The CIC 2050 Group
undertook an industry-wide survey (2017) which looked at attitudes and
perceptions towards the construction industry and built environment, to find
out more about the challenges we face and to raise awareness of issues in the
construction industry.
The survey has
reaffirmed amongst other things; that although those in the industry have a
positive impression of working in the industry there is still a huge skills gap
in the construction industry which is largely attributable to the image and
perception of the industry.
Findings included:
- 76% of respondents stating
that they believe they are able to make a positive difference to the
industry.
- 80% of respondents would also
recommend the construction industry as good industry to join.
- 66% in the survey admitted
they didn’t have clear expectations of what working in the industry would
be like.
This is recognised
in the joint government/industry Construction 2025 strategy (published in
2013), which devotes a whole section to improving the sector’s image; and
although there are many excellent industry programmes and schemes in place to
address this, the post Grenfell disaster public perception is now at an
all-time low.
The Grenfell
disaster, very much in the public eye, has further emphasised that there are
deep rooted issues within the industry, and that a cultural shift is
fundamentally required.
Armed with these
results, the CIC2050 Group is stepping up and taking action by working with our
peers to drive cultural change within the industry and to change how the
industry is perceived by young people and by the general public; by developing
a range of initiatives to represent, promote, engage, educate and support young
people in the industry to ensure the construction industry and built
environment is fit for purpose and continues to be a vital player in the UK
economy.
Eoin Burns, CIC 2050
Group representative said of the survey: "The
CIC 2050 Group 2017 survey has been designed to essentially to look to the
future especially in the context of the younger generation entering the built
environment/construction industry as a career.
"This survey
follows on the back of the successful previous CIC 2050 Group Survey, where
this current survey has been streamlined to have a more topical focus on
particular aspects affecting the built environment/construction industry.
"The survey
respondents have garnered both negative and positive findings in which it shall
encourage us to continue to work together to improve our built
environment/construction industry as a career of choice for the younger
generation and make it fit for purpose, playing an essential role in the
British economy and positively impact on the quality of lives of all."
The 2050 Group
comprises dynamic industry young professionals, who represent a wide range of
disciplines across the built environment. The group was established in 2010 to
feed into the Innovation and Growth Team review led by the Construction
Industry Council and Paul Morrell, Chief Construction Advisor to the Government
at the time for further information.
