Parents Not Keen on Children Going into Construction

A recent ConstructionSkills survey found that only 4% of parents rated construction site manager as the preferred career option for their children. Of those questioned 6% rated civil engineer as their preferred option in a list that included doctor (41%), teacher (11%), policeman (6%) accountant (5%) and pop star (2%).

Only 40% of parents said they would be pleased if their children were interested in working in the construction industry, and a mere 20% believed the construction industry offered the most career opportunities for their children. However, only 8% admitted they would be disappointed if their child was interested in a career in construction.

The survey also pointed to a level of ignorance in parents as to the scale of the industry. Nearly 70% of mothers and 50% of fathers did not know that construction is the UK’s largest employer. A ConstructionSkills report has estimated that 87,600 new recruits will be needed every year from 2007 to 2011.

The research was carried out as part of ConstructionSkills’ “Positive Image” recruitment campaign, which promotes the range of careers on offer in the modern industry.