Wates Group chairman James Wates, who stepped down as CITB chair this month, said it would demonstrate to people launching their career “what an exciting and important industry” construction is.
Almost a fifth of those working in construction are aged over 55 and the guide aims to make it as easy as possible for employers to provide work experience placements that provide a stepping stone into work or training.
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The industry is expected to need to fill around 24,000 new vacancies set to be created over the next five years, as construction grows by an estimated 1.3%.
Produced in collaboration with Build UK and Class of Your Own, the guide offers advice on tailoring placements for school age students, interns and career changers, as well as examples of good practice in the industry.
Minister for employment Alok Sharma said: “Construction is a hugely important sector adding £138bn a year to the economy and employing 3.1 million people.
“It’s an industry full of opportunity for a new generation – but they have to know about it and be excited about a career there if they are to make the most of what it has to offer.
“That’s exactly where work experience comes in, providing a stepping stone into the industry and a launch pad for the new generation.”
Suzannah Nichol MBE chief executive of Build UK, who started out on a work experience placement, said: “I am testament to the fact that work experience really can make a difference and it is up to each and every one of us to hold out our hand to the next generation of construction workers and show them just what they can achieve if they come and join us.
“The guidance we have published should give employers across the industry, both small and large, the information and confidence to offer more people valuable work experience and the opportunity to fall in love with a career in construction.”
Wates Group chairman James Wates said: “Construction is in a war for talent, and offering work experience is a great way to actively reach out to those looking to launch their careers, or those looking to make a career change, and show them what an exciting and important industry we work in.”
The guide has been published following the launch in November last year of the government’s sector deal for construction, which is worth £170m in government investment to boost the skills of current workers and help retrain workers, alongside a new national retraining scheme.
