How can we create a fairer, more inclusive construction industry and where do we start?
The Small Steps conference brings together industry leaders and professionals to explore practical, actionable strategies for embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into workplace policies and culture.
The Small Steps programme seeks to demystify the actions needed to build a truly equitable workplace by providing a hands on opportunity to learn, share, and take real steps toward a stronger, more inclusive future for the industry.
Agenda
Coffee and networking
Introduction
Lydia Mills and Tim Bailey, RIBA NE
Session one
Laying the foundations for an inclusive workplace 50:50
This interactive session provides architects and construction professionals with a structured approach to assessing their current EDI efforts and identifying practical steps for progress.
Participants will:
- evaluate their workplace and industry through a self-audit lens
- define clear, actionable EDI objectives aligned with their organisation’s vision
- identify tangible improvements that create lasting impact
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing strategy, this session will give you the clarity and confidence to set meaningful EDI benchmarks that drive real change.
Session two
Breaking down barriers: Pay transparency and inclusion
How does pay transparency drive inclusion? This session unpacks the link between fair compensation and workplace equity, tackling industry specific challenges in architecture and construction.
Participants will:
- explore how pay transparency impacts diversity, retention, and trust
- identify common barriers to fair pay in the industry
- gain insights on ways to improve transparency and equity in compensation structures
From closing pay gaps to building trust through openness, this session provides the space to discuss approaches to foster fairer, more inclusive workplaces.
