Office refurbishment and fit-out is set to boom in the post-referendum market, according to the CEO of one of the UK’s leading fit-out firms. Source link

Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Mar 15th 2016 Power tool accessories and handtool specialist Starrett has launched an infographic that will help young people considering an apprenticeship in building, plumbing, electrical contracting or an associated sector choose their trade. The infographic celebrates National Apprenticeship Week, which is currently taking place across the UK from March 14-18, 2016. The guide is available from the Starrett UK website. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday National Apprenticeship Week 2016 is focussing on passing knowledge from one generation to the next, to support the Government pledge to create three million apprenticeships by 2020.  In its graphic, Starrett explains the key points for consideration when choosing an apprenticeship or apprentice – from the perspective of both the apprentice and employer. The guide draws particular attention to the thorough research that should be done before an apprenticeship is arranged. This covers areas such as the industry connections of an apprenticeship provider, mentorship schemes offered by employers and the organisation and general demeanour of applicants. “Apprenticeships are important for expanding the skill set of future professionals, but there are points to be considered by both sides to ensure success,” explained John Cove, Starrett’s marketing manager. “Our guide aims to draw attention to some key things we believe should be kept in mind to allow both to make the most of the opportunity. “In committing to an apprenticeship, the apprentice should feel like he or she is on more than just a training scheme – they should feel that they are actually progressing their career towards a defined end goal. That’s why we suggest thinking about a provider’s connections and how they could develop your talent by using your time effectively. “Similarly, contractors will be looking to train trades people to meet the demands of the sector and their own standards of quality. In looking for certain characteristics, such as learning agility and technical aptitude, employers can select the apprentices that will be most receptive to training.” In the graphic, Starrett also draws attention to the multiple career types available in the various contracting industries the company serves to help apprentices choose their speciality. Starrett based these suggestions on the personality traits the company’s customers tell it are best suited to each profession, encouraging young contractors to reflect on what is best for them. “There’s often an unspoken job requirement in industries such as building and plumbing that contractors to be personable and social, and happiness plays a big role in this,” continued Cove. “By considering beforehand whether it’s right for them, apprentices can set themselves on the path to professional happiness and help fulfil that requirement.” National Apprenticeship Week 2015 saw 23,000 apprenticeships pledged by a range of businesses across the UK. Starrett hopes its guide will contribute to similar success this year and help encourage growth across the sectors it serves. Source link

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has revealed the theme for its annual conference – ‘How to Survive and Thrive Post-Brexit.’ The conference will aim to address the issues arising from the aftermath of the recent European Union referendum and produce a lively debate for guests at the conference. It will be held at Birmingham’s ICC on December 15 and will be facilitated by the well-known BBC television and radio journalist John Sergeant who was Chief Political Correspondent for the BBC from 1992 to 2000. With the decision to leave the EU earlier in the year taking many companies by surprise, IAAF is aiming to highlight the main changes from a marketing, legislative and technical perspective and consider what opportunities there will be in the future. Guests will be welcomed with coffee before being entertained by a wide selection of speakers on various insightful, relevant topics throughout the day, among these are: The UK approach to vehicle safety defects and recalls from Alison Martin of DVSA; the importance of cyber security and the threats businesses face, as well as the opportunities to invest, presented by Iain O’Brien of Triple Wood Associates; and also the latest technical threats emerging from the UK and Europe and the progress made in the last 12 months, presented by Neil Pattemore from Figiefa. Wendy Williamson, IAAF chief executive said: “We will provide an insight into how the Brexit decision will affect the UK automotive aftermarket and whether it will be the key influencer within the marketplace over the next few years. “We will also explore the development of the connected car and the role it will play in our industry. With our industry becoming increasingly technologically driven, we will look at how we can embrace this form of growth and maintain our relevance within the automotive sphere.”

This week, UK engineers from Daresbury, Cheshire, have delivered a key piece of prototype equipment to one of the world’s most ambitious scientific experiments, currently being built in Sweden. STFC teams are playing a crucial role in the design and development of the 1.9 billion Euro European Spallation Source (ESS). When finished, it will be the most powerful particle accelerator in the world dedicated to generating neutrons to help look deep inside the materials from which the world is made. With powerful proton beams that are 100 times brighter than any other facility in the world, it will help them to unlock the secrets of materials at the atomic level. The 600 metre particle accelerator, situated in Lund, Sweden, will use a proton beam travelling at 90% of the speed of light to chip off (or spallate) tiny particles called neutrons from the nuclei of atoms, which will lead to advances in the environment, transport, cleaner energy and medicine. Engineers at Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire are playing an important role in the development of new accelerating technology, with a £10.5 million project to design, and construct 130 different beam transport modules, forming 70% of the entire length of the accelerator. The first prototype Beam Transport Module unit has now been delivered to the ESS, Lund. Mechanical Engineer at STFC, Dr Paul Aden, who is the project manager on the design and construction of the Beam Transport Modules, said: “The design of these modules is based around many years’ experience of designing modules for cutting edge accelerators both in the UK and internationally. “This project, which will require more than 30 staff years of effort, will deliver the final module in 2019, marking the end of the ESS stage 1 installation, and the point at which the accelerator can be switched on.”