The construction sector has slumped to 12th place on the list of top jobs for people aged 22-29, according to data from the Office for National Statistics
The construction sector has fallen from the list of top 10 occupations for young people.
The ONS reported that in 2011 construction ranked seventh in the top 10 jobs for young people aged between 22 and 29.
While the construction sector appears to be dwindling in popularity, the industry can take some solace in the fact that its actual share of employment of the younger generation increased from 2.2% to 2.7%.
The latest ONS data suggests that the industry’s effort to improve its image is slowly starting to pay-off but more industries are doing better in the fight for young talent.
The slump represents the biggest fall for any sector.
Blane Perrotton, managing director of the national property consultancy and surveyors said: “The industry is facing a perfect storm of dwindling interest among young recruits and a steady loss of skills as older and more experienced workers retire.
“Such a chronic skills crisis has forced the industry to rely heavily on labour imported from abroad.
“EU nationals account for a tenth of all construction workers in the UK and a third of builders in London.
“While the spectre of Brexodus remains more of a threat than a reality – for now – the prospect of EU workers leaving or staying away from a post-Brexit UK is truly chilling for an industry that is already struggling to cope because of skills shortages.
“If Brexit shuts off the tap of skilled European workers on which UK construction relies, there’s a real danger we could reach a point where the industry can no longer deliver everything that is asked of it.”
Perrotton added it was more crucial than ever that the construction sector enhanced its efforts to attract young minds and dismiss the negative stereotypes.
