How to Attract Gen Z to Construction Careers

Nearly every construction professional knows about the talent gap. It is currently challenging to find the right talent for a job, and it will only get more difficult as Baby Boomers continue to retire.

We are also realizing that millennials are not going to solve this problem. As most of them are entering the workforce now, they’ve chosen their path. And according to one study, nearly two thirds of millennials say they would not even consider a construction job, even for a six-figure salary.

But there is hope for Gen Z to help close the gap. These young people, born between 1996 and 2009, are at a great age to be introduced to the idea of trade work. Here are some things construction professionals should focus on when encouraging members of Gen Z to consider a career in their field.

Shifting Perception About College

Most millennials considered college essential to success. And Gen Z seems to think along those lines, as 84% of them plan to go to college. But you can also frame trade work as a viable option. Construction can be a stable, enriching career that does not require a 4-year degree in many cases.

Focus on the career progression and opportunity for success in the industry when discussing it with young people. This could begin to show them that college is not the only option, especially if they are struggling to find a way to afford it.

Offer an Opportunity to Live Debt-Free

The price of a higher education has skyrocketed. It’s becoming a more prevalent topic, and one that has younger people struggling to find options. Many millennials struggle to buy their own homes or find stable footing because of the college debt they have accumulated through obtaining degrees. With ballooning interest rates, the loans that they needed to take out will follow many of them far into their adult years.

But there’s an option to go right into the work force after high school, meaning that members of Gen Z can begin making money right away instead of going into debt. This can prove to be a lucrative, viable option for a lot of people. They just need to be aware of it.

Paid Apprenticeships and Mentorships

You can help to make this option even more attractive by offering paid apprenticeships and mentoring young talent. If young people in Gen Z know that their skills will be nurtured and that they will be paid while developing them, they see an opportunity for success laid out in front of them.

With this encouragement and vision of success on the table, they will feel more confident and secure in their decision to join the construction industry. This is especially true because 66% of Gen Z members value a job with stability over one they particularly enjoy. They value money and opportunity. So if you show them the benefits of a paid apprenticeship over an unpaid corporate internship they’d likely need to take in another field, you give them a viable alternative.

You can also mention that trades such as construction offer great opportunities to own your own business one day. This is a goal 58% of Gen Z members have.

Active Recruiting

All of this can be communicated by talking directly with the young people of Gen Z, many of whom are still in high school or younger. Through STEM programs, you have an opportunity to reach these budding professionals in seminars and career fairs. Begin changing their perceptions now, and show them that they have options – many of which can be more lucrative than they may think.

If you would like a hand in recruiting talented construction professionals, reach out to one of our expert consultants today. You can also submit a job description here.