Everyone in the industry is quick to say the poor image of construction is putting off potential new recruits. Now comes a survey to question this perception. Yes, surveys can often say what the sponsor wants them to, but the one commissioned by the British Industry Awards is worth a look.

The questionnaire, put together by contractor Amec with the Sunday Times and the Work Foundation, tested the perception of the word ‘industry’ amongst 1,000 people, and the results are surprising as they display a genuine generation clash in attitudes towards what is historically considered the grunt end of business.

While the over-45s associated industry with words such as factory, decline, dirt and strike, the under-24s trotted off words such as money, business, booming, computers, success and technology. Other rosy results included more than three quarters of the under-24s believing British industry is doing better than 30 years ago, and 42% saying jobs in industry are either very or quite good.

Industry is now more associated with IT than factories among 20-somethings, according to the survey. Whether this positive feel for industry converts to them actually seeking a career in it is the question employers will be asking. But it’s certainly a start, and a sign the very thing many appear to see as a weakness about construction, that it is an old-fashioned ‘industry’, could in fact be used by those promoting it as a strength.

Schadenfreude – surely not

So, the National Audit Office, the scourge of ministers and civil servants who cock up construction projects, is planning one of its own. I’m sure all the government departments given a grilling by the NAO in recent years will be wishing the NAO all the best of luck with its £77m scheme. Or will there be a whiff of schadenfreude if the whole thing goes pear-shaped?

Source

QS News