Common Construction Industry Myths – Debunked

The construction industry has been the subject of jokes, myths and rumours for decades and, while some jokes are funny, the misconceptions have actually harmed the industry. Getting the wrong idea about the construction industry has led to lots of talented, creative people – of all stripes – choosing to work in other sectors, leaving construction short of good workers. This shortage is really starting to bite now and so it’s important that as many motivated, talented people as possible choose construction as a career; after all, we’ll always need builders.

Here’s four myths about construction laid to rest at last…

Construction is only for people who can’t get other jobs

This is a big myth and frankly, it’s insulting. The idea that people go into construction because they can’t do anything else is a long way from the truth. Most construction workers have chosen this field because they know it pays well (with generous overtime), offers holidays and best of all, the chance to make something that will be standing longer than most people live!

There’s no room for advancement or promotion in construction

Another popular myth is that a job in construction is a dead-end – there’s no way to get ahead or to achieve anything. This is not the case. Many construction workers, it’s true, find their ideal level and are happy to stay there. The important word there is that they’re happy! Anyone who wants to get ahead, or get a promotion will find it easy, especially if they work for someone like the Lagan Construction Group, which places huge importance on education and training. Advancement options include training for managerial positions, or striking out alone, armed with the skills and knowledge acquired over the years.

Most construction workers are poorly-educated

The idea that construction workers are poorly-educated is unfair – and certainly untrue. Some construction workers might not have enjoyed, say, poetry at school, but they will have done well in maths, physics and in architectural plot plan designing. Even if a few people didn’t do so well at school, they will have to learn on the job in order to stay in the industry; they’ll have to go on day-release, or attend a technical college to progress. These are different skills to purely academic learning, but they are skills – and valuable ones, too.

Working in construction is dirty and often dangerous

Well, there’s no denying that there can be a bit of dirt here and there, as well as sawdust, plaster dust and even bird poo! However, these things wash off at the end of the day… A bit more pernicious is the idea that construction is dangerous and workers are risking their lives onsite day after day.

This is only the case if companies and workers don’t value and adhere to health and safety legislation. Of course some jobs do carry more risk than others, but if all the rules are followed, these risks are minimised. Any company that doesn’t put safety first should be avoided at all costs – the legislation has been developed over decades, if not centuries, of hard-won experience.