In Issue 12 of Flood Industry magazine, Lucy Thompson, Training and Media Executive for the British Damage Management Association (BDMA), addresses a critical challenge facing the sector: the lack of visibility among young people as a primary barrier to recruitment. For too long, damage management and claims careers have sat outside mainstream educational conversations. Thompson argues that because the profession is built on science, data, and problem-solving, it needs to be reframed and repositioned as a modern STEM career that operates at the intersection of climate resilience and human impact.
To tackle this visibility gap, the BDMA partnered with Flood Re in March 2026 to deliver an immersive, week-long school outreach programme in Lincolnshire. Grounded in a region with a history of flooding, the initiative engaged students aged 8 to 18 through practical, hands-on workshops rather than standard career talks. Key interactive sessions included Ragnarok: Test Your Defences, a competitive card game using Norse mythology to teach systems thinking and flood preparedness, alongside workshops where students designed flood-resilient gardens. In the laboratory, a session titled Hidden Contaminants introduced students to the science of mould, bacteria, and biofluorescence, showcasing technical pathways in sampling and analysis. Interactive house models were also used to demonstrate property flood resilience adaptations in real time.
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The initiative offered a multi-layered view of the wider industry ecosystem, incorporating concepts of insurance, climate adaptation, and emergency planning, with support from the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum. Further sessions delivered by Liam Hanlon of The Forshaw Group focused on mental resilience, while Tim Kirman-Wright from the University of Lincoln highlighted diverse academic and strategic career pathways. The curriculum even introduced emerging trends, such as the application of artificial intelligence in sustainable construction.
Thompson emphasises that while the programme required significant coordination and resource investment from facilitators, the long-term return is measured in broader community awareness, improved risk understanding, and a more resilient generation of future homeowners. The BDMA views this successful outreach as a repeatable blueprint for industry recruitment, demonstrating the necessity of engaging prospective talent before their career ambitions are set. Looking ahead, the association intends to expand its outreach activity, highlight these themes at the upcoming BDMA Conference in Nottingham, and continue offering free student memberships to encourage early career development.