NEW research from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has revealed that construction tops Scottish parental preferences for their child’s career path and apprenticeships are a popular choice over other routes such as university.
Released to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the survey of parents of 16–24-year-olds across Scotland showed apprenticeships are their preferred career paths for young people while the construction industry specifically was among the top sectors chosen by almost a third (29%) of parents for their children to work in, ahead of healthcare (25%) and computing and technology (24%).
Apprenticeships were strongly favoured, with nearly half of respondents (45%) preferring this career path for their child ahead of university (42%) and going directly into work (23%). More than half of parents surveyed said they have discussed apprenticeships with their child and nearly a third would prefer that their child ‘earn while they learn’.
The survey also found that 63% of Scottish parents not only hold positive views of the construction sector but nearly three-quarters indicated they would be supportive of their child pursuing a career in it.
Dr Jocelyne Fleming, policy lead for Scotland at the CIOB, said, “Our survey results make it clear parents across Scotland recognise the value of construction careers and apprenticeships, which is hugely encouraging as the industry is in desperate need of new entrants. The challenge is with the widely recognised barriers across the skills and training system that prevent more young people from joining the industry.
“Without urgent intervention from Scottish Government to address these systemic challenges, skills shortages will persist, more young people will miss out on the well-paid, wide range of roles in our industry, and, ultimately, Scotland will not achieve its housing or climate objectives.”
A CIOB survey of young people in Scotland found the majority also view the construction sector positively (67%), but nearly half (49%) said careers in the sector were not covered in the careers advice they received at school, and almost a third (28%) feel construction careers are not accessible to young people.
To address the skills system challenges, CIOB recently called for urgent action from the next Scottish Government in its 2026 Election Manifesto.
Fleming added, “As Scottish Government has already recognised, critical sectors require government-led skills planning. The commitment to an Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan in the Programme for Government is a clear example. Construction, which underpins delivery across housing, net zero, and infrastructure, requires the same level of strategic focus. Training skilled people takes time and, without a coordinated, properly resourced strategy, Scotland’s policy ambitions will remain aspirational rather than achievable.”
