What is the average time employees stay with their company in the UK Built Environment Sector?

An 'Employee Retention Report' conducted by the equity management platform Vestd analysed  the data from the top 100 UK-based companies on LinkedIn with 50 - 1000 employees. The report, covering 14 industries, to calculate the average median employee tenure.

Notably, the property and construction industry showed a higher median tenure (4.4 years) than the overall UK average (3.7 years). 

This higher tenure suggests a relatively stable workforce in the built environment compared to other sectors like marketing and hospitality, which have lower average tenures of 2.8 and 3 years, respectively

However, is this set to change?

If we look at broader job change trends across the UK job market over the last 6 -10 months we see potential change in these rates. With nearly one-third of UK workers planning to switch jobs or make a career change in 2025. With the primary motivator being higher salaries due to inflation and rising living costs. 

This trend is particularly pronounced in the younger demographic and while specific figures for the construction sector are not provided, the industry is experiencing trends such as a focus on sustainability and digital transformation, which could influence job satisfaction and career growth.

Job changes are more common among younger workers. For instance, nearly 45% of those aged 18-24 are planning to make a career move, compared to just 25% of those aged 55-64. This trend indicates that younger professionals are more likely to seek new opportunities early in their careers.

Regional variations in job tenure also exist across the UK. For example, London has shorter average employment tenures compared to other regions, with a mean maximum tenure of 7.01 years, while Wales has one of the longest at 13.09 years. These differences can be attributed to factors like cost of living and regional job market dynamics.

Key Statistics for the Built Environment

• Average Tenure: 4.4 years
• Age and Job Change: Younger workers (18-24) are more likely to change jobs
• Motivations for Job Change: Higher salaries, flexibility, and work-life balance