Ppr Construction Myths

5 common myths about working in the construction industry

opportunities, employment, Construction...

Most people have an idea of what working in the construction industry would be like.  Although we all know that construction involves the planning, design and creation of buildings and infrastructure, we might be surprised to hear how much goes into even the smallest construction project.  There are a plethora of stereotypes surrounding the construction industry, many of which are false.  So, here are five construction industry myths that really need to be debunked. 

1. The construction industry is just for men

Although a high percentage of construction workers are in fact men, this demographic is beginning to change.  The UK construction industry is a diverse arena in which to work.  There are a multitude of different career paths within construction including on-site work, project management, office-based organisational and managerial job roles and more technical architectural and design opportunities. 

The construction industry is also a very youthful environment in which to work.  With youth comes the willingness to embrace new ideas and create a more inclusive working environment.  The construction leaders and experts of today are embracing change, so now is the perfect time to pursue a career in construction regardless of your gender.

2. The construction industry is dangerous and unregulated

This is perhaps the biggest misconception of the construction sector today.  Although certain countries may not be as regulated as others when it comes to construction, in Europe and the UK in particular, the construction industry has one of the most stringent health and safety systems across any industry.  All on-site workers must receive full health and safety training and be fully equipped with all the necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) before site access is allowed.

The construction industry is strictly regulated by Building Regulations.  All construction work must be completed to a high standard to ensure that a safe environment is achieved both during and post-installation.  Construction regulations cover everything from design, transport and logistics to installation, manufacture and environmental awareness.  All components of a construction project including chemicals, hardware and raw materials are subject to the same exacting standards.

3. There is no career progression in construction

Whether you start out as an on-site labourer or office admin assistant, if you want to develop your career, the construction industry is a great place to do this.  This is essentially because many of the construction leaders of today have started off in the same position as you and learned their skills from the ground up. 

This doesn’t mean, however, that the construction industry isn’t a place for graduates and higher learning.  There are many engineering and architectural roles which require a higher level of education.  The great thing about construction is that you will often be given the skills and opportunities to learn during your work through day release courses and apprenticeship opportunities.

4. Construction is outdated and does not embrace modern technology

On the contrary, construction has embraced modern technology and it is now an integral part of every construction project.  From large scale infrastructure projects to house building and renovating, technology influences everything construction related.

Modern housing projects are designed and developed using complex computer modelling software such as Building Information Modelling (BIM).  The latest machinery has been precision engineered in high-tech factories and provides more accurate results for all types of construction work.  The construction industry is even beginning to use virtual reality to visualise the built environment of the future and embracing nanotechnology to develop the next generation of building materials.

5. Construction is destroying the environment

With the current awareness of environmental issues and the UK’s drive to reduce carbon emissions and hit net-zero by 2050, this couldn’t be further from the truth.  Throughout the construction industry, experts are looking for new ways to reduce negative environmental impact and reverse the results of humanity’s industrial development on the planet.

All modern construction projects are subject to strict environmental impact regulations.  Buildings are now designed to optimise energy to create a truly eco-friendly society.  Today’s new towns and developments are obliged to create a percentage of green spaces by planting trees and providing open communal park areas.  Product manufacture is also highly regulated with recycling playing an essential role in all construction projects.

As you can see, the construction industry is a thoroughly forward-thinking sector.  With innovation and initiative, construction leaders are now leading the way towards a fairer, more inclusive and positive working environment.  If you work in the construction industry or you’re interested in finding out if a career in construction is for you, PPR can help.  For more information about our current vacancies or to speak to a member of our team call 01895 80 81 88 or contact us online.