Leading national urban regeneration business, Muse Developments, in partnership with Bradford Council, has appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the landmark One City Park office scheme, which will continue the transformation of the heart of Bradford city centre. The 56,403 sq. ft sustainable development on the former police HQ site, is
Civil engineering specialist firm GRAHAM has been appointed as the Principal Contractor to deliver a new bridge and link road as part of the Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 Works (RDR Phase 3) project. The £16.77m project will connect the A130 Essex Regiment Way and the Beaulieu and Channels housing developments
Works at the new luxury residential development The Yacht Club, situated on the banks of the River Trent between Colwick and West Bridgford, continue to progress well with first completions afoot and residents set to be welcomed to their new homes very soon. Developed by Leeds-based KMRE Group Ltd, the
Building output was boosted by sustained rise in new work across the board according to the Construction Purchasing Managers index for March. The latest reading of 59.1 was unchanged from February and well above the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction. The index revealed the joint-fastest rate of output
Riwal has become the latest Sustaining Member of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), making it the first rental and training company on a list that includes Alimak, AON (formerly Henderson Insurance Brokers), APEX and Haulotte. With headquarters in Dordrecht, Netherlands, Riwal was founded in 1968 and has grown into a
XUL Architecture completely renovated a semi-detached corner house in North London, doubling the floor space and bringing bold and colourful architectural details into a family home. As with a lot of families during the pandemic, their house had become a home, office and part-time school but this family was outgrowing
Glam dining tables set the mood for an elegant dining experience in any home. It’s important to surround the table with complementary accents to achieve a luxurious look and feel. There are several ways to bring class and sophistication into your dining room, whether you’re adding a new rug or
Property development companies are always keen to extract as much space from a development plot as possible. This will inevitably mean covering as much of the area in housing as they can. The reason for this is fairly obvious; the more houses available, the more they can sell. Thus, the
It is critical to the first impression that your property creates that you work on improving the charm of your home or business premises’ outside. Second, the vast majority of exterior improvements also have the additional benefit of increasing your home’s energy efficiency. It follows that it has the potential
The construction industry is one of the world’s largest and most economically important sectors, employing millions of people and generating trillions of dollars in revenues each year. Because of this, it’s often seen as an attractive option for anyone who wants to get into a profession that will have a
Leading national urban regeneration business, Muse Developments, in partnership with Bradford Council, has appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the landmark One City Park office scheme, which will continue the transformation of the heart of Bradford city centre. The 56,403 sq. ft sustainable development on the former police HQ site, is the first high-quality, modern office scheme to be delivered in Bradford city centre for more than 20 years. It will directly address the need for high-quality offices by offering exceptional workspace with adaptable floor plans to accommodate agile working practices. The five-storey development – rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’ – will also feature new public realm areas around the scheme. The building will connect seamlessly to the multi award-winning City Park with new stepped access and attractive seating areas. It is also within walking distance to cultural assets including City Hall, St George’s Hall and new music venue Bradford Live, which is due to open later this year. More than 300 jobs will be created throughout the construction with a further 450 jobs based in the building once completed. Enabling works are already underway with construction due to start on site later this month, and the building due to complete by summer 2023. The development will have strong sustainability credentials, including high-performance glazing to the façades to maximise natural light while reducing solar gain; photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to make sure the building operates on renewable energy. A roof terrace will serve a dual purpose, helping with the natural cooling of the building as well as promoting the wellbeing of its occupants. All of the car-parking spaces will have electric car charging points, coupled with secure cycle storage and changing facilities on the ground floor to encourage workers to take more sustainable and healthier ways to travel to the office. Simon Dew, development director at Muse Developments, added: “We’re very excited to announce this important milestone for One City Park and to be working with Bradford Council and Caddick Construction on this flagship scheme. The significance of One City Park can’t be underestimated for Bradford and we know there’s growing demand from businesses looking to relocate or expand in the city centre.” Adrian Dobson, managing director for Caddick Construction, said: “This is a high-profile scheme in the heart of Bradford that will have a transformational effect on the city centre. Caddick is delighted to have been chosen as construction partner to deliver on such an important project for Muse, Bradford Council and the city as a whole.” Jason Longhurst, Bradford Council’s strategic director for place, said: “We are delighted that Caddick Construction has been appointed to bring this flagship scheme to life. One City Park will be a huge step forward in our ambition to become a clean growth city district and provide a welcome boost to the city centre economy.” Muse Developments is an established specialist in place-changing regeneration, working in close partnerships with councils, local stakeholders and the wider business communities to create award winning landmark developments across the UK. Muse is also part of Morgan Sindall plc – the UK’s leading construction and regeneration group. Bradford was also recently named in a national report as the city with the most potential to benefit from the Levelling Up agenda. This report coincides with significant investment for Bradford into both transport and infrastructure as part of the £50m Transforming Cities public realm enhancement programme. For further information visit www.onecitypark.com.
