UCEM Student and Vice Chancellor contribute to major UK sustainability summit

Posted on: 17 September, 2024

UCEM is committed to driving sustainability and inclusivity in the built environment forward. Our Sustainability Strategy underpins this commitment, providing a clear roadmap to embed sustainability into everything we do, both in our educational programmes and through our influence on industry practices.

We seek to make this a ‘whole institution’ approach, involving people across the organisation, including ‘student voice’.

We were therefore delighted that Ella Anderson (a UCEM degree apprentice) and Ashley Wheaton (UCEM Vice Chancellor) were invited to be panellists at the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s recent Annual Summit, which convened over 500 built environment sustainability experts from across the UK.

The panel, People-Focused Sustainability: The Role of Talent in Delivering a Just Transition offered insights on how the built environment sector can align its efforts to attract, develop and retain the right talent to support sustainability.

Empowering the next generation

Ella Anderson, an Assistant Construction Manager for Mace and a Construction Management Degree Apprentice at UCEM, provided a compelling, personal account of her experiences as a young professional in the sector. Her reflections underscored the challenges and opportunities that exist for young people entering the built environment sector, particularly concerning sustainability and inclusion.

Read more: UCEM Construction Site Management Degree Apprenticeship

Ella’s journey began as an 18-year-old and illustrated the attractiveness of a career in construction for young people, especially in terms of the stability it offers. In an uncertain economic climate, the reassurance of a steady career path, supported by both an employer and a university, is highly appealing to many young professionals. However, she acknowledged that construction can often be perceived as an unattractive career choice, particularly for younger generations and highlighted the need for better communication about the opportunities available within the industry.

A recurring theme in Ella’s contribution was the importance of targeting the right talent. She raised concerns about positive discrimination in recruitment processes, where companies focus on meeting diversity quotas at the expense of finding the most suitable candidates. Ella argued that while inclusion is critical, positive discrimination can have detrimental effects on businesses and should be seen as a failure in attracting a suitable range of job applicants (i.e. if organisations are positively discriminating that is a sign that they haven’t looked hard enough for the competent talent from historically marginalised communities or non-traditional career entry points).

Indeed, Ella challenged built environment employers to move beyond traditional recruitment methods, which often result in homogenous talent pools and instead engage directly with schools, local authorities and community groups to attract a more diverse range of candidates.

Another significant point Ella raised was the importance of nurturing young professionals once they are in the industry. She observed that many companies fail to retain talented individuals, particularly women, because there is a lack of visible role models at the higher levels of management. This, she argued, creates a disincentive for young professionals to aspire to leadership roles, as they do not see people like themselves represented at the top, commenting, “I want to see someone who looks like me, who’s done what I’ve done in a role in which I aspire to be. at the moment that’s not currently available”.

The role of education in bridging industry gaps

Ashley Wheaton, UCEM’s Vice-Chancellor, highlighted a critical issue: the gap between current educational frameworks and the rapidly evolving skills needed in the built environment. The challenge, he observed, is anticipating the demand for skills that are yet to emerge but are likely to become crucial in the future. He underscored UCEM’s commitment to working closely with employers and professional bodies to identify the specific needs of the industry.

For example, as buildings and infrastructure become more technologically advanced a deficit has emerged between the knowledge required to maximise the potential of these innovations and the skills of those designing, constructing and operating the built environment. For example, the effectiveness of sustainable buildings can be undermined if occupants do not understand how to operate energy-saving systems or other green technologies.

The challenge lies in translating these needs into tangible, standardised qualifications. Traditional degrees, which can take years to complete, often fail to keep pace with the dynamic and immediate requirements of the industry. For example, Ashley cited a real estate firm’s executive who emphasised that timely ‘on-the-ground’ competence is now more important than formal academic qualifications. This reflects the growing demand for short, focused programmes that deliver relevant skills quickly and effectively.

Ashley’s insights reflected the delicate balance UCEM must maintain offering education that is comprehensive, up-to-date and aligned with the needs of employers, whilst also navigating the slow-moving process of professional accreditation. This challenge is compounded by the fact that specifications for many emerging competencies—such as those related to sustainability—are still vague or non-existent. This uncertainty means that UCEM, like other educational institutions, is sometimes forced to “guess what competence needs to look like” and the precise demands of the future workforce.

To bridge these gaps, Ashley advocated for a comprehensive approach that incorporates education on multiple levels, including leadership, professional/technical competence skills and even building end-user education. His frustration, however, was evident in his call for clearer industry specifications that would allow UCEM and other educational bodies to train future professionals more effectively.

Aligning education with evolving industry needs for a greener future

The panel provided a platform for thought leadership and critical discussion on the future of sustainability in the built environment. Ashley Wheaton and Ella Anderson’s contributions illustrated UCEM’s role in shaping a just transition by aligning education with industry needs, fostering inclusivity and instilling a sense of purpose in future professionals.

Ella Anderson, Assistant Construction Manager at Mace, commented, “As a young professional in the construction industry, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of aligning sustainability with real opportunities for growth and inclusion. It’s not just about meeting quotas or ticking boxes; it’s about creating a diverse, skilled workforce that reflects the future we want to build. By fostering genuine opportunities for talent development, we can inspire the next generation to take on the challenges of sustainability with purpose and confidence.”

Ashley Wheaton, UCEM’s Vice Chancellor, said “As the world continues to confront the challenges of climate change, UCEM’s commitment to developing the next generation of built environment professionals remains steadfast. Through partnerships with industry, tailored educational offerings and a focus on sustainability, UCEM is playing a vital role in preparing future leaders to navigate the complexities of tomorrow’s built environment.”