New report sets out roadmap to break down barriers in the construction sector

A new Purpose Coalition report, Breaking Down Barriers to Construction, has been launched today, setting out a programme of action to deliver equality of opportunity in one of the UK’s most important sectors. 

Developed in partnership with leading firms including BAM UK&I, Morgan Sindall, Tilbury Douglas and TSL Projects, the report identifies the practical steps needed to ensure people from every background can access, progress and thrive in construction careers, and how the industry can have a wider impact through its projects and procurement. 

The report is structured around three key themes within the sector – pathways into the sector, construction as a place leader and mission-led procurement - and showcases examples of best practice already making a difference on the ground. Together, they set out how the sector can open up routes into good jobs, maximise its role in local places and align investment with social impact. 

Drawing on insights and best practice from roundtables with major construction employers, the project sets out practical recommendations for change. On pathways into construction, the report calls for a more joined-up, national approach to outreach and attraction, with firms coordinating their engagement with schools and colleges and a sector-wide campaign to reshape perceptions of construction careers. 

It also highlights the need for clearer, better supported routes for people switching careers mid-way through their working lives, so the industry can tap into a wider pool of skills and experience. 

The recommendations on construction as a place leader and mission-led procurement focus on using the sector’s economic weight to deliver long-term benefits for communities. They include developing a shared framework for local engagement and legacy and providing clearer, industry-led guidance on procurement. 

Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition and former Education Secretary, said: “The construction sector quite literally builds the foundations of our country - the homes we live in, the schools that children learn in, the hospitals we rely on and the infrastructure that connects our communities. This report is about making sure it also builds the foundations of a fairer society, by ensuring that opportunity is built into the way projects are designed, procured and delivered.  

"If the industry gets this right, construction can be an even more powerful engine of social mobility - using every pound spent and every project delivered to break down barriers and widen opportunity in every part of the UK.” 

You can read the full report here: Breaking Down Barriers to Construction — The Purpose Coalition - Breaking Down Barriers