According to a recent report by the Construction and Trade Business Institute (CTBI), 10,000 additional workers will be needed over the next five years to meet the demands of the industry.
In order to address the industry’s concerns, we first need to take a look at why this issue exists. There are many reasons why such a problem exists, but here are three that we believe are the key driving factors.
An ageing workforce
A significant number of those working in our industry are close to retirement age, or are ready to transition into the office, although many are choosing to stay on the tools longer than before. According to the CTBI report, the average age of a construction worker in the UK is now over 50, and the rate of retirement is accelerating.
Experience is leaving the industry faster than it can be replaced. This also means that there has not been enough time for that experience to be passed on to the next generation, causing more problems down the line. As well as losing the labour itself, we are rapidly losing crucial industry knowledge and expertise.
Young people won’t choose construction
Unlike years past, the construction industry as a whole is not promoted as a viable career for those leaving school and college at 16 and 17, or as an alternative to university at 18. University has become much more accessible, is promoted by schools, and is viewed as much more desirable for school leavers.
The view on apprenticeships is still outdated. Many young people, and parents, still see them as a secondary option if they fail to get into university. In actuality, they should be placed on an even pedestal.
The industry also has a perception problem. Many young people view construction as “too difficult” or lacking the prestige of other careers such as a traditional office job. This is despite the competitive wages and career advancement opportunities on offer.
Whilst the industry can shift the blame towards schools and colleges for not educating young people on the benefits, we should be doing more to promote construction to young people.
How can we do this? For us, it is all about engagement. Many simply do not know enough about the career paths available after their time on the tools, or even the opportunities available to those going straight into an office-based role.
Too many projects?
Whilst more projects are widely seen as great for the industry, however, it also spreads the workforce way too thin, especially in its current state.
Many workers are attracted by the security and prestige of large infrastructure projects such as Hinckley Point and previously Battersea Power Station and HS2. This puts pressure on smaller businesses to find the workforce to complete projects that are just as important, but also not as well known.
This will in turn cause delays, not only on the bigger projects but also on smaller ones. For example, the CTBI report cites several high-profile projects that have experienced significant setbacks due to labour shortages, including major transportation and housing developments.
How can we solve these issues?
Many different approaches should be taken to combat these issues. Some of which do not lie within the construction industry itself. For example, the education industry can do more to equalise apprenticeships and universities as viable paths after compulsory education.
Here are two ways that we here at Embassy are doing, through our Academy to combat the issue head-on…
More training for existing workers
To ensure we do not lose valuable knowledge from those leaving the trade, we need to ensure that the correct training is put in place for those already in the industry, as well as those just joining.
At Embassy, we hold regular training for our staff, both refresher and new practises to follow. This allows our staff to ask questions, learn more about crucial processes and ensure everyone is aligned throughout the business.
Make construction relatable
To combat the issue of young people not entering the industry. We should be making the industry as relatable as possible. It’s no secret that working in construction is hard. The early mornings and long days can put people off. But attempting to hide this won’t help our cause.
Here at Embassy, we like to promote the fact that it can be hard work, and those who are up to the challenge will reap the rewards. Through our series Embassy Unfiltered, we aim to show the real side of construction to those who probably have no idea how it works
In our latest episode, we speak with Seb, who discusses how those looking to join our industry will be inducted and how they can come to our yard and get a taste of what working at Embassy is really like!
Watch the full interview now on our YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/WxBOIBQIvIs
If you would like to know more about our Academy, and how you can become an apprentice, get in touch with our team – info@embassysiteservices.co.uk