‘Social Value’ Digital Twins, set to level-up UK's second city!

“True equity can only be established ‘equally’ when the distribution or allocation process, offers (and achieves) the same baseline of entitlement and knowledge; irrespective of one’s socio-economic background. Although a truly international powerhouse, London does not - by any meaningful stretch of the imagination - hold the authority on new ideas in ‘digital’ construction. Kindly introduced by my fellow PQS, Cheryl Causebrook [CE Kent Hub], I’ve been inspired by what I have observed, in person, at the 2nd Annual, Building the Future Awards 2024, held in Birmingham ……” _Dr Bola Abisogun OBE

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

Hosted at Villa Park in the heart of Birmingham (the UK’s second city!), the hugely successful #BTF24 event – a product of Emerge Leadership UK CIC, the brainchild of local man (boy) and now entrepreneur, Pastor Errol Lawson – proved to be a fitting conclusion to an ambition that has not left Dr Bola Abisogun OBE, our Founder & Chief Excitement Officer, since he graduated from the University of Wolverhampton, back in July 1994.

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE / Digital Twin Skills Academy

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

Both Mr Lawson and Dr Abisogun, will now - through their respective ‘not-for-profit’ organisations - embark upon a fitting testament (and collaboration) to what ‘Building the Future’ has successfully begun, last year, back in November 2023. Their ‘common denominator’ is the empowerment of ‘local’ young people, either keen to get into the sector, or ascend the 'corporate ladder', in the fast-paced UK (digital) construction sector. Dr Abisogun will bring ‘to life’ a critical and much needed focus on #upskilling citing the Golden Thread and the intrinsic Gateway 3 [#GW3] ‘construction phase’ deliverable, (the latter using digital twins). The two industry leaders will seek to both diversify and educate the sector’s local market, including clients, consultants and contractor led Supply Chains.

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

The role of apprenticeships will feature prominently and be embedded within their tri-partite effort, which will aim to create better ‘pastoral support, visibility and accessibility to all able and willing participants, both male and female, across the City of Birmingham

Credit: CITB

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE - via MEPC - City Developments Limited - Midgard / JRL Group

Credit: Errol Lawson _ BTF 2024

Credit: CCATF

Credit: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE

Credit: Errol Lawson _ Emerge Leadership

As prominent business leaders, Mr Lawson and Dr Abisogun (in Birmingham and London respectively), will be supported by and actively engage with Mr Martyn Price MBE, Chair of the CCATF (Cross Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force). The CCATF's mission is to champion the ethos and culture of training within the construction industry by working with industry peers and stakeholders; to encourage those not training to do so and those that train to do more by promoting the benefits and value that hiring an apprentice can bring. With a national focus, the SME builder (and FMB Member) remains a fey focus of such engagement, for Dr Abisogun.