Building standards verification services - national performance and workforce: annual report 2023-2024

19. Conclusions

19.1.This report provides analysis and supporting commentary on the national picture for building standards verification services in Scotland. A range of data gathered from local authorities has been aggregated and presented to show Scotland level building warrant activity, performance against each KPO and the current and future levels (supply and demand) of the building standards professional workforce.

19.2.Overall, the national picture shows a downturn across the construction sector and the impact of this has been a reduction in building warrant activity and fee income levels in Scotland.

19.3.Performance trends across Scotland have improved since the current measures and targets were introduced in 2017 and performance levels have remained steady throughout 2023-24.

19.4.A key driver for change under the workforce strategy was to consider changes to the demographic profile. There was a forecasted loss of expertise due to retirement of long-serving staff and career moves where individuals choose to leave the building standards profession.

19.5.The analysis of workforce data focuses on the extent to which demand is met by supply into job roles. The overall size of the workforce has decreased between 2023 and 2024 from 598 to 583 (2.5%). The demographic of the workforce in the younger profile shows a decline in the 16-39 age range, so further work is required to address succession planning and the loss of expertise through retirement.

19.6.The new pathway for Modern Apprentices introduced under the workforce strategy has realised benefits to the building standards workforce. The introduction of apprentices is helping to balance the demographic of the workforce and provide long term resilience. A ‘grow your own’ approach supports succession planning by ensuring there are competent individuals working at all levels in the profession. Apprentices can help increase staffing levels in teams where recruitment is difficult or unsuccessful.

19.7.Although the strategy is now delivered, the workforce data allows us to continue measuring the impact of the positive outcomes of the strategy. Key findings are, since the strategy was launched the workforce has increased and the demographic is towards a younger profile.

19.8.An increase in demand for additional staff is expected in the medium term, due to the Futures Board compliance agenda. It is anticipated additional capacity is required to resource inspections as part of the compliance plan approach being introduced from 2026.

19.9.To recognise the resource implication for local authority verifiers, building warrant fees were increased in April 2024, with a further programme of fee increases over the next two years to support service investment.

19.10.Scottish Government will continue to monitor performance levels across Scotland and assess the impact of changes in the workforce and wider policies, including increased fees, professional competency and the compliance agenda.