the next decade. This shortfall, dubbed the "missing million," is a systemic issue driven by an aging workforce, low career awareness among young people, and a persistent gender imbalance. For employers, this isn't just a hiring headache; it is a strategic risk that can lead to program slippage and cost overruns.

Why are offer acceptance rates in construction lower than other industries?

PageUp hiring data shows the construction industry offer acceptance rate is 78%, which is 12% lower than the global average. The reasons why, and what the highest performing construction employers are doing differently are covered in detail in the report.

How much is "mobile friction" really costing my recruitment funnel?

More than you might think. While 34% of applications in construction are now made via mobile devices, these applicants abandon the process at more than double the rate of desktop users. The data inside the report shows you how much your mobile experience could be costing you, and what a seamless mobile experience could do for your talent pool.

We have a high volume of applicants; why are we still struggling to fill roles?

The data reveals a "paradox of volume". This means recruiters are spending more time screening through unsuitable applications without seeing an improvement in shortlists, leading to increased strain and reactive hiring.

How can we move from reactive "fire-fighting" to strategic hiring?

It starts with connecting workforce planning directly to your project pipelines, but this is where most organisations get stuck. The report walks you through a 5-stage talent maturity framework that shows exactly where your team sits today and what the next step looks like in practice.

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The State of Construction Hiring in the UK: Market Analysis

Growth ambitions. No-growth labour market. How will you deliver?

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The UK construction sector is facing a paradox. Long-term project demand is soaring, yet the talent pool is shrinking. With an aging workforce and a “missing million” workers looming over the next decade, reactive hiring is no longer an option.

How are the UK’s leading firms securing the skills they need to avoid project slippage and cost overruns?

Download the 2026 Market Analysis to discover the benchmarks, talent dynamics, and strategic shifts required to build a resilient workforce in a constrained market.

Inside the report:

Unpack the “Missing Million”: Why construction participation hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels and what it means for your 10-year pipeline.
2025 hiring benchmarks: Exclusive PageUp data showing construction application volumes, candidate quality, offer acceptance rates and more.
The mobile friction gap: Why mobile applicants abandon applications at double the rate of desktop users.
The diversity supply challenge: why a workforce that is 85% male is limiting your talent pool and what to do about it.
TA maturity framework: A 5-stage roadmap to move your team from “hiring chaos” to “strategic workforce planning”.

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Stop Reacting. Start Building.

“The construction market has changed. The question now is whether your hiring strategy is ready to change with it.”

Get your copy now to gain the insights needed to turn your recruitment function into a competitive advantage.

Frequently asked questions

Who should download this report?

Talent acquisition leaders, heads of TA, recruitment and employer brand leaders, HR leaders, and workforce planning professionals in construction and adjacent industries with similar challenges.
Is the report free to download?

Yes. Complete the short form above to access the full report.
What is the "missing million" and why does it matter?

The UK construction sector is projected to require approximately 937,000 new workers over the next decade. This shortfall, dubbed the "missing million," is a systemic issue driven by an aging workforce, low career awareness among young people, and a persistent gender imbalance. For employers, this isn't just a hiring headache; it is a strategic risk that can lead to program slippage and cost overruns.
Why are offer acceptance rates in construction lower than other industries?

PageUp hiring data shows the construction industry offer acceptance rate is 78%, which is 12% lower than the global average. The reasons why, and what the highest performing construction employers are doing differently are covered in detail in the report.
How much is "mobile friction" really costing my recruitment funnel?

More than you might think. While 34% of applications in construction are now made via mobile devices, these applicants abandon the process at more than double the rate of desktop users. The data inside the report shows you how much your mobile experience could be costing you, and what a seamless mobile experience could do for your talent pool.
We have a high volume of applicants; why are we still struggling to fill roles?

The data reveals a "paradox of volume". This means recruiters are spending more time screening through unsuitable applications without seeing an improvement in shortlists, leading to increased strain and reactive hiring.
How can we move from reactive "fire-fighting" to strategic hiring?

It starts with connecting workforce planning directly to your project pipelines, but this is where most organisationsorganizations get stuck. The report walks you through a 5-stage talent maturity framework that shows exactly where your team sits today and what the next step looks like in practice.

Complete the short form above to access the full report for more actionable tips.

Download now