UK Construction Week is launching a new initiative for 2018 to help the industry compete for talent. It will do this by taking role models in the industry and elevating their profile and their story in a nationwide publicity campaign through trade and consumer media.

Role models will also be asked to take part in an outreach programme, going to colleges and schools in the coming months to talk to students and teachers at key stages of their education to explain what inspired them to choose construction as a career and bust any myths around the image of construction.

UK Construction Week is looking for professionals to apply or to be nominated. This is an opportunity for people to raise their own profile if they feel they deserve it, or for colleagues to nominate professionals they feel deserve recognition.  This is a great chance for a company to raise its profile by showcasing its talent, as well as for unsung heroes to gain valuable encouragement, as well as help recruit a whole new generation of construction professionals.

This is aimed at all walks of the sector, whether you are a newly qualified apprentice, or someone who has transferred into the sector from the military or automotive industries.  You could be working in plastering,  drylining,  partitions,  ceilings and flooring,  digital construction,  facilities management, architecture, site management, bricklaying,  roofing….the list goes on! They want a diverse and representative selection to show the world the myriad of opportunities and talent the sector holds.

Successful UKCW Role Models will be asked to speak at UK Construction Week on their Main stage or individual show stages, to take part in their UKCW student initiative, and they will be asked to write for their Construction Matters blog. They will be invited to selected events in the coming months, as well as being VIPs at the main event in October.

FIS would like show-case the talent that exists within the FIS membership and as a result are encouraging members to nominate individuals from their companies that fit this campaign criteria.   Please email yasminkauser@thefis.org directly with your nominations by close of play 23 April 2018 and we will co-ordinate with UK Construction Week.