Construction Industry Culture (What Has Changed?)

There's more to construction than hard-hats...

In fact, there are more than two million people in various construction roles, meaning it’s one of the biggest and most diverse sectors in the country!

The Rise of Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Workplace

Employers in construction are drawing on the skills of people from a wide range of backgrounds to make the most of advances in technology and ways of working.

Construction prides itself on its diverse work environment, with workplaces that have become fairer, more inclusive and more respectful. Companies recognise the value of recruiting, nurturing and retaining high-performing staff from all backgrounds.

Diversity and Inclusion Statistics in Construction

The 2022 figures from the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme showed that diversity and inclusion in construction improving, but still reveal areas of concern. The construction workforce now has 13.7% of staff from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds, a rise of 0.4% from the previous year. Nearly 40% of job applications for construction positions are from ethnic minority candidates, so there remains a significant bridge to gap to make diversity in the workplace truly reflective of changes in society.

Work that inspires

Recent research has nevertheless shown that employee satisfaction in the construction industry in the UK is high: 

• 69% of workers in building and construction are happy in their jobs (Source: The Futures Group)
• 71% of construction employees are emotionally committed to their organisation (Source: Culture Amp)

It is therefore important to ensure that people from all backgrounds have access to the construction industry and these kind of inspirational opportunities.

Promoting positive values

Leading industry figures are placing equality at the heart of their business. Employers are looking for ways to create an inclusive workplace in order to attract new talent, ensure staff are happy and committed, and improve productivity. What's more, some of the industry’s biggest customers choose to hire construction companies because they have staff from a wide range of backgrounds.

Look out for firms that have signed up to the following schemes aimed at promoting positive values:

• Be Fair
• Stonewall Diversity Champions
• Opportunity Now

More than ever, construction companies are demanding talent from diverse groups to ensure the industry sees positive changes in working culture for many years to come.

Accessing Architecture

Architecture is the design and development of buildings and environments for society; it affects the entire population and should be inclusive and accessible to all.

Accessing Architecture is a suite of three guides giving practical advice and support for people with disabilities at every stage of their career, from considering an architecture job, progressing through architectural education, and then working to achieve their potential within the profession.

Changing Employee Expectations

Wages

The FIR programme survey shows that there is a pay gap of 8.3% for construction workers from black, Asian and ethnic minorities. The industry must seek to change this and reward employees with the same level of wages, whatever their background.

Flexibility

Staff considering a career in construction need to be encouraged to believe that their employers will be flexible when it comes to aspects of an employee’s background. Being able to observe religious festivals, or offering a more diverse selection of food in a staff canteen, are two examples where a company can show their tolerance and flexibility.