Building services are one of the components of the built environment, but often sadly invisible in relation to its importance. The field is full of wonderful experts and specialists: now more than ever we need them to tell us what kind of expertise really exists behind the walls. If the expertise remains hidden, the people who maintain and develop the field also easily remain hidden.
Communication is one way to increase the visibility of the importance and expertise of the field. Communication is not just about conveying information, but a concrete way to influence the attractiveness of building services, attract new experts and keep current ones in the field.
The image of the industry is often formed by how it is seen around us. If, for example, a young person is wondering whether they could find a career in the building services industry, they will look for information on social media (and the internet). And they will find good stories there, both in companies' career stories and student videos, as well as on websites such as lvi-ala.fi and rakennusalalle.fi. Stories lower the threshold for entering the industry, they make people in the industry approachable and relatable.
We all want to be proud of our work and be recognized for our expertise. When building services experts share their work in their own voices – on blogs, podcasts, Instagram and even Tik Tok – they not only promote their own visibility, but also create a culture in the industry where expertise is visible and matters.
Communication doesn't have to be perfect, but it does have to be genuine. The most engaging content comes from, for example, a plumber thinking about how he solved a tricky situation on the job site, a foreman thinking about scheduling, and a project manager talking about the most memorable moments of a project.
Bringing experts to the fore is a practical communication act that builds the image of the industry, strengthens team spirit and increases pride in one's own work. But expertise does not emerge by chance. A culture is needed in which communication is seen as part of the profession, not as extra work. The role of communication is to create space and opportunities in the organization for bringing experts to the fore. In practice, this means, for example, sparring, easy-to-use communication templates, encouraging examples or highlighting successes and insights in internal workplace channels.
For our industry to continue to attract talent in the future, we need to show what we really do here. All of these stories are not just social media content – they build a picture of the entire building services industry. They show that meaningful work is being done here.
So let's highlight the expertise in building services. Every shared story, image or experience can be the spark that makes someone interested, apply or stay in this field.
Pipsa Hiltunen
Communications Manager
pipsa.hiltunen@lvi-tu.fi + 358 40 028 7939LVI-Tekniset Urakoitsijat ry
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