Building the future together: how industry and academia can unlock new opportunities

Construction is facing a complex set of challenges. Businesses are being asked to improve productivity, reduce carbon emissions, adopt new technologies and tackle skills shortages, often all at the same time. Add increasing expectations around cybersecurity and digital resilience, and it’s easy to see why many organisations are wondering where to focus their efforts.  

While intimidating, these challenges also create an opportunity to do things differently.

Turning that opportunity into reality isn’t always straightforward, but businesses don’t need to have all the answers in-house. Instead, they simply need to access the right expertise, technology and skills to understand what’s possible and turn new ideas into practical solutions. 

At Teesside University, we work closely with businesses across the construction sector to help them explore new opportunities, solve practical challenges and build the skills they need for the future. Crucially, that support isn’t limited to a single project; the most successful partnerships are often the ones that evolve over time as new priorities emerge.

Innovation starts with a business challenge

When people talk about innovation, the conversation can quickly become dominated by the latest technologies. While artificial intelligence (AI), automation, digital modelling and immersive technologies all have the potential to transform how businesses operate, the technology on its own isn’t always the answer; the real value comes from applying it to a specific challenge.

That was the case for ERW Joinery, which wanted to explore how digital technology could enhance the customer experience and showcase its products in a more engaging way. Working with Teesside University, it used Matterport 3D scanning technology to create a virtual showroom, allowing customers to explore products remotely in an immersive environment.

Working with Teesside University has opened the door to cutting‑edge research and globally recognised expertise, helping us shape strong projects that fit our goals and keep us adaptable in a fast‑changing world

Jason Fraser, general manager, Norscot Joinery

For ERW Joinery, the value came from applying technology to a genuine business need. The virtual showroom has created a new way for customers to interact with the business and explore its products.

This is often where external expertise adds real value. Businesses know their sector better than anyone, and Teesside University can bring specialist knowledge, research expertise and fresh thinking that helps organisations explore possibilities they may not have considered.

Teesside University as a strategic partner for industry

Many businesses first approach Teesside University with a specific challenge in mind, but what often follows is a broader conversation about where else expertise, technology and research can add value to their business.

Norscot Joinery has explored a series of projects with Teesside University aimed at improving products, processes and business performance. This has included the development of a virtual reality (VR) House Configurator, modular smart home technologies, carbon and thermal modelling tools, and AI-powered inventory management systems.

The range of projects reflects the breadth of expertise available across the university. Rather than focusing on a single area of innovation, Norscot has been able to draw on different specialisms as new opportunities and business needs have emerged.

We’ve seen a similar approach in our longstanding relationship with Scott Bros. Over a number of years, the business has worked with Teesside University on projects linked to sustainability, advanced recycling and carbon reduction.

This has included a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) exploring carbon sequestration, innovative recycling processes and the development of an environmentally friendly brick using filter cake material.

For businesses like Scott Bros, the value isn’t simply access to a single project or funding stream. It’s access to specialist knowledge, research capability and facilities that can help turn ideas into practical solutions. As priorities change, different areas of expertise from across the university can be brought together to support them.

Building the workforce for tomorrow’s construction industry

Technology, however, is only part of the picture. The ability to make the most of innovation depends on having people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to put them into practice. Workforce development therefore sits at the heart of construction’s future.

As businesses adopt new technologies and respond to changing industry demands, they need access to talent that can help them adapt. For many employers, apprenticeships, higher-level skills development and work-based learning are becoming increasingly important tools for building that capability in-house.

Bellway Homes North East has demonstrated the value of this approach by combining higher-level learning with practical workplace experience.

For employees, this creates opportunities to develop new knowledge while applying it in real-world situations. For employers, it helps build a workforce that is better equipped to embrace change, improve performance and support long-term growth.

Technology will continue to evolve, but the organisations that benefit most will be those that invest in their people alongside their systems and processes.

Why partner with Teesside University?

At Teesside University, we believe the strongest partnerships are built around understanding both the immediate challenge and the longer-term ambition. Teesside University is Times Higher Education University of the Year, and our research, facilities, training and innovation expertise give businesses access to capabilities that can help them respond to a changing industry.

Importantly, that support doesn’t have to begin and end with a single project. As a business’s priorities change, different areas of expertise can be brought together to explore new technology, improve productivity, develop approaches to net zero or build the skills needed to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

You don’t need to tackle these challenges alone

For construction businesses, the starting point doesn’t have to be a fully formed innovation project. It could be a challenge, an ambition or simply a question about what might be possible.

The future of construction presents significant potential and by bringing together industry knowledge, academic expertise, technology and workforce development, businesses can find new ways to become more productive, resilient and innovative.

Visit tees.ac.uk/business to find out more and get in touch.