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Meet the Employer Connects Construction Industry with Future Talent at Kent Construction EXPO
On 1st October 2026, the Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), in partnership with South East Consortium, hosted a successful Meet the Employer activity as part of the Skills & Workforce Partnership at Kent Construction EXPO. The initiative brought together students from colleges across Kent and Medway with employers from across the construction sector for a morning of meaningful conversations, career exploration and industry engagement.
Designed to strengthen links between education and industry, the activity gave young people the opportunity to speak directly with construction professionals, learn about different career pathways and gain first-hand insight into the skills, qualifications and personal attributes employers are looking for in their future workforce.
Throughout the morning, employers shared their experiences, offered practical advice and answered questions on everything from apprenticeships and training routes to career progression and workplace expectations. The conversations were varied, engaging and impactful, helping students gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available within the construction and built environment sectors.
The event also delivered a number of positive outcomes. Employers discussed employment opportunities, offered work placements, provided ongoing support and mentoring, and identified promising future talent. Students benefited from practical demonstrations, valuable industry insight and direct exposure to businesses operating across the sector.
The young people who attended were a credit to their colleges and lecturers. Their enthusiasm, professionalism and willingness to engage made a lasting impression on the employers involved and contributed significantly to the success of the event.
A huge thank you must go to the employers who generously gave up their time to support the activity. Their commitment to helping inspire the next generation of construction professionals demonstrates the important role industry plays in developing the future workforce.
One of those employers was Jim Scott, Head of Trainee Recruitment & Development at Alltask, who spoke about the importance of creating opportunities for young people to engage directly with employers and gain a better understanding of the industry.
🎥 Watch Jim’s reflections from the day on the official event video: View the video
As highlighted through the Kent & Medway LSIP, developing a strong pipeline of skilled talent into priority sectors remains a key challenge for many employers. Activities such as Meet the Employer help bridge the gap between education and industry, providing valuable opportunities for learners to explore careers while enabling employers to engage directly with their future workforce.
The Kent & Medway LSIP is proud to have delivered this activity alongside South East Consortium and would like to thank every employer, college and student who contributed to its success. We look forward to building on the momentum generated by this pilot initiative and creating further opportunities to connect industry and education across Kent and Medway.
For more information about the Skills & Workforce Partnership at Kent Construction EXPO, click here.
