Those charged with driving the profile and agenda of the construction industry in Gloucestershire joined forces at the home of Gloucester Rugby to win hearts and minds.

As powerful as the show of strength was the aim of the game was to welcome all-comers to talk and get a better understanding of the opportunities within the sector.

In a battle not unlike the one faced by those promoting apprenticeships - binning the myth it is all about being on the tools doing "dirty jobs" - members of Constructing Excellence Gloucestershire are under no illusion of the fight on their hands.

But laying out the stall of the individual businesses involved - from the predictable building firms through to quantity surveyors, designers, lawyers, architects, and the education sector - went a long way towards their target.

It was not just about a display of diversity and breadth of white and blue-collar skills but of the transition that can be made through companies towards and up to board level.

Kevin Harris (pictured right), chairman of the Gloucestershire club, said: "It's great to see we can offer a most amazing network for the future, particularly for those in their early career, where they can enhance their knowledge, skills and experience so they can move forward in what is an exciting business and become the future leaders of construction in the South West."

Jonathan White, senior associate at architects Roberts Limbrick, said: "Constructing Excellence is about growing construction across the UK and locally. In Gloucestershire we have a vibrant organisation.

"We bring members of the industry together for talks, visits, social events to network and exchange ideas.

"We partner with those in education - schools and colleges - to help spread the word too."

Part of the key skills gap for the sector appears to be management - and delivering the next generation. It was a point picked up by one of the guest speakers, Peter White, business development manager from the University of Gloucestershire.

"Almost every industry is facing problems recruiting good people - and it is going to get harder," said Mr White, who added that education was one of the key issues to tackle.

Mark Price, managing director of Vitruvius, a project and construction management consultancy which leads, manages and delivers commercial construction projects, was at the show with one of the firm's apprentices, Alice Harvey.

"It is not just about working with the construction firm - construction is the easy bit - it is about working to ensure due diligence on every detail is carried out," said Mr Price, explaining part of his role would see him work closely with the likes of Crowe Clark Whitehill.

Gemma Brindley (pictured above, centre), a director in the firm's corporate tax department, explained how through working with a company like Vitruvius and then taking proper financial advice could save developers substantially.

"It can allow them to maximise their capital allowances," said Ms Brindley, an expert in the field of construction.

Anthony Wheatley, senior business development manager with construction firm Kier, said there was a vast range of opportunities in the sector and settling on a role could take some time, but firms were prepared to help.

"We currently have 800 students on our degree apprenticeships courses. Some of them do not know what they want to do exactly, but that is part of the process. We can help guide them as they go."

One of the biggest changes happening in the training for management roles is the shift in the percentage of male to female staff - with the split currently 30-70 in favour of women.

Other keynote speakers included Joe Roberts, director of Roberts Limbrick Architects, and Andrew Carpenter, CEO, Constructing Excellence SW Apprenticeships.