How Construction Can Attract the Next Generation (Before It’s Too Late)

Welcome to Episode of I’m The Gaffer Gavin Coyle discusses talent attraction, culture & mental health in construction with Tom Prendergast, HSE Director UK at H&MV Engineering. If you’re struggling to find good people, keep them, or build a culture that doesn’t burn people out –this episode is your wake-up call. We cover: – Why schools & parents still push university over trades – The “Mayo Mafia” & Irish influence on UK construction – H&MV’s in-house academy – the conveyor belt of talent – Mental health, addiction & the nomadic lifestyle problem – Buddy systems, work-life balance & supporting the whole person – Celebrating unsung construction heroes – Why “get Paddy on the shovel” culture is dead – Tom’s journey: electrician → North Sea → HSE leader Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software Episode Highlights 00:00 Intro + Hustro sponsor 00:26 Innovative employee packages (virtual shares, financial coaching) 03:22 Tom’s 30-year journey – apprentice to HSE Director 05:34 Schools grading on university places = the real problem 11:19 The nomadic lifestyle – the hidden mental health trigger 17:43 Hustro.com mid-roll ad 21:22 5-a-side football & house shares – fixing isolation on site 28:23 Light duties & supporting the whole person 36:31 Bucket list questions every leader should ask 40:21 Seasons of life – why one-size-fits-all fails 45:44 The power of mentoring & legacy 51:16 Tom’s imposter syndrome story 53:26 How to contact Tom CONNECT WITH TOM LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-prendergast-84927a18/ Company— hmveng.ie Hustro.com – 75% less time on inspections & reports Start free → https://hustro.com/gavin I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you. Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, offering invaluable lessons and tips that provide a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry. As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge. I’m The Gaffer, available on Apple https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com/ #ImTheGaffer #constructionpodcast #construction #constructionbusiness#business #podcast