In order to support construction growth and account for an ageing workforce, the industry needed an estimated 230,000 new recruits by this year. As such, we urgently need to reignite young people’s interest in construction.
The world of work has changed drastically in recent years, and the construction industry now has to compete with an array of career options that simply didn't exist a generation ago.
A survey of over a thousand 16 to 18-year-olds found that, despite having interests in subjects that would qualify them for futures in the industry, fewer than one in ten of them would consider a career in construction.
Interestingly, the 9% of respondents that were interested in the industry were drawn to the 'excitement' in the field, leading many to believe that this could be the key to attracting more young people to the industry.
The built environment is the second biggest employer in the UK after the NHS and, as such, it offers plentiful opportunities for young people to establish long and varied careers. It is in conveying these opportunities that the construction industry may be falling short.
Part of this may be the underestimation of the importance of digital appeal. From sleep training apps and connected toys to social networks, the lives of young people are inextricably linked to the digital environment. Unfortunately, many of them hear the word 'construction' and immediately think of bricks and mortar. In this new era of construction and engineering technology, it is imperative that young people see how innovative and dynamic the industry could be.
A survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Building found that although young people are more informed, many don’t associate the construction industry with the fascinating stories behind iconic structures. This further highlights a missed opportunity to showcase how interesting construction could be as a career.