Ahead of this month’s South Coast CPS conference, founder Lucy Richmond provides her insight into attracting, and being, the best talent in the housebuilding industry.
The property industry needs to do more to nurture its future talent. I’ve recruited young people into the sector and supported pathways into long-term careers, but it’s a task that’s become increasingly difficult in recent years.
With many firms struggling to recruit, it’s a challenge that’s widespread and creating enormous barriers. How we attract the next generation of talent is especially important as we build for the future, and who better to ask than our young people of today?
I’m proud to be an active advocate for our next generation of talent. We must encourage the industry’s newest entrants to have a voice and give them every opportunity to listen, learn and eventually lead.
With two decades of experience in the property industry, my mission is to unite leading voices across planning, investment, design, infrastructure, housing and local government who are transforming the south into an ideal place to live and work. However, this collective goal hinges on engaging and employing young people.
Talent retention
Many graduates from the south’s universities are being drawn into London, so the region’s employers are finding it tougher to retain talent locally. We’re questioning whether employers, developers and policymakers are truly in tune with what the next generations needs and what they value. Office spaces, progression opportunities and hybrid working are just some of the factors top leaders need to have in mind when attracting young talent.
Not only should we be providing the mentoring they need to succeed, but we should be learning what they want from a job role. We need to be shaping the industry into one they’re able to thrive in.
At last year’s South Coast CPS conference, we hosted a panel which looked at the challenges and opportunities when it comes to attracting new talent to the housebuilding industry. This year, we’re hosting another panel dedicated to this topic – The Next Generation in Focus: Unpacking Talent Retention and Early Careers Myths. We’ll be looking at how to both attract and retain those in the early stages of their career.
The need for green
With firms under greater pressure to meet net-zero and ESG commitments, investment and development decision makers are placing greater emphasis on sustainability. Previously, companies didn’t devote much time to reducing their carbon footprints – it was just a ‘nice to have’ in most cases. Now, they’re investing in entire teams to identify the best green solutions and devise sustainable strategies. It’s no longer an afterthought. It’s now a core part of project viability and long-term asset value.
As a result of this, there’s a growing demand for expertise in energy efficiency, sustainable materials and environmental compliance. Robust sustainability knowledge is worth its weight in gold. Even if it’s not their specialism, I’d recommend that any aspiring property and construction professional always keeps sustainability in mind – it’s an attribute I’d always be pleased to see in an interview. Stay up-to-date with new regulations, learn from the experts and understand what the key concerns are.
We’re also seeing that employers want skills across project management and the digital alongside the traditional expertise you’d expect from an industry professional. It’s not just about technical knowledge. We need to be shaping candidates who are commercially aware, are adaptable and can work as a team. A well-rounded individual who is always learning and understands the sector they’re working within will always go further.
Collaboration is key
They say no man is an island, and I think that’s especially true for those working in the property sector! Professionals are never just working as part of their own internal team. Projects are only ever fruitful if they come from reliable relationships with a shared goal. A shared long-term strategy is far more powerful than one made in isolation.
For example, one of the panel discussions we’re hosting this year will be on Hampshire and Solent devolution – a topic that’s hot for the south. We’re inviting an expert speaker with 10 years of experience to interview our mayoral candidates and find out what the new structure could look like. Devolution is going to have a ripple effect on everyone across the built environment sector. We need to adapt to the changes together and work alongside the local authorities leading the transition.
My advice to young people is to be aware of the bigger picture and be prepared to collaborate with others. I think employers need to stress this to trainees and apprentices too – you’re always part of a wider network of contractors, engineers and investors to name just a few.
Building your network early
As part of my role as director of South Coast CPS, I devised an offer which gives university students free entry to the annual South Coast CPS conference from 2.00pm until 5.00pm. This is a great opportunity for young people to start building their connections early on and put themselves in front of future employers.
Many of the companies that exhibit with us offer graduate schemes and apprenticeships across surveying, planning, construction and investment. There’s a lot out there students can benefit from and I’d recommend they start investigating their options early on.
Learning is also an integral part of the conference. Attendees can earn CPD accredited points from speaker sessions so they can start building their knowledge. That’s why it’s a fantastic environment for young people – there’s so many opportunities to pick up new insights. For those students who aren’t sure what route they want to go down yet, this is a great environment to ask questions, be curious and experience the full spectrum of the property industry.
The Next Generation in Focus: Unpacking Talent Retention and Early Careers Myths is just one of the many panel discussions being held at this year’s South Coast CPS conference taking place on Thursday 13 November at St Mary’s Stadium.
