What UKREiiF showed me about the next generation of regeneration

UKREiiF brings together people from across the built environment, from local authorities, investors and developers to consultants, contractors and community partners.

Among those at this year’s event was a strong representation of young people and early year professionals – including myself and colleagues.

Muse has been a willing supporter of early careers, skills and access to the industry, including initiatives such as the Muse Academy and partnerships with education providers and organisations supporting routes into the sector.

As part of these programmes, the opportunity to attend events such as UKREiiF is extremely valuable, giving younger people in the business and those starting out in the industry a chance to experience a major industry conference first-hand. As a young attendee, I found UKREiiF a really insightful experience. It was a chance to see familiar faces, meet new people and better understand the range of organisations involved in shaping places.

It was also a real privilege to be part of a panel for the very first time alongside our Managing Director, Phil Mayall with Homes England’s, Accession Network, exploring how we can open up our industry to be more diverse and accessible, not just to get young professionals into development, but to support them to develop and stay.

This was shortly followed by our Next Gen lunch we hosted, which served as an informal space for younger people to meet others from across the sector, ask questions, build connections and hear from people at different stages of their careers.

There are lots of young people who are passionate about the industry, want to make change and want to improve the way places are delivered.

The informal nature of the Next Gen session on the final day made a real difference. At a major conference, it can sometimes feel difficult to approach people or join conversations. Having a more relaxed space meant younger people could speak to people at different levels, ask questions and hear from others already working in the industry.

That was also reflected by Riley, Katie and Mabel, three T-Level students from Oldham College who have recently completed placements with Muse through our partnership with the college.

For Riley, the Next Gen lunch was a positive experience because it brought together people from different Muse offices and different stages of their careers, including senior leaders like our Managing Director, Phil Mayall.

Seeing senior people take the time to speak with younger people showed there is genuine support for the next generation of the industry.

For Katie, UKREiiF was busy, but valuable. She had the opportunity to follow different people around the conference, meet new contacts and understand more about how the industry works.

It encouraged her to get outside her comfort zone, speak to new people and build connections she could continue afterwards.

She also attended wider events, including a session hosted by Regeneration Brainery, which gave her the chance to hear from different organisations and see more of the opportunities available across the sector.

For Mabel, UKREiiF helped build her confidence by giving her the chance to start conversations with new people and feel comfortable asking questions.

The placement has also helped her think more clearly about her future. The conversations she has had with people in the industry, especially project managers, have motivated her to pursue a career in project management and feel more prepared for university.

For Riley, Katie and Mabel, UKREiiF was part of a wider placement experience that has included site visits, office visits, project meetings and time spent learning from people across Muse and its partners.

Those experiences have helped show that regeneration is a broad industry, bringing together many different skills, organisations and career routes.

If the industry wants to attract and retain the next generation, mentoring and support need to continue as young people build their confidence, develop their skills and work out where they want to go next.

My advice to other young people attending UKREiiF, or any major industry event, would be simple: ask questions, speak to people and make the most of every opportunity.

At first, it can feel daunting to walk into rooms full of people who already know each other, or who are further ahead in their careers. But what came through from Riley, Katie and Mabel too was that people are willing to give their time, share advice and help younger people understand the industry.

That is why spaces like the Next Gen lunch matter. They make it easier to start conversations, meet people at different levels, and build the confidence to get involved.

Keep a note of what you learn, follow up with the people you meet and do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

The biggest lesson from UKREiiF, for me, was that support for young people cannot just be about getting them into the room. It has to continue through mentoring, advice and opportunities to build connections, so they can see their own future in regeneration more clearly.