Civil engineering specialist firm GRAHAM has been appointed as the Principal Contractor to deliver a new bridge and link road as part of the Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 Works (RDR Phase 3) project. The £16.77m project will connect the A130 Essex Regiment Way and the Beaulieu and Channels housing developments on the west side of the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) railway lines to the A12 Boreham interchange on the east side of the railway. The scheme will see the delivery of new highways infrastructure to facilitate future phases of development at the Beaulieu Development in Chelmsford for the client Countryside and L&Q. The works comprise of a new three-span bridge over the Great Eastern Main Line railway and A12 slip-road; and approach embankments on either side linking into the new Radial Distributor Road (RDR) and the existing Boreham Interchange. The infrastructure will also form part of a local bus route and the principal HGV traffic route between the A12 and Braintree and provide a link between the proposed new Beaulieu railway station on the east side of the railway. GRAHAM has already delivered the pre-construction phase of the contract, which required a fully coordinated design and installation methodology to meet the approval and standards of Highways England and Network Rail. As part of the contract, GRAHAM will provide the construction of a range of new highway infrastructure, including: A new three-span highway bridge structure Piling Earthworks Soil retaining walls Bearings Stormwater (SUDS) drainage Road construction to include provision for pedestrians Traffic signs and road markings Traffic signal loops Street lighting Fencing Vehicle restraint systems. Utility ducts Temporary works Other ancillary works Coordination with and programming of the works of statutory undertakers to carry out required diversion/protection works on the public highway All associated Traffic Management Works The new Beaulieu Rail Bridge will be a 161m long three-span structure of composite weathering steel fabricated plate girders on in-situ reinforced concrete column abutments and piers, with reinforced concrete pile-caps and bored cast in place reinforced concrete piles. The girders will be a constant depth over their full length. The superstructure will be constructed on site, off-line on adjacent land. GRAHAM will carry out the installation by raising the complete superstructure using Self Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMT) which will carry it to its final position before lowering it onto the permanent bearings. This methodology has been used by GRAHAM successfully on previous bridge installations, notably on the Carpenter’s Land Bridge in 2020, a project that linked London’s East Bank to its International Quarter. GRAHAM has a proven track record in the Chelmsford area having completed the award-winning A138 Chelmer Viaduct – a £32m strategic highway, which has increased transport capacity and significantly improved journeys for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Discussing the award of this next phase of works, GRAHAM Managing Director Leo Martin said: “Following our appointment to design the bridge for this scheme under a Stage 1 Pre-construction Services contract which focused on optioneering, outline design and detailed design development, we were delighted to secure the build phase for the Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 Works. “The use of SPMTs to install the complete bridge rather than the traditional usage of a crane is an example of our innovative approach to civil engineering infrastructure projects and this methodology will help us install the new superstructure in the safest and most efficient manner. Leo added: “We’re thrilled to be delivering another important infrastructure scheme in the Chelmsford region following our work on the award-winning A138 Chelmer Viaduct. The Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 works will provide important new transport links for the Beaulieu and Channels housing developments to the A12 Boreham Interchange, as well local bus and HGV routes between the A12 and Braintree. The project is another excellent opportunity for our team to show its capabilities in both the highways and rail sectors.” Work on the Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 (RDR Phase 3) project is currently underway with an anticipated completion date in Spring 2023.
