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Construction Disrupted Episode 108 - Gamification of Construction (25.03.26)
In this episode we're going youthful, exploring how the next generation is shaping the future of construction, from leveraging gaming skills to government initiatives and promising data on the industry’s age profile. Let's all drink from the fountain of construction youth.
But first:
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The Next Generation’s Gaming Skills Can Help Shape Modern Construction
Gaming isn’t just a pastime—it’s a training ground for the future of construction. According to Louisa Finlay, COO and Chief People Officer at Kier, the skills honed through gaming, such as spatial awareness, 3D worldbuilding, teamwork, problem-solving, and risk assessment, are directly transferable to modern construction practices like digital construction, BIM, project planning, and 3D modeling.
During Open Doors Week (March 23–28), Kier aims to show young people how their digital hobbies can translate into fulfilling careers in construction. With the industry increasingly embracing technology and data-driven solutions, gaming enthusiasts already possess many of the skills needed to thrive in this evolving field.
Kier’s “naturally digital” initiative highlights the importance of embedding digital thinking into the culture of construction, making it second nature for professionals.
Open Doors Week provides a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation by showcasing how their passions can align with the industry’s needs.
Construction Industry Welcomes Young Employment Drive
The UK government has launched a major initiative to create 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for young people in the construction industry, backed by £1 billion in funding.
This move aims to address the alarming rise in youth unemployment, which increased by 37% between 2021 and 2024.
Key measures include:
- A £3,000 grant for businesses hiring young people aged 18–24 who have been on Universal Credit and unemployed for at least six months.
- This is expected to create 60,000 jobs over three years.
- Expanding the Jobs Guarantee to include 18–24-year-olds, creating 35,000 subsidized jobs.
- Introducing an Apprenticeship Incentive, offering SME businesses £2,000 for each new employee aged 16–24, potentially generating 50,000 jobs.
Industry leaders, including the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), have welcomed the initiative.
FMB CEO Brian Berry emphasized the importance of employer-led preparation, meaningful work experience, and ongoing support to ensure the success of these programs.
With proper implementation, this initiative could significantly reduce youth unemployment and address the construction industry’s skills gap.
Skills Card Data Suggests Construction’s Age Profile Is Finally Improving
For decades, the construction industry has faced concerns about an aging workforce, but new data from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) offers a promising outlook.
In 2025, 25.2% of CSCS cards were held by individuals under the age of 30, a significant increase from 17% in 2021.
This eight-point rise in the share of young workers challenges the long-standing narrative that young people are not interested in construction careers.
CSCS Chief Executive Sean Kearns highlighted the importance of sustaining this trend by focusing on upskilling and retaining young talent to ensure the industry’s long-term growth.
The data underscores the potential for a demographic shift in construction, with more young people entering the field. The challenge now lies in creating an environment that supports their development and ensures they remain engaged in the industry.
Bios
For almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.
His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.
In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.
Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.
Peter Sumpton - buildDifferent
Peter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning and measurable outcomes.
His approach is practical and plain-spoken: cut the noise, focus on what moves the numbers, and build repeatable systems that teams can actually use.
Having seen first-hand how unfocused tactics waste time and budget, Peter works with leaders to align commercial goals, customer insight and content so marketing supports delivery rather than distracting from it.
Peter's passion lies in diagnosing organisations' marketing functions' capabilities and existing market, assembling what’s required to create a functional strategy, fit for purpose and scalable.
Marketing should create value, not just cost, and Peter’s work is about making that the norm.
