"The construction industry is in trouble." "The construction industry is out of control."
Have you ever searched for “construction industry” online? When you do, related keywords like “construction industry is messed up” and “construction industry is weird” come up.
Furthermore, if you take a look at sites like Yahoo! Chiebukuro, you can see just how negative the public’s perception of the construction industry still is.
To give a few examples of the questions: “I’ve received a job offer in the construction industry, but people around me say it’s an exploitative workplace and that it’s a low-end job, so I should turn it down.” From my perspective, the questions are all of this infuriating nature.
Is the construction industry really just ”low-end work”? As someone who works in the industry, I want to debunk that notion by explaining the background behind such claims and the reality on the job site.
Why the Construction Industry Is Often Called the ”Bottom of the Barrel”
I believe there are three main reasons why the construction industry is said to be at the bottom of the list.
- The barriers to entry are not high
- A college degree isn't really necessary
- Dangerous and poor working conditions
While there are likely other factors as well, I believe these three points are what give the construction industry a negative image. It’s true that if you want to work in the construction industry, there are no special restrictions—unless you’re a management engineer.
As a result, negative stereotypes are widespread—such as the idea that anyone can do this work, that employers will hire people even without a formal education, that it’s physically demanding work that doesn’t require much brainpower and is therefore dangerous with a high death toll, and that workers are forced to labor in poor conditions.
It seems to me that there are many people who, without even trying to understand the construction industry today, simply accept these stereotypes at face value and say, “The construction industry is at the bottom of the social ladder.”
Although the barriers to entry are low, only a very small number of people can make it in this field.
It’s true that in the construction industry, unless you’re working as a management engineer or in a similar role, the barriers to entry aren’t high, and a college degree isn’t required. However, just like in other industries, it’s not a world where incompetent people can survive—it’s not that easy.
They must develop generally required skills—such as communication, leadership, negotiation, and management—in a more demanding environment. I believe that many people working in the construction industry are actually more capable than those in other industries might think.
Furthermore, obtaining professional certifications is essential for advancing your career in the construction industry. You cannot earn these certifications without gaining the necessary years of experience and passing the required exams. At local construction firms and general contractors, the Construction Management Engineer certification is standard, and it is not uncommon to be required to obtain additional certifications on top of that.
If you want to secure a decent position in the construction industry, obtaining a professional license is unavoidable. These licenses are by no means easy to obtain. Can we really say that people working in the construction industry are at the very bottom of the social ladder?
We place greater emphasis on improving the work environment than other industries do.
Isn't the fundamental reason why young people are so averse to the construction industry simply that they have a strong impression that it involves grueling physical labor, difficult interpersonal relationships due to the nature of on-site work, and poor working conditions?
As for the working environment, let me start by apologizing. It’s true that things used to be bad. But please don’t focus on the past—look at the present instead.
While adoption rates may still be somewhat low, as part of work-style reforms, the company is actively implementing measures such as raising wages and improving the work environment through operational efficiency. Compared to a few years ago, the work environment has improved dramatically.
――If you’ve read this far, I think I’ve successfully refuted all those nonsensical theories claiming that the construction industry is at the bottom of the social ladder.
In fact, as someone who works in the construction industry, I’m proud of anyone who can survive in this industry—let alone those at the bottom. I have great respect for the veterans in this industry.
People say, “Jobs in the construction industry are the lowest of the low,” but there’s no such thing as a “lowest of the low” job in this world to begin with.