Works at the new luxury residential development The Yacht Club, situated on the banks of the River Trent between Colwick and West Bridgford, continue to progress well with first completions afoot and residents set to be welcomed to their new homes very soon. Developed by Leeds-based KMRE Group Ltd, the 81-home waterfront scheme – which will be known by residents as Yacht Club Place – is located off the secluded Trent Lane, with Colwick Country Park and Nottingham Racecourse to the East and Lady Bay Bridge to the West, in an area that is undergoing significant transformation promising a vibrant new inbound community. Over 60% of the apartments in the first phase have already been sold and the largest out of the three apartment blocks, Block C, is set to complete in the coming days. The remaining two blocks – Block A and Block B, are set to complete within the next few weeks as they enter the final stages of construction. The development comprises of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses, with prices starting from £300,000. A show apartment is available for prospective buyers to view on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 9am – 12pm, where a member of the sales team will be on hand to show visitors around and answer queries. All of the homes are river-facing, and each feature their own private balcony or terrace, providing spectacular views over the water, looking out to The Hook nature reserve opposite. With no passing traffic, except that of river boats, paddle boarders and rowers, The Yacht Club offers a supremely serene location by the water. Residents will also be able to access an onsite gym which boasts stunning views of the river. A new cycle and pedestrian bridge, known as the Waterside Bridge, is also proposed for the area with a planning application due to be submitted to Nottingham City Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council – it would be the first bridge to be built over the River Trent in more than 60 years. At the end of last year, The Yacht Club reached a new milestone with 45% of its apartments sold and has since completed the largest of the three apartment blocks that make up the development, Block C, which features 35 apartments and four penthouses. Of the apartments sold so far, developer KMRE Group Ltd and joint selling agents FHP Living and William H Brown have noted a particularly high level of interest from both young professionals and those looking to downsize or purchase a second home. Julia Day, Sales and Development Progression Manager at KMRE Group, said: “As our first residential development in Nottinghamshire, we are pleased to be investing in the area – contributing to the ongoing regeneration of the waterside and bringing high quality and unique desirable new homes to the city. “The apartments have been particularly popular with young professionals and downsizers – those who want a taste of city living with convenient amenities nearby, as well as access to open spaces and the countryside in a tranquil location. “The apartments are spacious but also sleek and simple, so easy for second homeowners or holiday-goers to lock up and leave, knowing their home will be safe and secure whilst they’re away. Given that travel companies are reporting a ‘summer boom’ is on the way with a surge of holiday bookings as Covid restrictions lift*, that might prove to be a real selling point for prospective buyers.” During and post pandemic, the housing market has also seen a shift in the number of London-based homeowners choosing to purchase properties outside of the capital and moving further up north. In 2021, homebuyers from London purchased more homes outside of the city than in any year since 2007**, in a movement that is expected to continue. Jules Hunt, Director at The Yacht Club’s joint selling agent FHP Living, said: “Homebuyers are searching for a higher quality of living and a balance between city life and access to nature – a trend that we have seen increase post-lockdown as workplace and travel routines change. “Providing an exclusive waterside lifestyle, The Yacht Club is ideally located close to the city centre, green spaces and local amenities and places of interest, including East Point Retail Park, Colwick Country Park and Holme Pierrepont. “These modern, spacious and contemporary homes provide uninterrupted views across the river and The Hook nature reserve, in an area of Nottingham that is undergoing an exciting transformation – creating new neighbourhoods along the banks of the River Trent.” For more information, call selling agents FHP Living on 0115 9778935 or William H Brown on 0115 9819828.
Building output was boosted by sustained rise in new work across the board according to the Construction Purchasing Managers index for March. The latest reading of 59.1 was unchanged from February and well above the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction. The index revealed the joint-fastest rate of output growth since June 2021 boosted by the highest level of new orders since August last year. Commercial work was the best-performing segment with an index reading of 60.8 due to projects restarting following the roll back of pandemic restrictions. Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply group director Duncan Brock said: “But residential building became the laggard of the pack as affordability concerns were a factor in holding back progress particularly in new housing and refurbishment work.” Recoveries in residential work lost momentum in March with a reading of 54.9 and 56.3 for civil engineering. Deliver wait times climb A third of supply chain managers reported longer wait times for deliveries and sharp inflation rises as transport and raw material cost went up. The overall rate of input price inflation accelerated sharply since February and was the highest for six months. “Construction companies are braced for more disruption on the horizon as a result of the Ukraine conflict. The rise in purchasing demand fed into higher costs for materials already in short supply as energy hikes also impacted on business costs,” said Mr Brock. Input buying rose at the steepest pace since July 2021, driven by a combination of stronger demand and efforts to build stocks where possible. S&P Global economics director Tim Moore, whose company compiles the survey, said: “Business optimism slipped to its lowest since October 2020 on concerns that clients will cut back spending in response to rising prices and heightened economic uncertainty.” Property finance intermediary Hank Zarihs Associates said despite economic uncertainty tender opportunities and resilient customer demand meant development finance lenders were keen to offer construction loans to builders.
