Building the future: inside Overbury/Morgan Lovell London’s built environment insight day
Building the future: inside Overbury/Morgan Lovell London’s built environment insight day
By Siobhan McIntosh, Senior Project Manager – Employment, ELBA
What does “construction” mean to you? On 5 June, Overbury partnered with ELBA, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to challenge perceptions of the built environment sector and showcase the wide range of careers it offers. For anyone who still associates the industry with muddy boots and bricklaying, the day highlighted just how broad and varied the sector has become.
Hosted by Overbury and Morgan Lovell’s London teams and to mark Volunteers’ Week, the event welcomed 14 candidates to explore the world of fit-out, refurbishment and workplace design.
Participants learned more about Overbury and Morgan Lovell, part of Morgan Sindall Group’s Fit Out division, and gained an understanding of how different teams work together to transform and deliver workplaces and interiors.
Paris, one of the participants
Alongside hearing directly from employees, candidates took part in interactive breakout sessions designed to build confidence and encourage reflection on how best to pitch their skills, including those found on their CVs. By developing and practising their elevator pitch, it helped participants to communicate their skills, present themselves professionally and answer the question: why should an employer choose you?
The day was designed to raise awareness of the sector and give candidates a clearer understanding of the opportunities, skills and routes available across the built environment. One participant with a particular interest in project management was subsequently offered a week’s work placement at Overbury’s London office creating an opportunity to build on the experience.
Reflecting ahead of starting her placement in September, Paris said:
“The insight day was a great reminder that my goals are achievable and gave me real encouragement about the opportunities available. It was inspiring to meet so many supportive people working across different roles and learning more about the construction sector was really valuable. The day was well structured and created a welcoming environment for everyone.”
Many were surprised by the range of career pathways available from business support and bid coordination roles to apprenticeships, technical careers and operational functions that keep projects moving.
Technology was another key theme throughout the day. Discussions explored how digital tools are shaping the industry and supporting collaboration and design while people remain at the centre of decision-making and delivery. Participants also saw how Virtual Reality (VR) can help clients experience and refine spaces before installation begins.
Overbury offers various apprenticeships spanning from design to construction management. Their Foundation programme runs once a year, opening in January and closing in February.
Following the success of this event, ELBA and Overbury/Morgan Lovell, will be delivering another built environment insight session on 30 July 2026. For further information or to find out how to get involved, please contact [email protected]
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