Research into careers in construction 2023 to 2024

This research aims to support CITB to explore alternative sources of labour for the construction industry, both now and in the future. Building on previous research it suggests that CITB could widen the pool of potential construction entrants by targeting pre-secondary education pupils who have not yet decided on careers, those in vocational education and training (VET) and adults outside the labour market. It explores the opportunities and challenges for working with four new audience groups:

• Early years – young children aged 3–5 years.
• Primary years – young children aged 5–11 years (covering Key Stage 1 and 2).
• Vocational pathways – potential entrants to construction who are in FE and vocational education and training (all ages, covering established vocational pathways such as City and Guilds and apprenticeships, and newer pathways such as T-levels).
• Outside the labour market – potential entrants to construction who are currently not in the labour market (covers those not in education or training, long-term unemployed, early retirees and those with health issues).

Data analysis suggests that there is an opportunity for construction to recruit from a pool of adults outside of the labour market with construction experience, and from a growing cohort of school leavers over the coming years. The research explored the context and challenges around working with these four groups to make use of these opportunities.

Views and stereotypes about jobs are formed at an early age, both through formal careers-related learning and informal exposure from children’s families and communities. Early career-related interventions can help to broaden horizons and provide equal access to knowledge about a range of careers. While little is known about current and potential careers provision in early years settings, there is a growing acknowledgement of the importance of careers-related learning in primary schools. Construction was highlighted as a sector that young children are interested in and which would benefit from early intervention to address misconceptions and stereotypes held about the sector.

FE and vocational pathways are historically a key route into construction. However, take-up and retention on vocational pathways tends to be low. In part this is due to a longstanding disparity of esteem between vocational and academic pathways. Careers education, information and guidance (CEIAG) supports informed decision making and career entry for those in FE and VET. When engaging with this group CITB and employers should account for the broad range of backgrounds and aspirations among these learners, as well as the fact that many have already specialised in non-construction careers and may be harder to reach.

Adults outside the labour market were the hardest group to research and are likely to be the most difficult for CITB to target. This group are generally referred to as ‘economically inactive’ as they are not in work and either not seeking work or unable to work. This encompasses a range of people with differing needs and circumstances and diverse, complex and individualised barriers to work. Many economically inactive adults are not working with careers services, or other institutions such as the benefits system, so can be hard to identify and access.