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Understanding how we can attract more people into the sector is vitally important when we consider shaping the future of the construction industry.Although it’s widely recognised that there aren’t enough women and minorities joining construction, Professor Glass says this important issue has been noted and there are people trying to rectify this situation.

She also believes academics and researchers could generate enthusiasm by sharing what attracted them to this stimulating, fascinating space, and discussing what motivates them to stay.. We also need to take stock of what competencies are needed in the construction industry, and acknowledge that digital skills must be made a priority.The UK government's decision to bring coding into the national curriculum means we now have digitally enabled young people coming through with these important skills.In principle, upon graduation that new workforce is just as available to the construction industry as to any other sector, but we need to attract them into construction at the right time, or they’ll go elsewhere.

Similarly, while it is certainly important to maintain a focus on bringing apprentices and young people into the industry, we also need to prioritise graduates and master’s degree students.These are the people with the higher level skills who can land straight into management roles of organisations and really make significant shifts in how things are done.

Moreover, organisations need to create space for people with these skills, because this isn’t always the case at the moment.. It’s also important to acknowledge the work that is already being done in this area.

Bryden Wood’s digital configurator apps are deliberately aimed at lowering the barrier to entry, while Professor Glass notes that at UCL there’s a part of the faculty entirely composed of data scientists looking at the built environment.Extending a building’s life, or giving it a second life through refurbishment, reduces the need to use yet more building materials for its replacement.

Designing adaptable buildings enables the function to change depending on its users’ needs.If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that workplaces and homes both need to be flexible to account for changing work patterns.

It’s a balancing act to make sure a building can be adaptable without over-designing the structure, architecture and MEP.But when we build smarter we can do this.