New Pilot Programme Explores Talent in Construction Industry

July 25, 2026 Off By

Local College Collaborates with Industry Partners to Address Skills Shortage

Leeds College of Building (LCB) has joined forces with the neurovision group, Wates Group, and Constructive Futures to launch a pilot programme titled ‘All Kinds of Minds in Construction’. The initiative aims to explore how the construction sector can better identify and support the diverse talents of its workforce, addressing the ongoing skills shortage from a fresh perspective.

Rethinking Talent Recognition in Construction

The pilot challenges the conventional assumption that talent is always easy to spot within the construction industry. Instead of focusing solely on recruitment, the programme emphasises recognising, developing, and retaining existing capabilities by understanding the various ways individuals think, learn, communicate, and contribute.

While neurodiversity is a key part of the discussion, the initiative takes a broader view of human cognition, highlighting that every individual has unique strengths and that all minds bring value to the workplace. The programme suggests that performance depends not only on an individual’s capability but also on whether the working environment allows that capability to be fully utilised.

Statements from Key Participants

Steph Goodlad, Head of Quality Improvement at LCB: Expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting it supports the college’s commitment to inclusion and continuous improvement by recognising the unique strengths of learners and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.
Caroline Meehan, Founder of the neurovision group: Highlighted that the construction industry has never lacked talent but sometimes lacks systems that recognise talent when it appears differently from traditional expectations. She emphasised that the aim is not to change standards but to help more people demonstrate existing capabilities and provide employers with practical ways to access these skills.

LCB’s Role in the Construction Sector

Leeds College of Building’s involvement in this pilot comes after its designation as one of only ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) in England. Serving as the Yorkshire and Humber regional hub, the college has been acknowledged for strengthening employer partnerships and contributing to the development of the future construction workforce.