Why Young People Avoid the Construction Industry: Wages, Work Hours, and Safety Matter

A recent analysis indicates that young people's aversion to the construction industry is closely linked to actual working conditions, including wages, work hours, and safety. To increase the influx of young workers, experts suggest moving beyond promotional efforts to improve working environments and support education, employment, and settlement.

According to a report by the Korea Construction Industry Institute titled 'Perceptions of the Construction Industry Among Young People in Major Countries and Policies for Workforce Influx,' significant gaps exist between young people's perceptions of the construction industry and their actual willingness to work in it, as seen in countries like the United Kingdom and Japan.

The ongoing shortage of young workers in the construction sector has often been attributed to its negative image as a 'difficult, dangerous, and outdated industry.' While efforts have been made to promote the industry's social value and the use of advanced technologies through campaigns and site visits, international examples show that improving perceptions alone does not lead to actual employment.

In the UK, discrepancies have been noted between awareness of the construction industry and understanding of specific job roles. Similarly, in Japan, young people's reluctance to enter the construction field is linked to specific job conditions, such as safety risks, long working hours, travel to job sites, physical labor, and a male-dominated culture.

In response, major countries are expanding policies to support young people's 'entry and settlement' in the industry, moving beyond mere image enhancement. The UK is increasing vocational training and employment pathways to help interested youth transition into actual jobs in construction, while Japan is also working on improving working conditions, including long hours, holidays, and wages, as part of its youth influx policies.

The Korea Construction Industry Institute believes that enhancing the 'attractiveness of the profession' is essential to draw young people into the construction sector. This includes ensuring fair wages, a five-day workweek, a safe working environment, predictable job locations, and career development systems to create conditions for long-term employment.

There is also a need to broaden pathways for young people to gain direct experience in construction and secure employment. This could involve university students and vocational high school students participating in site visits and job experiences that lead to paid internships, practical training, and employment. The use of advanced technologies such as BIM, drones, smart safety measures, and digital twins in job roles should also be actively promoted.

Large construction projects, such as semiconductor and AI data centers, can serve as training grounds for young workers. Rather than limiting hiring to short-term projects, these initiatives should allow workers to build skills and experience on-site, facilitating transitions to other projects or companies after project completion.

The Korea Construction Industry Institute emphasizes the need for policies that not only improve the industry's image but also genuinely enhance job quality and accurately communicate these improvements.