CIBSE brought together building services professionals, employers, educators, policymakers and other stakeholders for its Skills and Future Workforce Conference 2026 on 24 September. Held at CIBSE headquarters in London, UK, the event focused on developing the skills and workforce needed by the building services sector.
Across four sessions, participants examined changing skills requirements and approaches to attracting, developing and retaining professionals. Discussions covered the growing importance of knowledge related to renewables, digital tools and sustainability, alongside technical building engineering expertise.
The conference also addressed problem solving, communication and collaboration, as well as education and training and support throughout engineering careers. Participants considered how these measures could strengthen talent development and retention within the sector.
Speakers represented organisations including Hoare Lea, EngineeringUK, the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium, The Retrofit Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, UCL, the Engineering Council, Foster + Partners, Greenworkx, London South Bank University, the University of the West of England and Energy Systems Catapult.
The programme highlighted collaboration between employers, educators, professional institutions, policymakers and organisations supporting engineering careers as the built environment responds to decarbonisation, digitalisation and evolving expectations for building safety and performance.
