Numerous vacancies and disappearing businesses found in RMI sector

by Holly Chapman | 27 Mar 25 | Commercial Landscaping, News

New TrustMark research has found that nearly half (45%) of businesses within the repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) sector have at least one vacancy, whilst 39,000 businesses are at risk of disappearing in the next decade.

The report heard from 1,233 small and micro businesses, which make up 90% of the RMI sector.

Commissioned by Eureka! Research and Oxford Economics, the research found several issues with filing a vacancy. These include paperwork levels, lack of joined up processes to find and fund suitable talent, training, and younger employees’ lack of awareness about potential earnings within the sector.

The report reveals 195,000 skilled tradespeople could fill these vacancies, which would generate £4.1bn in additional gross value added (GVA).

TrustMark is “committed to helping address the chronic skills situation the construction and RMI sectors face,” throughout the report.

Chief executive officer Simon Ayers MBE says:

“We commissioned this research to better understand the challenges faced by the small and micro businesses operating within the RMI sector, around recruitment, training and funding and retention, both of people and knowledge.”

With 44% of the RMI workforce aged 55 or older, Ayers suggests “there is a strong desire for growth” after conducting the research which began in December 2024.

“This sector needs to be prioritised and by working collaboratively across it, the wider industry, associated organisations and government, we can all help to achieve warmer, more comfortable and healthier homes for the UK.”