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CFOW

Centre for the Future of Work

Centre for the Future of Work · Prospectus

Strategy for the
Future of Work.

Public affairs and strategic communications for colleges and employers across construction and engineering - built on two decades inside the industry, live labour-market data, and a national media platform. For organisations that need real sector authority, not a generalist agency.

206,000

additional construction workers needed across the UK by 2030 — yet most young people have never considered a career in the sector.

Source: CITB Construction Workforce Outlook, June 2026

Centre for the Future of Work is the public affairs and strategic communications practice founded by the journalist and entrepreneur behind Ask Louis, the UK's AI-powered careers platform for construction and engineering. Two decades working in and around the industry sit alongside a year as a City AM columnist and regular national broadcast appearances bring media fluency.

CFOW works with colleges and employers on skills policy, NEET strategy, workforce supply, and the future of work - advising with the evidence base of a sector insider, not a parachuted-in generalist.

As Seen In

Guardian · Daily Mail · Elle · Grazia · CR Fashion Book · City AM

On Air

BBC · LBC · BBC Politics London · Jeremy Vine · The Camilla Tominey Show

The Engine

Ask Louis Ask Louis is the live platform behind the policy work - tracking real construction & engineering jobs, real skills gaps, real demand. CFOW's advice is drawn from active data.

Sector Engagement & Speaking

Speaking & Engagement Services

Student & Learner Employability Talk

Interactive session for FE and sixth-form learners on employability, CVs and construction & engineering career pathways, including a live Ask Louis demo. Counts toward Gatsby Benchmark evidence.

Half Day · Up to 80 Learners

Careers & Skills Inspiration Day

A full day of talks, workshops and CV drop-ins across a college or campus. Particularly effective for cohorts at risk of becoming NEET, and built for Ofsted evidence folders.

Full Day · Multiple Groups

Entrepreneurship & Future of Work Talk

Why young people should build, not just apply - drawn from two founded companies, a journalism career and three school governorships.

Half Day

University Guest Lecture

60–90 min for Built Environment, Civil Engineering, or Urban Planning. Covers Future of Work, AI in construction recruitment, and the policy shaping the industry's workforce.

Single Session

Conference Keynote or Panel

30–45 min on skills gaps, NEETs, workforce futures, and technology. National broadcast experience. Tailored to your event and audience.

Keynote · Panel · Facilitation

Thought Leadership & Policy

Policy, Advisory & External Affairs

Industry Insight Briefing

A written briefing for leadership teams and governing bodies on construction skills policy, NEET strategy, workforce supply and apprenticeship reform. Data-led and board-ready.

Policy Briefing & Consultation Response

Research-backed briefing on a specific development - Skills England, T-Levels, levy reform, NEET targets or infrastructure investment. Suitable for board submission and sector advocacy.

Thought Leadership Article

A publication-ready, by-lined piece for trade press or employer comms. NCTJ-qualified, City AM published. Topics span the future of work, AI, skills and NEETs.

Apprenticeship Levy Advisory

Strategic guidance on maximising your apprenticeship levy spend - identifying eligible programmes, provider selection, and aligning levy strategy with workforce planning and NEET obligations.

External Affairs & Public Policy Retainer

Ongoing representation and advisory for organisations navigating skills policy, NEET strategy, T-Levels, and the National Infrastructure Pipeline. Sector-specific, not generalist.

Briefing & Article Topics

Skills GapsNEETsFuture of WorkApprenticeship ReformT-LevelsInfrastructureApprenticeship LevyAI & EmploymentGeneration ZTechnical Education

External Affairs & Consultancy

Retained Advisory

Ongoing external affairs and strategic communications for colleges, employers, trade bodies and LEPs in construction and engineering - sector-specific, media-fluent and priced for organisations building serious skills strategy.

Essentials

SME employers, independent colleges, training providers

  • Foundational skills strategy & policy support
  • 1× monthly strategy call (60 min)
  • 1× quarterly insight briefing
  • Email advisory support · Ask Louis dashboard access
Most Requested

Strategic

Mid-size employers, FE colleges with active industry partnerships

  • Active external affairs — policy, comms & student engagement
  • 2× monthly strategy calls · quarterly policy briefing
  • 1× student talk or staff CPD per term
  • 1× thought leadership article per quarter · stakeholder drafting

Partnership

Large employers, group colleges, trade associations, LEPs

  • Deep integration — speaking, research & representation
  • Weekly advisory availability
  • Monthly policy briefings & board reporting · up to 3 sessions/term
  • Conference & panel representation · co-branded thought leadership

Day Rate

Any organisation with a specific, time-limited need

  • One-off commissions & project work
  • Scoped per project brief · turnaround 5–10 working days
  • One round of revisions included

Why Work With CFOW

I.

Two Decades in the Industry

Twenty years working in and around the construction industry, backed by live platform data on real jobs and real gaps.

II.

Media-Trained, Publication-Ready

NCTJ-qualified. Former City AM columnist. Appeared on the BBC, Jeremy Vine, BBC Politics London, LBC and The Camilla Tominey Show. Your message, handled professionally.

III.

Proven With Young People

Founder of two companies. Built a national audience. Knows how to engage 16–25 year olds — including those at risk of becoming NEET - in a way policy papers can't.

IV.

Real Policy Depth

Extensive research across Skills England, T-Levels, apprenticeship levy reform, NEET strategy and the National Infrastructure Pipeline. Not talking points.

V.

Data, Not Desk Research

Every briefing is grounded in live Ask Louis platform data on real construction & engineering vacancies, applicant flow and skills demand.

Ideal For

  • Schools
  • Colleges
  • Universities
  • Local Authorities
  • Combined Authorities
  • Employers
  • Housing Associations
  • Trade Bodies
  • Careers Hubs
  • LEPs

Available For

  • Conference Keynote
  • Panel Discussion
  • Moderator
  • Podcast Guest
  • Awards Host
  • School Talks
  • Executive Roundtables

Available for Comment On

  • Construction Skills Gap
  • Apprenticeships
  • Future of Work
  • Skills England
  • AI & Employment
  • Generation Z
  • Technical Education
  • Housing & Infrastructure Workforce

Enquiries

Ready to work together?

Get in touch today.

Group

Centre for the Future of Work

Platform

Ask Louis — Construction & Engineering

Podcast

Available on all major platforms

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