Driving delivery sits at the heart of BE-ST Fest 2026, and in the South of Scotland, the spotlight is on skills as a critical enabler of change.

The South of Scotland faces a significant skills challenge shaped by its rural geography and ageing population. Persistent barriers, including limited access to affordable housing, poor transport connectivity, and underinvestment in training, continue to constrain progress.

This summit will bring together academia, industry, and policymakers around a shared goal: to move from identifying gaps to delivering solutions. By strengthening collaboration, unlocking investment, and aligning education with industry needs, the focus is on building a resilient, future-ready workforce that can drive economic growth and support Scotland’s transition to net zero.

Date: 23rd September 2026

Location: The Crichton Trust, Dumfries

Book your spot

Skills & workforce

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Skills & workforce 〰️

Our speakers

Dr Jocelyne Fleming

Scottish Policy and Public Affairs Lead - Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)‍ ‍

Keynote

Dr Jocelyne Fleming is the Lead for Scotland Policy and Public Affairs and Policy Research at the Chartered Institute of Building. She oversees the Institute’s policy and public affairs work in Scotland and its policy research across all jurisdictions, engaging with government and industry on issues relating to housing and the built environment.

Jocelyne holds a PhD in Urban Studies from the University of Glasgow, where she is an Affiliate Researcher at the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE). Her work spans Canada and Scotland, focusing on national housing policy and the design of housing strategies. Her doctoral research evaluated national housing policy, examining Canada’s National Housing Strategy, its efficacy, and its impact on individuals experiencing housing insecurity.

Chiara Fingland

Panellist

Chiara is an experienced Architect and artist with a broad background spanning the private, public, and third sectors. She has worked with a wide range of stakeholders and is deeply committed to supporting communities in taking meaningful climate action as a way to collectively enhance the places we live.

At SCVO, she supports the Growing Climate Confidence project, which helps the third sector take climate action and build resilience. Alongside this, her work with Imagine If. Space CIC focuses on creating space for forward-thinking ideas and translating policy and strategy into practical projects within the built environment.

Dr Izzy Williams

Associate Learning and Development Lead, Ryder Architecture 

Panellist

As associate learning and development lead at Ryder Architecture, Izzy oversees recruitment and onboarding, training procurement and delivery, EDI action plan, degree apprenticeships and the delivery of the award winning PlanBEE apprenticeship programme across London, Newcastle and Manchester. She works closely with Gateshead College and other key supporters on the programme delivery as sponsor representative. Building on the success of the PlanBEE programme, Ryder holds the role of chair of the Trailblazer group for the Level 4 Construction, Design and Built Technician and the Level 6 Design, Construction and Management apprenticeship standards, leading the development of qualifications that support the next generation of talent. 

Julia Muir Watt

Chief Executive, The Whithorn Trust

Panellist

Julia Muir Watt is the founder and CEO of Building Futures Galloway, a youth employability charity created in 2022, focussed on traditional building skills. In addition, she has over ten years' experience as the major fundraiser for the charity's partner, the Whithorn Trust, which safeguards, researches and interprets the archaeological collection from Whithorn's excavation. 

Douglas Morrison

Deputy CEO, BE-ST & Chair of South Lanarkshire College

Keynote

Douglas Morrison, Deputy CEO at BE-ST, has a career rooted in tertiary education, focusing on digital learning, innovation, environmental issues, and equity and inclusion. His professional memberships include the Young Academy for Scotland and a Fellowship at the Institute for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Education Committee. Douglas holds Chair and assessor roles at South Lanarkshire College and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, respectively.

His engagement in the skills landscape extends to environmental initiatives, including co-chairing the Decarbonisation of Heat Group and acting as a Steering Board member of Scotland’s Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan. Additionally, he co-chairs the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s Data Group. Douglas has a masters degree in technology-enhanced learning and executive education from Oxford University, London School of Economics, and HEC Paris. He is currently undertaking an MBA with Quantic School of Business and Technology.

Douglas Dickson

Principal and CEO of Dumfries and Galloway College

Keynote

Douglas Dickson, Principal and CEO of Dumfries and Galloway College, is a college sector leading advocate for quality enhancement and high impact educational performance in rural regions.  His career is defined by a commitment to widening access, strengthening evidence-based improvement, and championing innovation that supports both learners and local industry.  Leading one of Scotland’s most geographically dispersed college communities, Douglas has advanced initiatives that enhance digital inclusion, elevate teaching practice, and drive equitable attainment. In the South of Scotland, he has championed regional collaboration, strengthened employer partnerships, and expanded access to skills and learning.  His work focuses on aligning education with economic need, supporting inclusive growth, and delivering sustainable impact for learners, communities, and industry. 

Afternoon workshops

  • Inside the Rig: Lessons from Low Carbon Passport

    1.30-2.30pm or 3-4pm

    Experience the Low Carbon Passport through a practical and collaborative small-group session exploring how hands-on learning can support better low-energy construction. Developed for construction industry students, educators and professionals, this hour-long session will offer a snapshot into the training mechanism used to deliver the Low Carbon Passport project to over 1000 learners so far. 

    We will also reflect on the range of learners and industry professionals engaged over the last 18 months, sharing lessons learned including the importance of making building physics accessible and the role that practical skills training can play facilitating wider conversations about construction quality, building performance and reducing the performance gap. 

