Its actually a job that that pays more than any office job at school leaving age, far more and its also a job that provides a great foundation for a career in the building industry, be that owning your own construction company which many go on to do, Site Manager/Project manager or numerous other fields of the building industry, again with financial rewards well over a white collar managers job , and hey, they have no need to get involved with the UK's social housing shortage as there is plenty of work for them without contributing.
Up to the Labour Gov to find more of these essential experts to do that. Sounds like your the one who needs career advice.