Firms hit by brickie shortage

BUILDING FIRMS are having more problems recruiting bricklayers than for almost a decade as a skills shortages hits the industry, a survey showed yesterday. Four out of five construction companies reported difficulties hiring brickies, the worst level since 1989.

More companies are working at or near capacity and expect to recruit more workers over the next three months, according to a survey of 1,000 firms by the Construction Confederation.