Compelling case for construction career

By - , Build 151

Malcolm Fleming, CEO of the New Zealand Institute of Building, says that, with its mixture of technology, design and engineering smarts, now’s the time for the construction industry to lure young talent.

Malcolm Fleming
Malcolm Fleming

WE HAVE BEEN HEARING a lot over the past 3 years about the government’s promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as desirable qualification types.

Government backing STEM

In the lead-up to the 2012 Budget, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce is on record as stating, ‘Government wants to rebalance education towards STEM.’ Since then, we have seen the 2014 Education to Employment initiative that pushes technology courses to institutes of technology and polytechnics.

However, the ultimate STEM uptake lies with the Auckland University of Technology, which opened the on-trend STEM-Tec Centre in 2014.

Certainly, structural and civil engineering have been benefactors of the STEM promotion, but what of the balance of the construction sector? With the rise of building information modelling, construction is an increasingly technological environment.

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Construction ticks all the boxes

Construction not only has the ability to tick the STEM boxes, it does so over a multiple of disciplines and course options. From a 12-month National Certificate to a 5-year Master of Architecture, construction education is extensive in the breadth and width of its entry-point qualifications. Arguably, there is something for everyone.

Is it not now time to promote construction careers for what they are – technology rich, complex and rewarding – as opposed to the outdated view of them as being dirty and unglamorous? It is that time, but first we need to overcome the greatest objection that mums and dads have to their children entering our sector. The concern is that construction is boom and bust with no certainty of a job upon graduation, let alone a fulfilling long-term career.

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Report proves longevity

The third annual edition of the National Construction Pipeline Report in July of this year provides the ammunition we need to overcome the ‘too cyclic’ objection. With $200 billion of construction work forecast for the period 2015 to 2020 and a gradual drop-off from the 2017 peak, we are seeing signs that we have a sustainable industry. It is one that will give our youth confidence that there will be a job for them on graduating with their industry-focused qualification.

OK, so we have an industry that looks a little more sustainable, but why should our youth find construction attractive? It is an easy sell.

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Desirable career

Construction has always been technically complex, provided incredible camaraderie and offered rewarding collaboration. But it also gives its practitioners the joy of being able to mark a career with projects, regardless of the level they contributed at.

Add in the cutting-edge technology now being standardised across the sector, and the construction industry suddenly becomes a very desirable destination for our nation’s bright young things.

With government’s push of STEM qualifications and professions, the timing for construction stakeholders to promote this challenging and rewarding industry of ours has arrived.

Let’s make the most of this opportunity to change the typecast and elevate construction to an industry that youth aspire to be involved with – one in which they can literally change the landscape.

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Malcolm Fleming
Malcolm Fleming

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