September 12, 2023
City College Plymouth & Kier Partner to Boost Social Mobility in Plymouth’s Construction Sector

City College Plymouth & Kier Partner to Boost Social Mobility in Plymouth’s Construction Sector

The city’s anchor institution for skills, City College Plymouth, in partnership with Kier Construction, one of the UK’s leading construction and infrastructure services companies, celebrated the successful opening of a significant initiative designed to tackle the skills requirements in the city’s construction sector, while championing social mobility for Plymouth and

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Bellway Northern Home Counties Senior Sales Manager Lindsey Davenport with Ashberry Sales Manager Kenny Lattimore at the ‘breaking ground’ ceremony in Desborough, where work is underway on Weavers Fields and The Wickets developments

Housebuilders start work on 700-home development in Desborough

Construction work has started at a new housing development on the edge of Desborough, where Bellway and Ashberry Homes are building 700 properties. A ceremony to mark the ground-breaking was held at the 88-acre site off Stoke Road on Thursday 3 August. Bellway will be building 350homes at its development,

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Five Reasons Accurate Measurements leads to Digital Construction Success – Claims Geospatial Expert

Five Reasons Accurate Measurements leads to Digital Construction Success – Claims Geospatial Expert

by Michael Durnin, Head of Construction, Murphy Geospatial The construction industry is facing big challenges including a shortage of skilled labour, increasing material costs, adverse weather conditions and mounting pressure to hit carbon reduction targets. These pressures not only hinder project timelines but also tighten budgets, which can put the

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Three New Recruits at Simon Acres Group

Three New Recruits at Simon Acres Group

Simon Acres Group Limited, the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (KBB) industry’s leading recruitment agency and an online training and service provider, has appointed three new team members to enhance several areas of the business. Firstly, Konrad Fibi has been appointed as a Recruitment Consultant for the KBB recruitment team. Having

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Endurance Land wins Shoreditch office project

Endurance Land wins Shoreditch office project

Developer Endurance Land have received the go-ahead to retrofit and extend a 1990s office near London’s Old Street Junction. The updated 35-storey building on 99 City Road will serve as an innovation hub for tech clients as it provides 700,000 sq ft of workspace. Putting a new spin on the

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Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

September 12, 2023

City College Plymouth & Kier Partner to Boost Social Mobility in Plymouth’s Construction Sector

City College Plymouth & Kier Partner to Boost Social Mobility in Plymouth’s Construction Sector

The city’s anchor institution for skills, City College Plymouth, in partnership with Kier Construction, one of the UK’s leading construction and infrastructure services companies, celebrated the successful opening of a significant initiative designed to tackle the skills requirements in the city’s construction sector, while championing social mobility for Plymouth and upholding the College’s civic duty. The launch of the Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre took place on Wednesday 6 September at the College’s Picquet site in Devonport and was attended by Kier’s supply chain partners and key stakeholders from the construction sector. The partnership between City College Plymouth and Kier, a tier one contractor, was developed to bridge the skills gap in the construction sector. This initiative was a direct response to the demand for skilled workers in Plymouth and the wider region. Kier’s ongoing and completed projects in the city include Intercity House and Plymouth City Council’s new crematorium, ‘The Park’.  The Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre will offer a free, five-week Level 1 Diploma in the Construction and Built Environment, providing essential skills to adults who are interested in pursuing a career in construction. The diploma is also poised to transform the lives of unemployed individuals and ex-offenders by equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in the city’s construction sector. The course aims to create a skilled workforce pipeline for Kier’s supply chain who will provide interviews for those who have successfully completed the five-week programme. Covering a wide range of vital construction trades, including bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating, wall and floor tiling, and plumbing, the course will also provide essential work experience opportunities.  Additionally, students enrolled in the course will have the opportunity to obtain their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, a critical credential for accessing employment opportunities within the construction sector. The Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre is a testament to City College Plymouth’s unwavering commitment to their civic duty and the betterment of Plymouth’s community by empowering those who seek to rebuild their lives and embark on fulfilling careers in the vibrant construction sector. Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth, highlighted the profound impact of the Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre on both the construction sector and the broader community, emphasising the College’s civic duty and commitment to advancing social mobility in Plymouth. She stated, “The Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre is a significant step towards building a robust workforce for the construction sector and is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality education and addressing the skills gap in the construction industry. But it goes beyond that. It exemplifies our unwavering civic duty to the city of Plymouth.” Jackie continued, “Our partnership with Kier Construction not only bridges the skills gap but also champions social mobility. By offering a free, five-week course in construction skills, we are empowering adults, including unemployed individuals and ex-offenders, with the essential skills to embark on fulfilling careers in the vibrant construction sector. “This initiative aligns with our core belief that education is the key to opportunity, and by doing so, we are strengthening our city’s social fabric. We are creating a pathway for those who seek to rebuild their lives and contribute to the betterment of Plymouth. This is our civic duty in action – enhancing the life chances of our community members and forging a brighter future for Plymouth through education and social mobility.” Doug Lloyd, Regional Director for Kier, added, “As a leading construction company with a long-standing presence in the city, we recognise the importance of investing in a skilled workforce for the future. The Hard Hat Ready course will provide benefits for those looking to upskill or begin a career in construction, as well as our wider supply chain and the local community. We are excited to be part of this initiative and to continue our partnerships with City College Plymouth and Building Plymouth, which provide opportunities for individuals to thrive in the construction industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Bellway Northern Home Counties Senior Sales Manager Lindsey Davenport with Ashberry Sales Manager Kenny Lattimore at the ‘breaking ground’ ceremony in Desborough, where work is underway on Weavers Fields and The Wickets developments

