Young people, students and construction professionals gathered at West Suffolk College’s Extended Reality Lab – CTEC (Construction Technical Excellence College) – in Bury St Edmunds for CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders: Building Futures – Careers in Construction.
The event explored the range of career opportunities across the built environment, with speakers sharing their experiences and offering advice to those considering a career in the sector.
Sponsored by Pentaco, Bowmer and Kirkland and Handford Homes, the programme included presentations from John McLellan of Cadeler, Conor Nolan of Spacion and Siu Mun Li of Constructing Siu-lutions, as well as contributions from Pentaco’s Young Professionals Board.
A key message was the importance of being open to new opportunities. Speakers encouraged attendees to take chances and remain flexible in their career choices, with one advising: “If you’re offered an opportunity, just say yes. You never know where it might take you.”
The discussion also highlighted that careers in construction do not necessarily follow a linear path. Speakers outlined how different routes, from apprenticeships and technical roles to management and leadership positions, can provide opportunities for progression and professional development.
The event formed part of CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders’ work to engage with emerging talent and demonstrate the breadth of roles available across the industry, highlighting the range of routes into construction and the potential for careers to evolve over time.
