What can be said about UKREiiF that hasn’t already been said over the last few days. A worthwhile trip to Leeds for everyone we spoke to, for a packed diary of talks, B2Bs and networking events. We moved some important conversations forward, caught up with existing industry colleagues, and made some great new contacts and future collaborators.
Last year we attended a fringe event organised by Women In Architecture, which focused around the question of why conferences and quality networking events all look the same, and how we can improve this. Representatives from UKREiiF were in the room, and clearly listened, and within a week had offered an initiative for attendees to bring U25s on a free ticket for every five tickets sold. Giving companies, particularly SMEs, the opportunity to take younger, less senior members of their team to the Conference, without the financial burden.
The Manser Practice were really pleased to take two Part 1 architects, and one Part 2 with us this year, two through the free UKREiiF ticket initiative, and one through Constructive Futures, a non-for-profit organisation that aims to give opportunities to young people to get them into the construction industry, which Catherine from our York studio is involved with.
Catherine said “It was great to see the students building in confidence talking to professionals and making connections that could lead to work experience opportunities or full-time work. They were engaged with the different talks and exhibitors, as well as asking mentors plenty of questions. For me it was uplifting to see young people engaged in joining the construction industry, with particular focuses in sustainability, and wanting to be up to date with the latest technologies. I also noticed my own confidence building as a young professional, learning from the different talks and events, as well as making connections with other young people in industry.”
