UK construction industry growing more optimistic about future

Construction firms in Britain are showing some optimism in the state of their industry, according to a recent Markit/CIPS survey. In January, the sector posted its second-largest monthly gain in business confidence since the study has been held.

The index marking the overall health of the industry in the United Kingdom stood at 51.4 in January, which was slightly down from the 53.2 posted in December 2011. However, any reading over 50 shows growth. While still relatively slow, these slight improvements are signs that the construction management industry is on the mend and that professionals in the sector have a reason to be upbeat.

According to the Construction Skills Network, the building industry will grow 2.1 percent annually until 2016 in Northern Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph reports. Between 2012 and 2016, employment is also expected to improve in the region, at an average rate of 1.3 percent per year. However, a full recovery is not expected for another five years or so.

The future of the construction industry lies in innovation, says Barry Neilson, spokesman for the Construction Skills Network.

"We know to help the survival of the sector we need to embrace new skills to support the low-carbon agenda," he told the publication. "These are difficult times and it is the skills and qualifications of our workforce that will help us survive."