A lesson for teachers

Teachers and educators must stop framing vocational careers in demolition and construction as a second choice or a path for the less academic. These careers are not consolation prizes.

Esteemed educators, career advisors, and professionals dedicated to shaping the future of our young people. I bring you with an urgent and often overlooked message; one that challenges conventional wisdom and invites you to rethink the career paths you encourage students to pursue.

For decades, the educational system has been built around a singular vision of success: academic achievement leading to university education, culminating in careers as doctors, lawyers, bankers, and corporate professionals. You pride yourselves on preparing students for these high-status professions, believing that a university degree is the golden ticket to prosperity. But in this noble pursuit, you have inadvertently neglected another path; one that is just as essential, just as rewarding, and in many cases, just as lucrative. I am talking about careers in demolition and construction.

Look around you. The buildings you work in, the schools you teach in, the homes you return to after a long day. None of these would exist without the skilled men and women who design, build, and maintain them. The roads we drive on, the bridges we cross, the hospitals that care for our sick, and the schools that educate future generations. All of these are made possible by construction and demolition workers. And yet, you persist in directing students away from these careers, as if they are somehow lesser than those requiring a university degree.

Let’s be clear: construction and demolition are not fallback options for those who “aren’t academic enough.” They are skilled, technical, and highly specialised professions with a clear career progression and competitive salaries. Yet, despite their importance, these fields are suffering from a growing skills gap. Employers struggle to find trained professionals, and projects face delays due to labour shortages. Meanwhile, young people graduate from university with degrees that do not always guarantee employment, burdened with student debt and struggling to find meaningful work.

So I ask you. Why are you not championing vocational careers with the same enthusiasm as you do traditional academic routes? Why do you not present construction and demolition as viable, respectable, and aspirational career choices?

Consider this: the construction and demolition industry is evolving. It is no longer just about physical labour. It is about technology, precision, and innovation. Modern demolition techniques involve robotics and environmentally conscious deconstruction methods. Construction sites are becoming digital, utilising 3D modelling, drone surveys, and smart materials that enhance efficiency and safety.

These industries offer something that many desk jobs do not; a tangible sense of accomplishment. Imagine the pride of driving past a building and being able to say, “I helped build that.” Imagine the fulfilment of knowing that this work provides homes for families, workplaces for businesses, and infrastructure for entire communities. There are few careers that offer such a direct impact on society.

Now, let’s talk numbers. Contrary to the outdated belief that trade jobs are low-paying, skilled professionals in construction and demolition can earn excellent wages. A qualified construction manager can earn as much as, if not more than, many university graduates. Demolition experts, heavy machinery operators, and skilled tradespeople - electricians, plumbers, carpenters - often earn salaries that rival or exceed those in finance and law. These are jobs that don’t go out of fashion. And unlike university students, many apprentices in these fields earn while they learn, avoiding the financial burden of student debt.

Beyond the financial benefits, these careers offer progression. A young apprentice can climb the ranks to become a site supervisor, a project manager, or even own their own construction firm. The opportunities for growth are limitless, and for those with ambition, the industry rewards handsomely.

Yet, despite all these advantages, educators are failing to highlight them to students. When career days roll around, you invite lawyers, doctors, retailers and entrepreneurs, but how often do you invite demolition experts or construction engineers? When you discuss future career paths, how often do you mention apprenticeships alongside university degrees? When parents come seeking advice about their child’s future, do you ever encourage them to consider the trades with the same enthusiasm as you do academia?

I am calling on you to shift your perspective. You need to start treating vocational careers as equally prestigious, equally valuable, and equally worthy of encouragement. You need to expose young people to the reality that success is not a one-size-fits-all model. For some, a university degree will be the right choice. But for others, a hands-on, skills-based career will be the key to fulfilment and financial security.

And all this begins in schools. You must integrate vocational training and awareness into career guidance programs. You must invite industry professionals to share their experiences with students. You must create partnerships with construction firms to offer work experience opportunities. You must advocate for increased funding for vocational education, ensuring that students who are inclined towards hands-on learning have access to state-of-the-art training facilities.

And perhaps most importantly, you must change your language. You must stop framing vocational careers as a second choice or a path for the less academic. These careers are not consolation prizes. They are deliberate and intelligent choices for young people seeking stability, opportunity, and purpose. And they are strategic choices for the nation as a whole.

So I urge you, as educators and mentors, to expand the horizons of your students. The future of our communities depends on it. The next generation of builders, engineers, and demolition experts is sitting in your classrooms right now, waiting for someone to tell them that their skills and ambitions matter. Be that voice. Show them that there is honour in building the world. Show them that the value of their work is measured not by titles or degrees, but by the impact they have on the lives of others.

This is not just about careers. It is about creating a workforce that sustains our society. And that responsibility begins with you.