Shaping the future as a modern professional in construction management

In a three-part webinar series, representatives of the Tomorrow’s Leaders community, alongside CIOB senior members and industry experts, came together to explore and discuss the key issues and challenges the built environment is facing, starting with technology, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability.

The panellists shared their insights and opinions on how both the leaders of today and tomorrow can navigate their way in an ever-changing environment.

The first webinar in the series, chaired by CIOB trustee and project management and wellbeing specialist Rachael Keeble MCIOB, focused on leading the way to a technologically advanced future.

The panel – comprising industry professionals David Philp FCIOB, Jo Johnson MCIOB and Daryl Irvine MCIOB – explored how we use technology now, including digital tools covering the breadth of roles in construction, the impacts on future ways of working, and how projects are completed and maintained.

Future careers and what these may look like, along with the skilling up needed across the industry, were also discussed in relation to meeting the ever-changing needs and challenges the built environment faces.

Some key session takeaways included:

In part two in this webinar series, CIOB trustee and business consultant Noel Mckee FCIOB led a lively discussion with panellists Rebecca Lovelace, Liz Moss TechCIOB and Hamza Momade MCIOB, focused on diversity and inclusion.

They shared their views on what diversity and inclusion mean to them in the built environment and whether they felt the industry is as diverse and inclusive as it could be, whilst also exploring the barriers that exist in the industry today and how these could be tackled.

Successes and case studies showed how the industry is not only promoting a more diverse and inclusive workforce but also how we’re implementing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into our built assets and benefiting end-users living and working in and visiting our environments.

It was felt the collaborative and strategic approach to address negative industry perceptions, especially with the focus on EDI globally, will drive positive change in the years ahead and address the skills shortage facing the industry. 

When asked what their call to action would be following the session, the panellists encouraged the audience to explore the work CIOB is doing already around EDI, including the EDI Charter and the EDI action plan put in place collaboratively by representatives from leading membership bodies from across the built environment sector.

Further information can be found here.

With professional bodies all working towards the same end goal, there is great importance in working collaboratively to achieve positive advancement in this area.

The third part in this webinar series focused on the importance of sustainability in the construction sector, with panel chair Sam Dibaj FCIOB alongside panellists Emma Ayesu-Koranteng MCIOB and Nouman Qadir MCIOB sharing knowledge and the skills needed to lead sustainable practices for the future of society.

They discussed what the term sustainability means to them, along with the barriers that are found in the industry, with views on how they can be overcome.

Questions were raised over whether the industry is equipped with the necessary skills to tackle these issues. The panellists were in agreement that there is great importance around developing skills and raising awareness at an early age.

The importance of raising awareness of the impact that will likely be seen by future generations among the wider population was also highlighted, with the need for this information to be easily understood by all.

The need for a change in culture was suggested, with the attractiveness of the industry being a key factor in bringing in new talent.

When asked for their call to action, the panellists summed it up perfectly with “be the change you want to see” and “change starts with you”.

While it was apparent from all three discussions that progress has been made, there is still work to be done.

Education of those both in and outside of the industry, the need to fill skills gaps and the importance of changing perceptions were consistent areas of focus.

First and foremost, everyone has their own individual part to play, with the need to continue working collaboratively where required to tackle these industry advancements, issues and barriers that exist today to future proof the industry for generations to come.

The global Tomorrow’s Leaders community is a cross-membership community within the CIOB that focuses on building professionalism, developing skills and sharing knowledge at every career stage, while enhancing the pipeline of high-quality construction talent.