UCEM hosts Building Futures panel during National Apprenticeship Week 2025

Posted on: 19 February, 2025

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2025, a virtual panel discussion, Building Futures, took place, exploring the value of technical and professional apprenticeships in the built environment.

Hosted by UCEM in partnership with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium, this apprentice-led event brought together a diverse panel of young professionals to share their experiences, insights and aspirations for the future of apprenticeships.

Raising awareness: The journey into apprenticeships

One of the first discussion points focused on how the panellists discovered apprenticeships and what attracted them to this career path. A common theme was the lack of early awareness in schools about apprenticeships as a viable alternative to university.

UCEM alumnus Annabel Huffer, a Senior Chartered Building Surveyor at Knight Frank, shared her story: “I grew up with my father being a Fellow of the RICS, so I had some exposure to the industry. But when I was leaving college at 18, I wasn’t sure which route to take. I heard about the apprenticeship scheme through the Built Environment Schools Trust, which helped me understand what it could offer. But even then, it took me some time to fully appreciate the value of the apprenticeship path.”

Other panellists echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need for increased engagement with schools, career fairs and social media campaigns to raise awareness of apprenticeships in the built environment sector.

The apprentice experience: Balancing work and study

A key part of the discussion revolved around the benefits and challenges of apprenticeships. Santina Bunting, a Civil Engineering Apprentice at Arup, spoke about the reality of balancing work and study: “Apprenticeships aren’t easy at all. You have to have really good time management, be hardworking and stay motivated. But if you are willing to put in the effort, the rewards are incredible. I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects in India, Saudi Arabia and Uganda—all from my office in Birmingham.”

Similarly, Bilal Arshad, a Building Services Design Engineer at Cundall, reflected on overcoming initial self-doubt: “I felt like I was behind everyone else at first. But then I realised – you’re an apprentice, you’re here to learn. No one expects you to know everything on day one. The key is to embrace the learning process and not be afraid to ask questions.”

Despite the workload, all panellists agreed that apprenticeships provide an excellent foundation for career growth, equipping individuals with both technical knowledge and practical skills.

Diversity and inclusion: Widening access to apprenticeships

The conversation then shifted to how apprenticeships can be made more accessible, inclusive and representative of diverse talent. The panel recognised progress in this area but agreed that there is still work to be done to encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to consider apprenticeships.

Claire McHugh, Chair of the panel and Commercial Manager at Mace stated: “We need to push for a GCSE in the built environment. Other industries like medicine and teaching have clear pathways from an early age. Why is it any different for construction? We need to get in front of young people sooner to show them the range of opportunities available.”

There was also discussion about the importance of flexible apprenticeship pathways, particularly for those who may not follow a traditional academic route. Encouraging mentorship schemes and outreach programs was suggested as a key strategy to attract a broader range of talent into the sector.

Future perspectives: Apprentices driving innovation and sustainability

The panel then explored how apprenticeships contribute to a sustainable and innovative future for the built environment. Apprentices are increasingly at the forefront of digital transformation, bringing fresh ideas and new technologies into the sector.

Santina Bunting shared her perspective on sustainability: “Companies talk about their 2030 net-zero targets, but we need to see real action at the team level. It’s not enough to have a corporate statement – sustainability must be embedded into day-to-day work.”

The panellists agreed that apprenticeships are critical in upskilling the workforce to meet future industry challenges, including climate resilience and digital innovation.

The future of apprenticeships: What needs to change?

The final part of the discussion looked at what improvements could be made to strengthen apprenticeship pathways and better integrate apprentices into the industry.

A key recommendation was improving the transition from apprenticeship to full-time employment. Annabel Huffer commented: “Employers need to see apprenticeships as long-term talent pipelines, not just training schemes. We are future leaders, and we need structured pathways to continue our development beyond the apprenticeship itself.”

The panel also discussed the need for stronger industry collaboration with educators to ensure that apprenticeship curricula remain aligned with evolving industry needs.

Conclusion

The discussion reaffirmed that apprenticeships offer a powerful alternative pathway into the built environment sector, equipping individuals with the skills needed to thrive. However, to fully realise their potential, ongoing efforts are needed to:

• Improve awareness and outreach to schools and career advisors
• Strengthen support systems for apprentices balancing work and study
• Enhance diversity and inclusion within apprenticeship schemes
• Align curricula with industry innovations, particularly in sustainability and digital transformation

In closing remarks, Aled Williams, representing UCEM, CIC and CLC, summarised the key takeaways: “Apprenticeships are shaping the future of the built environment, but we need collective action from employers, educators and policymakers to make them as accessible and impactful as possible.”

This event showcased the bright future of apprenticeships and the critical role they play in shaping a skilled, diverse and forward-thinking workforce.

For those who missed the session, a recording is available here