The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has brought 2025 to a close by hosting a reception at the Houses of Parliament, gathering political representatives and built environment professionals to consider the sector’s progress and priorities for the year ahead. The event, held on 10 December, offered a platform for discussion on digital construction, workforce development, building safety and the policy support required to strengthen the UK’s construction landscape in 2026.
Speakers included CIOB President Paul Gandy FCIOB, Lord Andrew Mawson, Andrew Pakes MP and Will Forster MP. Their contributions highlighted the growing influence of digital transformation across construction and the need for sustained engagement between policymakers, industry leaders and practitioners operating across project delivery and frontline roles.
Tomorrow’s leaders
A key focus of the reception was the contribution of apprentices and CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders, who shared insights into their early career experiences. Their input underscored the importance of structured pathways into construction, improved access to training and the industry’s ongoing need to attract a broader pipeline of future professionals. These discussions aligned closely with evolving workforce challenges, including digital skills shortages and the demand for greater technical capability across modern construction methods.
Reflecting on the past year
Reflecting on the past year, Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, external affairs and research at CIOB, emphasised the significance of collaboration between industry and government. He noted that the sector enters 2026 with ongoing pressures, including procurement practices, skills development and building safety. As government targets for housing delivery and infrastructure expansion continue to shape national priorities, digital construction, competency frameworks and resilient supply chains remain central to effective sector performance.
CIOB Aspire
To illustrate the organisation’s work across 2025, CIOB showcased several initiatives at the event. These included the launch of CIOB Aspire, a portal designed to support young people exploring construction careers through access to resources, guidance and sector insights. CIOB also published its Guide to Products Critical for Safe Construction, the second edition of its Client Guide and new research into the perceptions of parents and young people considering roles in the built environment.
Alongside its technical and policy work, CIOB continued to expand its focus on wellbeing. The Need to Talk campaign extended its reach across UK construction sites, with thousands of QR code stickers now available to signpost workers towards support services. Research into stress and wellbeing added further depth to the organisation’s broader commitment to improving working conditions across the sector.
Future-ready workforce
Speaking at the reception, Andrew Pakes MP highlighted the importance of apprenticeships in building a resilient and future-ready workforce. He reinforced that investment in skills supports both individual progression and wider national objectives, particularly the delivery of safe housing, infrastructure and sustainable development.
As the industry prepares for 2026, the event demonstrated a shared understanding across parliamentarians, industry representatives and early-career professionals: that digital construction, skills investment and robust regulatory frameworks will shape the sector’s capacity to meet national housing and infrastructure needs. The reception closed the year with a clear message that continued collaboration will be essential in guiding the construction industry through the next phase of change.
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