04
pursuing a career in the sector, relative to more attractive industries such as financial services, pharmaceuticals or technology.
Other important perception gaps emerge in the way Gen Z perceive the construction industry:
01 Construction
Navigating the talent crisis 02 Employment growth
The construction sector is bouncing back following difficult years and heavy impact on profits 03 Gen Z Understanding what motivates the workforce of tomorrow Closing the gap Aligning the construction industry with Gen Z’s aspirations 05 Proactively altering Gen Z’s perceptions Addressing the construction industry’s image problem 06 Refreshing the industry’s
Just 40% agree that employees’ mental health, personal relationships and social activities are well managed in the construction industry. Gen Z place high importance on well-being in the workplace. Just 44% agree that there is relatively easy career progression within the construction industry. Gen Z show a strong preference for careers that reward and respect effort through rapid development and progression. Just 57% agree that the construction industry offers job stability, yet this is the third most important criteria for Gen Z when selecting a job.
THE ESG MISALIGNMENT
6 in 10 With among Gen Z rating a career in an industry that positively impacts climate change as highly important to them it is noticeable that students in our survey consider the construction industry to be one of the most environmentally detrimental sectors.
57%
44%
approach to recruitment, retention and diversity
07 Conclusion
BDO’s message to Gen Z Practical lessons for construction executives 08 Countries in focus
Australia Belgium Brazil Canada Latin America The Netherlands New Zealand Norway South Africa USA 09 About BDO’s research 10 How BDO can help
40%
A third of those surveyed (32%) say the construction industry has a net negative
impact on climate. This is second only to the manufacturing and industrial sector, which 43% believe has a net negative impact on the environment. Among students surveyed by BDO just 36% consider real estate and construction to have a net positive impact on climate. Yet is it not just its perceived negative environmental impact that causes Gen Z to turn away from a career in construction. Only
The positive attributes that Gen Z most associate with a career in construction – that it is collaborative and financially rewarding – are of secondary importance to them when evaluating their career options. This suggests that without a fundamental shift in the way Gen Z perceive the construction industry, fewer and fewer graduates will prioritise
45% of those surveyed by BDO believe the construction sector has a positive impact within communities. For this new generation entering the workplace, the belief in the power of work to ‘do good’ is strongly held and they look to potential employers to deliver tangible impact in these areas.
10
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker