[Survey Release] Survey on Z-Generation's Perception of 'Blue-Collar and Construction Management Jobs' / Over 60% responded 'Cannot consider it as a career choice at all' / Even with an annual income of 5 million yen in their 20s, 0% 'desire construction management jobs'
UZUZ Group conducted a survey among Generation Z regarding their perceptions of blue-collar and construction management jobs. The survey revealed a strong aversion to blue-collar jobs, with over 60% stating they wouldn't consider them. Despite construction management offering high salaries and improving conditions, only 20% of Z-Gen were aware of these positive changes, and 0% expressed a desire for such roles, even with a potential annual income of 5 million yen in their 20s.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 12:24 (1h 52m after Collected)
UZUZ Group [Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Hiroki Okamoto], which operates employment support services specializing in young people in their 20s, primarily second-graduates, new graduates, freelancers, and new university graduates, conducted a 'Survey on Z-Generation's Perception of Blue-Collar and Construction Management Jobs' targeting young people of Generation Z. This fact-finding survey collects and publishes data by regularly surveying its own users.
■ Background of the Survey
As the era of full-scale AI (Artificial Intelligence) approaches, the demand for 'blue-collar' occupations that are difficult for AI to replace is predicted to be very strong in the future. Among these, 'construction management jobs' in the construction industry are prime examples of specialized professions that offer high salaries and favorable conditions, where individuals in their 20s can realistically aim for an annual income of 5 million yen or more as the 'command tower' of the construction site.
Furthermore, in recent years, against the backdrop of the '2024 problem,' the industry as a whole has been promoting improvements in working conditions, such as reducing overtime and introducing a five-day work week, at an unprecedented pace.
However, are these 'high future prospects' and 'positive changes in working conditions' reaching job seekers of Generation Z?
In this survey, to shed light on the real perceptions of Generation Z towards blue-collar occupations, which continue to face severe labor shortages, 'construction management jobs' – which tend to offer favorable conditions – were taken as a model case, and a fact-finding survey was conducted on employment motivation and image (valid responses: 457).
■ Survey Results Summary
・Regarding blue-collar occupations in general, over 60% responded 'cannot consider it at all, regardless of conditions or job type,' revealing a strong tendency among young people to avoid these jobs.
・While awareness of 'construction management jobs' reached approximately 70%, the proportion of those aware of 'positive situational changes' such as improvements in working conditions remained at about 20%.
・Even under conditions where an annual income of 5 million yen could be aimed for in their 20s, 0% of Generation Z responded 'desire' construction management jobs.
・No significant differences in responses were observed between genders for all questions, highlighting a strong tendency among Generation Z as a whole, regardless of gender, to avoid blue-collar occupations.
■ Expert Comment
0% desire even with 5 million yen annual income. The impending crisis of infrastructure collapse.
Blue-collar occupations are expected to have future prospects in the AI era, and companies are rushing to improve working conditions. However, the fact that 'working conditions are improving' has not been sufficiently communicated to Generation Z job seekers (only 21.9% are aware).
In particular, the fact that even when presenting relatively favorable conditions such as 'an annual income of 5 million yen in their 20s,' 0% responded 'desire' and 75.7% responded 'do not desire' construction management jobs, indicates a deep-rooted psychological resistance among young people that cannot be overcome by mere salary increases.
If the exodus of young people from blue-collar and construction industries continues, its impact will not be limited to corporate 'labor shortages.' Japan faces an 'infrastructure collapse crisis' where it will be unable to cope with the aging of essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and waterworks, disaster recovery efforts will be delayed, and the very foundation of Japanese society, including logistics and primary industries, will become unsustainable.
In the near future, the situation where 'there is a budget, but infrastructure collapses because there are no people on site to fix it' could become a reality.
To avoid this worst-case scenario, a fundamental reform of awareness and communication from both the industry and companies is urgently needed. While rapidly promoting the 'whitening' of working conditions, such as salaries and holidays, is a prerequisite, it is also crucial to appeal to the transition to 'smart sites (technologization)' utilizing drones and AI, thereby dispelling the traditional negative image of '3K (Kitsui - demanding, Kitanai - dirty, Kiken - dangerous).'
Furthermore, it is an urgent task to strongly communicate the pride of being 'essential workers' who fundamentally support society and the dynamic sense of fulfillment unique to on-site work, in a way that resonates with the values of young people.
Shotaro Kawabata, Senior Managing Director, UZUZ Group
Born in 1986, from Kagoshima. After graduating high school, majored in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Kyushu University. After graduating from university, joined INAX (now LIXIL), a housing equipment manufacturer. Participated in the launch of UZUZ in 2012. Has supported over 2,000 job seekers, including second-graduates, new graduates, and freelancers. Since February 2024, serves as Representative Director of UZUZ COLLEGE Co., Ltd. Currently writes a series on career and human resource development for Toyo Keizai Online.
Q1. What is your impression of occupations called "blue-collar"? [Single answer]
Cannot consider it at all as a career choice, regardless of conditions or job type: 294 (64.3%)
Would consider it if conditions such as wages and working hours are good: 96 (21.0%)
Feel potential for the future in occupations that only humans can do for the time being, even with AI advancement: 53 (11.6%)
Would consider it as a career choice while physically healthy: 14 (3.1%)
Q2. Are you aware that there is a specialized profession called "construction management job" in the construction industry? [Single answer]
Aware: 322 (70.5%)
Unaware: 135 (29.5%)
Q3. Are you aware of the changes in the situation surrounding construction management jobs (increased demand for personnel, improved working conditions)? [Single answer]
Aware: 100 (21.9%)
Unaware: 357 (78.1%)
Q4. A "construction management job" is a person in charge of schedule management and quality control at construction sites. Would you desire it if you could aim for an annual income of 5 million yen in your 20s? [Single answer]
Do not desire: 346 (75.7%)
Would consider it if conditions other than income are also good: 111 (24.3%)
Desire: 0 (0.0%)
■ Survey Overview
Method of survey: Questionnaire conducted at the time of career counseling reservation
Target of survey: Men and women in their 20s currently seeking employment as new graduates or second-graduates
Valid responses: 457 (New graduates: 105, Second-graduates: 330, New university graduates: 22)
Survey implementation date: February 12, 2026 – April 4, 2026
*In this survey, second-graduates are defined as "people in their 20s with less than 3 years of work experience as regular or contract employees."
*Due to rounding, the percentages of each response may not add up to 100%.
■ Background of the Survey
As the era of full-scale AI (Artificial Intelligence) approaches, the demand for 'blue-collar' occupations that are difficult for AI to replace is predicted to be very strong in the future. Among these, 'construction management jobs' in the construction industry are prime examples of specialized professions that offer high salaries and favorable conditions, where individuals in their 20s can realistically aim for an annual income of 5 million yen or more as the 'command tower' of the construction site.
Furthermore, in recent years, against the backdrop of the '2024 problem,' the industry as a whole has been promoting improvements in working conditions, such as reducing overtime and introducing a five-day work week, at an unprecedented pace.
However, are these 'high future prospects' and 'positive changes in working conditions' reaching job seekers of Generation Z?
In this survey, to shed light on the real perceptions of Generation Z towards blue-collar occupations, which continue to face severe labor shortages, 'construction management jobs' – which tend to offer favorable conditions – were taken as a model case, and a fact-finding survey was conducted on employment motivation and image (valid responses: 457).
■ Survey Results Summary
・Regarding blue-collar occupations in general, over 60% responded 'cannot consider it at all, regardless of conditions or job type,' revealing a strong tendency among young people to avoid these jobs.
・While awareness of 'construction management jobs' reached approximately 70%, the proportion of those aware of 'positive situational changes' such as improvements in working conditions remained at about 20%.
・Even under conditions where an annual income of 5 million yen could be aimed for in their 20s, 0% of Generation Z responded 'desire' construction management jobs.
