Construction companies advised to prepare for Generation Z

Skill shortages are having a detrimental impact on the construction industry with 43 different sectors now experiencing the effects.

Recent results from the Construction News Barometer have shown that 9 out of 10 construction companies are gravely concerned about their lack of skilled staff.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, the number of people completing a construction apprenticeship has havled between 2008 and 2013.

The Government’s push to get young people into university is believed to be contributing to this decline.

Adding to the skills gap further, the Construction Industrial Training Board (CITB) has warned that 29% of construction workers are set to retire within the next 5 to 10 years.

Because of this, CITB and other organisations are urging the construction industry to focus on attracting and recruiting young people who are currently being lost to the universities.

Attracting Generation Z

In order to interest young recruits, construction companies have been advised to take advantage of social media and raise their online profiles.

Twitter and LinkedIn are two examples of online platforms that can be used to reach out to potential employees.

Construction companies must also be prepared to adapt and change to meet Generation Z’s technical expectations. For example, many of the young workers will expect remote working and their own devices to work from.

Creating apps and materials that employees can use and access on their smartphones is also a way for construction companies to modernise.

In addition to meeting the technical requirements of Generation Z, it is also important to offer them a taste of construction work through apprenticeships and voluntary work experience placements.