Attracting students to a bright future

This Issue This is a part of the Industry roles feature

By - , Build 102

The future of the construction industry is looking bright but to lift the number of those entering the profession, we need to accentuate the positives to parents and careers advisors as well as students.

The construction industry has not always been successful in attracting the numbers it requires from those making the leap from classroom to career. This is particularly true for those candidates who should progress to future site, project or other management roles in the area of commercial and industrial construction. In the inevitable words of school reports, the sector ‘tries hard but could do better’.

Over the last year or two the numbers have improved, but there is still some way to go. As a consequence, construction companies will continue to make up the shortfall in the medium term by seeking skilled migrants from overseas.

At this time of the year there are many secondary school students who are contemplating going into the workforce but are unsure of their direction. A barrage of information is coming at them from all angles and as an industry we need to have a higher profile and a more polished approach.

Golden opportunities await

To a large extent it seems we have seen the end of the boom-bust days when the construction sector was the first to suffer the consequences of a downturn in the economy. As a result, builders and construction companies are showing their confidence in the future by a willingness to take on more apprentices and construction cadets in all areas. It’s a case of having to, as the volume of activity anticipated over the next decade is high. There is also the worrying effect of an ageing workforce.

So how do we lift the number of those entering construction, both male and female, from those about to embark on a career? We need to use the methods of any good salesperson. After all, not everybody in construction works up to their armpits in cement or debris and any negatives need to be outshone by the positives. More importantly, we must sell this positive message to not only the prospect but to those who influence them, such as careers advisors and parents.

There are golden opportunities available in our industry to those who become trade qualified or who complete diploma and degree courses in construction. However, these are lost on many careers advisors. Often it’s just easier to point the student in other, more familiar directions. Some industry groups are already addressing this problem with one-on-one discussions and other methods; others need to heed the example and follow suit.

Pluses all the way

The career paths for those entering the sector are varied. As well as architecture or engineering, there are opportunities in design, quantity surveying, construction management, project management and facilities construction, to name a few.

The skills and work ethic acquired along the way are recognised and sought after on overseas construction sites. This is another plus for those who will at some stage embark on their OE, and who may eventually bring back additional skills for the benefit of New Zealand. Another major plus, and one that may not be fully realised for historical reasons, is the financial reward across the board (see Table 1). Like any commodity, supply and demand set the benchmark and currently the rewards for those employed in supervisory and management roles in construction are right up there with the other professions.

Spread the good news

As an industry then, we have the right package to attract the quality numbers we require. It is therefore incumbent on us all to get out and spread the good news and, to continue on the sales theme, ask for the order. To borrow the words of a now infamous Australian tourist industry promotion – ‘we’ve got everything you want for your future “so where the b----- hell are you?”’

Table 1: Annual salary ranges for roles in the building and construction industry. 
OccupationSalary range
Leading hand labourer$40,000–55,000
Foreperson$50,000–65,000
Quantity surveyor$35,000–100,000
Project engineer$80,000–95,000
Estimator$30,000–115,000
Project manager$85,000–100,000
Commercial manager$95,000–140,000
Source: Hays 2007 Salary Survey.

Download the PDF

More articles about these topics

Articles are correct at the time of publication but may have since become outdated.

Advertisement

Advertisement