New industry data has revealed that building & construction firms could be missing out on top talent due to complicated application processes. The Access Group’s Recruitment and Resourcing Index has revealed a significant gap between candidate experiences when applying for new jobs across the major sectors – which could be preventing
Leading civil engineering and building contractor Farrans Construction has launched its application process for 50 high-demand positions on its industry leading graduate programme, Farrans Foundation, with intake dates in June and September 2024. Farrans Foundation is an award-winning, two year graduate programme which provides applicants with the necessary experience and
In the fast-paced world of rail transportation, safety is paramount. The challenges are many, from ensuring on-time departures to maintaining tracks and stations. However, one often overlooked yet significant safety concern in the rail industry is the occurrence of slips, trips, and falls. These seemingly minor incidents can have far-reaching
Two social landlords joined forces earlier this month to transform the grounds at a supported living scheme in Herefordshire. Platform Housing Group and Stonewater Ltd teamed up with Orphans Press to create a ‘happy to chat’ bench within the communal garden at Newman House in Leominster as well as tidying up the area to
The owners of Asda are reportedly considering a £500m sale of some of the supermarket retailer’s property portfolio in an effort to reduce debts. The billionaire Issa brothers, Mohsin and Zuber, with the backing of TDR Capital, are said to be in negotiations with Australian firm Macquarie Asset Management regarding
Housebuilder The Hill Group has announced the acquisition of a 17-acre site for residential development in the picturesque village of Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, to deliver 110 high-quality new homes for the local area. With a strong reputation for sustainable redevelopment across Cambridgeshire, Hill will provide a wide range of attractive, energy-efficient
Far East Consortium (FEC) has secured planning permission for the next phase of their Red Bank Scheme, a joint venture project with Manchester City Council’s Victoria North. Passed by Manchester City Council’s planning committee on August 31st, the approval helps to unlock FEC’s ambitions to deliver up to 4,800 new
Spencer Group has appointed a Managing Director for its rail division, experienced and highly respected industry professional Mike Halliday. Mike joins the multi-disciplinary engineering specialist from Network Rail, where he has served as a route delivery director for the last six years. In his new role, he will drive Spencer
New industry data has revealed that building & construction firms could be missing out on top talent due to complicated application processes. The Access Group’s Recruitment and Resourcing Index has revealed a significant gap between candidate experiences when applying for new jobs across the major sectors – which could be preventing them from completing the process. The index was compiled using different metrics – including user-experience of careers pages, the number of questions on an application form, and whether candidates can apply via LinkedIn or need to send a covering letter. The higher the score, the better the candidate experience. The findings come as the British Chambers of Commerce latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO) found that 80% of UK businesses have reported difficulties in recruiting – down just 2% from the ‘highest level of recruitment difficulties on record’ last year. The Access Group, a business management software specialist, analysed 20 industries including manufacturing, legal, healthcare and logistics to find out which ones offer the best candidate experiences, and where there is room for improvement. The lower the index score, the worse the experience. Building & construction firms were one of the most likely to struggle to recruit top talent according to the index. Topping the index as the industry most likely to struggle to fill positions due to arduous recruitment processes was accounting and finance, followed by automotive and building and construction. The ten industries potentially missing out the most on industry talent When it comes to the best candidate experiences, consumer-centric industries like retail and ecommerce, and homeware and interiors are leading the way, according to the index. Bookstore Waterstones had the best-performing website, while Hobby Craft, Mamas and Papas and Bargain Booze came out top with the best application processes. Overall, comic book and science fiction retailer Forbidden Planet scored the highest among the retailers with an average index score of 188.1. Top ten industries for providing the most seamless candidate experience Commenting on the findings, Julia Harvie-Liddel, Head of Recruitment at The Access Group said: “In today’s competitive jobs market, organisations cannot afford to risk losing candidates at the final stage because of poor experiences with their website and arduous application forms. “The good news is that with a few improvements, employers could see a vast improvement in the number of people