Mind the Gap! Why Construction is Losing Talent & What We Must Do

The construction industry has a big problem. Not due to a lack of projects, but a lack of people. The skills gap is widening, and unless we take meaningful action, we’re heading towards a workforce shortage that will stunt growth, innovation, and sustainability in the sector.

I recently attended an event hosted by WISH South East on how we can bridge this gap, and it reinforced what many of us already know: we have a dual problem—how we operate as an industry and how education steers young people.

Why Is There a Skills Shortage in Construction?

There’s no single reason. It’s a combination of outdated education models, lack of exposure to construction careers, narrow recruitment strategies, and an image problem that still paints the sector as muddy boots and hard hats instead of high-tech, dynamic, and future-focused.

1. Education Is Stuck in the Past

We’re still pushing young people through an education system designed for an era that no longer exists. Schools prioritise university as the gold standard, while apprenticeships and trade careers are seen as a "backup" plan.

Young people are not aware of the vast opportunities in construction. Why aren’t we showcasing the fact that they could be part of:

The next Wembley Stadium or the redevelopment of Manchester United’s new stadium
The team bringing hyperloop transport to the UK
A cutting-edge Passivhaus sustainable skyscraper
The regeneration of entire smart cities with AI-powered infrastructure

If they knew that construction meant shaping the world they live in, would they be more interested? Absolutely.

2. Parents & Teachers: The Hidden Gatekeepers

We can deliver as many school STEM sessions as we want, but if a child goes home to a parent who believes university is the only path to success, or a teacher who doesn’t understand how to nurture practical skills, that spark dies.

I was once a young teacher in Manchester, and I wouldn’t have known how to guide a student passionate about carpentry. I would have encouraged them to focus on exams and get into university—not because I didn’t care, but because I simply didn’t know any better.

We must engage with parents, educators, and career advisers as much as young people. Until we shift perceptions at home and in schools, we’ll keep losing potential talent.

3. Construction Recruitment: Playing It Safe & Losing Out

Let’s be honest—recruitment in construction is stale. Most companies:

Use the same recruitment agencies
Hire from within the industry
Prioritise "proven experience" over potential

And then we wonder why we struggle with diversity and fresh ideas. What if we looked outside construction? During COVID, thousands of skilled professionals lost jobs. Many of them had transferable skills in project management, logistics, and problem-solving.

Where are these people now? Likely in industries that recognised their value.

Construction needs to stop playing it safe. We need to train and reskill people from different sectors, actively recruit career changers, and break out of the “experience-first” hiring mindset.

4. Branding & Messaging – Why Aren’t We on TikTok?

The industry still shies away from modern branding. If we want to attract young talent, we need to be where they are—on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Imagine a TikTok series following an apprentice as they build a sustainable house. Or an Instagram campaign showing the journey of a female crane operator. This is how you engage Gen Z—visually, dynamically, and authentically.

So, How Do We Fix This?

Education Reform: Schools must showcase construction as an exciting, future-proof career
Parental Engagement: Industry leaders must educate parents about modern construction careers
Diverse Recruitment: Stop hiring “the usual way” and bring in fresh talent from other industries
Better Branding: Use social media and storytelling to make construction appealing

The skills gap isn’t going to close itself. It’s up to us to modernise, rethink, and disrupt.

If you like this article, you may also like this on how we can further tackle the skills shortage.