Alistair Darling: Launched initiative

The main areas where they are expected to be needed are electricians, plumbers and bricklayers.

Industry leaders say the lack of freshly skilled workers now can be traced back to the recessions in the construction industry in the early 90s when people decided to train in other jobs.

Now they are trying to make their industry more attractive.

"First thing the industry is doing is trying to improve its image, it is trying to get its health and safety record right," said John Gibb, chief executive of John Mowlem Construction.

"It is trying to tidy up its site so it looks like a modern highly technical industry which it actually is."

Everyone accepts there is a need to update recruitment practices.

"They have got to address that problem in terms of the image that the industry has, in terms of the fact that only 9% of the workforce that are women, 2% from the ethnic minorities," said Brian Wilson, Construction Minister.

"They have got to open themselves up and present a different image of what is and can be... an excellent career."

It is hoped that initiatives in National Construction week can go some way to filling the gaps.

Given the time it takes to train people the construction industry in south where unemployment is low could have some tough times ahead meeting targets.