Riwal has become the latest Sustaining Member of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), making it the first rental and training company on a list that includes Alimak, AON (formerly Henderson Insurance Brokers), APEX and Haulotte. With headquarters in Dordrecht, Netherlands, Riwal was founded in 1968 and has grown into a major rental and training company specialising in working safely and efficiently at height in 16 territories, including the Middle East and India. “Riwal has long been an active member of IPAF, with representation on various committees and councils, as well as CEO Pedro Torres being a member of the IPAF Board, so to have them as a sustaining member is the perfect way of consolidating our efforts to promote our shared goal of enhancing safety in powered access worldwide,” said Romina Vanzi, IPAF’s Head of Regional Development. “It will be particularly beneficial for IPAF to have a member engaged in equipment rental and training in both established and emerging markets around the globe join the growing list of IPAF Sustaining Members.” Sustaining Member is a category of IPAF membership designed to recognise and sustain IPAF’s strategic initiatives and overall contribution to improving safety and productivity in powered access worldwide. “The past two years have demonstrated just how important it is to work together for the collective benefit of safety in our industry, and we’ve worked especially hard to emphasise the value that IPAF offers members – as a point of reference for safety and technical guidance, developing and implementing standards, advocating key industry issues to government bodies, or offering vital business intelligence and support to our members, particularly during uncertain times,” added Peter Douglas, CEO & MD of IPAF. “IPAF exists to support its members, and can’t progress our strategic objectives without them, including improving global incident reporting and developing our training programme and safety & technical guidance in response to what accident data is telling us. We are delighted that Riwal has decided to join Haulotte, APEX, AON and Alimak in recognising this by committing to be a Sustaining Member of IPAF.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
XUL Architecture completely renovated a semi-detached corner house in North London, doubling the floor space and bringing bold and colourful architectural details into a family home. As with a lot of families during the pandemic, their house had become a home, office and part-time school but this family was outgrowing their dwelling. XUL Architecture created a scheme that doubled the size of this property and connected ground floor rooms via a central hallway. The renovation also included a ground floor extension to the rear and a loft conversion which added a further 104 sqm to this semi-detached house. Like many homes in the area, the house was originally built higher than the ground level, with the garden sitting lower than the interior floor level. XUL Architecture proposed lowering the internal floor level to align with the garden, giving additional ceiling height to the ground floor and better connecting the rear garden to the rear extension. Within the proposed design many contemporary architectural details were created, which were accented with bold Mondrianesque colours to draw attention to these features. The rear of the house was originally a series of separate rooms including a kitchen, pantry and playroom which have now been skilfully opened up into a large family space. “Since the pandemic, rear extensions have become incredibly popular to add space to a home without the need to move but it’s important to consider the visual impact to the rear of the house” explains director Sebastian Sandler. “We broke the extension into two sections with a central window that can be seen as soon as you walk through the front door. This added the space required to the rear whilst creating visual interest to the property.” A corner glass extension was added for a relaxing space with an uninterrupted view to the sky whilst sitting and reading or watching children playing on the integrated trampoline in the garden. “With the neighbouring trees overhanging this glass box, for a brief moment, you can feel like you are in a jungle instead of North London” Sandler explains. With an increased ground floor height, XUL Architecture was keen to celebrate this dramatic volume by introducing generous floor-to-ceiling doors to reinforce this sense of space. All of the window frames at the rear are designed with a narrow profile so that the views of the garden are the main focus. The design utilises bold colour within sections of the home as a clever way to highlight some of the contemporary architectural details. The side of a staircase would often be hidden but XUL Architecture wanted to show the craftsmanship in the engineered wood treads and risers creating a thin wood profile as it meets the string, accented in vibrant yellow. This renovated house, more than double the size of the original floor plan, has allowed the family to embrace this corner house as their forever home. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
Glam dining tables set the mood for an elegant dining experience in any home. It’s important to surround the table with complementary accents to achieve a luxurious look and feel. There are several ways to bring class and sophistication into your dining room, whether you’re adding a new rug or installing an intriguing chandelier. Here are some tips to help you create a glamorous dining experience. Furniture One of the most important style elements to accompany your dining room table is the surrounding furniture. Once you’ve chosen the right table, decide which chairs fit best with your overall design scheme. Choose high back chairs with rich colored upholstery in velvet or leather for a classic look. If you’re into more modern designs, go with an elegant industrial look by choosing acrylic chairs with sparkly metal legs. To accent your table, consider purchasing a matching buffet piece or add a bar cart to showcase your cocktail accessories and glassware. Main Lighting Hanging a sophisticated light fixture above the center of your dining table makes the room stand out. Chandeliers come in an assortment of styles and are made from several different materials. A crystal chandelier has been a staple in wealthy homes for centuries and creates a timeless aesthetic. Modern light fixtures made of metal can often look like a work of art and become great conversation pieces. Select a minimalist style light fixture if you’d like to keep the focus on other features of the dining room. Table Accents Adorning your dining room table with glam accents might be the easiest way to add a touch of class and sophistication. Splurge on luxury flatware and dinnerware to impress your guests at dinner parties. Choose gold- or silver-plated items and set them against placemats or a table runner made from luxurious fabrics. A large centerpiece of fresh flowers effortlessly ties the whole look together and provides a welcoming atmosphere for everyone sharing a meal at the table. Room Décor The dining room is the perfect place to show off an art collection. Hang interesting pieces around the room to create visual interest and spark up conversations. Depending on the overall style of the room, choose either classic or modern pieces to complement the aesthetic. Add wall sconces or candles to enhance the main lighting and add more warmth to the space. When entertaining guests, don’t forget to set the mood with some classy music. Consider adding a record player to the dining room and play some vintage jazz records to enhance the atmosphere. Rug Adding a plush rug underneath your dining room table is an easy way to glam things up. Classic oriental rugs are a timeless home luxury staple and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Choose a rug with an interesting texture or thick fur to offset an industrial style room. When selecting a dining room rug, consider one that’s easy to maintain and clean in case there are any spills or stains.
