
Search's Scoop
If you're short on time, here are our key market insights:Â
- Sector growth in most sectors seen a decline, with Education seeing one of the only increases up 22%
- Large scale developments and investment contribute to a recovery in 2024, with projected growth across the majority of sectors.
- Wide scale uncertainties with publicly funded projects due to budget concerns on the back of the upcoming 2024 election
- Search Construction Manchester has made 1,750 placements in the Northwest in contract and permanent roles in 2023 so far.
As we close off 2023, a year which has seen both boom and bust - depending on which sector you’re involved in - and look forward to a short but welcome break over the festive period, it’s hard to ignore 2024 looming on the horizon, and not wonder what is in store for the Construction industry. Â
Immigration rule changes for skilled workers, an election year and uncertainty over high profile publicly funded projects are amongst a number of factors certain to have an influence on the industry next year and beyond. Here is a breakdown of 2023 – 2024 for each sector:

Private Housing
Private Housing
- Compared to 2022 there was a -23% in growth for 2023
- Cost of living, weakened salaries and higher mortgage rates have put strain on the housing market and will continue to do so
- 4% growth (crica £25 Billion) predicted for 2024

Industrial
Industrial
- Compared to 2022 there was a -44% in growth in 2023, recording the largest drop in any sector
- Drop of over £3 billion
- Increasing demand for logistics space to drive growth in 2024 and further again in 2025

Retail
Retail
- Compared to 2022 the retail sector seen a -28% growth in 2023
- Weak consumer spending a major factor in slowdown
- Strong build commitments from budget supermarkets expected to be a huge part of the £1.5B predicted spend in 2024

Leisure
Leisure
- Compared to 2022 the leisure industry seen a -14% growth for 2023
- Similar to retail – weakened consumer spend and a maintained reduction in overseas visitors post covid two key factors
- Pipeline for 2024/25 has seen a 74% increase in contracts awarded

Education
Education
- As one of the only sectors to see growth in 2023, compared to 2022 the Education sector was up 22%
- Spend to peak approx. £6 Billion in 2024
- Election in 2024 likely to cause a negative growth in 2025

Health
Health
- NHS investment on the back of political campaigns will influence a strong growth in 2024
- Project Hospital 2.0 (45 new hospital commitment between 2019 and 2030) continues to be an aim
- South East of England to see most investment, with Wales the lowest

Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering
- Broad decline across this sector in 2023 – major projects delayed/cancelled due to cost largely influenced this
- Large scale utilities & infrastructure frameworks (E.g AMP8) to influence strong growth in 2024 & 2025
- Uncertainty on major projects on the back of huge HS2 phase 1 spends & phase 2 cancellation
CSR activities across the team

Foodbank Appeal
We are well under way for our annual food bank appeal working alongside a wide range of contractors to help give back this winter, and it’s not too late to get involved.
Each year Search partners with food back charity The Trussell Trust to help less fortunate individuals and families within your projects local communities. We create a bespoke poster to put up around site, arrange a collection date for all the goods you’ve collected and deliver to a local food bank on your behalf.
Please contact Ryan Smith for more information and to get involved – [email protected]Â

The Wellspring Sleep Out
Last month our White Collar Divisional Manager, Sean Collard and the Stockport John Sisk site team spent an evening taking part in a sponsored sleep out in support of The Wellspring Charity, supporting homeless in the local area raising an amazing £2,500.
During the very cold evening the team had the opportunity to speak with individuals who have had their lives turned around with support from the charity, as well as touring their facilities.
Obviously, we know that spending one night without a roof over our heads will in no way give us a full understanding of what it’s really like to be homeless but having the opportunity to support our clients give back, is always a priority for Search.
In other news
Celebrating success at the National REC Awards
Last month our one and only Sarah Edge was nominated for Best Permanent Recruitment Consultant at the National REC Awards. The black-tie event took place in London and was an amazing opportunity to celebrate the success she’s had over the last 12 months.
Sarah is our housing guru and is renowned within the market for her knowledge, loyalty and passion. If you have any requirements within housing or just want to know how the market is looking for next year feel free to get in touch.

Search Solution

We are delighted to welcome a new specialist to our growing White Collar team in Manchester, Evangeline Davies.
Eva will be working solely within the Commercial Permanent space recruiting for Quantity Surveyors at all levels across the Northwest & Yorkshire. This is an opportunity to work with a true specialist who knows the commercial candidate market inside out, offering bespoke support, inside knowledge and exclusivity across all build projects.
At Search, we want to work with you as a trusted recruitment partner to not only deliver top candidates but provide you with market knowledge, salary updates and more from individual specialists. Eva will be a big part of that, so feel free to get in touch to discuss any commercial needs or to discuss what 2023 will look like across the market.Â
Fancy bagging yourself £150 in vouchers?
Check out some of our live jobs below to see if you know someone who might be interested. If so, pass them onto Search and if we go on to place them in a permanent role, you’ll receive £150 in vouchers (T&C apply).
If you want any more information or wish to put someone forward, please complete their details on our referral from here to contact our team.

Senior Design Manager
Senior Design Manager – North West
An amazing opportunity to work with one of the best in the game on a wide range of projects from £15m up-to £150m across healthcare, commercial, residential and more this truly is a once in a lifetime job.

Senior Quantity Surveyor
Senior Quantity Surveyor – Lincolnshire
With an esteemed top 10 global construction firm and tier 1 contractor currently working on large scale education and healthcare projects in the north ranging from £15-30million.

Trainee Quantity Surveyor
Trainee Quantity Surveyor – North West
Working with one of the UK’s most up & coming private housebuilders with a land bank stronger than most of their PLC competitors!


Social Housing
Social Housing