JCT is to sponsor a research project investigating the mental health of workers in construction, to better understand the challenges workers face, and to explore how the industry can provide better support.
The research project, which was initiated by the Tier 1 Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG) and Mates in Mind, a registered charity set up to improve mental health within construction, is a collaboration with the University of Warwick, which has led several research projects to explore mental health in the construction sector, and is supported by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
This next phase of the research sponsored by JCT and led by Mates in Mind is to focus specifically on young people entering the construction industry, to gather evidence of their experiences, and examine ways in which they could be better supported within the sector.
The aim of the research is to ‘develop a framework of recommended interactions for the construction sector, so that organisations of all sizes can take steps to protect and improve construction workers’ mental health.’
The research will include interviews with construction workers, aged 16-24, exploring their experiences entering the industry and any specific barriers or challenges they face. The interview will draw on a 7-dimension support framework, covering physical, financial, relationships, emotions, culture and belonging, work design, and crisis response.
Taking part throughout the first half of 2025, the summary findings of the research are due to be published in the summer.
JCT’s sponsorship of the research reflects the organisation’s recognition of and support for initiatives to improve mental health within the construction industry.
Karen Kirkham, JCT chair, said:
“We were delighted to have the opportunity to be involved with this initiative, and the chance to provide financial support to a project dedicated to addressing very real mental health concerns in our industry.”
Samantha Downie, managing director, Mates in Mind, said:
“Mates in Mind are excited to be involved in this collaboration to gather evidence on the experience of young people entering the construction sector, to better understand their experience and how they could be more effectively supported within the workforce.
“With recent government announcements on both the need to build and the need to grow the workforce it is a key time to establish what will make the experience of working in construction better for the next generation.”