The future of the region’s infrastructure is very much in the hands of our young people. They are the ones who will form the dynamic and talented workforce required to meet the challenges ahead. Infrastructure decisions made today will affect their future.
Yet, far too often, young people are seen as passive recipients of infrastructure schemes, rather than active partners in shaping the future. And with skill shortages across many sectors and disciplines, employers are also struggling to convince the next generation to make a career in infrastructure.
In the latest episode of Beyond Brunel, podcast host, Christopher Ackland talks to apprentices and graduates starting out in infrastructure careers about what needs to change. He’s also joined by Katie Farrell, Assistant Planner at KierBAM JV in Plymouth, and Lou Dawson-Thomas, Head of Apprenticeship Services at AccXel Construction School in Gloucestershire, to discuss how we can ignite the interest of young people in the sector.
As Katie Farrell underlines, something has to be done now to ensure we have the necessary skilled workforce for infrastructure industries to thrive in the future:
“The country doesn’t have enough talent to give the workforce to the jobs that we’ve got going at the moment. It’s a challenge that everyone in the industry is facing. We’ve got an ageing workforce, so there’s a lot of people leaving, retiring out of the industry. We need to bring young people through now.”
Diverse career paths
One of the key areas of discussion is the imperative to educate young people about the diverse career paths within construction and infrastructure. This is echoed by a group of young engineers and apprentices who spoke to Christopher at the recent SWIP conference. They emphasised the need for greater outreach to schools and breaking down barriers that may dissuade young people from considering a career in infrastructure.
Toby Butler, a degree apprentice with Jacobs, based in their Exeter office, said:
“I think a lot of younger people don’t really know what infrastructure is. I think my friends probably still don’t fully understand what I do as a job and I think you just don’t realise the importance of infrastructure in terms of how it affects your life and how much you need to have a say in it.”
Breaking down stereotypes
The episode delves into the challenges faced by young people contemplating a future in infrastructure and the necessity of collaboration between education and industry. The guests stress the need to promote careers in infrastructure by incorporating environmental considerations, especially in the face of the climate crisis.
Katie and Lou underscore the pivotal role of social media and other digital resources in reaching the younger generation and advocate for industry professionals to take an active role in school visits, to provide students with first-hand knowledge about the opportunities in the sector.
Listen now
Tune in to Beyond Brunel to hear conversations about key infrastructure challenges for the region and hear from those coming up with innovative solutions.
All episodes of Beyond Brunel can be accessed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The podcast is supported by ICE South West and produced by Fresh Air Studios in Plymouth.
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