who complete their application form. Make sure your careers pages or microsite is performing well from a technical perspective. Like customers, candidates will be put off by sites that are slow to load or don’t display properly on a mobile, so ask your digital team to check its Core Web Vitals (CWV). Just as important is updating your website with the latest roles and engaging content – everything from rewards and benefits to company life.” She added that in-house recruitment software can also play a valuable role in achieving this. “This technology enables firms to create a professional branded website that attracts candidates, engages them at every stage of the journey – keeping them updated on the status of their application and completing checks as efficiently as possible.” To view the full Recruitment and Resourcing index, visit: https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/blog/the-industries-winning-the-recruitment-race/ Methodology The Access Group used two key metrics to compile an average index score for each industry analysed, based on the UK’s top 100 brands by turnover by sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading civil engineering and building contractor Farrans Construction has launched its application process for 50 high-demand positions on its industry leading graduate programme, Farrans Foundation, with intake dates in June and September 2024. Farrans Foundation is an award-winning, two year graduate programme which provides applicants with the necessary experience and knowledge to fast track their career in construction, quantity surveying and civil engineering. With a blend of classroom-based learning and on-site experience, this is the starting point on the journey to becoming the future leaders of Farrans. This year, Farrans will be hosting a series of virtual career open days in September, October and November for those people who are interested in finding out more about what it is like to be a graduate or a placement in the company. Farrans Construction, a CRH company, has over 80 years’ experience of delivering world-class projects across the UK and Ireland. The company which employs more than 600 people has offices in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds and Belfast with further site offices connecting its regional network. Dominic Lavery, Managing Director of Farrans, said: “We understand that the move from education to employment can be a big step and we want to make the experience as enjoyable as we can. Our graduate programme, which has recently been CPD Accredited by Engineers Ireland, will provide you with all of the necessary experience and knowledge you need at the start of your career. We will support you to begin your journey to become Chartered with your relevant professional body and, with over 60% of our professional employees Chartered, we are able to give you all the help, guidance and support required to attain your professional qualification. “We receive a high volume of applications for our programme so I recommend that anyone who is interested should join a virtual open day to find out what we look for in our graduates and placements and to take your time to make your application the best it can be.” Conor McCourt, senior engineer and Farrans Foundation Graduate, said: “Farrans Foundation is a graduate programme that provides you with an opportunity to learn about all aspects of the business so that you understand the ‘why’ of the work that you are doing. It certainly made me more commercially astute, taught me time management skills and opened my eyes to the many career paths I could take. University focuses on the theory while Farrans Foundation provides a framework to excel on the ground. “One of the major benefits is that you are able to make connections with colleagues at many levels. The programme gave me a support network of experienced professionals to call on for help if I need it. Skills from Farrans Foundation can be easily transferred to working towards Chartership.” For more information, to register for an virtual open day and to submit an application to Farrans’ Graduate and Placement Programme visit: www.farrans.com/graduates/ and www.farrans.com/placements/ Virtual open days will take place on 27th September from 5-6pm, 18th October from 1-2pm and on 23rd November from 4-5pm. Register here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the fast-paced world of rail transportation, safety is paramount. The challenges are many, from ensuring on-time departures to maintaining tracks and stations. However, one often overlooked yet significant safety concern in the rail industry is the occurrence of slips, trips, and falls. These seemingly minor incidents can have far-reaching consequences for the workforce, the public and the efficiency of rail operations. The Effect of Slips, Trips, and Falls Slips, trips, and falls might sound like everyday occurrences, but within the rail industry, they can trigger a chain reaction of problems. Whether it’s a passenger slipping on a platform, a staff member tripping on uneven flooring, or a contractor falling while maintaining equipment, the consequences can be severe. Human Toll Slips, trips, and falls can lead to injuries