Brooks, T and McIlwaine, S (2021) Why does anyone want to work in the UK construction industry? In: Scott, L and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 37th Annual ARCOM Conference, 6-7 September 2021, Online Event, UK.
Abstract
Construction operatives in the United Kingdom work in conditions which are often dangerous, exposed to poor environmental conditions, and subject to unpredictable employment prospects. Entry to the UK construction workforce is falling. Uptake of construction apprenticeships is low, as young people choose to work in industries that are more secure, better paid and where they can work in more forgiving environmental conditions. This prompts the questions: why does anyone want to go into the construction industry in the first place? What factors influence their choice, and what are the activities that give those in construction most job satisfaction? This research aims to answer these questions. Twenty-five interviews with construction operatives were undertaken, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis with qualitative analysis software. The findings show that the respondents joined the construction industry through a combination of family ties and personal connections to the industry, an interest in making things and chance. The respondents enjoy the varied nature of their work, the challenge of solving complex programming and coordination problems, and many cite that they enjoy constantly learning on the job. The experience of handing over a completed building and observing the community benefit that a facility can bring was often cited as a source of great satisfaction. Role models are important to encourage the next generation of construction workers to enter the industry. The findings will equip those tasked with recruiting to the construction industry with information to attract new entrants to the workforce.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | careers advice; recruitment; role models |
| Index terms: | interview, role model, satisfaction, United Kingdom, employment, job satisfaction, apprenticeship, career, thematic analysis, programming, qualitative analysis, construction industry, construction operative, construction worker, environmental conditions, recruitment, coordination |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, sociology, professional education, Geography, methods and analysis, professional development, management, environmental science, project delivery, programming, practitioner, data collection methods, research design and methodology |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Information Management, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Education, Human Resources, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here