A severe shortage of skilled labour is disrupting construction across Africa, with South Africa facing significant challenges. A 2024 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights the skills gap as a key factor driving poor-quality work and rising project costs. This shortage affects the entire construction value chain, from design to maintenance, forcing contractors to redo substandard work, further escalating costs and delays.
In South Africa, the issue is particularly pronounced in the Western Cape, where rapid urban growth and increased semigration have heightened demand for housing and infrastructure. This has driven up property prices and strained regional resources, including the availability of skilled workers.
John Matthews, CEO of Garden Cities and a key member (past president and current EXCO) of the Master Builders Association Western Cape (MBAWC), says the region’s skilled labour shortage is critical. “The average age of skilled artisans in the Western Cape is 57, with few new entrants and limited skills transfer from those exiting the industry,” he explains. “As a result, newly qualified artisans are often placed in supervisory roles before they’re ready – simply because no one else has the required experience. This lack of skilled labour also forces some employers to rely on semi-skilled workers, which brings further challenges in terms of quality and safety.”
Several systemic issues compound the problem:
- There is a lack of vocational training institutions and ineffective agencies, such as CETA, that fail to support industry needs.
- A short-term focus among businesses that prioritise immediate needs over the long-term development of their workforce.
- The industry lacks structured succession planning and workforce development strategies.
According to Chandré Abrahams, Chairperson of the MBAWC Marketing Committee, the sector faces low wages, high education costs, and poor perceptions among youth. “Despite high demand, construction wages remain low, leading skilled workers to seek better-paying jobs elsewhere,” he says. “At the same time, the high cost of tertiary education discourages many from entering the industry. Construction is often seen as lacking prestige, further limiting the pipeline of new entrants.”
He adds that the overemphasis on university degrees – often at the expense of vocational qualifications – has created a workforce rich in theory but lacking practical expertise. This knowledge gap contributes to poor workmanship, cost overruns, and project delays.
These challenges demand long-term commitment from all stakeholders. “Industry leaders must invest in training, improve wages, create better pathways into the sector, and change the narrative around construction careers,” says Abrahams. “If not addressed, the labour shortage will worsen, threatening economic growth and public infrastructure delivery.”
The skilled labour shortage extends beyond South Africa, affecting countries like Kenya and Nigeria. In Kenya, a young population lacks formal construction training, relying on informal apprenticeships. Nigeria’s rapid urbanisation has outpaced training efforts, while security issues disrupt workforce stability. Labour rigidity, driven by outdated policies and strong unions, hinders market adaptation.
Proposed solutions include greater government-private sector collaboration to expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, along with community-based training. Financial support for students and apprentices through bursaries and incentives can strengthen the talent pipeline, while public-private partnerships are crucial for modernising training institutions.
Some actions to be implemented:
- Provide funding and incentives for colleges to upgrade facilities and train instructors in the latest construction technologies.
- Launch apprenticeship and internship programs with guaranteed job placements.
- Run awareness campaigns in schools and communities to change perceptions of construction work as low-skill or undesirable.
- Highlight success stories of local professionals and entrepreneurs in the industry.
- Work with career guidance counsellors to present construction careers as valuable and dynamic.
New technologies such as automation, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and modular construction have the potential to reduce manual labour demands. However, uptake remains limited due to cost concerns and clients’ reluctance to invest in innovation.
South Africa’s high unemployment rate further complicates the issue, as reducing labour through automation clashes with national job creation goals. “The solution isn’t to replace people – it’s to upskill them,” says Abrahams. “Workers must be trained to operate and manage new technologies, improving productivity without sacrificing jobs.”
The MBAWC has taken a proactive approach. Its initiatives include free short courses, a part-time ‘Site Foreman and Supervisor’ programme, and an ‘Entrepreneurship for Contractors Development Programme’. The MBAWC also offers the ‘Master Builders Association Development Trust Bursary’, which supports students in civil engineering, construction, and quantity surveying disciplines.
This model is proving effective – and replicable. “Kenya, Nigeria, and other provinces in South Africa could benefit from similar training-driven approaches, provided there is adequate funding, policy support, and industry participation,” says Abrahams.
However, one of the biggest obstacles remains the lengthy regulatory approval process for construction projects. “Streamlining these approvals would allow hiring to begin sooner, accelerating economic activity and workforce absorption,” adds Matthews. “Success in overcoming the labour shortage will depend on a long-term vision, sustained investment, and alignment between employers, financiers, and training institutions. With that commitment, Africa’s construction sector can rebuild its labour pipeline and future.”
