Mace has continued to reinforce its long-term commitment to workforce diversity and skills development by welcoming a new cohort of interns through the 10,000 Black Interns Programme. The initiative forms part of a wider, industry-led effort to broaden access to construction and professional services careers across London and the UK.
Now in its fourth consecutive year of participation, Mace’s involvement reflects a strategic approach rather than a short-term recruitment exercise. As construction faces ongoing skills shortages, demographic change and increasing scrutiny around social value delivery, structured internship pathways are becoming a core part of how major contractors future-proof their organisations.
The latest intake brings together interns placed across a range of disciplines, giving participants exposure to live projects, professional teams and the commercial realities of large-scale construction delivery. This approach aligns with Mace’s wider focus on developing early-career talent capable of progressing into permanent roles within the business and the wider industry, as outlined in How to Progress Your Career in London Construction: From NVQ to Management.
Mentorship, Access and Real-World Experience
Interns joining through the programme are supported by mentors from Mace’s internal Ethnic Diversity at Mace network. This support structure is designed to provide practical guidance, professional confidence and access to knowledge that is often difficult to gain through academic routes alone.
Beyond day-to-day project involvement, interns are introduced to professional networks, leadership teams and industry forums. This exposure is increasingly recognised as critical in helping new entrants navigate complex career pathways within construction, consultancy and the built environment.
Initiatives of this nature also complement broader efforts across the sector to improve access to construction careers, particularly in London, where competition for skilled professionals remains intense.
Retention and Long-Term Impact
One of the most significant indicators of the programme’s effectiveness is progression beyond the internship itself. A number of previous participants have gone on to secure further roles, demonstrating that structured inclusion programmes can deliver measurable outcomes for both individuals and employers.
For contractors operating in regulated, high-profile environments, developing a resilient and representative workforce is no longer optional, particularly as workforce planning is becoming a major risk factor on London construction projects. It sits alongside compliance, sustainability and governance as part of a contractor’s overall delivery capability.
Diversity, Social Value and Industry Expectations
Major clients, public bodies and institutional investors increasingly expect contractors to demonstrate meaningful social value outcomes, not just policy statements. Participation in nationally recognised programmes such as the 10,000 Black Interns Programme allows firms like Mace to evidence practical action in this area.
As London’s construction pipeline continues to evolve, the ability to attract, retain and develop talent from a broad range of backgrounds will remain a defining factor in long-term competitiveness. Programmes that combine mentoring, real project exposure and clear progression routes are likely to play an increasingly central role in shaping the future construction workforce.
Now in its fourth consecutive year of participation, Mace’s involvement reflects a strategic approach rather than a short-term recruitment exercise. As construction faces ongoing skills shortages, demographic change and increasing scrutiny around social value delivery, structured internship pathways are becoming a core part of how major contractors future-proof their organisations.
The latest intake brings together interns placed across a range of disciplines, giving participants exposure to live projects, professional teams and the commercial realities of large-scale construction delivery. This approach aligns with Mace’s wider focus on developing early-career talent capable of progressing into permanent roles within the business and the wider industry, as outlined in How to Progress Your Career in London Construction: From NVQ to Management.
Mentorship, Access and Real-World Experience
Interns joining through the programme are supported by mentors from Mace’s internal Ethnic Diversity at Mace network. This support structure is designed to provide practical guidance, professional confidence and access to knowledge that is often difficult to gain through academic routes alone.
Beyond day-to-day project involvement, interns are introduced to professional networks, leadership teams and industry forums. This exposure is increasingly recognised as critical in helping new entrants navigate complex career pathways within construction, consultancy and the built environment.
Initiatives of this nature also complement broader efforts across the sector to improve access to construction careers, particularly in London, where competition for skilled professionals remains intense.
Retention and Long-Term Impact
One of the most significant indicators of the programme’s effectiveness is progression beyond the internship itself. A number of previous participants have gone on to secure further roles, demonstrating that structured inclusion programmes can deliver measurable outcomes for both individuals and employers.
For contractors operating in regulated, high-profile environments, developing a resilient and representative workforce is no longer optional, particularly as workforce planning is becoming a major risk factor on London construction projects. It sits alongside compliance, sustainability and governance as part of a contractor’s overall delivery capability.
Diversity, Social Value and Industry Expectations
Major clients, public bodies and institutional investors increasingly expect contractors to demonstrate meaningful social value outcomes, not just policy statements. Participation in nationally recognised programmes such as the 10,000 Black Interns Programme allows firms like Mace to evidence practical action in this area.
As London’s construction pipeline continues to evolve, the ability to attract, retain and develop talent from a broad range of backgrounds will remain a defining factor in long-term competitiveness. Programmes that combine mentoring, real project exposure and clear progression routes are likely to play an increasingly central role in shaping the future construction workforce.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