・No significant differences in responses were observed between genders for all questions, highlighting a strong tendency among Generation Z as a whole, regardless of gender, to avoid blue-collar occupations.
■ Expert Comment
0% desire even with 5 million yen annual income. The impending crisis of infrastructure collapse.
Blue-collar occupations are expected to have future prospects in the AI era, and companies are rushing to improve working conditions. However, the fact that 'working conditions are improving' has not been sufficiently communicated to Generation Z job seekers (only 21.9% are aware).
In particular, the fact that even when presenting relatively favorable conditions such as 'an annual income of 5 million yen in their 20s,' 0% responded 'desire' and 75.7% responded 'do not desire' construction management jobs, indicates a deep-rooted psychological resistance among young people that cannot be overcome by mere salary increases.
If the exodus of young people from blue-collar and construction industries continues, its impact will not be limited to corporate 'labor shortages.' Japan faces an 'infrastructure collapse crisis' where it will be unable to cope with the aging of essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and waterworks, disaster recovery efforts will be delayed, and the very foundation of Japanese society, including logistics and primary industries, will become unsustainable.
In the near future, the situation where 'there is a budget, but infrastructure collapses because there are no people on site to fix it' could become a reality.
To avoid this worst-case scenario, a fundamental reform of awareness and communication from both the industry and companies is urgently needed. While rapidly promoting the 'whitening' of working conditions, such as salaries and holidays, is a prerequisite, it is also crucial to appeal to the transition to 'smart sites (technologization)' utilizing drones and AI, thereby dispelling the traditional negative image of '3K (Kitsui - demanding, Kitanai - dirty, Kiken - dangerous).'
Furthermore, it is an urgent task to strongly communicate the pride of being 'essential workers' who fundamentally support society and the dynamic sense of fulfillment unique to on-site work, in a way that resonates with the values of young people.
Shotaro Kawabata, Senior Managing Director, UZUZ Group
Born in 1986, from Kagoshima. After graduating high school, majored in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Kyushu University. After graduating from university, joined INAX (now LIXIL), a housing equipment manufacturer. Participated in the launch of UZUZ in 2012. Has supported over 2,000 job seekers, including second-graduates, new graduates, and freelancers. Since February 2024, serves as Representative Director of UZUZ COLLEGE Co., Ltd. Currently writes a series on career and human resource development for Toyo Keizai Online.
Q1. What is your impression of occupations called "blue-collar"? [Single answer]
Cannot consider it at all as a career choice, regardless of conditions or job type: 294 (64.3%)
Would consider it if conditions such as wages and working hours are good: 96 (21.0%)
Feel potential for the future in occupations that only humans can do for the time being, even with AI advancement: 53 (11.6%)
Would consider it as a career choice while physically healthy: 14 (3.1%)
Q2. Are you aware that there is a specialized profession called "construction management job" in the construction industry? [Single answer]
Aware: 322 (70.5%)
Unaware: 135 (29.5%)
Q3. Are you aware of the changes in the situation surrounding construction management jobs (increased demand for personnel, improved working conditions)? [Single answer]
Aware: 100 (21.9%)
Unaware: 357 (78.1%)
Q4. A "construction management job" is a person in charge of schedule management and quality control at construction sites. Would you desire it if you could aim for an annual income of 5 million yen in your 20s? [Single answer]
Do not desire: 346 (75.7%)
Would consider it if conditions other than income are also good: 111 (24.3%)
Desire: 0 (0.0%)
■ Survey Overview
Method of survey: Questionnaire conducted at the time of career counseling reservation
Target of survey: Men and women in their 20s currently seeking employment as new graduates or second-graduates
Valid responses: 457 (New graduates: 105, Second-graduates: 330, New university graduates: 22)
Survey implementation date: February 12, 2026 – April 4, 2026
*In this survey, second-graduates are defined as "people in their 20s with less than 3 years of work experience as regular or contract employees."
*Due to rounding, the percentages of each response may not add up to 100%.