A powerful message is emerging from within Britain’s construction industry this week: the sector needs people, and it needs them now. A leading professional body has warned that unless action is taken quickly to inspire the next generation of skilled workers, the UK risks falling short of its housing and infrastructure ambitions.
The call comes from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), which has released the second edition of its Attitudes to Construction Careers report during National Careers Week. The findings present a striking contradiction: while young people in the UK largely view construction careers positively, relatively few are actually pursuing them.
For UK workers and young workers considering their future, the construction sector is increasingly positioning itself as a gateway to long-term skilled employment, modern technology-driven careers, and opportunities to “earn while they learn”.
A sector calling for talent
According to the CIOB, a coordinated national recruitment campaign is urgently needed to attract new entrants into the construction workforce. The organisation suggests a strategy similar to the recruitment drives seen in the armed forces or teaching professions.
Such a campaign, they argue, could combine government leadership with support from industry groups such as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). Many organisations already run smaller initiatives aimed at attracting workers, but CIOB believes national alignment could dramatically increase visibility and impact.
David Barnes, head of policy and public affairs at CIOB, highlighted the scale of the challenge.
He said it is deeply concerning that 957,000 young people aged between 16 and 24 in the UK are currently not in education, employment or training. Barnes believes construction could play a major role in reducing those figures.
He explained that a nationwide campaign showcasing the variety and rewards of construction careers could inspire young workers to join the sector while helping deliver the homes and infrastructure the Government has promised.
Positive attitudes but low participation
The report reveals encouraging attitudes towards construction careers among young people, but also a clear disconnect between interest and action.
CIOB surveyed 2,000 young people aged 16–24, repeating a similar study carried out in 2025. The results were revealing.
Two-thirds of young respondents said they hold a positive view of construction careers and high paying trades jobs. In 2026, 66 percent expressed a favourable perception, compared with 68 percent in the previous survey.
However, when asked whether they would consider working in the sector, only around 30 percent said yes.
Researchers believe this gap highlights a major awareness issue. Nearly half of young respondents said construction careers were not discussed in their careers advice while in education. Meanwhile, more than a quarter said they do not believe construction workers roles are accessible to young people.
For the UK workforce, this suggests a significant pipeline problem. Positive perceptions alone are not enough; clear pathways into training and employment must follow.
Misconceptions about modern construction
Barnes also pointed to outdated stereotypes surrounding construction work.
Many people still assume jobs in the industry are limited to physically demanding outdoor labour. In reality, the sector now offers a wide range of professional and technical roles.
These include careers in:
- design
- surveying
- project management
- sustainability and environmental planning
- digital modelling and AI-assisted construction technologies
Interestingly, the survey revealed that technology-driven roles and careers linked to artificial intelligence are particularly attractive to young people and the UK workforce.
Female respondents also showed strong interest in health and safety careers within construction, suggesting that targeted messaging could broaden participation across the workforce.
Parents hold the key
The report also surveyed parents of 16–24-year-olds, uncovering another important insight for recruitment strategies.
More than three quarters of parents said they would support their child pursuing a career in construction.
In fact, over 40 percent said they would prefer their child to “earn while they learn”, reflecting growing concerns about the rising cost of university education and uncertain graduate job prospects.
CIOB says this is a significant opportunity. Parents often have the greatest influence on young people’s career decisions, meaning future campaigns should target families as well as students.
Skills gap threatens building targets
The urgency behind these recommendations is reinforced by wider industry forecasts.
The latest Construction Skills Network report from the CITB estimates that the UK construction sector will require around 240,000 additional workers by 2029 simply to keep pace with growth and meet national housing and infrastructure targets.
Without new skilled workers entering the industry, delays in housing development, infrastructure projects and regeneration schemes could become increasingly likely.
For UK workers, that demand represents a major opportunity. Apprenticeships, skills bootcamps and specialist training programmes are expanding, offering routes into stable careers across the sector.
Building Britain’s workforce
At The Workers Union, the focus remains firmly on supporting UK workers as industries evolve and opportunities emerge.
The construction sector has long been a cornerstone of the UK economy, providing employment across skilled trades, engineering, design and project leadership roles. As the country seeks to address housing shortages and modernise its infrastructure, attracting the next generation of workers will be critical.
For young workers, the message from industry leaders is becoming clearer: construction offers far more than traditional building roles. It represents a diverse, technology-driven sector with real prospects for career progression, stability and pride in shaping the nation’s future.
With the right awareness campaigns, training pathways and industry collaboration, the sector may yet succeed in converting interest into action.
And if that happens, Britain’s next generation of builders, designers and engineers could play a vital role in delivering the homes and infrastructure the country urgently needs.
