The construction sector, which includes architecture, is the UK's biggest employer and biggest exporter. It contributes more than 8% of the UK's GDP, employs 2.1 million people (or 1 in 14 of the total UK workforce) and is growing steadily with an output of £81 billion (at constant prices).
There are 175,000 construction firms in the UK (95% of which employ fewer than 10 people); 23,500 professional practices; and significant skills gaps.
The industry needs 88,000 new recruits every year for the next five years. And in order to achieve its target of a fully qualified workforce by 2010 it needs to qualify 100,000 workers each year to NVQ 2 standard.