The GAI is encouraging members to utilise a new early careers platform to help attract the next generation into the sector.
In the wake of official statistics showing that job vacancies in Q3 of this year hit the highest levels since records began, a new survey of young adults looking for work in the UK reveals that just 14% are very confident of finding suitable career opportunities this year and 46% believe that it is harder now to find such opportunities compared to before the pandemic. The research from Talentview Construction (TVC) – an early careers initiative supported by government – suggests a generation of young people who might not get to see the best career options available to them.
It is estimated that the construction industry needs to recruit more than 217,000 new workers between now and 2025 to support its current activity. This demand is only likely to accelerate, as an estimated 500,000 UK-born workers are set to retire in the next 10 years.
Careers advice to young adults is also falling far behind industry needs. Just 16% of respondents to the survey said they had received any information about careers in the built environment when they were at school or college.
TVC was launched at the end of September to help candidates to browse opportunities in construction by signing up to alerts for job and training opportunities and building their own online profile.
Employers can use the site to showcase their business to new recruits and upload their early career vacancies. They can also search for suitable candidates and directly contact students and apprentices, as well as connect with schools, universities
and colleges.
Simon Forrester, chief executive of the GAI, said the GAI will support these initiatives and will use Talentview to promote opportunities available in the door hardware industry.
“The Guild has a long history of attracting, supporting and educating new entrants into our sector. However, very few young people know that careers like this exist. Schemes like Talentview Construction will really help – making it much easier for colleges, employers and young people to make the right connections at the right time, leading to more apprenticeships, traineeships and entry level jobs in construction.
Add vacancies at www.trs-system.co.uk/construction and view opportunities at https://talentview.org/construction
