Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at an event in the Houses of Parliament about young people, employability and the role businesses can play in creating opportunities.
It was a thought-provoking event, but I found myself coming back to a simple truth: we often focus on jobs as the destination, without talking enough about the journey that gets people there.
Because long before someone applies, they need to know that the opportunity exists. They need to understand the paths available to them, see people they can relate to succeeding, and believe that they belong there too. That’s where social value can make a real difference.
Over the years, I’ve learned that talent is everywhere, but access to opportunity isn’t. Some young people grow up with role models, networks and experiences that help them navigate their future. Others don’t have the same visibility or support.
That’s important because confidence rarely appears on its own. It grows through exposure, encouragement and experience.
When young people meet employers, visit workplaces or hear people talk honestly about their careers, something changes. A job becomes more than a title. A career becomes more than an idea. It becomes something they can genuinely imagine for themselves.
That’s why so much of our work focuses on building confidence alongside practical skills.
Schools, employers, community organisations and businesses all have a role to play. The most powerful outcomes don’t always come from a qualification, a work placement or a job offer. Sometimes they come from a conversation that changes how someone sees themselves and what they believe is possible.
I see that regularly through our schools’ engagement, skills programmes and community partnerships. Often, the lasting impact is helping someone leave with a broader view of their future than they had when they arrived.
That’s particularly relevant for construction.
Our industry offers an incredible range of careers, yet many people still have a narrow perception of what it is and who it’s for. If we want to attract the talent we need for the future, we must do more than show the opportunities; we must help people see themselves in them.
Reflecting on the conversations at Parliament, I came away feeling optimistic. There is a genuine commitment from businesses, educators and policymakers to create better outcomes for young people.
But opportunity isn’t created through a single programme or event. It’s built through thousands of everyday actions: opening doors, sharing experiences, making introductions, challenging assumptions and helping people recognise their own potential.
If we want more people to thrive, that’s where our focus needs to be. Because sometimes the most important thing we can give someone isn’t an opportunity itself. It’s the confidence to believe it’s theirs to take.
