INDUSTRY COMMENT
An exciting and encouraging future for the building controls sector
Stacey Lucas, President of the BCIA looks at what the future holds
In fact, with around 520 people in attendance, the evening was the ideal opportunity to highlight the bright future our burgeoning industry has and the incredible quality and depth of talent available to companies and organisations across the whole of the UK.
While the industry certainly has some way to go in regards to encouraging new professionals into the sector, the expertise and skills of those already in the industry is unrivalled. In fact, the awards ceremony showed the true strength of the building controls workforce by highlighting the real diversity of the people, projects and companies up for individual awards.
The recent BCIA awards ceremony brought together leading industry professionals and the myriad of talented individuals and companies that make the building controls sector what it is today.
The future is bright
Young professionals in the controls industry have a fascinating blend of theoretical knowledge and incredible, untapped potential. Indeed, with education still fresh in their minds, they are quickly able to transfer the theory they have learned to the projects they’re involved in. Aside from the unbridled enthusiasm to make their mark on the industry, they are curious and open to learning and development, meaning they’re able to take on board important lessons from those more practised and put them to use.
Similarly, having grown up in a technological age, they may find it easier to accept and understand new technology and advancements in innovation. As a result, they are able to play a vital role in how the industry deploys such technology. Of course, the transition from the classroom to working on site is very much a journey, so it’s absolutely imperative that industry professionals and leaders provide them with guidance, the right environment, and the most optimal opportunities to transform their knowledge and skills and develop their practical application on live projects. How can the built environment do that? Young professionals are like sponges; they love to soak up new information and experience everything the building controls industry has to offer. That’s why it’s imperative that as an industry, we make sure we’re giving them all the tools and information they need to thrive.
Experienced members of the team will often be more than happy to pass on their expertise and experience to keen young members of the team, so why not take advantage of that? Utilise that experience and knowledge by having them become mentors for others. They might also learn a thing or two themselves while passing on so much of their own industry experience to others.
It’s also down to industry leaders and owners of companies to encourage (and invest in) their young professionals to pursue further education and training, whether that’s the BEMS Controls
Engineer Apprenticeship, online courses, on- the-job training, degrees or PhDs. Doing so will not just improve that individual’s knowledge and skills, it will also improve the quality of the building controls sector as a whole. Similarly, it’s vitally important that talented young members of a workforce are given as many opportunities to progress in the industry as possible.
Encouraging them to move up the ladder and take up new positions will provide them with job satisfaction and a clear path through their career while also highlighting a supportive and nurturing culture in the industry. While the education of young professionals is no doubt imperative, making sure that their talents remain in the industry is equally as important. With that in mind, the built environment and the building controls sector need to ensure that the profession remains an inclusive one and one that gives young professionals a true sense of belonging. Enable them to feel valued and listened to and able to work in a collaborative and supportive environment where they are able to grow and develop.
It’s down to us all as industry leaders and business owners to provide these talented young professionals with all the support, guidance, and tools they need to thrive. Indeed, while there were plenty of individual winners on the night, the building controls sector was the biggest winner – with so many talented and bright individuals and young professionals, the future really is bright.
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