ranging from minor sprains to more serious fractures or head injuries. Each incident not only affects the individual involved but also their colleagues, family, and the overall morale of the workforce. Operational Disruptions Even a brief halt in rail operations can have a cascading effect on schedules and customer satisfaction. If a worker or member of the public is injured, investigations and medical attention can disrupt regular activities. Financial Impact In addition to potential compensation costs, slips, trips, and falls can result in legal liabilities, increased insurance premiums, and potential compensation claims. These financial repercussions can strain resources that would be better utilised for other safety improvements. Public Perception Safety incidents reflect poorly on the rail industry’s reputation. A high-profile slip or fall can erode public trust and deter potential passengers from choosing rail as their mode of transport. To address the issue effectively, it’s essential to understand the risk factors that contribute to slips, trips, and falls in the rail environment: How can SOCOTEC UK help? As a leading provider of testing, inspection, and certification services, SOCOTEC UK is dedicated to enhancing safety across various industries, including rail. Our expertise can make a significant impact on reducing slips, trips, and falls within the rail sector: Slips, trips, and falls might seem minor, but their impact on the rail industry is far from insignificant. By addressing these safety concerns, we can create a safer environment for rail workers and passengers alike. SOCOTEC UK’s commitment to providing tailored solutions and expertise can help the rail industry mitigate risks and maintain its reputation for safety and reliability. Together, we can ensure smooth rail operations while putting safety first. Stay Tuned for Our Annual Rail Environment Forum (REF) Invitation for 2023 Additionally, we invite you to keep an eye out for our upcoming REF invitation for 2023. This forum serves as a platform to exchange insights, share best practices, and collaboratively address safety challenges. At SOCOTEC UK, we believe that continuous learning and collaboration are key to fostering a safer rail industry for all. Attend SOCOTEC’s next Expert Webinar Effluents – Do you consent? – This webinar will focus on trade effluents and will take place on Wednesday 20 September 2023 at 11 am. Jonathan Harries, Technical Manager for SOCOTEC Environmental, will deliver the talk. Click on the link below to sign up via our dedicated webpage. A link to join will be delivered via email on the morning of the webinar. Register your interest Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two social landlords joined forces earlier this month to transform the grounds at a supported living scheme in Herefordshire. Platform Housing Group and Stonewater Ltd teamed up with Orphans Press to create a ‘happy to chat’ bench within the communal garden at Newman House in Leominster as well as tidying up the area to provide a better environment and peaceful retreat for the residents to enjoy. The initiative came about as part of a 150th birthday celebration; Orphans Press – a print, publishing, design and web agency based in the town – was established in 1873 to support the Leominster Orphan Homes, founded in 1869 and located at Newman House until its closure in 1951. The home housed 18 destitute children from industrialised parts of the country who had been orphaned. Henry Stanley Newman – founder of the Leominster Orphan Homes and Orphans Press – was determined to make sure that the children felt at home there, providing access to education, training and religious teachings. The event also included the planting of a ceremonial apple tree. Helen Bowden, Director at Orphans Press explained: “We discovered that there used to be an orchard in the garden at Newman House where the children used to pick apples. We decided to commemorate Henry Stanley Newman by planting an apple tree where the orchard used to be.” Newman House is run by Stonewater Ltd; since March 2022, Platform Housing Group has been undertaking repairs on Stonewater homes in the Herefordshire area. Matthew Stock, Grounds Maintenance Delivery Manager at Platform Housing Group said : “We were absolutely delighted to be approached by Orphans Press to undertake such a fabulous project on behalf of Stonewater. The history behind the home is fascinating and being involved with it has really brought it all to life. We hope the residents of Newman House will enjoy their new bench amidst the beautiful grounds.” Helen Holland, Connected Communities Peer Leader, Neighbourhoods, at Stonewater, said: “We’re so thrilled that Stonewater can be part of such a positive and essential initiative. We understand how necessary it can be for people to be able to chat to others, especially given the difficulties we’ve all faced over the last few years. We’re glad to be able to help strengthen the sense of community among new and future residents.” Helen Bowden concluded : “Newman House is such an important part of the history of both Orphans Press and Leominster. We felt it was important to do something really special for our 150th birthday and collaborating with Platform and Stonewater to transform the grounds at Newman House was the perfect way to commemorate Henry Newman and give back to the residents.