Building Connections at the Spring NISCA Conference
The Spring NISCA Conference, held at the La Mon Hotel, once again proved to be an invaluable opportunity to connect with careers teachers from across Northern Ireland and showcase the vital support available to help young people explore careers in construction.
Pictured L-R: Construction Futures’ Education Engagement Co-Ordinator, Jenni Marshall
With over 30 exhibitors in attendance, the event created a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere where educators could engage directly with representatives from various industries and universities. Construction Futures was proud to attend alongside our industry partners CITB NI, representing the Construction & Built Environment sector and reinforcing our shared commitment to inspiring the next generation.
Throughout the day, attendees took part in a packed schedule of keynote speakers and workshops designed to equip them with practical tools, insights, and industry knowledge. These sessions highlighted the importance of preparing students for a wide range of future pathways, with construction standing out as a sector full of opportunity, innovation, and long-term career prospects.
At our stand, we were pleased to present a range of our initiatives, including the Open Doors campaign—an impactful programme offering students a behind-the-scenes look at live construction sites and workplaces. We also shared our growing suite of educational resources tailored for schools, including our role-specific flyers designed to help students better understand the diversity of jobs across the built environment. Each flyer includes QR codes that link to short video interviews with local apprentices, providing real-life perspectives and advice that students can relate to.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the day was hearing directly from teachers who have seen our content online. Many commented on the reach of our social media videos and expressed enthusiasm for accessing even more of our materials in future. Their feedback was both encouraging and energising—it reinforced the impact of our outreach and the growing appetite for construction-focused career education.
We left the conference with renewed motivation and look forward to deepening our relationships with schools across the region. As we prepare for the next academic year, Construction Futures remains committed to expanding our efforts, collaborating with educators, and making the construction industry a first-choice career option for students.
