Education, Our Next Big Challenge

It’s been a busy but also a great week for me, as I had so many great of conversations about education. From exciting programme development meetings, to the inspirational ConCove Conference, to discussions with people in the renewable energy industry, every chanllenge we discussed it seemed to circle back to one solution: education. It’s becoming clearer to me that our next big challenge, and also our greatest opportunity, is how we teach, train, and prepare people for the future.

The reality is that education isn’t keeping pace with industry. What we are teaching and how we are teaching it often falls short of what workplaces actually need. I see talented students who put in the effort, complete their qualifications, and walk into the workforce only to be told they’re not “industry ready.” Employers are left frustrated because the gap is too wide. Students are disillusioned because the promise of education doesn’t match the reality of work. And meanwhile, industries like construction, energy, and infrastructure are accelerating, reshaped by climate change, decarbonisation, and technological disruption. The mismatch is glaring.

This is especially urgent in the construction industry. We all know the workforce is ageing, and the next generation of school leavers and young people are not coming into the industry in the numbers we need. The truth is, if they cannot see a future in construction, they cannot believe in one for themselves. And if they cannot believe it, they won’t choose it. It’s on us to show them that construction has a bright future, one that’s innovative, sustainable, and full of opportunity. We have to demonstrate that this industry isn’t just about hard hats and muddy boots, but about solving some of the most critical challenges of our time: housing, climate resilience, and building the infrastructure that keeps our country moving.

If we are serious about closing that gap, education itself must evolve. It needs to be innovative, practical, and aligned with real-world demands. That means embracing digital adaptation in delivery, not just moving lectures online, but using digital tools to create flexible, engaging, and adaptive learning experiences. It means embedding cultural awareness and implementation into programmes, recognising that our industry is diverse and that success in projects often depends as much on people and culture as on technical skill. And it means making work-integrated learning a core part of higher education, so students are not just learning about industry but learning in it, through real projects, placements, and collaborations that prepare them for the pressures and problem-solving of professional life.

Add to that the potential of AI to personalise learning and free up time for deeper skills, and the opportunity is huge. Smarter assessments could reflect real project conditions, teamwork, deadlines, collaboration, instead of just testing memory. And delivery that is led by industry experience ensures learners graduate “site-ready” rather than just “paper-ready.” These aren’t add-ons. They are essentials if we want graduates who can add value from day one.

The skills shortage we face won’t be solved by putting more people through the system. If those people aren’t prepared differently, with the right skills, perspectives, and adaptability, we’ll keep chasing the same problems. Education has to move faster, be braver, and genuinely meet industry where it is heading. And at the same time, we must inspire the next generation to see that they can have a meaningful, successful future in construction.

The encouraging part is that the will is there. Every conversation I had this week pointed in the same direction. People know education needs to change. The question now isn’t whether we should do it, it’s how quickly we can make it happen.

And here’s the challenge: industry cannot sit back and wait for education to fix itself. If you’re in the industry, get involved. Partner with educators, bring your real-world projects into classrooms, open doors for work placements, and help shape the way we teach the next generation. The future of our workforce isn’t just an education problem, it’s an industry responsibility. If we want people who are ready to deliver on day one, we have to be part of the process that gets them there.

If you don’t know where to start, or if you’d like to explore how you can help, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to continue the conversation.