As the construction industry continues to struggle with key skills shortages, one factor cited as a leading cause for this issue is the sector’s failure to attract young talent.
This combined with an ageing workforce — one in five builders being over the age of 50 — means the industry has been left with little choice but to address its inability to appeal to the next generation of talent if it is to meet the ongoing demand for construction output.
Earlier in the year, the Construction Skills Network (CSN) released its 2023 report, which found that an additional 225,000 workers will be required to meet UK construction targets by 2027, once again highlighting the urgent need to shift perceptions of the sector amongst younger generations.
While there is still a long way to go in terms of solving the sizable skills gaps across the industry, there are indications that construction is beginning to appeal to more young people.
Young people seek information on construction careers
According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) there has been an overall increase of 45% when it comes to the number of people seeking information about a career in construction.
Along with this, the CITB reported that of the nearly one million visits to its Go Construct website, one third of these users were under the age of 18. Another positive trend the organisation shared was that 33% of these users were also female, with diversity amongst the workforce another long-standing problem in construction.
Also featured in the CITB performance report was a major uptake in work taster sessions, with 11,020 of these being delivered, far exceeding the organisation’s target of 4,600.
More than 33,000 people started construction apprenticeships last year, a positive sign after this number dipped during the pandemic. However, to meet employers’ needs the CITB estimates this figure needs to be two or three times higher to account for poor completion rates and the loss of older workers.
How can the industry attract more young people?
There is no doubt the construction industry still struggles with something of an image problem. To many, the sector is unlikely to be viewed as a ‘glamorous’ career path, and shifting perceptions is vital for the long term future of the industry.
Highlighting the growing role of technology in construction will almost certainly resonate with younger people. Innovations like 4D modelling, 3D printing and virtual reality have all become increasingly commonplace in the industry over the past few years, and can help shake the stereotypical image of what a construction job looks like.
Along with this, job progression and earning potential, or the very achievable prospect of a person setting up their own business, can all help make a career in construction such a unique and attractive prospect.
A greater focus on mental wellbeing is also key when it comes to attracting young people, as is the reassurance of knowing they’ll be able to achieve a healthy work-life balance. Younger generations are also more likely to want to know where a business stands when it comes to environmental issues and sustainability.
While there are positive indications that perceptions of the industry among young people is slowly shifting, the sheer size of the current skills shortages means the industry must ramp up its efforts rapidly.