Demand for employment in this sector in this region grew by 28.1% in the census period 2001 to 2006. A strong economic cycle, residential property strength and low interest rates have contributed to this. Current economic circumstances have slowed this growth.

At a national level, forecasts for growth are projected to be higher than the average across all sectors, but subdued against past growth. These projections do not take the current global economic crisis into account.

Key employment in this sector in this region is in building construction and construction services

This industry has 36.7% of its workforce aged 45 years and over.
88% of the workforce is male.
83.6% of the workforce is in full time work.
The majority of construction enterprises within the region have less than 20 employees.

Likely future workforce picture:
Growth in demand particularly in the southern part of the region leading to the need for a greater number of skilled workers.
Based on increased demand from 2001 to 2006, spending on Government funded infrastructure projects and on the projected needs of the renewable energy sector, 1200 ongoing and 1500 peak additional jobs is a reasonable target for this sector in the next 10 years.