This year we exhibited at UK Construction Week, which took place between 1st-3rd October 2024 at the NEC in Birmingham. As well as meeting some fantastic people within the industry, and showing them how containers can revolutionise construction projects, we also had the chance to listen to leading industry experts hosting seminars throughout the day.
Here are our top takeaways from UK Construction Week:
Biodiversity and environmental protection
To maintain healthy ecosystems and combat climate change, it’s crucial that development projects now consider biodiversity preservation during construction.
Construction has a significant impact on local environments, but it can present an opportunity to enhance biodiversity through thoughtful design and implementation. It was great to see Albie Jordaan, Executive Commercial Officer at Harvey Roofing Products, discuss the importance of how innovative products – such as their Harvey Eco Tiles – play a huge part in reducing carbon footprints in construction.
Pete Mitchell, Practice Manager Sustainability Consultancy at Valpak, delivered an insightful seminar about the crucial role of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in driving sustainability and helpfully explained the process of creating EPDs for projects.
We also had chance to chat with Wildcare, a company who provides habitat management products, who told us that many visitors were taking interest in products such as high-tech bat recorders to ensure environmental protection was taking place in their construction projects.
By prioritising biodiversity, construction professionals can not only comply with regulations but also contribute positively to local ecosystems, enhance project value, and improve community relations.
Women in construction
The construction industry is experiencing a significant shift in gender diversity. Women now make up 15.8% of the UK construction workforce, which equates to over 340,000 women contributing their skills to the sector. Despite this progress, challenges for women and minority groups persist.
Women often face barriers such as stereotypes, lack of flexible hours, and limited mentorship opportunities. It was fantastic to see a seminar from previous judges and nominees in the Women in Construction Awards discussing the misconceptions they have faced over the years and how they overcame them. This firsthand experience was no doubt invaluable to everyone who attended the seminar.
There were also talks about not only encouraging women in the industry, but also how leaders can provide a respectful environment to those living with menstruation, menopause, and childcare challenges. Representing these issues is vital to create a more equal workspace.
It was positive to see an interactive Women in Construction Networking Hour that took place on the first day of the exhibition. This provided an inclusive space for women in construction to speak with peers and share insight and experiences.
There is no doubt that the construction industry is making strides towards greater inclusivity and diversity. While there is still work to be done, the growing awareness of the inclusion of women shows a positive shift towards a more equal future for the industry.
Advancing safety standards
The construction industry’s commitment to improving safety standards was heavily featured at the event, with many exhibitors showcasing innovative approaches to building safety and professional development.
For example, NEBOSH‘s presence at the event highlighted the ongoing need for professional development in construction safety. The Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) qualification was prominently featured at their stand, underscoring the industry’s focus on equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage safety effectively on construction sites.
Key discussions happened during the Building a Safer Future workshop, which highlighted the industry’s shift towards creating a positive safety culture, drawing on lessons from other high-risk sectors. In addition to this, practical safety concerns were addressed in the scaffolding seminar, which emphasised fall prevention as a continuing priority in an industry where working at height remains a significant risk.
It’s clear that leaders in the construction industry are adopting a proactive approach to adapting to new safety standards and regulatory requirements, showing a clear emphasis on competence, culture change, and practical risk management.
Mental health in the workplace
The construction industry is increasingly recognising the importance of mental health in the workplace, and it was highlighted throughout the exhibition that action needs to take place to help those affected.
Statistics show that construction workers face a disproportionately high risk of mental health challenges, with suicide rates 3.7 times higher than the national average. Factors contributing to this include high-stress environments with tight deadlines and budgets and long working hours affecting work-life balance. There is also stigma surrounding mental health discussions, especially amongst men in the industry.
There is no doubt that mental health is being taken seriously by the industry – one key seminar, Raising Awareness: Tackling Mental Health in Construction, brought together experts from Mace, CPC Civils, and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) to address mental health. The discussion focused on support systems and their effectiveness as well as methods to reduce stigma within the industry.
Another key talk was the Mates in Mind seminar which emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to mental health in construction that includes education, supporting managers with training, and collaboration between organisations to share best practices.
By prioritising mental health, the construction industry can create safer, supportive work environments, ultimately improving the productivity and wellbeing of its workforce.
UK Construction Week 2024 proved to be an invaluable platform for industry professionals, highlighting key areas shaping the future of construction.
The themes discussed in seminars and workshops showcased how leading bodies in the industry are inspiring collaboration and innovation as we strive for a more sustainable, inclusive, and supportive future.
To find out how our team could support your construction project with containers, please email us on sales@sjonescontainers.co.uk or call 01922 741 752