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The owners of Asda are reportedly considering a £500m sale of some of the supermarket retailer’s property portfolio in an effort to reduce debts. The billionaire Issa brothers, Mohsin and Zuber, with the backing of TDR Capital, are said to be in negotiations with Australian firm Macquarie Asset Management regarding a sale. The deal would see Macquarie purchase the ground rent leases of around 50 Asda stores, with a clause allowing the supermarket retailer to reassume control of the sites at the end of the 50-year term. Asda would then be able to pay lower rents at these stores while raising higher amounts of equity. The Issa brothers acquired the Asda estate from Walmart in 2021 in a deal worth £6.8bn, however some £2.75bn of debt was included in the transaction. In March, it was reported that the billionaire brothers were eyeing the sale-and-leaseback of the entire Asda estate, worth £8.6bn. The supermarket retailer then disposed of 25 stores to American investor Realty Income in a sale-and-leaseback deal worth £650m. Asda recently reported an increase in sales during the second quarter, which the supermarket said reflected the “strength” of its customer proposition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder The Hill Group has announced the acquisition of a 17-acre site for residential development in the picturesque village of Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, to deliver 110 high-quality new homes for the local area. With a strong reputation for sustainable redevelopment across Cambridgeshire, Hill will provide a wide range of attractive, energy-efficient homes surrounded by landscaped open green space. Nestled among mature trees, the development will incorporate linear and meadow parks, further enhancing the natural beauty of the area. Hill is working with an independent ecologist to ensure the sensitive management of the site to preserve its biodiversity. The development will include a children’s play area and a network of footpaths and cycle lanes to connect residents with local amenities. Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive at The Hill Group, commented: “This remarkable site represents an excellent opportunity to protect and enhance the scenic natural environment. Having successfully delivered similar developments across Cambridge and throughout the South East of England, we look forward to applying our experience to deliver sustainable new homes in this highly sought-after location.” Situated north of Cow Lane and close to a variety of essential amenities, such as high-performing schools, shops, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the development will be designed to reflect the existing architectural vernacular of this popular village. This collection of new homes will include two-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom terraced, semi-detached, and detached houses for private sale. Affordable housing will include one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom houses available through shared ownership and affordable rent. Residents will have access to cycle storage, and each of the houses will benefit from a private garden. In keeping with Hill’s impressive track record for sustainable development, each of the properties will utilise a range of energy-efficient features, including air source heat pumps and underfloor heating. The Fulbourn site will continue Hill’s expertise in delivering high-quality, community-focused new homes within the Cambridge area. Other developments in the area include Marleigh, a flagship development proudly delivered in partnership with Marshall LLP on the eastern edge of Cambridge, and the award-winning, highly sustainable Knights Park development in Eddington. Hill also has a successful investment partnership with Cambridge City Council to deliver a programme of housing developments across the city, with over 1,000 homes either delivered or currently underway. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Far East Consortium (FEC) has secured planning permission for the next phase of their Red Bank Scheme, a joint venture project with Manchester City Council’s Victoria North. Passed by Manchester City Council’s planning committee on August 31st, the approval helps to unlock FEC’s ambitions to deliver up to 4,800 new homes in the emerging Red Bank neighbourhood across a range of tenure types and sizes, including affordable homes. The first, an outline planning application, is for the delivery of up to 3,250 homes and more than 160,000 sq ft of non-residential floor space to be earmarked for commercial uses, a health centre, primary school, residential amenities and community spaces. This will be accompanied by the creation of new public realm with extensive areas of landscaping, greenspace and wetlands, supporting a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain across the neighbourhood. The second approval is for a full planning application for FEC’s next phase of delivery on the three plots adjacent to the 634-home Victoria