During the negotiation day between the construction industry RT and Uusimaa's vocational educational institutes, together with RT's member companies, we discussed how the attraction and holding power of the construction industry can be improved in a challenging economic situation. There is light at the end of the tunnel, especially with the opportunities brought by the green transition and digitalization.
This year, the responsibility for the appeal of the annual consultation day between RT and Uusimaa's vocational educational institutions was taken by the unit manager of Työtehoseura TTS Mauri Konttilan under. Taitopalo was also involved in the day's arrangements. Construction industry companies were represented during the morning by the director of Extension Mika Airaksela, Business Director of Const Risto Kivi and GRK's training manager Jere Hänninen. Education policy expert Saku Lehtinen shared RT's greetings and presented a taste of the skills needs report to be published at the beginning of October. The current overview of the ELY center was given by the development manager Elina Korpi.
During the day, there was a lively discussion between representatives of companies and educational institutions about how the retention and attraction of the construction industry can be developed. In the speeches, the new requirements brought by the green transition and digitization and the emphasis on social skills from the perspective of both teamwork skills and readiness for diversity in working life took center stage.
"In the construction industry, a generational change is already underway and we are competing for an increasingly diverse workforce among different industries. Neighbors and parents still play an important role in young people's career choice," stated RT's regional manager of the Uusmaan district of the Building Construction Industry Diana Råman.
The morning's speeches culminated in a panel discussion, where Risto Kivi and Jere Hänninen were joined by Hyria's education manager Mika Auvinen.
People under the age of 18 should be allowed to train on construction sites
The panel agreed that it would be important to get young people on the job sites for training as early as possible. Without work experience, it is difficult for young people to find their place in the construction industry, when it is easier to get to other jobs.
"When young people get to work sites early, they are more likely to want to come next summer as well. At the same time, these positive experiences have also been shared in close circles and maybe even got friends excited about the industry," stated GRK's Hänninen.
Now is the time to study and develop your skills
The panelists were all of the opinion that now is the time to encourage professionals to train and apply for additional training. "Even though it's not the best possible work situation now, there will always be an upturn in this industry eventually, when practically everyone with talent will find work in the future - this has always happened in all downturns," the panelists pointed out.
Digitization and the opportunities brought by artificial intelligence were also perceived as positive. With them, we see a growing need for new kinds of skills, although on the professional side, physical work and manual skills are not going anywhere.
The development of technology brings new tasks and professions to the industry, which must be able to be marketed with modern titles, so that an even wider group can find their way into the construction industry.
There is not just one right path in construction
The panelists considered that the image of the construction industry could be improved by telling people that work is safer these days. On the other hand, we should also continue to find ways to ease the physical strain of work, so that work ability remains good until retirement age.
Versatile career paths in the construction industry should be opened up more widely: for example, you can continue from vocational education to the corresponding master's or engineer's studies without a high school background. The field also emphasizes the importance of multi-skills: combining parts of a degree from different branches of the construction industry is important for everyone, as this improves employment opportunities.
On the other hand, it was brought up in the panel that everyone also needs to move up the career path. There is also always a demand for special skills, which means that you can continue your entire working career in the same profession and develop into a deep expert.
The panelists did not want to dive into the gloom, but all saw glimmers of light in the future: there are already many job opportunities in the construction industry, especially in renovation and infrastructure construction, where work is not as dependent on business cycles as in new construction.
"Repair construction studies should be increased in vocational schools. At the moment, vocational studies lead to new construction, and young people don't have the skills to jump straight into renovation construction", Mika Auvinen raised an important development idea for educational institutions.
"We live in a changing world. We would overcome many challenges if we could get young people to value the professions in the construction industry", summed up TTS's Mauri Konttila in the morning's speeches.
For more information:
Diana Råman, Talonrakennusteollisuus ry, regional director, Uusimaa district, phone 040 849 9463 or diana.raman(at)rt.fi
Panu Tuominen, INFRA ry, director of operations, Uusimaa, phone 044 595 6617 or panu.tuominen(at)rt.fi
Mauri Konttila, TTS, head of unit, construction, tel. 041 731 5063 or mauri.konttila(at)tts.fi
