A report, sponsored by JCT, and published by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) as part of their Mental Health Project, has highlighted the mental health challenges facing young workers in the industry and makes several key recommendations to provide solutions and improvements.
“Understanding the wellbeing experiences of young construction workers in England: what are the challenges and what should the industry do about them?” was carried out by the University of Warwick and Mates in Mind, a registered charity set up to improve mental health in construction.
The report had three specific objectives:
- Identify the key factors that young construction workers perceive as influencing their wellbeing at work.
- To examine how they perceive the availability, accessibility and effectiveness of wellbeing related support in the industry.
- To gather their suggestions for improving workplace wellbeing within the industry.
The research conducted interviews with 20 young construction workers (aged 18-25 years), with the data analysis formed into the following six themes:
- Starting out: negotiating industry pressures as a young construction worker.
- Challenges impacting mental health and wellbeing.
- Consequences of industry pressures on young workers’ lives.
- Barriers to speaking up and seeking support.
- What young workers appreciate: sources of support and positive workplace experiences
- Young workers’ perspectives on how the industry can improve.
Key issues included workflow problems, long hours, low raise and recognition, learning on the job with limited support or training, age/experience hierarchies, discrimination and inequality on the basis of age, race, and gender.
The report also highlighted positive reports of good practice and workplace initiatives that benefited wellbeing.
Among the key suggestions for improvements, included ensuring young workers feel like valued members of the team, strengthening early career training for young workers (including for non-apprentices), reducing harmful work pressures, and tackling discrimination and building an inclusive workplace.
JCT’s sponsorship of the research is part of their commitment to support the CLC’s initiative regarding mental health in construction.
JCT chair, Karen Kirkham, said:
“JCT is delighted and proud to support this research which is an important step towards understanding, and therefore being able to address, the very real mental health issues in our industry today, particularly for young workers.”
Dr Carla Toro, University of Warwick, said:
“It was an honour to work with JCT and Mates in Mind in this important research capturing the voice of new entrants to the construction industry.
“The findings offer significant guidance to supplement ongoing efforts to support young workers and recruit and retain the next generation of workers to the industry. These findings informed ongoing work to develop a Hierarchy of Controls and Joint Code of Practice for the industry, due for launch summer 2026.”
The full report can now be read at via the University of Warwick website: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67cac5edde667717248046e5/t/69cc1d5071fa2c5e9d900df7/1774984528113/Young+construction+worker+report+V4+04.11.pdf
The research report on young workers in the industry forms part of the wider initiative led by the CLC, which resulted in the publication of their Mental Health Joint Code of Practice (JCOP) on 15 June. The JCOP provides leaders and businesses, across the sector, with a framework to create an environment that fosters better mental health for their workforce.
More information about the JCOP can be found at: https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/news/construction-leadership-council-publishes-its-mental-health-joint-code-of-practice/