Almost three in ten people say that they are not likely to recommend a career in construction to their children or any other young people, as per a survey done by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
As per the organisation, the present figure of 29.6%, which looks higher than the percentage of people, i.e., 27.7%, who said they would make such a recommendation, goes on to demonstrate the public’s outdated perception of the industry, which is in turn leading to the construction sector in the UK being overlooked as an option to make a career in.
An additional 224,900 people are required in the sector by 2027, but as per the CIOB, there are widespread misconceptions when it comes to pay levels and that the construction roles are overly physical.
More than half of the surveyed individuals, i.e., 57%, perceived average annual earnings to be less than the actual figure, which happened to be almost £36,000 last year as compared to £33,000 across all other industries. Although the average earnings in the economy increased by 15% between 2012 and 2022, the increase for the full time construction position was 24%. According to Caroline Gumble, the CIOB chief, the sector continued to be influenced by an image issue, and the report did highlight how construction was overlooked and even taken for granted at the government level as well as by individuals discovering new career avenues.
As per Gumble, there are indeed massive misconceptions when it comes to earning potential, work conditions, and job prospects, and this is something that the sector has to work out so as to address if the existing shortfall in strength needs to be looked into; otherwise, it will with time become bigger if nothing is taken care of.
She added that without construction workers, including those in administration, IT, planning, management, and frontline trades, there won’t be any new homes or infrastructure, and the economy is surely going to come to a halt.
It is well to be noted that when asked about describing construction jobs, respondents ticked overly physical and dangerous as their answer of choice in the top three. Apparently, people over 55 were the least likely to have a construction career option, and men were more likely to accept it than women as a career choice. CIOB has asked for more to be done so as to put vocational qualifications on a level playing field with the university degree subjects, helping to enhance the reputation of the industry.
Gumble went on to add that, as an industry, they must surely take the lead when it comes to promoting construction as a suitable career with robust career growth as well as financial prospects. However, as per her, the support of education leaders, such as career advisors, is also required to change attitudes, and this has to begin with the government. They would want to see construction be better represented when it comes to schemes as far as promoting STEM careers and vocational qualifications are concerned and be given equal status with university degrees. As per Gumble, the sector has to be promoted as an industry where people make positive differences, elevate their communities, push sustainability, and thereby leave a true legacy.