Industry must improve the way it sells itself to help address the skills shortage.
This research into pre-employment interventions found that:
- There is a variety of pre-employment initiatives run by training providers and employers. They are categorised as follows: information, advice and guidance, engagement, skills training and work experience.
- Barriers to the effectiveness of these initiatives include: a lack of promotion of construction in schools, caring responsibilities being a systemic barrier to women entering the industry, logistical issues for some, such as not being able to afford transport.
- A poor public perception of construction was the most significant challenge that the sector is facing.