The UK’s biggest event for the built environment, UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham, returns to the NEC this September for three packed days of big name speakers, CPD-accredited talks, live demonstrations, product launches, technical workshops, and unrivalled networking
With a theme of ‘where decisions are made’, UKCW Birmingham (September 30 to October 2) will be a bustling networking hub for all tier 1 and tier 2 contractors; housebuilders and developers; local authority and housing associations; architects; buyers and procurement experts connecting, collaborating and learning more about an ever-growing and constantly changing industry.
This year’s event places a strong spotlight on two of the sector’s most pressing challenges: the national skills shortage and the urgent need to accelerate housebuilding. Across multiple stages, expert-led talks and panel discussions will tackle how the industry can attract fresh talent, upskill its workforce, and build the capacity needed to meet ambitious housing targets. From policy insights and training initiatives to practical solutions for on-site delivery, UKCW Birmingham brings together the people and ideas needed to address these issues head-on.
The first big name speakers have already been announced, including architect and TV presenter, George Clarke; Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker; Alan Heron, Director of Procurement at Places for People; Emma Whigham, Markets & Supply Chain Director for the New Hospital Programme; Rachael Owens, Co-Director of the National Retrofit Hub; Amanda Long, Chief Executive of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI); and Marie Claude Hemming, Director of Operations at ACE Net.
The schedule of talks includes:
Breaking Barriers: Opening Pathways for a More Inclusive Workforce:
Exploring how welcoming individuals with physical disabilities, neurodivergence, and special educational needs into construction can help tackle the skills shortage while boosting diversity, innovation, and long-term industry resilience.
Retrofit Revolution: Meeting Citizen Demand for Warmer, Greener Homes:
The industry is acutely aware of the need to upgrade and decarbonise the nation’s homes. This in-depth look at how to spark public demand for home retrofits and decarbonisation will include fresh research on what motivates householders to take action and how to engage them effectively. Building a Sustainable Future: Retrofitting for Climate Resilience: With buildings responsible for a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, this panel covers practical strategies for transforming existing buildings into low-carbon and climate-resilient assets, from smart energy upgrades to sustainable materials.
Bridging the Gap: Solving the Skills Shortage to Build the Homes We Need:
With ambitious targets for new housing, the construction industry faces a critical challenge: who will build them? Led by voices from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), this talk explores practical solutions to fill skills gaps across the construction industry from attracting new entrants and career switchers to upskilling the current workforce.
Alongside over 300 leading brands from around the world, UKCW Birmingham will feature 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars and talks across five stages – all of which are CPD accredited. To register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-birmingham-2025/cab-pr
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