    Suitable for construction experts and interested newbies a-like, this session allows you to dip a toe into our ongoing efforts to build a resilient, industry-ready workforce for a net zero future.

  • Early Access: Skills Knowledge Hub & Plan BEE Pathways

    1.30pm- 2.30pm

    The workshop will provide attendees with early access to two key skills initiatives that are helping to shape the future of recruitment, retention and skills development across the construction industry. Participants will receive a first look at the Skills Knowledge Hub (SKH) through its soft launch, alongside an overview of Plan BEE and alternative approaches to net zero built environment education.

    The session will also share 2025–2026 research findings from the CeNZ High Density Buildings workstream, focusing on EDI, skills and training, and provide insights into the future skills pathways available to employers and SMEs. Attendees will gain an understanding of the feasibility of adapting Plan BEE in Scotland, explore other innovative net zero education programmes and initiatives, and hear early findings and case studies from CeNZ TWG VI, with opportunities to contribute to future research, roundtables and workshops.

  • Building Net Zero Places: Projects, Partnerships and Local Impact

    1.30pm- 2.30pm or 3-4pm

    Net Zero Places represent a shift towards coordinated, community-led and place-based delivery, requiring strong leadership, integrated support and sustained investment to unlock scalable and locally beneficial outcomes. This session will showcase a range of innovative place-based net zero projects and initiatives taking place across the South of Scotland, bringing together the diverse actors working collaboratively to drive change.

    Through examples including community hall clean heat transitions, place-plan delivery, social landlord community wealth building, rural heat network development, and regional strategic leadership and coordination, the session will explore how collective action can support meaningful progress towards net zero. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of how these initiatives are aligned, how they contribute to local supply chain growth, and the role of integrated leadership and investment in enabling successful delivery at scale.

Exhibitors

  • Built Environment - Smarter Transformation

    We work with organisations across the built environment sector, including industry at all levels, universities and colleges, and the public and third sector, to come up with new ways to transform the built environment to become stronger, more sustainable, and smarter.

    We provide the tools to inspire a strong, sustainable, and smarter built environment through innovation, skills, and collaboration.

    By tapping into the expertise of universities, colleges, research, and other built environment experts, BE-ST provides the connections and culture to make big ideas, that generate growth and benefit businesses, education, research and communities a reality.

  • indiNature

    IndiNature is a Scotland-based manufacturer of high-performance, carbon-negative insulation made from UK-grown industrial hemp. Combining excellent thermal and acoustic performance with healthy, breathable, moisture-regulating properties, IndiNature's insulation products are easy to install and suitable for both new-build and retrofit projects. They help create energy-efficient, low-carbon buildings while supporting better indoor air quality.

    By transforming a renewable UK crop into sustainable building materials, IndiNature supports decarbonisation, creates new markets for UK-grown hemp, and contributes to more resilient local supply chains for the construction industry. 

  • Iso Chemie GmbH

    Iso Chemie GmbH have been a manufacturer of energy-efficient and sustainable sealing solutions and technical foams for almost five decades. Their products can be used in energy-efficient construction, both in new buildings and in the energy-efficient refurbishment of old buildings.

  • Kensa

    The UK’s heating system is stuck in the past, costing people and the planet too much. At Kensa, we believe it’s time for an upgrade. Since 1999, we’ve been manufacturing ground source heat pumps in Cornwall and installing them all over the country, transforming how people heat and cool their homes and businesses. Our pioneering networked heat pump solutions deliver the cheapest, cleanest way to heat millions of homes and businesses, and even whole towns, all while minimising the impact on the electricity grid. That’s why Kensa is now responsible for half the ground source installations every year. 

  • NorDan

    NorDan is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of high-performance timber and aluminium-clad windows, doors and smart accessories. Founded in Norway almost 100 years ago, we are a family-owned business operating across Europe, with sustainability and innovative thinking at our core. 

    We showcase our cutting-edge solutions designed for modern architecture, sustainability, and longevity. With a strong focus on quality, aesthetics and performance, NorDan products are trusted by architects, developers, and homeowners across the UK. 

    Visit us to explore how our windows and doors can enhance your next project with superior design, security, and environmental benefits. 

  • Esteem Training

    Established in 1986, Esteem Training are proud to be Scotland’s No.1 training provider of Construction Modern Apprenticeships.  We deliver funded SVQ programmes for construction supervisors, managers and leaders supporting them throughout their career development.  Visit our stand to discuss your current training requirements and find out how Esteem Training can help you build a confident and competent workforce. 

  • Zero Waste Scotland

    Zero Waste Scotland is Scotland’s circular economy public body, working with government, business, and communities to rewire the economy from our current “take, make, waste” model to one where we make the most of materials. A zero waste, circular economy is the right choice - for people, planet and prosperity.  In June 2026, our Built Environment Roadmap to Circularity was published, setting out a long-term vision for a highly efficient sector addressing carbon emissions, improving material reuse, and reducing waste and environmental impacts, while maintaining its role as a significant employer and contributor to the Scottish economy.  

If you would like to discuss BE-ST Fest Sponsorship packages, please get in touch with Ketty Lawrence - klawrence@be-st.build


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