In this post, Gyproc Tools discuss the importance of attracting future talent into the construction industry by offering five actionable tips.
1. Removing Industry Preconceptions
In order to attract and retain millennials, construction businesses need to gain a clear understanding of what motivates millennials professionally. As an industry, emphasis on the wealth of opportunity and diversity of job roles is particularly important.
2. Create A Learning Environment
Throughout your organisation’s marketing and recruitment material, highlighting that a career in construction offers a wealth of career advancement and opportunity that takes place in modern and high-tech environments, already positions your company as attractive to young talent.
3. Generate Interest Early
Firstly, it’s vital to ensure that students of all ages, male and female, are informed about all disciplines and opportunities within the construction industry. Young students who are passionate about construction and keen to enter the industry should have the opportunity to make informed educational decisions in order to realise their ambition.
The education sector is improving the increase of awareness in the sector, by using dynamic teaching methods to help bring science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to life. Attracting girls to the industry is a huge priority as they are still scarce in the construction profession despite the career opportunities it offers.
As well as emphasising the importance of STEM to students, male and female, it is just as important that teachers and parents are aware of the importance and benefits that working in construction can bring.
4. Wealth of Career Opportunities
Millennials rank career advancement opportunities and work-life balance as most important to them at work – and with the ever-impending reality of university costs, many young people are becoming aware of the existence of other routes to a successful and rewarding career.
Organisations in the construction industry need to provide these development opportunities to help attract talent from a wider range of social backgrounds. Internships and apprenticeships offer an opportunity to learn whilst earning and can become a huge step to further education later in life. In-house training is offered alongside fully funded qualifications to help employees enhance their formal education. Learning on the job can produce more well-rounded employees, as it requires hard work and commitment. It is therefore up to those currently involved in the construction sector, to spread the word and improve the appreciation of a career that knows no boundaries.
5. Build A Supportive Company Culture
Providing job satisfaction to your organisation’s young workforce begins with building a supportive and nurturing culture in the workplace. With figures suggesting that 76% of millennials rate professional development opportunities as one of the most important elements of company culture, it’s clear that effectively communicating and investing in training for your employees is the key to retaining millennial talent.