Professor Ashley Wheaton supports call for national campaign to boost construction careers

Posted on: 5 March, 2026

A national recruitment campaign is needed to boost construction careers if the UK is to close its widening skills gap and deliver on ambitious housing targets, according to a new report from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Published to coincide with National Careers Week, the report, Attitudes to Construction Careers’, highlights a paradox within the sector: interest among young people is relatively strong, yet many remain unsure how to enter the industry.

Professor Ashley Wheaton, Vice Chancellor of the University of the Built Environment, welcomed the report, praising its “renewed focus” on the “varied and rewarding careers on offer across the UK construction sector”.

Latest figures show that 957,000 young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training.

Positive views but limited uptake

CIOB’s survey of 2,000 young people aged 16 to 24 found that 66% hold a positive view of construction careers, but only 30% would consider working in the sector. Almost half (45%) said construction careers were not included in the advice they received at school, while 26% do not believe the industry is accessible to young people.

At the same time, parents appear increasingly open to alternative pathways into the profession. Research found that 75% of parents would support their child pursuing a career in construction, while 42% said they would prefer an ‘earn while you learn’ route over university.

National recruitment campaign

The report argues that a national recruitment campaign, coordinated by the Government and supported by industry bodies, could help convert interest into real career choices. It could mirror successful campaigns used by sectors such as teaching and the armed forces.

David Barnes, head of policy and public affairs at CIOB, said:

“A national campaign showcasing the exciting and rewarding careers available in construction would inspire some to join the sector and help deliver the new homes and infrastructure the Government has committed to.”

He warned that stronger engagement is urgently needed to address both unemployment and industry shortages.

“It is hugely concerning that 957,000 young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training,” he said.

Convert ‘interest into opportunity’

The report also highlights a lack of awareness about recent government initiatives designed to address the skills gap. Only around a quarter of young people surveyed were aware of programmes such as Homebuilding Skills Hubs and Construction Skills Bootcamps, with awareness even lower among parents.

According to Construction Industry Training Board forecasts, around 240,000 additional workers will be required by 2029 to meet sector demand.

Josh Nicholson, Head of Housing and Communities, Centre for Social Justice, said the findings underline the need for stronger pathways into the industry:

“Young people are ready, willing and keen to work in construction, but more must be done to convert interest into opportunity.”

Embark on a ‘rewarding career’

Professor Wheaton said: “There is a very clear need to reduce the overall skills gap if our industry is to deliver on the Government’s housing and infrastructure ambitions.

“There are so many rewarding careers across the built environment industry, which employs some 3.8 million people in the UK.

“I would urge us to also show off all of the many and varied roles involved in delivery across the wide range of technical and professional disciplines, in encouraging people to join our industry.”

Mr Barnes said: “The construction sector is crying out for talented people and can offer opportunities in a vast range of roles including design, surveying, project management and sustainability alongside the frontline trades.

“Many roles now use AI and other innovative technology, and our survey of 2,000 young people shows these are strong areas of interest for them, while we also saw a strong preference towards health and safety careers from female respondents.

“Unfortunately, however, too many people are unaware such jobs exist within construction and the misconception that all roles are physically demanding and involve lots of time working outdoors are sadly still rife.”

To discover the wide range of careers shaping the built environment, explore the undergraduate, postgraduate, and apprenticeship programmes offered by the University of the Built Environment here.