25% of workers set to quit construction

A quarter of construction workers are set to quit their jobs this year, according to a survey from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

The report, commissioned on behalf of Foundation Degrees, highlights that more than 40% of those working in construction did not actively choose their profession but drifted into their current job or settled for the position after their attempt to aim higher proved unsuccessful. Almost 30% view their current job as nothing more than a way to pay the bills.

The key finding is that 86% of construction workers actually class themselves as permanent career drifters.

When asked what they considered the greatest barrier to achieving their career goals, employees cited a lack of skills as the principal hurdle.

A spokesman from the DfES' Foundation Degrees division said: "The trend is for people to drift from one job to another, constantly dissatisfied yet lacking the skills to do what they really want. However, it may be that they don't need to move jobs to progress their careers, but rather should consider relevant training [such as foundation degrees]."

National Federation of Builders chief executive Barry Stephens said: "The findings are worrying, but hardly surprising. Construction has long-suffered from a transient workforce.

"What the research does underline is the need for industry to take a long-term view on training and up-skilling the workforce. Employers must respond by raising the bar and implementing comprehensive skills training. This needs to be seen as a long-term investment rather than an overhead."

He continued: "We must ensure that the support provided by the government is used as effectively and efficiently as possible. In general, people are less likely to leave a good employer."

Edmund Nuttall is involved in a pilot scheme at Kingston University for a foundation degree in construction, and director of human resources Graham Medcroft believes there is a close correlation between formal training and staff retention.

"If workers feel they have a formal career path and that their employer is interested in them, then they'll stick with the firm," he said. "We have 150 people doing degree-level qualifications across the country, including the pilot foundation degree at Kingston. Early indications show that the foundation degree is a good course."