When Ali moved to Birmingham from London in 2018, he never imagined he’d one day run his own small construction business. By 2020, he had a steady team of workers many from Poland and Romania and was managing three residential projects at once. Things were moving fast, and business was good.
But then Brexit happened.
The Workforce That Vanished Overnight
In early 2021, half of Ali’s team decided not to return after visiting family over Christmas. New visa requirements, uncertainty about settled status, and rising costs made their return too complicated. Suddenly, Ali was left with urgent deadlines, a short crew, and no backup.
He’s not alone. Since Brexit, thousands of UK construction companies have reported similar stories teams thinned out almost overnight, and skilled tradespeople that were once easy to find suddenly gone. Roles like bricklaying, joinery, plastering, and roofing became some of the hardest to fill.
At Resource Provider Ltd, we began receiving more inquiries from employers struggling just like Ali companies that once relied on EU labour now scrambling to find homegrown workers with the right qualifications and availability.
From Shortage to Strategy: The New Hiring Mindset
One of our clients in the West Midlands a commercial builder with a long history told us they hadn’t had to advertise for labour roles in years. Post-Brexit, they were forced to launch recruitment campaigns, partner with technical colleges, and even offer referral bonuses to find workers.
That story has become the new normal.
Construction firms are no longer just filling gaps they’re thinking long-term. They’re creating apprenticeship programmes, sponsoring trade certifications, and working with us to develop recruitment pipelines. They’re hiring not just for skill, but for potential.
And that shift is creating opportunities for UK-based workers like never before.
Meet Carla: From Waitress to Site Supervisor in 18 Months
Carla was working part-time in hospitality when she saw a job ad we posted for an entry-level construction support role. She had no background in the industry, but she had drive and the employer was open-minded. We helped her with her CV, got her an interview, and she landed the job.
Eighteen months later, Carla is a site supervisor-in-training. She’s taken her CSCS course, earned two certifications, and is now mentoring a new recruit.
This is the kind of career story that’s become more common in the post-Brexit construction space. With labour shortages still pressing and companies investing in training, new doors are opening for people with the right mindset even if they don’t have a traditional trade background.
Compliance Isn’t Optional Anymore
For employers, the post-Brexit reality comes with more than just labour challenges it’s also about compliance. We worked with one firm in Kent that received a surprise audit from immigration authorities. Their paperwork was outdated, and they had unknowingly kept two workers whose right-to-work documents had expired.
That wake-up call led them to overhaul their entire hiring process. Today, they work with us to ensure every candidate is fully vetted, compliant, and documented. They’ve even adopted new digital HR tools to keep up with record-keeping and reporting requirements.
It’s a growing trend construction firms are realising that staying compliant is no longer optional. It’s essential.
Technology and Sustainability Are Shaping New Roles
Another key shift we’ve observed is in job types. While traditional trades remain in demand, the industry is leaning toward tech-savvy workers who understand tools like BIM, drones, and smart construction apps.
We placed one candidate a recent graduate with a background in 3D modelling into a role as a digital construction assistant. Six months in, she’s helping manage site layouts, digital safety checks, and even contributing to environmental reports.
With green building targets and net-zero initiatives becoming mainstream, roles in energy efficiency, solar panel installation, and eco-design are growing fast. For jobseekers open to upskilling, this is a golden window.
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Construction
Ali eventually rebuilt his team. This time, he hired two UK-based apprentices, partnered with a local training centre, and worked with us to find part-qualified tradespeople looking to return to work. It wasn’t easy but it’s working.
At Resource Provider Ltd, we believe these stories represent the future of the UK construction workforce. It’s more local, more inclusive, more technology-driven and more focused on long-term resilience.
Brexit was a turning point. But it’s also a chance to build something stronger.
If you’re a jobseeker ready to explore this evolving industry, or an employer looking for skilled and reliable talent, we’re here to help you every step of the way.