Infrastructure ranked top priority for investment, followed by help with addressing the skills gap. Sixty percent think economic growth is being felt across the industry and 42 percent  believe it’s translating to jobs.

Increased investment in large-scale infrastructure topped the priorities of built environment professionals for this week’s 2014 Budget, followed by investment in regional infrastructure, and help with addressing the mounting skills gap. The survey of over 500 industry professionals by specialist built-environment job site, CareerStructure.com, found a mismatch between what industry professionals want, and what they believe will be the reality. Investment in new homes and renewable energy was thought more likely to be prioritised after large-scale infrastructure than investment in regional infrastructure, and addressing the skills gap.

According to 60 percent of industry professionals, the recent upward forecast of economic growth is being felt across the industry. Initiatives such as the Construction Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (CISAC) were found to be contributing to such positive sentiment, with nearly half (46 percent) believing CISAC is helping the industry to grow. Growth is translating to jobs too, according to 42 percent of industry professionals, with nearly half (48 percent) stating that Help to Buy has positively impacted housing supply, and a further 58 percent believe the commitment to implement zero carbon homes from 2016 will increase demand for professionals with sustainability expertise.

Commenting on the findings, Rob Searle, Commercial Director at CareerStructure.com, said: “After three consecutive quarters of subdued recovery, it's fantastic to see the industry now beginning to feel the effects of a step-up in economic growth. Industry professionals are expecting to see an update to the Chancellor’s infrastructure pipeline in this week’s Budget, with large scale infrastructure ranked top priority for investment, and also thought to offer the most potential for job creation. However, we wait to see if the Government will invest in closing the looming skills gap, which if not addressed soon could hinder businesses hoping to capitalise on.