BUILDERS across the region are being inundated with orders they are struggling to meet because of a shortage of skilled workers.

The Federation of Master Builders' (FMB) State of Trade survey showed that workloads and employment levels were expected to increase during the coming quarter.

But more than eight out of ten builders surveyed in the region reported difficulties recruiting skilled labour.

In terms of growth, building companies nationwide reported that business during the past three months was the strongest it had been since the third quarter of 2001.

In the North-East, 65 per cent of builders reported an increase in workload in the second quarter.

Three-quarters of the region's builders expect workloads to continue to grow in the third quarter of this year, well ahead of the national average of 43 per cent.

While 57 per cent of the region's builders expect to increase the size of their workforce in the third quarter, 82 per cent reported difficulty in finding skilled labour.

Barry Oliver, FMB Northern Counties regional director, said the current labour pool cannot meet the demand.

He said: "It is good to see that business remains brisk for builders in the region and that there is optimism that this will continue in future.

"While this growth is great news for our members and the region's economy, the high percentage of builders reporting difficulties recruiting skilled labour will increase pressure on existing workers and compound an already difficult situation.

"The construction industry desperately needs to attract new blood into the industry to meet the demand and take business out of the hands of cowboy builders."