Why 68% Wouldn’t Join Construction – and What We Can Do About It

The skills gap isn’t just a pipeline problem. It’s a perception problem.

At Poole Dick’s recent Question Time event, the conversation kicked off with some uncomfortable but necessary truths, courtesy of Ryan Jones from SLG and Deconstruction.

Drawing on fresh YouGov data, he shared a stark statistic:

68% of the UK public would not consider a career in the construction industry.

Among young people still in full-time education, that figure jumps to 81%.

So what’s going wrong?

It’s not the industry’s lack of opportunity or innovation. The room that day was filled with professionals shaping city skylines, delivering net-zero targets, and leading digital transformation. But that’s not the image the wider public sees. They see hard hats, muddy boots, and the misconception that construction is a low-skilled, low-prestige, and, at worst, unsafe profession.

The good news?

That image can be changed. Ryan’s research uncovered something hopeful. While most people wouldn’t consider
construction for themselves, 51% said they would recommend it to a young person. That suggests a pool of quiet advocates — people who understand the industry’s importance, even if they don’t fully understand its scope. But they need the language, stories, and confidence to speak up.

And that’s where our work begins.

From Awareness to Action

Throughout the panel discussion, the message was clear: the perception of the industry is everyone’s responsibility. It’s about showing the breadth of what we do, not just building sites, but the planning, digital engineering, sustainability, and social impact.

It’s about reaching earlier. Chris Fletcher from the GM Chamber shared that by the time students are picking GCSEs, many career pathways are already narrowing. The industry needs to engage not just at secondary school, but in primary education, when curiosity is still wide open. And it’s about speaking directly to parents and educators, the gatekeepers of career decisions. We need to show them that the sector is evolving — and fast.

So what do we do next?

 Tell better stories – Highlight the diverse roles, modern environments, and career pathways. Think digital engineers, carbon analysts, modular manufacturing specialists.

 Show, don’t just say – Site visits, real-world case studies, and experience weeks like Eric Wright’s “WowEx” initiative show young people the sector in action.

 Get personal – Let professionals at all levels share their real journeys. Let’s stop talking about the industry and start talking about the people in it.

 Align our message – Right now, every organisation does a bit of outreach. Imagine the power of a unified message, underpinned by data and shared resources.

It’s not too late to change the narrative. But the clock is ticking. The construction industry doesn’t just build infrastructure — it builds futures.

Let’s make sure the next generation sees one for themselves in it.

To discuss this or any points raised within, contact the Poole Dick Team on Bury 0161 447 8500 or Stoke 01782 443 030

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