Job openings have increased continuously over the past three years. Struct Consultants will explain the latest job trends with a focus on the impending “24-year problem,” incorporating data from various market trends.

We are pleased to announce that Struct Inc. (Headquarters: Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Ryosuke Imai, hereinafter referred to as Struct) a group company of ZIGExN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Directors, Operating Officer, and CEO: Joe Hirao, Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime: 3679, hereinafter referred to as ZIGExN), has released the latest three-year trend of job listings on the construction industry specialized job-matching platform “Kensetsu JOBs”, operated by Struct. Struct’s consultants, who engage in direct communication with construction industry companies daily, will explain the latest job trends in the construction industry as the “24-year problem”, which has contributed to the continuous increase in Construction JOBs job listings over the past three years, approaches this April. The explanation will be based on multiple market trend data in the construction industry.

“Kensetsu JOBs” is a specialized job-matching platform for the construction industry, focusing on career changes and recruitment. Consultants with deep insights into the construction industry carefully listen to the needs of companies struggling with recruitment and job seekers looking for opportunities in the construction industry. They strive to achieve the best matching for both companies and job seekers. With a high success rate in transitioning to major general contractors and subcontracting companies, Struct takes pride in handling numerous exclusive job listings not found elsewhere.

■The number of job listings has continued to increase consistently over the past three years! The three-year trend of job listings on Kensetsu JOBs

The construction industry is experiencing a trend of increasing market size, backed by the ongoing redevelopment projects in the Tokyo metropolitan area. However, the industry faces a serious labor shortage due to aging and a declining workforce. This shortage has persisted annually, leading to a continuous increase in the number of job listings on “Kensetsu Jobs” over the past three years.

＜Technical positions in the construction industry＞
※Construction Management Position: Oversees and supervises on-site technical personnel involved in construction projects, responsible for the overall management of the construction process.
※Design Position: Involves overseeing and supervising on-site technical personnel in construction projects, managing the overall construction process. This role may also extend to construction management, as well as designing buildings and facilities.
※Construction Consultant: Takes a client-oriented perspective to oversee the entire project, ensuring that construction progresses according to schedule and meets client expectations.
※Maintenance: Conducts periodic inspections to check for any defects or malfunctions in machinery and systems, ensuring their proper functioning.

Struct Consultants, who engage in direct communication with various construction industry companies daily, will provide insights into the latest job trends in the construction industry as the”24-year problem” approaches in April this year. This commentary will be accompanied by multiple market trend data in the construction industry.

■Topic 1: The number of construction industry employees has decreased by approximately 29% since its peak in 1997! There is a growing demand for technology succession to the next generation.

The construction industry has been facing a severe labor shortage for many years. The number of employees has been on a declining trend since its peak in 1997 at 6.65 million people. In the fiscal year 2021, it reached approximately 4.85 million, marking a decrease of about 29% (Figure 1). The aging of workers has been accelerating since around 2001, with individuals aged 55 and above accounting for 35.5%, and those aged 29 and below at 12.0% as of 2021(Figure 2). This highlights a significant challenge in terms of the succession of technical skills to the next generation. (*Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, “Construction Investment Outlook”, “Construction Industry License Holder Survey”; Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, “Labor Force Survey”)

＜Figure 1: Trends in Construction Investment, Number of Licensed Companies, and Employment Numbers＞

＜Figure 2: Progression of Aging in Construction Industry Employees＞

■Topic 2: A double-digit increase of 110.1% compared to the previous fiscal year! The domestic construction market size continues to grow in inverse proportion to the trend in the number of employees. The effective job openings-to-applicants ratio is over 5 times!

