Inspiring the future initiative for schools
Inspiring the Future (ITF) was launched in 2012 with the backing of major business and teaching organisations. The goal was to let pupils hear first-hand about the world of work from industry professionals from a wide range of sectors.
Invitations to speak at schools have been traditionally extended to parents or local business people that have long-standing connections with the institution. With the ITF website, teachers have access to thousands of volunteers at the click of a button. Volunteers, ranging from apprentices to CEOs, pledge to give an hour a year to a state school or college to talk about their job and the education route they took to get there.
Talks take a variety of formats. Teachers can filter their searches by sector or specialism, choosing activities that range from career insights to getting an industry perspective on CV writing.
Allowing students access to people from a range of sectors has two major benefits:
- Students gain first-hand insights and make better informed decisions about their subjects and career path.
- Teachers gain a valuable understanding of many sectors of which they have little knowledge or experience.
This project was the Highly Commended Winner, Innovation in Education and Training Award, CIOB International Innovation and Research Award, 2014.
The Judges said, "This initiative specifically reaches out to experienced professionals at various locations within the construction industry, and brings their experience, expertise and excitement about the sector into the school environment. Young people can hence be inspired to pursue their future career in the construction industry. ‘Inspiring the future’ recognises that one of the most significant issues facing the construction industry at the moment is its failure to market itself to school children.”
--CIOB
Featured articles and news
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.