Informations Rapides · 27 April 2021 · n° 107

In April 2021, small building firms have reported an improvement in their activity Quarterly survey of the building crafts sector - April 2021

In April 2021, the opinion of the business managers of small building firms on their activity over the past three months is much better than in January: the balance relating to past activity has bounced back sharply after a pronounced drop in January; it has gone back above his long-term average. The opinion of these business managers on their expected activity for the next three months has also improved: the corresponding balance has recovered and has strengthened its position above its long-term average.

Likewise, the business managers of small building firms are much more confident than in January about the general outlook for the sector: the corresponding balance of opinion, which had changed very little between July 2020 and January 2021, has increased sharply in April.

In April 2021, as many craftsmen as in January 2021 have reported that they had increased their workforce size over the past three months: the corresponding balance of opinion has increased very slightly and remained above its long-term average. The balance relating to the expected change in the workforce size over the next three months has recovered slightly from January 2021 and stands well above its average.

In April 2021, slightly more than one in two business mangers has reported experiencing recruiting problems. This proportion has bounced back after a slight decrease in January; it has moved closer to its level before crisis, well above its long-term average. At the same time, 40% of building craftsmen have indicated training apprentices. This share has been gradually increasing since the low level of July 2020 and stands slightly above its average.