Number of construction apprentices nearly doubles, more career changers expected

The number of students choosing a career in construction is increasing every year. However, there are still more construction apprentices retiring than there are graduates entering the workforce. The Építési Vállalkozók Országos Szakszövetsége (ÉVOSZ) is mobilising its member organisations to extend its career guidance programmes to primary school pupils and their parents, according to a press release sent to this newspaper.

As they write, four years ago there were only 9,000 students in the school system studying to become construction apprentices, but in the school year 2023/2024 the total number of students will reach 16,060, with the number of new first-year students choosing the construction apprenticeship group rising to 6,600.

The earning potential, the scholarship during the training, the job security and the opportunities offered by the new Vocational Training Act are all attracting parents and children to the construction industry.

Improved working conditions, greater professional attention and the use of modern internet tools also attract children, they write, and explain that among the professions, the most attractive for years now have been the carpentry and masonry professions.

This is how I want to strengthen the supply of young people

Meanwhile, however, around 25,000 highly skilled workers reach retirement age every year, many of whom leave the construction industry. Despite the encouraging increase in numbers, their replacement by graduates from the school system is still not yet in place.

The Építési Vállalkozók Országos Szakszövetsége (ÉVOSZ) invited primary schools and contractors to a large-scale career guidance programme.

From among the member organisations of ÉVOSZ, 40 companies from all over the country have so far signed up to present their facilities to primary school pupils in years 7 and 8 for the start of the school year starting in September. Of the primary schools contacted, 80 principals have so far responded positively to the participation in the construction career guidance programme.