Around 1,000 news jobs in architecture could be created by 2018 as demand in the sector continues to rise, bdonline.co.uk reports.

These figures were released as part of the CITB’s (Construction Industry Training Board) annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast. It claims that 46,370 workers will be needed to match industry demand within the next four years.

As this represents around 1,000 more than currently employed within the sector, there could soon be a large-scale hiring drive as businesses seek to meet demand. Roughly speaking, around 290 jobs are needed to be created each year to meet this demand.

Additionally, the job increases will take place across the board – with positions set to be created for architects, architectural technicians and additional, ancillary roles.

The economy is turning the corner… but growth needs to be sustainable

The CITB’s results came after similar reports found that the number of qualified architects claiming unemployment benefit has fallen for five consecutive months. In total, only 430 architects are in receipt of these benefits, which makes for the lowest total since September 2008.

CITB chair James Watts told architectsjournal.co.uk:

“The CSN report shows that the economy is turning the corner and the architecture sector will benefit from that.”

“But growth needs to be sustainable; underpinned by long-term infrastructure projects and continued investment. The government’s Help to Buy scheme has kick-started demand across the housing market and announcements on nuclear power, rail and roads have the potential to breathe fresh life into infrastructure and industry.”