Perhaps, on reflection the music and film industries or being a global sports star might win by a short head, but if you take a closer look, you realise just how unique the building industry is. The industry, and associated trades, offers something deeper, as it combines your personal and professional life. It also allows the opportunity to encompass a diverse range of skills and interests.
If you ever need to convince someone why our industry is so unique or special, here are a few reasons:
We can always relate to the product
People often say that they cannot relate to their job or have no interest in the product or service they’re selling, producing or installing. In our industry we can, as there is always something that we are able to relate to or have an opinion on as we use, see, like and desire products and concepts that are directly related to our trade every day of our lives.
We live at work, socialise at work and holiday at work!
We all live or work in buildings, go to the pub or a restaurant, visit a football stadium or stay at hotels. The common theme between them all is that our industry will have been involved in their construction, fit-out or refurbishment in one form or another. It also gives us an immense sense of pride if we see permanent examples of our efforts on our travels; how good is it to see something and say, “I developed/specified/promoted/sold or installed that”?
Our personal interests combine with our work interests
How many times have you seen something away from work that helps you in your work because you are interested in how it could help make your life better?
We can actually make a difference to people and the world!
Our industry can save people money, make people feel more comfortable, keep people clean and warm and make life simpler. Ultimately we are helping ourselves in our private lives through our day job.
More than any other industry, our decisions, lobbying, innovation, ideas and products have a direct impact on our environment and desire for a more sustainable and healthier world. Where else can you add ‘Save the world’ on the daily ‘to do’ list?
It encourages creativity
It provides an opportunity to develop your creative side, your practical side, your cost-cutting side or your extravagant side. You can use your innovational instinct, your common sense or your engineering skills with stunning effect.
It offers complete variety
The industry is wide-ranging from building products, heating, ventilation and plumbing through to paint, interiors, appliances, tools and fixtures and fittings.
You can always find something that you can feel an affinity with or, of course, you can be involved in distribution or retail and cover them all!
On the other side of the industry there is the actual building design and construction, combining to make the complete industry, bringing people together from all walks of life.
There are roles in all the main job functions to choose from and opportunities to travel to broaden your life experience. There are very few industries that can offer something that, on some level, everyone can relate too.
It goes to show that by looking under the surface you can get a more fundamental understanding of why we are dedicated to our jobs. If you strip down the layers, the reason that the industry is so unique is because, to a certain extent, it underpins our personal life.
So, perhaps a Steward’s Enquiry should be called? Where would all the film stars, movie stars and sports stars be without the wonderful film sets, stages and sports arenas we have designed, built, supplied, installed and furnished for them? Our industry really is the best industry in the world to work in!
Let us know what you think of working in the industry. We'd love to hear from you.
