fewer than 5,000 young people will start apprenticeships at Level 4 and above. Meaning that apprenticeships will often be left to individual employers and organisations to manage, impacting sectors like construction that rely heavily on apprentices to sustain their workforce.
Across the UK, job vacancies in construction remain high, yet many working-age people struggle to find employment that fits their needs and aspirations. In response, there are efforts to reshape the way careers in construction are perceived and experienced by young people.
Changing perceptions A major factor contributing to the low uptake in the construction sector, as reported by the CITB, is the stigma around construction careers. So much so that they are recognising the importance of changing perceptions, and prioritising messages that resonate with younger audiences when reaching them.
Although there is an interest in construction careers, young people are still reportedly viewing the majority of careers in construction as outdated, labour-intensive, and mostly male-dominated, meaning that the sector faces challenges in turning initial interest into action and attracting and retaining a sufficient workforce.
Considering that many young people are entering the workforce just as AI begins to transform it and traditional industries evolve, recent findings from a report conducted by Curry’s reveal that over 30% of student respondents stated that the emergence of AI influenced their chosen field of study, while 63% believe that AI has improved their chances of career success. When these findings are compared with the recruitment challenges facing the construction industry it becomes clear that integrating AI is essential for construction to attract top talent and be seen as a first-choice career path.
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Evolving job roles Given the vast potential of AI in construction, AI will not only change the way the industry is perceived, but how tasks are performed too. The 2023 World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report found that 23% of today’s jobs will change, and that 44% of workers’ core skills are expected to change from 2023-2027.
Construction roles will also adapt to technological developments. They will shift from being hands-on labour into supervisory roles, where, instead of performing traditional manual tasks, workers will focus on checking and validating AI-driven work and processes. These new roles will require a certain level of digital skill, creating future workforces that are capable of managing advanced technologies in real-world settings.
Envisioning the future Like many other industries before it, as construction onboards more and more AI processes, the way the industry is perceived by young people will be challenged. The introduction of cutting-edge technologies will not only make it more appealing to tech-forward individuals, but offer more openings for AI-related fields in the construction industry.
As construction roles become more dynamic and technology-driven, the industry has the potential to attract a younger demographic interested in working on the front lines of innovation and digital transformation, helping to change the narrative from a more traditional career choice, to one that is evolving and adapting to our ever- changing world and societies.
www.watts.co.uk TOMORROW’S FM | 21
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