Qualified support for GCSE students who can help to build a balanced economy | Letters

As the latest cohort of students collect their GCSE results (Report, 21 August), we at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors have been pondering the research from the Federation of Master Builders (Construction-sector recovery at risk from skills shortage, say building firms, 28 July). Indeed, our research echoes this and indicates that, unless a new generation of skilled workers joins the construction industry soon, 27,000 building projects a year will be at risk by 2019. We need to make it clear to young people that construction is not an inferior career choice - it's an exciting, challenging and rewarding industry for all levels of academic ability.

Take surveying - there's an array of real career opportunities available for young and qualified people. These can involve planning and managing the creation of iconic buildings, and infrastructure projects around the country. What's more, the routes into careers are ever-expanding. RICS has helped to create a new degree apprenticeship as an alternative to A-levels/university. More vocational routes provide learners with the knowledge they need, and also ensure that young people understand how this knowledge can be applied practically.
Alan Muse
Global director of built environment professional groups, RICS