Future Workforce
Partner
Strengthening the Future Workforce
We were delighted to launch our new Student Initiative at this year’s Kent Construction EXPO, developed in partnership with the South East Consortium (SEC) as this year’s Future Workforce Partner – and what an incredible first year it’s been!
South East Consortium’s commitment to future skills, careers and training pathways reflects a shared ambition across the sector to connect employers with emerging talent and help build a stronger, more sustainable workforce for the South East.
109 students from colleges and universities across Kent and the surrounding areas attended the event to explore career pathways, meet local employers, and experience the construction industry in action.
We’re now consulting with colleges, exhibitors and visitors to explore how we can make the initiative even more impactful for 2026 – helping more students connect with local employers and discover rewarding careers in construction.
A huge thank you to our partners at South East Consortium, our exhibitors, and all those who supported this launch. Together, we’re helping to inspire the next generation of construction professionals across Kent.
⭐Overall, Students gave their experience at Kent Construction EXPO 2025 an 8/10
⭐ Students rated communication and event information 9/10
⭐ 8/10 students said they would recommend the event
If you’re a student, educator, or employer interested in getting involved next year, register your interest and stay updated.
Student:
“I thought it was a really good thing to go to, it gave me a lot of options.”
Lecturer:
“The day went really well, and the comments from the students were all positive! They now understand the term ‘networking’ and will use it to help gain apprenticeships or employment.”
Students from the following colleges were in attendance at this year’s event:
“As this year’s Future Workforce Partner we’re excited to help bridge the skills gap by celebrating the diverse careers the housing sector has to offer. We’ll be joined by Kent College students eager to learn more about the Construction industry and meet possible future employers. They’ll explore the different routes into the sector, including apprenticeships and graduate programmes. This partnership is all about promoting opportunities for school leavers and ensuring a vibrant future workforce.”
David Smith, Acting CEO – South East Consortium
What can you expect?
A number of exhibitors will be highlighted in the event guide for students – these are organisations are especially open to speaking with students about careers, placements, and training opportunities they have to offer on the day.
Kent’s Role in Shaping the Future Workforce
South East Consortium and panellists hosted an insightful discussion on bridging the gap and building a stronger future workforce.
About our Future Workforce Partner:
South East Consortium
South East Consortium (SEC) is proud to celebrate 20 incredible years of supporting the housing sector in 2025!
Since we began, we’ve been dedicated to supporting Housing Associations and Local Authorities with flexible procurement solutions that save you time and money. Our frameworks connect housing providers with a wide range of suppliers – from local SMEs to national contractors – ready to deliver your projects.
But we’ve grown to cover more than just procurement. We reinvest in the sector through our tailored training programmes, knowledge-sharing events, and community fund – all helping our members make a lasting impact.
Today, we’re owned by 61 Housing Associations and Local Authorities, collectively managing over 490,000 homes.
