Future Skills Think Tank

The Future Skills Think Tank has been a collaborative investigation led by the LSA exploring what a radical change in foundational built environment skills training could look like. Finding ways to create more equitable routes through industry for working class and racialised folks that challenge current silo issues across construction, trades and design.

This project has been led by the LSA in close partnership with the London Borough of Hackney and the University College of Estate Management. This work will inform and influence the future strategic development of the LSA educational programmes by researching three key areas:

1. The state of built environment skills provision
2. Barriers to those traditionally excluded from the sector based on protected characteristics (for example,
   race, class and/or gender).
3. A place-based skills programme for the London Borough of Hackney.

The team consisted of Rachael Milliner and Tia Duong. The project has been generously supported by its Advisory Board, chaired by Summer Islam, Director of Material Cultures.

It has also been made possible by Dujon Harvey at the London Borough of Hackney, thanks to his unwavering dedication to skills opportunities in the Borough.

Since July 2024, we have held workshops and research events to inform our proposal.

1. Literacy workshop at the London School of Architecture, supported by the Place Literacy Project.
   
2. CIVIC SQUARE, where we were generously hosted and held a workshop on Pathways and Standards, looking at how PAS 2035 can be integrated into teaching.
   
3. Trip to the HICSA (Housing Innovation Construction Skills Academy) and then to the Farrell Centre for a Labour and Procurement workshop. Made possible by the generosity of Katie Lloyd Thomas and Dan Kerr.
   
4. Material Labour sustainability sprint with LSA students and experts Charlotte Taylor and John Naylor.
   
5. Natural building workshop with Barbara Jones from the School of Natural Building.

Primary findings from our research have been the need for material literacy of biobased materials to be swiftly integrated into built environment education, particularly in retrofit training.

“[how has this session changed your perception of natural materials?] it’s the best way to go about building future, more affordable housing” – Victoria age 17

Published documents

1. Built Environment L3-6 Database. Please see this link for a full draft database.
2. Social Value Framework and Toolkit for the London Borough of Hackney.
3. The FSTT’s response to Parliament’s Call for Evidence for Further Education & Skills in March 2025:
   https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/138782/pdf/

Commissioned by

The London School of Architecture &

University College of Estate Management (UCEM)

Please note that, from Mon 9 June 2025, UCEM will change its name to ‘University of the Built Environment’

Research Lead and Coordinator

Rachael Milliner rachaelmilliner@proton.me

Research Associate

Tia Duong tiaduong212@gmail.com

Advisory Board

Summer Islam, Chair Material Cultures, Director

Dujon Harvey London Borough of Hackney, Assistant Director, Employment, Skills, and Adult Learning

Calvin Po Dark Matter Laboratories, Strategic Designer

Catirona Rawesthorne CIVIC SQUARE, Doughnut Economics Researcher

Devorah Block Place Literacy Project, Founder

Charlie Edmonds Future Architects Front, CIVIC SQUARE, Mission Co-lead for Neighbourhood Transitions

Dian Small The London School of Architecture, Good Growth in Practice Programme Lead

Emma Barnes Construction Youth Trust, Senior Programmer Manager

Fiona MacDonald Matt + Fiona

Matthew Springett Director

Grace Simmonds nla, Head of Learning and Engagement

Katie Lloyd Thomas University of Newcastle, Professor of Architectural Theory & History

Paul Bussey AHMM, Senior Technical Consultant

Peter Barker Ryder, Partner

Sarah Robinson The King’s Foundation, Associate Director

Stuart Grice Unite, Executive Council Member

Wendy Finlay UCEM, Pro Vice Chancellor (Education)

Thomas Glover Places for London, Construction Skills Manager

Special thanks to collaborators:

Roy & Ya Ya of the Part 0 course, CIVIC SQUARE, The Place Literacy Project, Material Cultures, the School of Natural Building, MawsonKerr Architects, Sunderland Construction College, House of Annetta & the New School of Furniture Making.