Why Competence Gaps are the Biggest Risk in the UK Construction Industry in 2026

The construction industry accounts for a high number of workplace fatalities in the UK, with the Health and Safety Executive consistently identifying that inadequate training and lack of competence are contributing factors in these incidents. At the same time, industry reports suggest that a significant proportion of sites fail to meet basic safety standards during inspections.

This is being made worse by increasing pressure across the sector to deliver projects more quickly, often with staff shortages. As the number of operatives and experience declines, the result is a rise in unsafe practices, operational inefficiencies, and a greater likelihood of incidents.

The underlying issue is clear. Experience is being lost faster than it is being replaced.

What Is a Competence Gap?

Competence is far more complex than whether someone holds a card or certificate. True competence is built on a combination of training, practical experience, ongoing assessment, and effective supervision.

A competence gap emerges when one or more of these elements is missing. This is increasingly common in today’s workforce, where operatives may hold training certificates but lack the experience to apply it in real site conditions. Inconsistent supervision and limited visibility of workforce capability only add to the problem.

Why It Matters

Competence gaps affect all aspects of the construction industry.

From a safety perspective, less experienced workers are more likely to make errors, particularly in high-risk environments such as plant operation and working at height. Operationally, competence gaps can lead to inefficiency; work is more likely to be completed incorrectly, resulting in delays in operations and increased pressure on supervisors.

There is also a clear compliance risk. Construction businesses are required to demonstrate that their workforce is competent. When this cannot be evidenced, the likelihood of failed inspections and enforcement action increases. In simple terms, if competence cannot be proven, compliance cannot be demonstrated.

Why the Problem Is Increasing

An ageing workforce is leaving the industry, while new entrants are not yet equipped with the same level of experience. An article reports that around 35% of UK construction are aged 50 and over. It’s expected that by 2036, 750,000 individuals are expected to retire. Meanwhile, it’s been reported that only 10% of workers are under the age of 25, leaving a growing skills gap because as more experienced workers are leaving the industry, there are not enough individuals to replace them.

Another challenge is that many construction sites simply aren’t aware of what training is available within the industry. With a wide range of courses, certifications, and competence schemes offered by different providers, site managers and supervisors often struggle to identify which options are most suitable for their workforce. This lack of awareness means opportunities to upskill staff are missed, and workers may not receive the training needed to close competence gaps before problems arise.

So, what is the Solution to the Gap in Construction Competency?

Competence gaps are not just a workforce issue. They are a safety and operational risk.

In 2026, construction businesses must move beyond simply delivering training and focus on ensuring competence is properly developed, managed, and maintained.

Competence is not just a numbers game, replacing those hypothesised 750,000 retiring competent operators with another 750,000 new operators will not ‘fix’ the issue. Competence is effective training, practical experience, ongoing assessment and supervision all combined. Putting the new influx of young operators on a true route to competence and building their knowledge and practical experience is the key, and here in the UK there are two common pathways: NPORS and CPCS training.

The differences between the NPORS and CPCS routes can be easily understood, and we’ve written a simple guide which you can view here. At Certora, we offer the full NPORS route to competence for all operators, whether novice with no card or experienced with an existing (traditional) operator card.

Are you ready to fill your competency gaps and eliminate unsafe practices, inefficiency and the number of incidents on your site? Get in touch with our team and talk to us about NPORS training and getting your team their NPORS CSCS Competent Operator card today.