AEC Leadership Pulse - The Present and Future of Work in Engineering and Architecture 2026

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Summary

The AEC industry is undergoing rapid change—driven by increasing project complexity, AI adoption, and evolving workforce expectations.

In this webinar, we break down key insights from the 2026 Future of Work Report, based on data from 300+ AEC professionals across roles and career stages.

You’ll learn where firms are falling behind, what today’s workforce actually wants, and how leading organizations are adapting to stay competitive in a changing landscape.

What You’ll Learn:

  1. Why AI adoption is outpacing workforce readiness—and what that means for your teams
  2. The growing gap in career clarity, training effectiveness, and development systems
  3. Key differences between leadership and staff experiences impacting retention
  4. What high-engagement, talent-first firms are doing differently
  5. Practical insights HR and firm leaders can use to improve performance and retention in 2026

Speakers

Anthony Fasano, P.E., AEC PM | Engineering Management Institute

EMI- Your Engineering Career

Most AEC organizations are too busy to focus on attracting, developing, and retaining talented professionals, making it hard to grow. Through his work a tEMI, Fasano utilizes a proven framework to help organizations, both public and private, build professional development plans, programs, and tools that help them attract, build, AND maintain strong teams and grow sustainably.

Fasano has written a bestselling book entitled Engineer Your Own Success (by IEEE-Wiley Press) and Beyond PM Training, and under his stewardship, EMI has built a massive content platform including 10 active podcasts, 3 YouTube channels, and a popular blog dedicated to helping AEC professionals become better managers and leaders.

Reid Tolley, SHRM-SCP, CMC | Talent Matters

ActionsProve, LLC

Peter Atherton is a recognized leader in the AEC industry with decades of experience helping firms improve performance, leadership, and workforce engagement. As the founder of ActionsProve, he works with organizations to align strategy, talent, and execution—driving measurable business results.

Peter is also a trusted advisor, speaker, and author focused on helping AEC firms navigate industry disruption, develop stronger leaders, and build high-performing teams. His insights combine real-world engineering experience with practical business strategies that firms can apply immediately.