DAY TWO
8:00 am Conference Registration & Networking
8:50 am Chair’s Welcome & Recap of Day One
Building Change in Construction Through Diverse Hiring Strategies
9:00 am Discover: Advancing Diversity at Your Construction Firm with Creative Solutions
Synopsis
- How can construction firms embody inclusivity across the board, from diverse suppliers to inclusive internal development programs?
- A holistic view of the changes you can make today, to be a more equitable and inclusive construction employer in both the short and longer term
- The story behind Suffolk’s daring diversity strategy featuring an incentive program which saw diverse hires double in just one year
9:20 am Workshop Session: Diversity in Construction Recruiting
Synopsis
- How can construction companies expand their recruitment strategies to reach underrepresented groups?
- How can we ensure our outreach and job descriptions are inclusive and free of biased language?
- How can the industry address the perception that construction is a “non-diverse” field and promote it as an inclusive career choice?
9:50 am Develop: What More Can We Be Doing as an Industry to Address Diversity Imbalances in Construction?
Synopsis
Question & Answer Session Facilitated by the Chair
- What role do ERGs and other internal inclusive initiatives play in attracting diverse candidate pools, and how can recruiters showcase these efforts to prospective talent?
- What steps can construction recruiters take to challenge the perception that the industry is not inclusive?
- How can construction TA professionals ensure that job postings and recruitment campaigns are free from bias and appeal to a diverse talent pool?
10:10 am Action: What Strategies Could Your Team Adopt to Address Diversity Challenges in Construction?
Synopsis
Output Focused Action Session Facilitated by the Chair
- What changes could you make to the interview or screening process to reduce barriers for diverse candidates
- What internal training can you implement to support recruiters and hiring managers in understanding and addressing unconscious bias?
- Which outreach strategies have worked well for connecting with underrepresented groups in construction?
10:20 am Networking & Refreshments
TRACK A – Empowering Recruiters as Strategic Talent Advisors
11:00 am Discover: Leveraging Functional Expertise as a Tool to Accelerate Construction Recruiting
Synopsis
- Discover how developing a structured framework of “rocks” for key roles enables recruiters to screen for functional and technical expertise with precision, reducing reliance on hiring managers
- Uncover how to effectively train your recruiters to become functional experts, driving efficiencies in both the short and long term
- Learn how Nox Group’s proactive approach to candidate screening has accelerated its recruiting lifecycle and enhanced candidate quality, whilst providing measurable time savings for senior leaders involved in hiring of critical construction talent
11:20 am Discover: Building Sustainable Career Paths for Recruiters to Drive Retention
Synopsis
- Create structured learning and development opportunities that enable recruiters to build expertise in specific areas of construction talent acquisition
- Learn how investing in recruiter development can reduce turnover and save costs
- Hear how Renovo Home Partners implemented structured career pathways for its recruiting team, improving team retention and productivity
11:40 am Develop: What Else Can We Learn About Enhancing Recruiter Expertise & Streamlining Processes in Construction TA?
Synopsis
Question & Answer Session Facilitated by the Chair
What lessons from your initiatives could be applied to smaller construction firms with limited resources?
How do you ensure that your recruiting practices stay aligned with evolving trends and candidate expectations in construction?
What were the biggest challenges in addressing misconceptions about blue-collar roles, and how did you overcome them?
12:00 pm Action: How Can You Enhance Recruiter Processes & Streamline Efficiencies to Transform Talent Acquisition at Your Construction Firm?
Synopsis
Output Focused Action Session Facilitated by the Chair
- What strategies could you implement to reduce the reliance on hiring managers during the recruitment process?
- How can you better showcase the diverse and lucrative opportunities available in construction?
- What future trends do you foresee impacting talent acquisition in construction, and how can you prepare for them?
Track A: 12:20 Networking Lunch
TRACK B – Next-Generation Recruiting in Construction
Top-Tier Next-Gen Recruiting for Construction Firms
11:00 am Discover: Optimizing College Recruiting as a Construction Firm
Synopsis
- Build stronger partnerships with local educational institutions to enhance campus recruiting and position your firm as a top choice for talented graduates
- Learn how DPR aligned regional pipeline forecasting with a refined campus strategy, fostering relationships with leading schools to attract top-tier talent
- Discover how a revamped approach increased DPR’s full-time and intern hires by over 30% in one year while ensuring a talent pipeline that supports long-term growth and innovation
11:20 am Discover: Recruiting Young Talent into the Construction Industry
Synopsis
- Uncover how to engage the next generation of construction talent through events and relationship building with colleges and universities
- Inspire young talent by showcasing construction’s diverse career opportunities
- Brasfield & Gorrie’s successful campus recruiting program which has led to a significant increase in intern offers
11:40 am Discover: Demonstrating the Value in Construction Careers to Young Candidates
Synopsis
- Establish measurable KPIs and improve recruitment efficiency by streamlining applicant tracking systems (ATS) and enhancing data quality
- Build and sustain robust talent pipelines through revamped internship programs and high school career camps
- Garney addresses misconceptions about blue-collar roles by showcasing diverse, lucrative career opportunities in construction, tailored to resonate with young candidates
12:00 pm Develop: What More Should We Know About Strategies to Inspire & Attract the Next-Generation of Construction Talent?
Synopsis
Question & Answer Session Facilitated by the Chair
What practical steps can recruiters take to demonstrate the opportunities a career in construction can offer to young candidates?
What specific rewards and benefits have you found are most highly regarded in young talent pools?
How can construction recruiters leverage storytelling as an effective tool to attract nextgen talent?
12:20 pm Action: What Steps Can You Make to Improve Your Next-Gen Hiring Strategy?
Synopsis
Output Focused Action session Facilitated by the Chair
- What elements of your organization’s culture could you highlight to attract young talent?
- What outreach methods or communication styles have you found to be the most effective in engaging young candidates?
- How can recruiters collaborate with employer branding teams to ensure the company is positioned as an employer of choice for younger generations?
Track B: 12:40 Networking Lunch
Speed Learning
1:40 pm Speed Learning
Synopsis
In this quick-fire session, each table will be hosted by a construction TA leader who will share the secrets of their most high-impact LEAP; you will then have the opportunity to question the host before moving on to your next table.
