Does Construction Have A Jesus Complex? | Episode 129

Construction Disrupted Episode 129 - Does Construction Have A Jesus Complex? (19.08.26) in partnership with Adobe Acrobat Studio. Check them out and show them some love.

Here's what we're discussing in this episode - Years of fragmented reforms have left education and training pathways confusing for young people and employers alike, with a persistent divide between academic and technical routes. As the government pushes for devolution and local empowerment, new research shows that construction labour markets are becoming more localised, making regional skills strategies more important than ever. Meanwhile, innovation is accelerating, with technologies like atmospheric water generation offering practical solutions to sustainability and resource challenges on site. Let's go!

Why construction must get ahead of Burnham’s skills plan

The UK’s construction skills system is widely seen as outdated and confusing, with repeated reforms failing to bridge the gap between academic and technical education. Andy Burnham’s new plan aims to elevate technical subjects in schools from age 14, linking them to local job opportunities and devolving education funding to regional authorities.

Early pilots, like the Manchester Baccalaureate, have partnered with hundreds of employers to offer T-level placements in growth sectors such as construction and the green economy. However, the sector must actively engage to ensure reforms deliver real workplace readiness, valuable placements, and sufficient funding—especially for SMEs. Without industry involvement, there’s a risk of perpetuating a broken system and missing out on new talent.

New report finds increasingly localised construction labour markets support the Government's agenda

Recent research from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) highlights a shift: construction workers are less willing to travel long distances for work, with only 28% working more than 50 miles from home (down from 32% in 2022).

This trend supports the government’s push for localised skills development and technical education pathways for young people. As workforce mobility declines, employers must invest in local training and recruitment to meet regional labour demands. The report stresses that place-based skills strategies and stronger partnerships between employers, training providers, and local authorities are essential to address emerging skills shortages and deliver on housing and infrastructure goals.

Read the report: Workforce Mobility research shows that skills strategies must become more localised

Turning air into drinking water: could atmospheric water generation change construction?

Atmospheric water generators (AWGs) are emerging as a practical solution for on-site drinking water, extracting moisture from the air and purifying it for consumption. Companies like Altitude Water are promoting AWGs for construction sites, reducing reliance on bottled water and temporary supplies. The technology, already used in disaster relief and remote locations, is gaining traction in the UK due to rising concerns over water security and infrastructure strain.

AWGs can be integrated into new developments for direct supply to kitchens and drinking points, while solar-powered mobile units offer off-grid solutions. Although still unfamiliar to many, AWGs could soon become a standard feature on construction projects, supporting sustainability and resilience as water scarcity intensifies.

Bios

Ryan Jones - SLG Agency

For almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.

His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.

In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.

Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.

Peter Sumpton - buildDifferent

Peter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning and measurable outcomes.

His approach is practical and plain-spoken: cut the noise, focus on what moves the numbers, and build repeatable systems that teams can actually use.

Having seen first-hand how unfocused tactics waste time and budget, Peter works with leaders to align commercial goals, customer insight and content so marketing supports delivery rather than distracting from it.

Peter's passion lies in diagnosing organisations' marketing functions' capabilities and existing market, assembling what’s required to create a functional strategy, fit for purpose and scalable.

Marketing should create value, not just cost, and Peter’s work is about making that the norm.