Swagger
Gold Member
The image of the modern construction industry is usually a negative one, mired in fraud; negligence; sexism and, most importantly, workplace accidents. I've worked in the built environment in some capacity or other for most of my working life, compounded by my time in the Royal Engineers, and I wouldn't want to work in any other industry. I'm now a private contractor. Most of the people I know regard the construction industry with distain, and a common adage in British society is that if you don't pay attention in school, you'll end-up working on a building site. Now, I'm aware that many find the concept of working on a building site intimidating and potentially very dangerous (which it is), but over the last 10 years or so the construction industry is striving to promote an image of accountability, responsibility and respect, which is embodied in the Considerate Constructors scheme. I'm a fully paid-up member and can often be found espousing their agenda. Registration is also pretty much becoming compulsory across the board.
The reason I've decided to pose this question to you all is because I've recieved an email from the Considerate Constructors asking if I'd like to take part in a careers seminar aimed at children who are about to leave compulsory education. The idea is to paint a positive image of the industry to an age group who are largely unfamiliar with how the built environment operates, and how they could potentially play a part in altering the skyline.
So, given the negative stereotypes that I've listed (which could easily be applied to other industries, especially the military) how would you react if one (or more) of your children came home from a careers seminar and declared that they want to work in the construction industry? And what are your opinions on it in general?
The reason I've decided to pose this question to you all is because I've recieved an email from the Considerate Constructors asking if I'd like to take part in a careers seminar aimed at children who are about to leave compulsory education. The idea is to paint a positive image of the industry to an age group who are largely unfamiliar with how the built environment operates, and how they could potentially play a part in altering the skyline.
So, given the negative stereotypes that I've listed (which could easily be applied to other industries, especially the military) how would you react if one (or more) of your children came home from a careers seminar and declared that they want to work in the construction industry? And what are your opinions on it in general?