Event at Landsec’s global headquarters in central London brought together educators, policymakers, and sector professionals.
Date: 16 October 2024
London Metropolitan University’s School of the Built Environment (SBEN) took centre stage at the "Getting London Building" event last night, where it was recognised for the important contribution it will make to addressing the capital’s construction skills shortage.
The event, organised in collaboration with BusinessLDN and New City College, united industry leaders and educators to celebrate the rapid progress SBEN has made since its launch in 2022 and to discuss solutions for tackling London's workforce gaps amidst evolving sustainability demands.
“We’re committed to delivering transformational change,” said Sean Flynn, Dean of the School of the Built Environment at London Met. He emphasised the university’s vital role in addressing sector skills shortages, particularly as the built environment adapts to net-zero targets and new technologies. Sean also highlighted London Met's partnerships with employers and further education institutions like New City College, which provide clear pathways into careers in construction and sustainability.
“Our courses are designed not only to teach technical knowledge but to prepare students for the real challenges in today’s industry,” Sean explained. “We’re bringing into the curriculum contemporary subjects including advanced fire safety and big data to ensure students are fully equipped for the demands of the sector.”
Critical need
Mark Hilton from BusinessLDN, who opened the event, stressed the critical need for collaboration between education, business, and policymakers to tackle the construction sector’s challenges. He acknowledged the strain caused by skills shortages and labour gaps, which are expected to worsen.
"We’ve got record insolvencies in the construction sector and are still 80,000 workers down on pre-pandemic levels," Mr Hilton said. "We could lose another 500,000 people in the workforce over the next 10 to 15 years, which is concerning when we consider the homes and workplaces we need to build." He emphasised that addressing this skills gap requires a united effort, adding, "The only way to crack this is together – business, education, and policymakers aligning to get London skilled in all the right areas."
Ayo Akande, Assistant Director of Skills and Employment (Delivery) at the Greater London Authority (GLA), reinforced this point, stating: "The government can't do this alone. We need partnerships with universities, colleges, and employers to create the workforce that will meet London’s future needs."
Power in partnerships
Professor Julie Hall, Vice-Chancellor of London Met, who attended the event alongside Deputy Vice-Chancellor Gary Davies, emphasised the importance of partnerships in addressing the skills gap. "It’s great to have partners like BusinessLDN and New City College working with us to deliver solutions for our students and for London. Our courses are designed specifically to meet the demands of the capital’s evolving economy, ensuring our graduates have the practical skills needed by employers. By working closely with industry, we’re helping to future-proof London’s built environment sector."
The event also highlighted how London Met’s programmes offer clear routes from vocational training to higher education, with guaranteed progression for New City College students. "We’re creating opportunities for Londoners to enter the built environment sector at multiple levels, from trades to postgraduate qualifications," Sean noted.
Creating a diverse pipeline of talent
In addition to equipping students with industry-relevant skills, London Met is focused on increasing diversity in the built environment sector. The university’s initiatives aim to attract students from underrepresented backgrounds, helping to create a more inclusive workforce. “We need to widen participation and open the eyes of those who may not have traditionally considered a career in construction,” Sean added. “There’s a huge opportunity for all Londoners to benefit from the rewarding careers this industry offers.”
Looking ahead, London Met will expand its offerings with the launch of an MSc in Civil Engineering with Project Management in September 2025. Sean also outlined the university’s plans for cutting-edge facilities as part of the campus redevelopment, aimed at providing students with state-of-the-art resources.
Pic: Sean Flynn presenting at last night's event.
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Opened in 2022, London Met's School of the Built Environment will focus on the design, planning, financing, construction, sale and operation of places in which we live, work, travel and play.
Collaborating with leading businesses, practitioners and professional bodies within the property and construction sectors, we plan to offer courses that prepare our students for successful careers in construction, surveying and real estate.