NFRC joins Guest Panel at UK Construction Week
The session, Allies and Mentorship in Building a Career in Construction, focussed on the importance of developing talent to ensure long-term capability and succession planning, whilst exploring mentorship programmes, apprenticeships, and graduate pipelines.
Ruth was joined by Doreen DiSalvo, Head of Brand and Communications – Northern Europe, Hilti Great Britain, and Yanmo Adetula, CHAYIL CONSULTING LIMITED, and engaged in an insightful discussion.
Key takeaways from the session included:
- The critical role of mentorship and visible support networks in helping individuals not just enter the industry, but stay and progress within it.
- The need to break down perceived and real barriers for underrepresented groups by creating more inclusive and accessible pathways.
- The importance of employers taking an active role in shaping talent pipelines, rather than relying on the system to deliver work‑ready candidates.
Reflecting on the day, Ruth said, “What really stood out for me was the shared recognition that attracting people into construction is only part of the story, we also need to make sure they feel supported, valued, and able to build a future in the industry.
"Across the panel, there was a strong sense that mentorship and employer engagement aren’t ‘nice to have’, they’re essential if we’re serious about long-term workforce sustainability. It was encouraging to see how much appetite there is across the sector to do things differently and work more collaboratively.”
With thanks to the moderator of the session, Siu Mun Li, Director, Constructing Siu‑lutions.
The discussion closely reflects the direction of NFRC’s Skilled Employment Strategy, which is focused on creating clearer, employer‑led pathways into roofing, improving access for new entrants, and supporting individuals to progress into sustainable, long‑term careers. Has mentorship played a positive role in your career? If so, we'd love to hear from you to build a case study. Share your story here.
