A new Net Zero guide targeted at SMEs working in the built environment has been jointly released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and sister organisation, the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC). Aimed at small and medium sized members of both of these business associations, the guide highlights the
Industry has a huge opportunity to attract the emerging generation, according to new research released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) today. The Future of the Workplace report, produced by ACE’s group for emerging professionals as part of their contribution to the Future of Consultancy campaign, urges our
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
A new Net Zero guide targeted at SMEs working in the built environment has been jointly released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and sister organisation, the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC). Aimed at small and medium sized members of both of these business associations, the guide highlights the steps that should be taken towards a carbon free future, explores how Net Zero is already influencing client decision making, and outlines how to meet new client expectations while seizing the business opportunities created. The guide also provides a handy reference to previously released publications, reports, pledge schemes and sector plans, directly sign-posting to the most important and relevant sources of information. Commenting on its launch, Dr Sarah Prichard, UK managing director at Buro Happold, and chair of the ACE and EIC Net Zero group, said: “We designed this guide to help SMEs with practical and tangible advice to support them to make the right choices on their Net Zero journey. “While much has been written around national targets and global conferences, the truth is that we will only succeed if we bring small and medium sized business on board. The UK economy is made up of six million SMEs making up 99.9% of the business population. Our guide is the first step towards this in our industries and I’m looking forward to further engaging both membership bases on this fundamental issue in the weeks and months ahead.” Available to download from the ACE website, EIC members will be sent a copy directly. The guide is released during Net Zero Week, a new national awareness campaign which is bringing together nearly 30 business associations and major organisations to explore all things Net Zero. ACE and EIC are founding partners of the week. Matthew Farrow, director of policy at ACE and EIC, added: “We are delighted to share this guide during the inaugural Net Zero Week. “New ways of working will – of course – mean challenges and change over the near term, but it will also create new business opportunities. Our guide aims to help small and medium sized businesses in our sectors be as well-prepared as possible to seize these.”
Industry has a huge opportunity to attract the emerging generation, according to new research released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) today. The Future of the Workplace report, produced by ACE’s group for emerging professionals as part of their contribution to the Future of Consultancy campaign, urges our industry to make the most of its pivotal role in building society’s future, arguing that it has a unique appeal which can meet the emerging generation’s strong sense of purpose and values. Through a series of in-depth interviews with emerging professionals, business leaders and clients, the report has gathered insights on changing attitudes and aspirations, as well as workplace cultures and internal business structures in the built and natural environment. The timing of the project has also provided a snapshot of how the sector has been adapting – in real time – to the impact of COVID-19. To help achieve the necessary shift in workplace culture that will ensure the industry can successfully attract and retain emerging professionals, the report proposes a Workplace Promise to clearly establish a baseline for a new relationship which will outline what can be expected from employers. In return, it will also outline what is expected of employees if they are to progress to leadership roles within their company. Building on the foundations of this ‘promise’, the report has also outlined eight principles to help create a healthy and thriving workplace and suggested the introduction of ‘role families’ to develop new promotional pathways. The research recommends a vital role for ACE in supporting all members adapt, but especially for SMEs and around key issues such as diversity and inclusion. Commenting on the report, ACE’s chief executive Hannah Vickers said: “As the designers of society’s future, our industry is better-placed than many others to appeal to the best of the emerging generation. We can often meet their sense of purpose and values through the projects we work on, but where many have struggled in the past is in creating environments which attract, support and retain them. “The report will help businesses tackle these issues head-on and offers practical suggestions to nurture a workplace culture that enables whole organisations to thrive. “We cannot meet the challenges outlined by ACE’s Future of Consultancy campaign for a better-connected, technology-first approach to the design, development and operation of the built environment, without the next generation being fully on board.” Commenting on the research, ACE Emerging Professionals chair Georgia Hughes said: “We’re delighted to input into the vital debate around the future of our industry. The report’s findings demonstrate what many already know anecdotally – if given the right projects to work on and in the right environment, emerging professionals are extremely driven, productive, caring and passionate, and are a great asset for any forward-thinking company. Our recommendations, including around a new Workplace Promise between employers and the next generation, will help businesses create a framework to fully realise their potential.”The Future of the Workplace report is available to view now
