Exploring vocational guidance and gender in construction

Construction, as an industry with ongoing skills shortages, needs to develop better ways to attract and retain new male and female employees. Career counselors play a pivotal role in providing vocational guidance to young people exploring career options. Career counselors' perceptions of construction as a career for young people were examined. A questionnaire investigated their knowledge of construction, perceptions of the industry being a good vocation for both genders, and the reported frequency with which they directed young people to consider construction. Comparisons using t-tests found career counselors perceived construction to be a better career option for males, and directed males more frequently than females to explore construction careers. Viewing construction as a good career option was a predictor for career counselors directing both genders to a construction career. Unexpectedly personally knowing someone in construction, and having a better self-rated knowledge of construction careers had a positive impact on counselors encouraging young women, but not young men, to consider a construction career. The findings indicate that an educative model, where counselors gain firsthand knowledge from people working in the industry, may counter negative gender stereotypes and encourage more young women to consider a career in construction.