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Rachel Morris is a 27-year-old sales negotiator and joined Lovell four years ago.

Sam Duffy has worked for Lovell for three-and-a-half years as a quantity surveyor. He is 28 years old.

Robbie Ashcroft is a 33-year-old site manager who has worked for Lovell since he left school 17 years ago.

Has your career in construction so far lived up to the expectations you had of the industry before you joined?

Rachel Morris When I joined as a trainee I thought I’d sit at a desk and just tell people what homes they could choose from. But my job is far more involved than that. I’ve had to learn how homes are built – and what with. It’s been a far more absorbing experience than I imagined it would be.

Sam Duffy The amount of training that employers are prepared to put you through has exceeded my expectations. I’m starting a part-time degree course in surveying in September – Lovell was more than happy to sponsor me. It means you can keep progressing your career.

What changes have you noticed since you joined the industry?

RM There have been lots. Customers are now far more knowledgeable about the industry and want to know technical details, for example, whether a house is made from block brick or timber frame. Their expectations have increased and they want a quality product for their money.

Robbie Ashcroft Ten years ago people used to shout at subcontractors and tradesmen and there was something of a master/servant relationship between them and us. But that’s changed. Now there’s a lot more respect on site for these people – and so there should be. The vast majority are good, honest workers.

SD I think the fact that health and safety has become such a priority has made people think more about the way they behave on site.

RM And you don’t get any wolf whistles these days. There seems to be more consideration all round.

What, if anything, stresses you out about the industry?

SD The lack of good tradespeople. We employ a subcontractor because we know they’re good, but they in turn, have a shortage of good people to call on. It’s a good thing that companies like Lovell take on apprentices to try and sort the problem – but you can’t have too many apprentices on site. There still need to be more kids choosing to learn a trade at college.

RM Yes, too many kids still think that construction’s all about getting wet and muddy. Of course, that is part of it but the message that it’s a well-paid career with lots of opportunities still doesn’t always hit home.

What issues do you think will shape construction in the future?

RA The lack of skilled craftspeople is going to become more of a problem and customers’ expectations are going to carry on increasing. So good customer service is going to become more and more important and the companies that don’t realise this will sink.