Rebecca Hislam, HR manager at WT Partnership, told Recruiter that companies were taking steps to avoid the severe shortages of quantity surveyors and project mangers that had arisen in 2006/2007, which had resulted in high salaries and agency fees.

“The industry has recognised the importance of continuing to take on juniors even during the recession. These range from school leavers and work experience all the way through to graduates and apprenticeships,” said Hislam.

Over the past two years, WT Partnership had “put themselves out” to try and support young people into the industry, by taking on 10 juniors either on work experience or on student placements, said Hislam.

“We hope the students come back to us after their degree and that we can help those on work experience to decide whether or not the industry is for them.”

Natalie Bedford, HR executive at construction consultancy Henry Riley, told Recruiter the company had introduced a special graduate training scheme for those joining the firm without a traditional quantity surveying or project management degree. “The initiative means we can offer trainee roles to all graduates, thereby securing the future of the company through successfully recruiting the next generation,” she said.