On the other hand, the impact of government support measures related to home acquisition, including the extension of some policies due to the fiscal year 2022 tax system revision, has contributed to the promotion of home acquisition. Additionally, factors such as the recovery of the housing market, the hosting of the Osaka/Kansai Expo, and the opening of Integrated Resorts (IR) have led to an expansion trend in the construction industry market size. The market size of Japan’s eight major domestic construction sectors recorded JPY 22.4864 trillion in the fiscal year 2021, marking a double-digit increase of 110.1% compared to the previous year. (*Source: Yano Research Institute Ltd., “Outlook and Strategy for the Construction Industry’s Eight Major Markets – 2023 Edition”)

Against the backdropof an expanding market size and worsening labor shortages, the job openings-to-applicants ratio in the construction industry is also showing an upward trend. According to the General Job Introduction Status (as of August of 2023) published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the effective job openings-to-applicants ratio for all industries is 1.29 times (a decrease of 0.01 points compared to the previous month), and the new job openings ratio is 2.27 times (a decrease of 0.05 points). In contrast, the effective job openings-to-applicants ratio in the construction industry, including mining, is 5.32 times, showing an increase of 0.21 points compared to the same month of the previous year. In terms of specific occupations, the effective job openings-to-applicants ratio for architectural, civil, and surveying engineers is 5.48 times, for construction structural workers it is 9.81 times, for other construction workers it is 4.76 times, for electrical construction workers it is 3.21 times, and for civil construction workers it is 6.25 times. These ratios are higher than those for other industries where recruitment is considered difficult, such as customer service (3.19 times), caregiving services (3.88 times), and security positions (6.63 times).

■Topic 3: Growing demand for digital talent capable of handling DX and for mid to high-level professionals with expertise and experience! Struct Consultants provides insights into the latest trends in job postings and recruitment in the construction industry, where the number of job openings continues to increase.

As the 24-year problem approaches, DX in the construction industry is accelerating, involving aspects such as managing working hours, implementing career advancement systems, and introducing IoT and ICT. However, with the baby boomer generation reaching the age of 75 or older by 2025, concerns about the aging workforce in the construction industry are rising. This highlights the increasing challenge of securing talent capable of adapting to digital technologies.

In response to the intensification of hiring competition for new graduates, many companies are focusing on creating work environments that are more accessible for young professionals. Against the backdrop of the increasing demand for digital talent, there is a rising trend among companies to strengthen recruitment efforts for young professionals, including those with no prior experience, in the first half of 2024. Additionally, with the increase in development demand leading to a rise in orders, there is a growing trend among companies to strengthen their workforce. These companies are actively recruiting mid to high-level professionals with expertise and experience as highly specialized talents. This expansion in recruitment opportunities is benefiting both young professionals and mid to high-level individuals considering career changes.

■“Kensetsu Jobs” For career change in the construction industry

Since its establishment, Kensetsu Jobs has been dedicated to supporting job seekers in the construction industry, focusing on major companies as well as local general contractors and subcontractors. We have accumulated extensive expertise and built strong relationships with various companies and positions. As a result, we handle numerous confidential job listings and exclusive opportunities that are available only through our agency.

Kensetsu Jobs will continue to leverage its in-depth knowledge of various companies and positions, striving to provide dedicated support for job seekers aspiring to work in the construction industry.

■About “Kensetsu Jobs”

“Kensetsu JOBs” is a specialized job-matching platform for the construction industry, focusing on career changes and recruitment. Consultants with deep insights into the construction industry carefully listen to the needs of companies struggling with recruitment and job seekers looking for opportunities in the construction industry. They strive to achieve the best matching for both companies and job seekers.

URL：https://kensetsu-jobs.struct-inc.co.jp/

＊Arranging interviews with construction companies are available as well. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

■About Struct Inc.

Struct has a mission to “Deliver sustainable happiness to everyone involved in the construction industry by leveraging technology.”, as we provide a talent-matching platform for the construction industry. Furthermore, for the construction industry facing severe labor shortages and challenges in working conditions, Struct aims to utilize information technology to the fullest extent. We provide support for sustainable problem-solving and work towards building an information platform for the construction industry. Our goal is to update and support the foundational construction industry in Japan.

［Company Name］Struct Inc.
［Headquarters location］F3 Aobadai Tower ANNEX, 3-1-18 Aobadai, Meguroku, Tokyo
［Established］April 2020
［Representative］President and Representative Director: Ryosuke Imai
［Business Profile］Recruiting business specializing in the construction industry, Management, Operational support, and Advertising agency for companies in the construction industry
［URL］https://struct-inc.co.jp/index.html