Riverside scheme, which is currently under construction. This will see the delivery of seven buildings varying in height between six and 34 storeys and comprising 1,550 homes, as well as a new high street that will include 20,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space earmarked for local independent businesses. The homes will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bed apartments and townhouses catering for a diverse mix of homes including build to rent (BTR), affordable and open market sale. Both planning submissions were centred on the Wild Urbanism concept, which prioritises green space, biodiversity, active travel and public realm as part of the city centre living experience, placing sustainable living at the forefront of the project. The buildings within the masterplan will be delivered to a high sustainability standard which will include the installation of solar panels, heat pumps and green and brown roofs. The masterplan and outline application proposals were developed in partnership with masterplanner Maccreanor Lavington and Copenhagen-based public realm specialist, Schulze+Grassov with support from local practice OP-EN and sustainability experts Useful Projects. The full application was created by Maccreanor Lavington in collaboration with Manchester-based practice Hawkins/Brown. Red Bank is one of the first of seven neighbourhoods being regenerated as part of the £4bn Victoria North project, which is one the largest in the UK and will create 15,000 new homes over the next decade. Hilary Brett, project director at FEC, said: “Red Bank is one of the most under-used areas in Manchester, but its proximity to the city centre and the existing natural assets of the River Irk and St Catherine’s Wood make it the ideal location for a thriving new neighbourhood. “We are delighted to have received approval and want to thank everyone who has been involved and supported the project to get us to this point. We’re excited to move forward with our next phases of delivery.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spencer Group has appointed a Managing Director for its rail division, experienced and highly respected industry professional Mike Halliday. Mike joins the multi-disciplinary engineering specialist from Network Rail, where he has served as a route delivery director for the last six years. In his new role, he will drive Spencer Group’s rail division forward as it delivers transformative projects across the UK. Reflecting on his appointment, Mike said: “I’m delighted to be joining Spencer Group, which has a reputation for innovation and engineering excellence. I’ve spent the last six years with Network Rail, developing supply chain strategy and delivering projects – and will draw on this experience to grow and align Spencer’s rail division. “My focus will be on the upfront development side of the business, and on realising the full potential of its internal design capabilities. I’m committed to ensuring that we truly align with and understand our clients, avoiding change and unnecessary delays in delivery. Mike added: “I’ve spent most of my career as a contractor – but, after joining Network Rail, I gained invaluable client-side experience. Six years later, I’m confident that I understand the organisation’s requirements – and the needs of other rail clients. I began my rail career with Spencer Group and know that meeting these needs is in its DNA. Now, I’m really looking forward to shaping and building our rail offering with the help of my team.” With 27 years of industry experience, qualified engineer Mike is well-equipped to lead Spencer Group’s rail division – a business he first joined in 1996. Over the course of 11 years, he helped to grow it into a Tier 1 contractor and was made a main board director. During this time, Mike drew heavily on the skills he had acquired as an engineer on complex heavy civil engineering projects. Helping to deliver highways and bridges, he also developed a solution-driven style and straight-talking approach. After leaving Spencer Group in 2007, Mike became a private consultant – and was later offered the role of rail director at Story Engineering. By 2015, the business had become a well-established Tier 1 contractor and increased its turnover by 300 per cent. During Mike’s tenure, it was also named Supplier of the Year by Network Rail. He joined Network Rail in 2017, after a stint as infrastructure division lead at Wood Group. Serving as a route delivery director for the UK’s infrastructure owner and manager, Mike was responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of major projects. Commenting on Mike’s appointment, Spencer Group Managing Director Gary Thornton said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Mike to Spencer Group as our Managing Director of rail and to help drive forward our ambitions in the sector. Mike brings with him decades of valuable experience both contractor and client-side working for Network Rail and in his previous experience with Spencer Group. “Mike’s strong engineering background places him ideally to lead our team and build on our already fantastic reputation for project delivery in the rail industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