Property development companies are always keen to extract as much space from a development plot as possible. This will inevitably mean covering as much of the area in housing as they can. The reason for this is fairly obvious; the more houses available, the more they can sell. Thus, the more money is made from the housing development. However, it is vitally important that green areas aren’t neglected when developing new housing estates. While the intention could be to provide as many new homes as possible, it is often better to sacrifice some plots for green patches of land instead. From here, these green areas can be turned into a communal park or garden for residents to enjoy. Developers can even give the new residents a few options or ask for suggestions as to what to do with it. Even something as simple as a green open field to walk dogs or play sports will be beneficial for the wider community. In fact, green areas in property developments are becoming more and more important to implement. Why? Let’s find out. Entice families to the development The majority of people purchasing homes in a new housing development will be families. People are looking for a new place to live and settle down with their children. Or, they have kids on the way and foresee this new housing estate as a great place to watch them grow up. Consequently, having green areas can attract families to your property development. You are showing that there are places within this housing estate for kids to go outside and play. For parents, this is so important as it means they can properly imagine their children living here, playing with neighbours, etc. Not only that, but nearby green areas can also attract families with pets, giving them a close place to take dogs for a walk. It is simply a more attractive proposition to live somewhere with a few wide open spaces than it is to live in a housing development full of other buildings and nothing else. It’s good for the environment Property developers need to think about the consequences of building new houses and the impact this has on the environment. Therefore, implementing some green spaces can be beneficial for the planet. It reduces the amount of building materials used, cutting the carbon footprint of the whole operation. Of course, the key is to use eco-friendly materials when nurturing these green spaces – such as chicken manure to help the soil become healthy and grow luscious green grass. Planting trees and other plants in the green areas can also be a way to combat a lot of the timber than might be used to build the houses. Effectively, these green spaces can be a way to give back to the environment and minimise thenegative impact your property development has had. Whichever way you look at it, green areas are becoming a crucial element of housing developments. No longer can property developers fill the land with buildings and more buildings. Space needs to be left for green places to flourish!
