37.1 The construction industry

Construction is an important industry in every country of the world. It is important because it generally represents a significant component of gross national product;1 it is important because it employs many people: in professional occupations such as engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, project managers and lawyers, in skilled trades such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers, and in less skilled jobs such as labourers.2 But perhaps most important of all, it provides the infrastructure on which modern life depends: the facilities to mine and process the raw materials into the products of manufacture; the transport infrastructure required to distribute food and every other commodity and manufactured product to their consumers; the energy generation and distribution infrastructure without which modern life would be impossible; the provision of clean water and water treatment facilities essential for health; and the built environment necessary for shelter, manufacturing and commercial operations, and cultural and entertainment facilities.