The construction industry is facing one of the most acute skills shortages in decades, yet a significant pool of talent remains underrepresented and under supported. Workers with disabilities are still far less likely to be employed, despite clear evidence that with the right adjustments they can build long and successful careers. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the employment rate for disabled people stands at 53.2%. At the same time, vacancy rates in construction have risen sharply. According to the UK Government’s 2024 Sector Skills Needs Assessment, vacancy rates increased from 3.2% in 2017 to 5.2% in 2022, with more than 52% of these vacancies described by employers as hard to fill due to a lack of skills, qualifications or experience.

Industry research highlights the scale of the challenge. Places for People’s 2024 report Unpacking the Skills Gap in Construction notes that more than 140,000 construction jobs are currently unfilled. The Construction Industry Training Board’s Construction Skills Network Outlook 2024 to 2028 forecasts that the UK will need 251,500 additional workers by 2028, the equivalent of over 50,000 new entrants every year. Looking further ahead, a 2025 report from the University of Cambridge and Places for People warns that the pool of experienced professionals could shrink by more than one third by 2035 due to retirements and insufficient new entrants. With these pressures mounting, the need to widen participation has never been more urgent.

Against this backdrop, the Federation of Master Builders has been calling for a shift in how the sector supports workers with disabilities, both visible and hidden. Its message is grounded in real-world experience, exemplified by Scottish builder Martin Sneddon, who has spent more than fifty years in construction and continues to excel despite losing his hearing fifteen years ago. Martin began his bricklaying apprenticeship at the age of fifteen, and his commitment to quality was recognised when he received the Federation of Master Builders Outstanding Builder of the Year award.

When his hearing deteriorated, Martin feared he would be forced to leave the industry he loved. Instead, he adapted his working practices and demonstrated that disability does not diminish craftsmanship. Working alongside his son, who assists with communication, he proactively engaged with suppliers, merchants and Building Standards officers to explain his situation. The response, Martin recalls, was overwhelmingly positive, with many switching to text-based communication and offering practical support to ensure he could continue working safely and effectively.

Reflecting on how he has adapted, Martin explained: “Communication is vital in construction, and I have learned to adapt through lip reading. I have also developed a heightened awareness system for safety around machinery. I use this phrase: you cannot see with your ears, but you can hear with your eyes.” His experience illustrates that adjustments do not need to be complex to be effective. Simple measures, such as ensuring colleagues are aware when disabled workers are on site, encouraging open conversations about adjustments, and building awareness in the same way the industry has successfully approached mental health, can make a meaningful difference. Even small changes can remove barriers that prevent skilled people from thriving.

Martin is keen to encourage others with disabilities to consider a career in construction. Offering advice to prospective entrants, he remarked: “This industry will reward you well for hard work and good workmanship. With numbers falling in recruitment, I would say to anyone with a disability, hidden or otherwise, to come and have a go. You will meet with support everywhere you go. People with hearing loss like me can do it, others can too.”

This message is echoed by Federation of Master Builders Chief Executive Brian Berry, who argues that inclusion must be seen as a core part of the sector’s response to the skills crisis. Commenting on the wider significance of stories like Martin’s, Berry said: “With the current skills shortage, there is a responsibility on all of us to make the construction industry more inclusive. Members like Martin demonstrate that talent, skill and dedication know no boundaries. His career shows that with the right support and attitude, there are no limits to what can be achieved.”

Despite these positive examples, underrepresentation remains stark. The Construction Industry Training Board’s 2022 report Workforce Mobility and Skills in the UK Construction Sector found that only 3% of construction workers report having a long-term illness, health problem or disability that limits the type of work they can do. This suggests that many disabled people either see construction as inaccessible or do not receive the support needed to progress. As demand for skilled workers intensifies and the industry prepares for the loss of experienced staff over the next decade, inclusion is not simply a social expectation. It is a practical necessity.

Martin Sneddon’s story shows what becomes possible when employers focus on ability rather than limitation. His long career demonstrates that the industry’s greatest asset is its people, and that creating an environment where everyone can contribute is essential to addressing the skills gap. With more than half of construction vacancies proving difficult to fill and the need for tens of thousands of new workers every year, opening doors to disabled workers is not only the right thing to do. It is vital to the future strength and sustainability of the sector.