It is critical to the first impression that your property creates that you work on improving the charm of your home or business premises’ outside. Second, the vast majority of exterior improvements also have the additional benefit of increasing your home’s energy efficiency. It follows that it has the potential to generate a significant return on investment. For people who may be thinking about selling their buildings and relocating in the near future, it is crucial to emphasize how most of these improvements will raise the resale value of their buildings. Overall, adding character to the exterior of your home or business premises is an intelligent decision that will benefit you in a variety of ways. Here are a few examples of how to go about it. Renovate the exterior of your property. Those ready to invest in enhancing the exterior of their property will find that rebuilding their façade is a wise decision. There are a plethora of various concepts to experiment with here. For example, you might simply repaint it or make a more considerable investment to give it a more textured appearance. Keep in mind that the façade of your commercial property or home and the rest of your property must be complementary to one another. As a result, attempt to imagine the full end result. Make sure your roof is in excellent condition. Another item to think about is whether or not to invest in restoring your roof. Even though this is a costly improvement, it may be the best time to consider it at this point. Why? As a result, there is less demand for roofing workers and materials than ever been. The roof covering market had a 20% decline due to COVID-19. Price decreases as a result of a reduction in demand, which is why, by the time you have planned everything and completed your budgeting, costs may have fallen into the range you consider acceptable. Aside from being a beautiful addition to your building’s façade, it also serves as a functional enhancement that keeps your property safe while also increasing its energy efficiency. Using High-Pressure cleaning Next, you might want to think about having your façade pressure washed. It is a low-cost, high-efficiency method that consistently produces the intended output. Simply put, renting a pressure washer is relatively inexpensive, especially if you just need it for a day, and it can remove years and even decades of filth from the walls of your property. Take into consideration the fact that your walls are not the only item you may clean. In the meantime, you might consider washing the driveway with the pressure washer that you have on hand. Using a high-pressure washer on the concrete can be really effective. Also, it is for this reason that it is a good idea to wash the sidewalk in front of your property. Rendering and cladding In terms of boosting the appeal of your business premises exterior, this is one of the more expensive options you may consider. However, it also makes it more resistant to weather conditions such as rain, hail, and snow. The spectacular results last for years and years after you have completed that task once. Different building rendering techniques are available, each with its own set of advantages and downsides. Each rendering has a significant impact on the exterior of your property, which is another issue to bear in mind. Traditional cement rendering is one of the most cost-effective solutions available, but it is also one of the most productive. If you already have it and it is looking less than perfect, See Brilliance can make a huge difference. New windows Replacement of your external windows should also be on your list of considerations. Before you start, you need to be aware of two crucial points. First and foremost, replacing windows is a necessary expense, but it is an investment that will pay for itself over time. Installing new windows can save you hundreds each year on your energy bills. However, this is dependent on the total energy efficiency of your home as well as the temperature of the surrounding area. Also noteworthy will be the general image that your property will also leave on visitors will be noteworthy. With the old-fashioned windows remaining in place, a new façade will not be nearly as stunning as it could be.
The construction industry is one of the world’s largest and most economically important sectors, employing millions of people and generating trillions of dollars in revenues each year. Because of this, it’s often seen as an attractive option for anyone who wants to get into a profession that will have a consistent demand for their skills, and a good amount of portability and flexibility to go along with it. If you’re considering a job in construction, but you don’t know where to get started, or what opportunities for advancements there are, here’s an overview of the basics to bring you up to speed. All-purpose laborers For a lot of workers in construction, their first experience of the industry is as an unspecialized manual laborer or operative. Duties can vary wildly, from handling materials and tools to putting finishing touches to projects already in progress. You may need only a basic license to fulfill this type of role, and many laborers have only temporary contracts with their employers. This is why it is sensible to take construction training programs via services like Construction Ready. You’ll need the right training and qualifications to take any career in this industry to the next level, and move beyond the often restrictive and unstable world of casual laboring. Painting & decorating Preparing the interior of domestic or business premises after the bulk of the construction has finished is a mixture of science and art. Designs need to be followed, and there is room for creative flair alongside the more rigid, manual aspects of applying paint and fulfilling other decorative needs. This is another type of job which can be carried out by newcomers, and yet also has opportunities for progression for those that take up training and apprenticeships to hone their skills and make themselves more valuable to prospective employers. Maintenance While new construction projects are increasingly common, another huge aspect of the industry is the maintenance of existing buildings. This can require a different set of skills, but still means that you need to be ready for a decent amount of manual labor, as well as being good with your hands and equipped with decent problem-solving faculties. Maintenance in construction can involve everything from hanging doors and repairing flooring to fixing leaky roofs and even full-blown carpentry. Plenty of people who begin a career in maintenance-related roles will start out working for others, and then eventually strike out on their own, starting a business which they are responsible for running. This reveals the additional flexibility of getting an entry-level construction job; while you can simply tread water year after year, there are also opportunities to take the bull by the horns and achieve your own progression if you have an entrepreneurial spirit as well as the skills and know-how to serve clients well. Transport Getting materials to and from construction sites is key in order to ensure that projects are completed on time and to budget. Thus a lot of the people employed in this industry work as part of the transport operations, without necessarily needing to get stuck into the construction work itself. Of course, there are skills to learn and qualifications to acquire in order to forge ahead with a career in transport. To drive the highest capacity vehicles and operate the machinery for loading and unloading materials, for example, is not something you can do with a basic license. Transport skills and qualifications acquired in construction are also completely transferable if you want to work in other forms of transport later on, such as long-distance haulage. So as you can see, there is career progression to be had in all manner of construction roles, and opportunities aplenty for people of different dispositions.
