Sector seen as 鈥榦verly physical鈥� and less lucrative than others
Nearly three in 10 people say they would be unlikely to recommend a career in construction to their children or other young people, according to a new survey by the Chartered Institute of 黑洞社区 (CIOB).
The organisation says the figure (29.6%), which is higher than the proportion of people who said they likely would make such a recommendation (27.7%), demonstrates that the public鈥檚 鈥渙utdated鈥� perception of the sector is leading it to be overlooked as a career option.
An extra 224,900 people are needed in the industry by 2027 but according to the CIOB there are widespread misconceptions about pay levels in the sector and construction roles being 鈥渙verly physical鈥�.
More than half of people (57%) perceived average annual earnings to be lower than the true figure, which was around 拢36,000 in 2022, compared with 拢33,000 across all other sectors.
While average earnings across the economy rose 15% between 2012 and 2022, the increase for full-time construction jobs was 24%.
CIOB chief Caroline Gumble said the sector continued to be dogged by had 鈥渁n image problem鈥� and that the report highlighted how construction was 鈥渢aken for granted and overlooked at government level and by individuals who are exploring career options or changing their career path鈥�.
鈥淭here are big misconceptions around earning potential, job prospects and working conditions and this is something the sector needs to work together to address if we鈥檙e to bridge the existing worker shortfall that will over time become bigger if nothing is done,鈥� she said.
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鈥淲ithout construction workers, including those in IT, planning, administration and management, as well as the frontline trades, there can be no new homes or other infrastructure and our economy will grind to a halt.鈥�
When asked to select words describing construction jobs, 鈥渙verly physical鈥� and 鈥渄angerous鈥� were among the top three answers selected by survey respondents.
People over 55 years old were the least likely to have construction careers, while men were more likely to than women.
The CIOB has called for more to be done to put vocational qualifications on a level playing field with university degree courses to help improve the industry鈥檚 reputation.
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Gumble added: 鈥淎s an industry we must take the lead in promoting construction as a viable career with strong financial and career growth prospects, but we also need the support of education leaders, including careers advisors, to change attitudes and this needs to start with government.
鈥淲e want to see construction better represented in schemes to promote STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] careers and vocational qualifications, not just in construction but more widely, given equal esteem with university degrees.
鈥淐onstruction must be promoted as a sector in which people can make a positive difference, drive sustainability, improve their communities and leave a real legacy.鈥濃��
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