High school learners’ perceptions of careers in the built environment sector

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of learners on careers in the built environment. The industry is confronted with a critical shortage of skilled workers, which significantly hampers its growth and labour productivity. This workforce scarcity mainly stems from a lack of effective strategies for recruiting and retaining learners in construction programmes.Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the perceptions of learners on careers in the built environment.Method: This study examined the perceptions of 43 previously disadvantaged black high school learners, regarding careers in the built environment sector. Using the planned behaviour theory, qualitative questionnaires investigating learners’ perceptions of careers in the built environment were used to collect data. The data were thematically analysed using the Braun and Clarke’s six phases of analysis.Results: The findings indicate that a learner’s attitude towards a career influences their decision in selecting it or not. The career perceptions of the community and significant others affect the career choice of a learner.Conclusion: The built industry must ensure that it attracts new career entrants; there is thus, a need for the built environment to conduct career talks and disseminate information about the different careers in the industry. Adequate career information allows learner to choose careers confidently.Contribution: This study contributes towards assisting the built environment sector in creating an attractive value proposition for learners to join the sector. It will also assist the sector to know which kind of information they need to disseminate to attract learners in choosing careers.