The Construction Industry Council (CIC) 2050 Group has published the results of its national online survey, carried out in February and March 2014, to find out if people are satisfied working in the industry and what inspires them. It sought views on four key themes: Attitudes to the Industry; Progress on Sustainability; Social Media; Innovation.
Over 700 people working in the construction industry took part in the survey, representing a good cross-section of the professions, and including those in facilities management, academia and sales and marketing. The overall response was overwhelmingly positive to working in construction with 83% saying they are proud to work in the industry and 55% believe theirs is an inspiring job.
While the overall response to job satisfaction was positive, the survey highlights a number of areas where improvements could be made. Among these are:
• Attitudes – only 33% are inspired by the achievements of their organisation on diversity; adoption of flexible working practices would ensure the industry continues to appeal to both genders up the career ladder. There is a desire for more extensive collaboration between disciplines in the construction process.
• Sustainability – not enough is being done to improve environmental sustainability and further progress is needed around water and biodiversity. Reuse and refit of existing buildings is seen as important.
• Social media – use of social media could be better and could help with some of the key communication challenges for industry.
• Innovation – materials, ICT and prefabrication provide scope for further innovation. BIM is seen as an important tool for further innovation but not the only domain.
Interestingly but perhaps unsurprisingly, social media and sustainability are two topics that drew significant differences of opinion according to length of time in the industry, with those with less than 10 years experience demanding more from sustainable practices and the role of social media.
The survey report concludes that there are a number of areas that need improvement but the current challenges, including technology and sustainability, present great opportunities for innovation.
On publication Louise Clarke, Chair of the CIC 2050 Group, had this to say: “The CIC 2050 Group survey sought to understand what inspires people currently working in the Industry, to help encourage future recruits into the industry. We were overwhelmed by the response we received and pleased that there was such a positive reaction from people about being proud to work in the industry. The results have provided us with a detailed data source in which some key themes have emerged. The CIC 2050 Group intend to shape its future work around these responses in order to continue to be a voice for people at the early stages of their career.”
Tony Burton, CIC Chairman added: “I congratulate the CIC 2050 Group on this excellent piece of work. As we strive to adopt new working practices, brought about by new technologies and by economic, sustainability and climate change imperatives, we must be receptive to new ideas. This survey has been informed by a broad and deep cross section of the construction industry workforce; it contains important insights; we do well to take note of what it has to say.”
