Government plans to accelerate housebuilding and development of key national infrastructure could fall flat if more isn’t done to entice young people into the construction sector, says a new report.
The report, published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), was released for the start of National Careers Week, yesterday.
A recent survey by CIOB found two thirds (68%) of young people aged between 16 and 24 hold a positive view of construction careers, and around a third (31%) would consider working in the construction sector.
However, almost half (47%) said information about it was not included in the careers advice they received whilst in education. More than a quarter (28%) don’t believe careers in construction are accessible to young people.
A similar survey of parents of 16-24-year-olds showed more than three quarters (79%) would be supportive of their child working in construction, with only six per cent saying they’d be unsupportive. Forty three per cent of parents surveyed said they’d prefer their child to “earn while they learn” instead of going to university, reflecting concerns over the well documented rising costs of university education and lack of graduate opportunities.
CIOB says the government’s recently announced reforms to some apprenticeships is broadly welcome but if construction roles such as site managers, skilled trades, designers, architects and surveyors are excluded from careers advice provided in schools, young people will not take up construction apprenticeships and the skills gap, which is holding back the upturn in construction output the government is demanding, will continue to be a problem.
David Barnes, head of policy and public affairs at CIOB, said: “If government is to realise its ambition to provide safe and warm homes for all and improved infrastructure, more needs to change to bolster the current construction workforce and develop a pipeline of competent people entering the industry.
“Two thirds of the young people we surveyed have a positive view on the construction sector, but too few were seemingly presented with the industry as a career option while in education, which is most likely why we don’t see those positive perceptions translate into young people joining the sector. This shows us careers advisors have a role to play in championing our industry alongside employers who also should be taking every opportunity to positively promote construction careers.
“We also think having a dedicated Built Environment GCSE would help generate interest in the sector and showcase the vast array of roles available, including non-site-based roles and those using modern technology, and our survey shows a high percentage of young people and parents would be in favour of this.”
According to CIOB, more than half of the young people (53%) said they’d be interested in studying a built environment GCSE, while almost two thirds (64%) of parents said they’d encourage their children to take this subject were it to be available.
Perceptions
When asked to choose words to describe construction roles, “highly skilled” and “professional” were among the top four selected by the 2,000 young people with “working on building sites” and “careers for men” being the other two most-preferred options.
However, CIOB said its survey data shows an “encouraging trend” in young people’s perceptions of the industry including more than one in 10 associating the sector with modern tech-focused roles and describing the sector as diverse.
Barnes added: “We regularly hear inspiring stories from young people starting out on their construction journeys and love the versatility of the industry, as well as how it gives them opportunities to engage with a huge range of people from an array of backgrounds.
“They also speak about being able to physically see the end product of their work once a construction project completes, and the immense sense of job satisfaction and personal pride that gives them. They feel they’re genuinely making a positive difference to communities and wider society.”
Image credit: CITB
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