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BROADENING THE HORIZONS OF GEN Z BEYOND TECHNICAL ENGINEERING ROLES Figure 6 shows that Gen Z still largely retain an old-fashioned view of the construction sector: that it is predominately challenging, manual labour, often requiring work six days a week and with less financial reward or job security on offer than other industries. The reality is very different. Executives need to work hard to counter this perception by explaining the diversity of roles and opportunities available to graduates entering the construction sector. Our research shows that Gen Z strongly associate a career in construction with competencies such as engineering, health and safety expertise and skilled fieldwork. They are less likely to see the relevance of wider skills such as finance and accounting, data analytics, computer science or legal expertise. Among the students who are most open to consider a career in construction, we see they are most likely to be drawn to project management and construction management roles (55% say they are most interested in these roles), closely followed by site engineers, engineering managers and technology experts. This group is largely comprised of males who are already studying engineering or other scientific disciplines. The task for construction executives is show a broader cohort of students that there are relevant options available to them.
REPOSITIONING THE ESG NARRATIVE FOR CONSTRUCTION Executives in construction need to work hard to reverse Gen Z’s perception that the construction sector has poor ESG credentials relative to other industries. Many students base their understanding on the most visible signs of the construction industry - pollution, noise, waste, and disruption to communities – without a deeper understanding of the positive strides the industry is taking on ESG- related issues. support the transition to net zero carbon emissions For example, our research suggests that most students do not fully understand the work being done to through the construction of new, energy efficient buildings and the retrofitting of older assets to bring them up to contemporary green building standards.
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 04 Closing the gap Aligning the construction industry with Gen Z’s aspirations Proactively altering Gen Z’s perceptions Addressing the construction industry’s image problem 06 Refreshing the industry’s
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
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