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The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has released a report that measures the state of skills in the global surveying profession.  It found that around 90% of surveyors reckon their area of work is being affected by a shortage of appropriately skilled colleagues.

Nearly one-third of respondents describe the shortfall as ‘critical’, warning that it is severely impacting project delivery and productivity. A further two-thirds see the shortage as ‘moderate’ but caution that it could worsen without immediate intervention.

The most acute shortages were reported in building surveying and quantity surveying.

Two-thirds of surveyors cited an ageing workforce and high retirement rates as key causes, noting that new entrants are not arriving fast enough to replace retirees.

More than half of respondents said the shortage is reducing work capacity and output, while two-fifths reported rising costs and over a quarter highlighted a slower pace of innovation across the built environment.

Despite pressures, the survey reveals optimism around technological transformation. Around 60% of respondents were positive about artificial intelligence (AI), recognising its potential to bring efficiencies. Concerns about job security and being ‘overwhelmed’ by technology were rejected by most respondents, particularly among younger surveyors; two-thirds of 17- to 34-year-olds were confident about the profession’s digital future. RICS recently released a separate report on the use of AI in construction, which revealed that while optimism is high, adoption remains low.

Respondents are committed to increased digitalisation and AI use, with many identifying advanced digital skills, data analytics and big data management as top priorities for future training, alongside expertise in decarbonisation and financial management.

When asked about solutions, surveyors pointed to:

• more apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities
• better promotion of surveying careers
• upskilling existing professionals
• stronger collaboration between academia and industry.

RICS acting president Nick Maclean said: “The results speak for themselves – there is an enormous demand for surveyors, and the profession is swiftly advancing with the pace of technological change. These are immense opportunities for both a new generation of surveyors and for existing professionals to upskill across the exciting landscape of technological change.

“Closing the skills gap is a crucial part of delivering the 1.5 million new homes target, as well as the essential infrastructure improvements that the government has committed to in its ten-year strategy. RICS continues to listen and act on the advice of its members, leading the profession into the future.”

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