Former England international footballer Trevor Steven, architect and TV presenter George Clarke, and Andrew Lewer MP are amongst the first set of high-profile speakers announced for UK Construction Week London, which makes its return to ExCeL from 7 – 9 May.

A host of exciting new show features includes the debut of the new Live Demo Theatre, Skills and Training Hub, a Recruitment Zone dedicated to the industry, new C-Suite Summits, a ‘Gumball Rally’ across the country, and a host of international exhibitors housed in pavilions from India, China, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Germany and France. 

The show will also once again be co-located with Concrete Expo and The Offsite Show, as well as the UK’s premier event for the self-build sector, Grand Designs Live. Supported by The Concrete Society, Concrete Expo will be of interest to engineers, general contractors, architects, designers, planners, surveyors and local authorities, alongside the more traditional concrete contractor, making up an audience of over 5,000 construction professionals. 

Across the three days, visitors can look forward to the show’s many highlights, new features and dedicated areas including: 

• Skills: With an even larger emphasis at this year’s show on skills development, apprenticeships and training in the industry, new features include a live challenge featuring some of the world’s best in BIM digital construction; a new collaboration with the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board); and new show zones focused on skills, training, careers and recruitment.
• Careers and Recruitment Zone: Another new area created in response to exhibitor and visitor feedback, this will not only be a focal point for all those working in recruitment, or simply looking for that next new role. Visitors will have face to face access to specialist recruiters from the construction sector, with discreet interview rooms allowing candidates to have onsite consultations.
• Role Models: Across the three categories (Rising Star for Apprentices, Pioneer and Icon), the campaign grants professionals in the industry the chance to showcase their unique skills, achievements, and innovative approaches with a mentoring prize up for grabs. 
• Concrete: Co-located with UKCW London, from 8 – 9 May visitors can expect to see a Live BIM for Concrete Interactive Visitor Experience; technical advice clinic; and a new dedicated area for testing, repair and reinforcement; the event will be showcasing an impressive selection of concrete products, equipment and services exhibitors. 

Sam Patel, director – construction, at UKCW, commented: “Construction is a fast-paced and evolving industry, and so our show needs to reflect that – hence the new areas which focus on skills, training and recruitment to address the skills gap which we all know has been affecting the sector for a number of years.”

Registration for UKCW London is now live (and free) through the website. The London show is complemented by its sister event, UKCW Birmingham, which takes place at the NEC (1 – 3 Oct).

To find out more about the shows and to register for UKCW London, scan the QR Code.

Article supplied by UK Construction Week