Labour shortages in construction are at their highest level since 2005, according to the Federation of Master Builders members survey for the second quarter of 2007.
Bricklayers, carpenters and plasterers the trades most in demand, accounting for almost the entire skills shortage.
During the last three months, 53% of FMB members said they had difficulty recruiting, compared to just 40% in the previous three months.
Brian Berry, FMB external affairs director, said the government should think more "about enabling young people to learn a trade for which there is so much demand".
Other findings of the FMB survey: firms reporting delays in supply of building materials rose from 6% to 16%; over 40% of firms report a higher workload; the same numbers expect their workload to increase.
Some 350 FMB members took part in the survey.
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Federation of Master Builders
