The training and hiring of new construction apprentices has been criticised by the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (Ucatt).
It stated that the methods of recruiting new construction workers are flawed, with a spokesperson from Ucatt stating: "Training and apprenticeships in construction are at a crisis point, the whole system is not working."
Furthermore, the industry must attract other demographics, such as women and ethnic minorities to jobs, to this traditionally male-dominated sector.
"We recognise there should be more women in construction," the spokesperson said, however, he added that this problem is "difficult" to address in the current construction recruitment market.
According to data from the body, women accounted for 1.3 per cent of apprentices in the construction industry during 2006-07.
But in engineering, women are slightly more prominent, making up 2.5 per cent of apprentices in this male-dominated sector.