Construction industry’s first Impact Ambassador announced in £100m bid to plug skills shortage

A construction firm’s first apprentice is helping train the next generation of industry professionals as the sector faces the challenge of recruiting one million additional workers over the next decade.

Sean Burnett-Kiernan, Quantity Surveyor at Daniel Connal Partnership, which has offices in Norwich, Colchester and London, has been selected as the UK’s first Impact Ambassador to lecture apprentices in the East of England.

The pilot programme has been developed by Construction East and is funded by Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) as part of its £100 million project to train 40,000 people across the UK by 2029.

The Impact Ambassador scheme brings construction professionals directly into colleges to give students practical experience of how a real construction project develops.

Norwich-based Sean will work with students at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds as they complete their T Level in Design, Surveying & Planning, mentoring them through a simulated project that covers everything from design, sustainability, construction sequencing and risk.

Sean, who joined DCP as its first apprentice in 2018 after leaving sixth form, said he is always trying to give back to the employers who gave him a chance at aged 18. 

He said: “We now have several apprentices at Daniel Connal Partnership, but when I joined eight years ago, I was by far the youngest person in my office, so I know how important the right support and opportunities can be.

“Being able to learn something at university and then apply it in a real project environment was invaluable for me. This programme gives students that practical insight into the industry and the chance to discover just how many different careers there are beyond the builders and architects people might immediately think of.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities DCP has given me, so if I can use what I’ve learned to help the next generation coming through, that’s something I’m very keen to do.”

Since joining Daniel Connal Partnership, Sean has qualified as a Quantity Surveyor and is currently working towards chartered status. He has also helped DCP expand its expertise by developing the practice’s carbon assessment service, allowing carbon emissions to be considered alongside project costs. 

The company has also progressed, having now taken on its fifth apprentice. 

Sean’s appointment supports DCP’s wider investment in young professionals through the Juniper Foundation, launched during its 80th anniversary year to develop apprenticeships, mentoring, knowledge-sharing and outreach with students considering careers in the built environment. 

Robert Dale, Senior Partner at Daniel Connal Partnership, said: “The scale of the skills challenge facing construction cannot be underestimated. As businesses, we have a role to play alongside Government and education providers by sharing our knowledge and giving young people meaningful experience.

“Sean is a great example of what investing in people can achieve. The Impact Ambassador programme also fits perfectly with the work we are doing through the Juniper Foundation to invest in skills and help build a strong pipeline of construction professionals for the future.”

Louise Reeve, Impact Ambassador Programme Lead and Trustee at Construction East, said: “Sean was the first person to put his hand up and join us as an Impact Ambassador, which was a brilliant start for the programme. The whole idea is about bringing industry and education closer together and giving young people access to people who can share real experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for construction. Having Sean involved from the outset, and Daniel Connal Partnership supporting him to take part, is exactly the kind of industry commitment we hoped the programme would generate.”

Liv Bradley, Director CTEC, added: “CTEC is delighted to be supporting the Impact Ambassador Programme and helping to create more meaningful links between industry and construction students across the region. The commitment being shown by businesses and individuals such as Sean is vital to helping young people understand the breadth of opportunities available within our industry and to inspiring the next generation of construction professionals.”