For many young people, the first time they seriously think about a career is when they’re on the brink of leaving school and trying to make important decisions about what to do next.
But could giving young people greater exposure to the world of work at an earlier age help them make more informed choices – while also helping industries such as construction address their long-term skills needs? As the Government makes plans to boost work experience and strengthen vocational education, keep reading to find out how these measures could help construction address its skills gap.
Opening the door to the world of work
As part of a new National Mission on Work Experience, the Government is calling on employers to help create an additional 200,000 work experience placements for young people aged 14 to 16.
The ambition forms part of wider plans to give young people more exposure to workplaces during their secondary education, helping them understand different careers before they have to make important choices about their future.
Construction is specifically identified as one of the sectors where employers could provide these opportunities – not least because of the consistent skills shortage faced by the industry in recent years.
Providing work placements gives our industry a valuable opportunity to challenge outdated perceptions that construction is all about on-site jobs. While those practical trades are fundamental to our industry, they are only part of the picture. Behind every successful construction project are people working in quantity surveying, estimating, design, technical roles, project and construction management, health and safety, sustainability, finance and many other areas.
Giving young people an opportunity to see that breadth for themselves could introduce them to careers they may never previously have considered.
More than one route into construction
Alongside the aims around work experience, the Government has also announced plans for new Vocational GCSEs, which will sit alongside traditional GCSEs and replace existing Technical Awards. Building and Construction is among the subjects being considered, with the first new qualifications expected to become available from September 2029.
Meanwhile, apprenticeships, T Levels, further education and degree apprenticeships already provide different routes for people wanting to build careers within the industry.
That choice matters because although university is the right option for many young people, it is not the only route to a successful career. Combining structured learning with practical workplace experience can allow people to gain recognised qualifications while developing the skills, knowledge and confidence that come from actually working within an industry.
From first experience to long-term career
A week of work experience won’t necessarily result in someone deciding immediately that construction is the career for them. However, it can help a young person understand more about the opportunities that exist and give them a realistic glimpse into working life.
They can meet people doing different jobs, ask questions, see how a business operates and start to understand how the subjects and skills they’re developing at school translate into the workplace.
Careers events and employer engagement with schools and colleges can do something similar on a larger scale. And where that initial interest develops, there then needs to be somewhere for it to go – whether that’s college, further training, an apprenticeship, university or direct employment.
In other words, addressing construction’s skills gap isn’t simply about recruiting people when vacancies arise. It’s about developing a pipeline that starts much earlier.
Playing our part at Sheriff
At Sheriff Construction, we’re increasingly looking at how we can contribute to that pipeline.
Over recent months, we’ve welcomed several young people into the business for work experience, giving them an opportunity to spend time with our team and gain a better understanding of some of the careers available within construction.
We’ve also developed a programme of schools and colleges engagement, enabling members of our team to introduce students to careers in areas such as roofing and brickwork and share their own knowledge and experience of working within the industry.
Currently, we have four young people undertaking degree apprenticeships alongside their roles within our office team – three studying Quantity Surveying at different stages of their courses and one studying Construction Management. They’re gaining academic qualifications while simultaneously building practical experience within a working construction business.
For us, these different activities are connected. Whether it’s a first conversation with a student, a work experience placement or supporting someone through several years of an apprenticeship, each provides an opportunity to help someone understand, enter or progress within our industry. Find out more about how we’re supporting and investing in our people HERE.
Building the workforce of the future
There is no single solution to construction’s skills challenge. Government reform and funding can create new routes and opportunities. Schools and colleges can help young people understand their options. Training providers can develop skills. But employers also need to be willing to open their doors and share what the industry has to offer.
What more could the construction industry do to encourage the next generation to consider a career in the sector? Share your thoughts by commenting on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.
12.10.2026
Feature image: Magnific
