Recent data unveils a growing trend among young individuals pursuing health and safety qualifications, although a persistent skills gap presents a challenge.
- From 2019 to the present, students under 25 engaging in general health and safety courses have consistently risen from 1% to 6% of the total.
- Individuals aged 26-35 now make up nearly a third of the cohort at RRC, indicating significant growth in this demographic.
- Despite these encouraging statistics, a long-standing skills shortage remains, particularly in sectors like construction where safety is critical.
- The perception of careers in certain industries, especially construction, might be influencing young people’s career choices due to safety concerns.
Recent revelations indicate an increasing trend among young individuals in pursuing health and safety qualifications. This surge is noteworthy; with the proportion of students under 25 elevating from 1% in 2019 to 6% currently. However, despite this progress, a skills gap could undermine these efforts, as pinpointed by RRC International, a leader in health and safety expertise.
Moreover, the next age group, 26-35-year-olds, also depicted a significant increase in numbers, now constituting 29% of RRC’s enrollees – a rise from 21% in 2019. This growth showcases a burgeoning interest and commitment to safety education amongst young professionals.
While policy and education have drastically improved workplace safety over the decades, a skills shortage threatens the trajectory of this progress. The construction sector, grappling with a forecasted deficit of 225,000 workers by 2027, exemplifies such risks. Richard Stockley from RRC highlights that “policy and education have drastically improved the safety of the UK workplace,” reflecting the substantial decline in non-fatal injuries. Yet, this positive trend may reverse if the skills gap is not addressed.
Evidence of this skills gap impact is emerging, with HSE data showing a rise in non-fatal injuries per 100,000 workers from 185 to 225 between 2020/21 and 2021/22. Construction injuries have similarly escalated, a trend seen for the first time in two decades, with rates climbing from 260 to 329 within the same period. This data is concerning, given the high-risk nature of such industries.
Further complicating matters, a recent survey disclosed that 77% of 18-24 year-olds express no interest in construction careers, perceiving them as unsafe. This sentiment could compound the existing skills shortage as a health and safety-conscious generation opts out of high-risk industries.
Stockley warns of a potentially compounding effect if the skills gap is not mitigated, resulting in continued safety risks within essential sectors like construction. The aspiration is for Gen Alpha to inherit a workforce environment that remains safe, facilitated by growing health and safety-focused initiatives.
The commitment of young people to health and safety is clear, yet bridging the skills gap is essential to sustain safety advancements in future workplaces.
