The survey of 2,000 parents across the UK, carried out by YouGov last week for early careers platform Talentview Construction, has revealed that 84% of parents believe construction skills (such as building, plumbing, electrical and other trades) should be more valued by society.

The research was conducted as part of Talentview Construction’s wider campaign to encourage parents to talk to their children about pursuing a career in construction.

The results also showed that 80% of parents believe an apprenticeship provides better (52%) or equal (28%) value for money compared to a degree.

Construction apprenticeships will play a key role in helping to close the industry skills gap. The latest figures from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimate that 224,900 extra workers will be needed to meet UK construction demand by 2027 as the industry recovers from this year’s expected recession. That equates to 44,980 new workers every year between now and 2027.  

The CITB also reported that in 2021/2022 there were more than 37,000 starts on construction apprenticeships, which – if these numbers stay consistent and all apprentices stay within the industry – could account for 82% of the yearly requirements.

New entrants into the industry – like Ashley Copeland, an apprentice plumber based in London – are using apprenticeships to equip themselves with both the skills and experience they need for a career in construction.

Copeland is currently studying for a Level 3 plumbing and heating apprenticeship, which is a four-year course, while working for mechanical and electrical contractor Kimpton.

“When you do an apprenticeship, you learn from two different spectrums – educational and what happens in the outside world – which gives you get a better experience of learning on the job,” Copeland explained.

“Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship, I’ll be a fully qualified gas engineer. I’ll also be gas registered, which will enable me to start a meaningful career in the industry.

“I’m also a qualified bricklayer and painter and decorator so I’ll have four trades and a wealth of experience under my belt and would like to set up my own business.”

Christian Warden, Engagement Director at Talentview Construction, believes that it isn’t just the responsibility of specialist colleges to promote careers in construction and that more needs to be done to showcase all the available opportunities. 

He explained: “The skills that are acquired through doing an apprenticeship can set someone up for life.

“Construction touches all parts of our lives without people even realising, so we need secondary schools to do more to show students just how many opportunities construction - and apprenticeships - can present them.

“From an industry perspective, the ongoing skills shortage isn’t going to be an easy problem to solve and construction needs to work even harder to encourage people to choose this sector over others.

“Apprenticeships provide a practical solution to bring new talent into the industry as well as opportunities for existing staff to upskill and develop their careers at any age.” 

Talentview Construction is a Government-backed platform, supported by CITB industry levy-funding, that was created to provide a single place for people to find early careers opportunities in construction while helping employers to find the skills they need.

Together with complementary sites like CITB’s Go Construct, Talentview Construction is helping to create a ‘one stop shop’ sector talent hub for the attraction and development of people and skills within construction and the built environment, as part of the Government’s broader support to business on skills.

Since its launch in September 2021, more than 13,200 early careers vacancies have been advertised via the site. 

talentview.org/construction