What Does Brexit Mean For The Construction Industry (And How Does It Help You)?

The much talked about £2 billion regeneration scheme for Harringay, North London has promised new jobs for the area. However, with Brexit looming around the corner, some concerns have been raised within the construction industry. Many leading experts have predicted that once the UK leaves the EU, the UK construction sector may be short staffed. At the moment, the construction industry is heavily relied upon foreign labour. And with Brexit, regardless of what route we will take after the snap general election that has been announced for 8th June, large construction projects like the one in Harringay and across the UK could struggle to complete on time. But there is another way to look at this. If there is going to be a skills shortage in the UK due to Brexit, that would mean there will be a demand for staff. And that means more job opportunities for you. But you may think the construction industry is just not right for you. And it is understandable why you might think that way. But I actually beg to differ. Working in the construction industry has a number of benefits. And to help you decide if this sector is right for you, I have listed down 4 great reasons on why you should consider working in the construction industry:

1. It Has The Happiest WorkForce

According to The Fast Company, the construction industry is actually one of the happiest places to work in. The industry is keen on ensuring there is a strong emphasis on building strong relations with work colleagues. And this does make a great deal of sense. One of main factors that sustained my job satisfaction in my career was my work colleagues. If I can have a strong working relationship with my work colleagues, then I am more likely to enjoy going to work. Your work colleagues are the people you see every day. And if you don't like your work colleagues, then it is going to be very difficult for you to enjoy your job.

2. The UK's Construction Sector Is The Safest Across Europe

Another reason why the UK construction industry is a great place to work in is because of significant improvements it has made in health and safety. You have to remember, the construction site is one of the hazardous places to work in. In 1995, the Construction Institute Training Board (CITB) launched the Construction Skills Certicate Scheme (CSCS) card. The CSCS card is an assessment based qualification that shows you have the necessary knowledge of health and safety of working in a construction environment. Since its introduction in 1995, the number of reported incidents has significantly reduced. And it made the UK the safest construction sector across Europe. It even gained a public vote of confidence as well.

3. Career Progression

The construction industry can be seen as a dead-end job. But again, this is another myth. There is clear career progression within the industry. A construction labourer is the entry level position in this sector. But if you're willing work hard and you want to succeed, then you can progress in this sector. There are many routes that you can take. You can either specialise in a particular skill, whether that may be joinery, bricklaying, plastering or roofing. And once you have mastered your craft, you can either go into teaching, mentoring or even managing/supervising. The opportunities in construction are extremely diverse, challenging and exciting.

4. Building a Community

As an individual who works in the construction sector, you're essentially helping to build the foundations of a strong community. You'll be involved in building schools, hospitals, houses, and shopping centres. With these buildings, it would be very hard to build a community. Many construction workers have expressed a sense of giving something back to the community. And a sense of accomplishment too. A skills shortage shouldn't be seen as a disadvantage, it should be seen as an opportunity. Hopefully this article has convinced you to explore the construction industry for a possible lucrative career. Here at The Learning Station, we have helped many people in Haringey and the surrounding get their CSCS cards. If you're interested to pursue a career in the construction industry, then why don't you explore our courses and enrol with us. Featured image: Pexels
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