Over the past decade, there has been considerable commentary about how our industry will cope when its senior generation of construction craftsmen and professionals finally hang up their boots.
Alongside this runs the government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this decade. This exacerbates concern for a sector already facing a skills crisis before these targets came to pass.
How are we going to meet this challenge? I am optimistic that we can because the construction industry is a great place to work.
At its best, our industry invests in and nurtures talent who stay with us throughout their career. Meeting the skills challenge ahead means doing more of this, while promoting the quality and variety of construction industry opportunities on offer.
I see up close every day how our industry is innovative, creative, purposeful and rewarding.
Hard measures of construction industry remuneration and career opportunity compare extremely well with most other industries. However, when we look at measures that people increasingly value from work, the construction industry really stands out.
Firstly, and importantly, everyone who works in our industry has something tangible and visual to show for their efforts – whether that is a gleaming new development or a carefully restored older building. Construction site safety, organisation and profile have improved beyond recognition in recent years, with many site hoardings adding variety and interest to their local environment.
Pride of place is a critical part of the process. At Beard, we use our site hoardings (pictured) to highlight construction career opportunities open to people of all ages and from all parts of society. It is particularly satisfying to see our industry support social mobility by offering equal opportunity to school leavers and graduates. Both these groups have a central role to play in the development of our industry and both are equally welcome.
This is why we take steps to inspire young people to consider construction careers by inviting them behind the site hoardings to see how the built environment works. Fifteen schools and more than 200 children took part in our Open Doors week on sites across England earlier this year.
Alongside this, investing in people is a core focus and key to developing and retaining successful teams. From supporting entry level candidates to training senior leaders and providing opportunities for staff to learn from each other every day, this investment helps us to recruit and retain great people in a tough hiring climate.
With technology having an increased role in working life the camaraderie and development of deep personal friendships remains a key component of our industry. I know it’s something hugely valued by those who have developed their careers and wider lives within our industry.
Pleasingly, construction companies are increasingly at the forefront of event sponsorship, sports team coaching and wider community engagement – activities that often benefit the provider as much as the recipient. At Beard, we have taken huge steps in our approach to supporting communities, with social value coordinators leading our charitable, developmental and sustainability work. Together, colleagues raised more than £100,000 for 14 different charities and good causes in 2024. We find team members who participate in community engagement activities see a rise in their own well-being and personal resilience.
And for the entrepreneurial, construction remains a great place to start your own business, with potential for good returns for those who have the right balance of strategy, personal skills and hard graft.
A career in the construction industry can be for everyone. And it’s vital that we make it so if we’re to address the challenges facing the sector and the wider country. So many of those who dip their toes in our industry are very pleasantly surprised.
The national media is full of stories of tremendously well-educated graduates struggling to land their first job. Those graduates should look to construction as a credible option. Those who give it their best will find an industry which helps them to thrive.
Do you have a legal & professional story you want to share with your built environment colleagues and peers? Do you have a comment piece you are keen to write? Is there a legal & professional story you think we should be covering?
Discover:
Why our industry is a great place to work
By
Mark Beard
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Over the past decade, there has been considerable commentary about how our industry will cope when its senior generation of construction craftsmen and professionals finally hang up their boots.
Alongside this runs the government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this decade. This exacerbates concern for a sector already facing a skills crisis before these targets came to pass.
How are we going to meet this challenge? I am optimistic that we can because the construction industry is a great place to work.
At its best, our industry invests in and nurtures talent who stay with us throughout their career. Meeting the skills challenge ahead means doing more of this, while promoting the quality and variety of construction industry opportunities on offer.
I see up close every day how our industry is innovative, creative, purposeful and rewarding.
Hard measures of construction industry remuneration and career opportunity compare extremely well with most other industries. However, when we look at measures that people increasingly value from work, the construction industry really stands out.
Firstly, and importantly, everyone who works in our industry has something tangible and visual to show for their efforts – whether that is a gleaming new development or a carefully restored older building. Construction site safety, organisation and profile have improved beyond recognition in recent years, with many site hoardings adding variety and interest to their local environment.
Pride of place is a critical part of the process. At Beard, we use our site hoardings (pictured) to highlight construction career opportunities open to people of all ages and from all parts of society. It is particularly satisfying to see our industry support social mobility by offering equal opportunity to school leavers and graduates. Both these groups have a central role to play in the development of our industry and both are equally welcome.
This is why we take steps to inspire young people to consider construction careers by inviting them behind the site hoardings to see how the built environment works. Fifteen schools and more than 200 children took part in our Open Doors week on sites across England earlier this year.
Alongside this, investing in people is a core focus and key to developing and retaining successful teams. From supporting entry level candidates to training senior leaders and providing opportunities for staff to learn from each other every day, this investment helps us to recruit and retain great people in a tough hiring climate.
With technology having an increased role in working life the camaraderie and development of deep personal friendships remains a key component of our industry. I know it’s something hugely valued by those who have developed their careers and wider lives within our industry.
Pleasingly, construction companies are increasingly at the forefront of event sponsorship, sports team coaching and wider community engagement – activities that often benefit the provider as much as the recipient. At Beard, we have taken huge steps in our approach to supporting communities, with social value coordinators leading our charitable, developmental and sustainability work. Together, colleagues raised more than £100,000 for 14 different charities and good causes in 2024. We find team members who participate in community engagement activities see a rise in their own well-being and personal resilience.
And for the entrepreneurial, construction remains a great place to start your own business, with potential for good returns for those who have the right balance of strategy, personal skills and hard graft.
A career in the construction industry can be for everyone. And it’s vital that we make it so if we’re to address the challenges facing the sector and the wider country. So many of those who dip their toes in our industry are very pleasantly surprised.
The national media is full of stories of tremendously well-educated graduates struggling to land their first job. Those graduates should look to construction as a credible option. Those who give it their best will find an industry which helps them to thrive.
Mark Beard is chairman of Beard
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