Building the future: why the government must invest in young talent to hit housing targets
The UK government’s ambitious target of delivering 1.5m homes and major national infrastructure projects is at serious risk unless more is done to encourage young people into the construction sector.
This is not just a challenge – it is an opportunity. Research from our latest report shows young people are interested in construction careers, but a lack of visibility and accessibility is preventing them from joining the industry.
With the right investment and policy changes, we believe the government can take advantage of this newly discovered enthusiasm to build a strong, skilled workforce capable of meeting national construction demands.
The report, released during National Careers Week, highlights the urgent need to attract young talent into the sector. A survey of 2,000 young people found 68 per cent of people aged between 16 and 24 have a positive view of construction careers, and around 31 per cent would consider working in the sector.
However, almost half (47 per cent) reported that construction was not included in the careers advice they received in school, and over a quarter (28 per cent) believe careers in construction are not accessible to young people.
Parents, too, are largely supportive of their children entering the industry. A similar survey of parents of 16-to 24-year-olds found 79 per cent would back their child pursuing a career in construction, while only 6 per cent would be unsupportive.
Meanwhile, 43 per cent of parents expressed a preference for their child to “earn while they learn” rather than attend university, reflecting ongoing concerns over the rising costs of higher education and limited graduate job prospects available.
CIOB understands the government’s recent reforms to some apprenticeships are a step in the right direction. However, if key roles such as site managers, skilled trades, designers and surveyors are absent from careers advice in schools, we believe young people will continue to overlook these opportunities.
Without a steady pipeline of new talent, the industry will struggle to deliver the scale of housing and infrastructure development required, worsening the existing skills shortages.
Our challenge to the government is simple: if it is serious about delivering safe, warm homes and modern infrastructure, it must act now to strengthen the construction workforce. Two-thirds of young people we surveyed view the sector positively, but if they are not introduced to construction as a viable career option while in education, we cannot expect them to take up opportunities in the field.
Careers advisors and employers both have a responsibility to promote construction as a dynamic and rewarding career path. The government’s role is to link its national ambitions for infrastructure with job creation, particularly as this is both a local and national challenge.
One potential solution is the introduction of a dedicated Built Environment GCSE, as already seen in Wales and Northern Ireland, which we believe would generate interest and better showcase the wide range of roles available in the industry. That, of course, includes non-site-based and technology-driven careers.
The survey data indicates strong support for this initiative, with 53 per cent of young people stating they would be interested in studying a Built Environment GCSE, while 64 per cent of parents said they would encourage their children to take the subject if it were available.
Perceptions of the construction sector are also shifting in encouraging ways. When asked to describe construction roles, young people most commonly chose “highly skilled” and “professional,” alongside “working on building sites” and “careers for men”. Notably, more than one in 10 associated the industry with modern, tech-focused roles and recognised its growing diversity.
We regularly hear inspiring stories from young people starting their construction careers. They love the industry’s versatility, the opportunity to engage with diverse teams, and the satisfaction of seeing tangible results from their work. Many take immense pride in the positive impact they make on communities and society.
The need for new talent is pressing. In 2024, it was estimated that 251,500 additional workers would be required to meet the projected construction output by 2028 – an annual intake of around 50,300 people. Given the government’s ambitious housing and infrastructure plans, this figure is likely to rise even further.
If the government truly wants to meet its housing and infrastructure goals, it must invest in construction careers now. This means embedding construction into school careers advice, supporting apprenticeships, and introducing initiatives like the Built Environment GCSE. The interest among young people is there, but what is missing is the clear pathway to turn that interest into action.
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