Tag: SMEs
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Why construction SMEs rise and fall on behaviours
Image: Designer491 | Dreamstime.com Most SME owners think their biggest challenge is winning more work. Let’s be honest, the real challenge is leading people. Projects rarely go sideways because of a lack of skill. They go sideways because of poor behaviours, weak accountability and culture drift that no one identifies early enough. If you run…
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Autumn budget: CIOB warns of challenges faced by SMEs
“As a sector made primarily of SMEs (more than 99% of the UK construction industry are SMEs), many companies are already struggling with rising costs and a dwindling workforce,” said Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, research and external affairs at CIOB. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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SME homebuilders are in ‘real danger’, HBF says
Unpredictable delays, rising costs and new levies could push SME home developers out of the market, according to a new report. The report, Planning for Small Sites, has been published by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Quantum Development Finance, using analysis from planning and development consultancy Lichfields. According to the findings, SME homebuilders are facing…
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Survey finds 61% of construction SMEs are facing skills shortages
Almost two thirds (61%) of construction SMEs are being affected by a lack of skilled tradespeople, according to a joint report from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The findings from the latest SME State of Trade Survey show that despite strong growth in workloads during the first half of 2025,…
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Half of construction SMEs report losses or lower profits in new survey
“In short, if we want the construction industry to be sustainable, we must make it easier for smaller firms to thrive. That means tackling issues such as late payments, and ensuring SMEs can affordably hire apprentices to grow the skilled workforce our sector desperately needs. With the right support, SMEs can and will continue to…
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Free IT training for 1,000 construction SMEs
SME construction businesses can join a free, CITB-funded training course designed to improve their IT knowledge. The launch of the course, Solving Tech for Small Builders, follows a successful trial earlier this year with 50 SME builders. The course is run by Maria Coulter, founder of Construction Coach. “Understanding IT and how it can help…
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How’s the government going to ‘get Britain building’?
The government has published two major planning announcements aimed at the housebuilding sector. David Parry explains what’s in each of them. (Image: Paul Maguire via Dreamstime) The end of May saw the publication of two major government announcements for the construction sector, both setting out further intentions to free up the planning system and get…
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Sustainability in SMEs: How one company is leading the way
For many SMEs, setting and achieving ESG targets can feel like a challenge. Limited budgets, pressure for short-term profitability, and value engineering often put sustainability at risk. Add to that the need for cultural change, clear KPIs and a fast-paced commercial environment – and it’s easy to see why progress can stall. View the original…
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Masonry matters: a mission to boost skills
A new association promises to solve the masonry sector’s recruitment and training challenges with an approach that targets micro companies. March this year saw the launch of the Masonry Association of Great Britain (MAGB), a new organisation that aims to boost recruitment and upskilling in the masonry sector. Current systems are not working, says the…
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Construction employers claim nearly £130m in CITB grants
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has released the year-end figures for its Grants Scheme, which provides support for construction employers and learners. During the 2024-25 financial year, CITB allocated nearly £130 million in grant support. Of this funding, £71.4 million was provided through various apprenticeship grants, supporting more than 30,000 learners and 10,000 employers,…