Every year, thousands of young people have to make some of the most important decisions of their lives based on their exam results.

Years of dedication, learning and determination come down to a set of grades that will help shape their future  and, ultimately, influence their careers.

While exam results are not the sole measure of potential, they play an important role in determining access to post-16 pathways, including sixth forms, further education colleges, technical qualifications and apprenticeships.

The construction sector continues to evolve through digital innovation, sustainability and modern methods of construction.

As school leavers contemplate their future, questions remain: how many will actually consider a career in construction? Are such careers even on their radar? And will girls be given the same encouragement to think about a career in housebuilding as boys?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, the industry should take notice. Every young person who fails to see construction or housebuilding as a realistic career choice represents potential talent that may be lost to other sectors. At a time of growing skills shortages, the industry cannot afford to overlook the next generation.

This is particularly true of young women, who remain significantly underrepresented across much of the industry, with women currently making up just 16 per cent of the construction workforce, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Will construction win over the Class of 2026?

Last year, we conducted a poll of 1,000 teenagers, aged 13 to 17 and their parents which revealed that, in terms of industries, construction (54 per cent), childcare (49 per cent) and beauty (49 per cent) were most associated with a specific gender.

Trades were still typically considered to be for men, including bricklayers (59 per cent), plumbers (59 per cent) and electricians (53 per cent). While hairdressers (58 per cent), childminders (53 per cent) and receptionists (52 per cent) were dominated by women.

Our research also found that despite 47 per cent viewing engineers as typically male, 12 per cent of girls had considered it as a career. But more than double the number of boys (15 per cent), compared with just six per cent of girls, had thought about a job as a police officer. A fifth of girls (21 per cent) had considered becoming a teacher, in comparison with just a tenth of boys (nine per cent).

Significantly, 41 per cent did not think enough was being done in general to encourage all genders into all job roles, while three quarters (76 per cent) of the teenagers polled believed their generation was much more accepting of breaking the norm when it came to job roles.

The research also found eight in 10 girls believed they were just as capable, if not more so, of taking on jobs which are typically seen as being for the opposite gender, while 71 per cent of boys felt the same.

Therefore as industries, from manufacturing to logistics to construction, all face significant skills shortages and the talent pipeline continues to shrink, attracting the same traditional candidates is no longer enough. To address the challenge, the industry must broaden its appeal and engage groups that have historically been overlooked while improving gender equality.

What are the blockers stopping young people from going into construction?

Perception appears to play a major role in career decisions when young people consider careers in construction and housebuilding. Our poll revealed that many youngsters had been put off pursuing a career as they were worried they wouldn’t fit in (24 per cent) or they feared they would be outnumbered by people of the opposite sex (16 per cent).

The teenagers’ parents were also polled, revealing 54 per cent felt that there was more acceptance of any gender in any job today than when they were first applying for work.

Typically they felt supportive (60 per cent) and inspired (24 per cent) if their child wanted to seek a career in an industry which was typically seen as being for the opposite gender. But while 46 per cent of mums would feel proud, only 36 per cent of dads would.

Our poll also found that seven per cent of young people said a careers advisor had actively tried to discourage them from pursuing a role seen as belonging to the opposite gender, while six per cent cited a teacher.

Such perceptions take root long before young people begin making career decisions, quietly shaping what they believe is possible. If a girl grows up without seeing construction presented as a viable career, whether at school, at home or in the media, she is far less likely to consider it, regardless of her aptitude or potential to excel in this industry.

Changing the narrative

When discussing careers in construction, it is therefore important to challenge some of the outdated misconceptions that continue to deter young people, particularly women, from considering housebuilding.

One of the most persistent myths is that construction sites are unwelcoming or unsuitable for women. While this perception may have been representative of the industry's past, it no longer represents the reality on many modern sites, where inclusion, diversity and respect are increasingly becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Similarly, the belief that success on a construction site depends on physical strength is outdated. While some trades remain physically demanding, many site-based roles rely far more on technical knowledge, organisation, communication, problem-solving and leadership. From assistant site manager through to project director, the qualities that drive success are the ability to manage people, coordinate complex projects and make informed decisions, not physical strength.

The way forward

Therefore,  the real challenge begins long before recruitment. It starts in classrooms, careers advice sessions and everyday conversations, where aspirations are formed and stereotypes can either be reinforced or dismantled.

If the construction industry wants to attract a broader and more diverse talent pool, it must engage young people early on through programmes such as Pathway CTM, and ensure they can see themselves reflected in the opportunities the sector has to offer.

Community engagement matters too. Inviting families to see what goes into building new homes can open conversations that lead to career consideration. Our poll showed that 59 per cent of respondents said family, parents or siblings had motivated - or could motivate - them in choosing a career. 

Thankfully, there are signs that such discussions are having an impact. At untypical, women now make up 50 per cent of our trainee construction roles, including trainee assistant site managers.

This progress was not achieved by chance. It was the result of purposeful recruitment strategies, meaningful engagement with schools and targeted initiatives designed to broaden participation. It shows that greater gender balance is not merely an ambition; it is an achievable outcome.

We are also seeing growing evidence that diverse teams perform better too. Different perspectives bring new problem-solving approaches, improve site culture and, as we are beginning to see at untypical, may actually change the working environment for the better.

Change must be actively managed. At untypical, this meant we commissioned PPE designed to fit all body shapes and sizes - an apparently small step that is having a meaningful impact on how people feel arriving at work

The business has also joined The 5% Club, supporting efforts to increase the number of people entering the industry through apprenticeships, graduate roles and other ‘earn and learn’ pathways. It also backs initiatives such as the Home Builders Federation’s Women into Homebuilding programme, which helps women build the skills and confidence to pursue careers in site management and other construction roles.

At untypical, we are committed to achieving 50:50 gender parity by 2050. However, this is not something the industry can achieve alone. We need parents, schools, teachers and careers advisers to help reshape perceptions of construction, challenge outdated stereotypes and encourage more young people to see the sector as a place where they can build rewarding and fulfilling careers.

As this year's GCSE students take their first steps towards their future, the construction industry now has a real opportunity to redefine how it is seen by the next generation. Every conversation, career event and role model has the power to influence a young person's ambitions.

If we want a more diverse, innovative and resilient industry tomorrow, we must ensure that every student, regardless of gender, can see construction as a career where they belong. The future of the sector depends not only on the homes we create, but on the people we inspire to build them.

That responsibility belongs to all of us. By working together, across industry, education and communities, we can challenge outdated perceptions, and build the diverse talent pipeline the industry needs to thrive.The next generation is making decisions today, so we need to make sure construction is part of that conversation.

TOP 10 JOB ROLES TEENAGERS TYPICALLY SEE AS FOR MEN:

1. Bricklayer
2. Plumber          
3. Mechanics      
4. Security guard           
5. Electrician      
6. Roofer 
7. Carpenter
8. Firefighter
9. Engineer         
10. Taxi driver       

TOP 10 JOB ROLES TEENAGERS TYPICALLY SEE AS FOR WOMEN: 

1. Hairdresser    
2. Nail technician           
3. Nurse  
4. Childminder   
5. Receptionist
6. Secretary
7. Dental nurse  
8. Care assistant           
9. Cleaner          
10. Personal assistant