Housebuilders start work on 700-home development in Desborough

Construction work has started at a new housing development on the edge of Desborough, where Bellway and Ashberry Homes are building 700 properties. A ceremony to mark the ground-breaking was held at the 88-acre site off Stoke Road on Thursday 3 August. Bellway will be building 350homes at its development, called Weavers Fields, while Ashberry Homes, which is part of the Bellway Group, will be deliveringthe other 350 properties at The Wickets. Detailed plans for the overall scheme, which will include 140 affordable homes available for local people through shared ownership or low-cost rent, were given the go-ahead by North Northamptonshire Council last year. Luke Southgate, Sales Director for Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “Getting construction work started at Weavers Fields is a very welcome and much-anticipated development for this exciting project. “We and our colleagues at Ashberry Homes have worked closely with the council on the plans for this development. This scheme will not only deliver hundreds of new homes to the area but will also see jobs created in construction and sales during the build life of the site. “We are keen to forge ahead with the building programme here and hope to have the first homes on the market by October.” The development, where land will be provided for a new school, will feature new public open space and parkland, including allotments, a community orchard and children’s play areas. Steve Smith, Sales Director for Ashberry Homes, said: “There is a strong demand for new housing in this part of Northamptonshire and we have had a lot of interest in The Wickets since we first announced our plans to build here. “We anticipate that the collection of three and four-bedroom houses at the development will be particularly appealing to families who want to live in a semi-rural setting, in the charming Ise Valley. Parents will be attracted by the range of well-regarded schools in the area, with Havelock Junior and Infant Schools and Loatlands Primary School all within walking distance. “The development is ideally located as it is set on the edge of the small town of Desborough, which has a selection of shops and services, while the larger market towns of Market Harborough and Kettering are just five and six miles away respectively. “There are excellent transport links in the area. Motorists will appreciate that the A14 is a five-minute drive, while people wanting to travel to London by train can use Market Harborough or Kettering railway stations which offer regular services to London St Pancras in under an hour.” For more information about the new homes at Weavers Fields, call the sales team on 01536 614290 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/northern-home-counties/weavers-fields while for The Wickets, call 01536 614392 or visit https://www.ashberryhomes.co.uk/new-homes/east-midlands/the-wickets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Go Green partnership encourages sustainable practices at Telford development

Go Green partnership encourages sustainable practices at Telford development

A housebuilder delivering new homes in Telford has teamed up with a recycling solutions provider in a bid to become more sustainable and positively impact the environment. Miller Homes, currently building new housing at its Earls Grange development in the Priorslee area of the town, has joined forces with recycling solutions provider Go Green, to provide a sustainable solution to its on-site wood waste. The trial period of the scheme began at the Telford development last year, and to date has seen more than 32 tonnes of waste wood repurposed through Community Wood Recycling, a leading social and environmental enterprise that has been recycling wood since 1998. Go Green introduced Miller Homes to Community Wood Recycling who have been using the housebuilder’s excess wood to create new products including benches, planters and bird boxes. Jo Stott, head of environmental sustainability for Miller Homes, said: “We’ve been working closely with our waste management partners over the past 12 months to drive waste reduction and increase recycling across our business, with our employees and trusted business suppliers across the group. “By working with partners like Go Green, we can find positive solutions for unavoidable waste from our sites, although our goal is always to reduce waste in the first instance. “We are very pleased with the outcome of the waste wood initiative at Earls Grange, which has contributed to achieving our 2025 waste recycling target of 75 per cent across all our sites ahead of schedule.” Haley Coggan, business development manager of Go Green, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with customers such as Miller Homes, who are dedicated to implementing the waste hierarchy in their waste management procedures and are actively advancing sustainability efforts.” Miller Homes’ trial scheme at Earls Grange in Telford is part of the national housebuilder’s wider plans to become more sustainable and achieve tangible targets towards its company goals to create a better place, where people and the planet prosper. For more information on the services provided by Go Green, visit https://gogreen.co.uk/services/. To find out more about the homes being built at Earls Grange in Priorslee, visit https://www.millerhomes.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands/earls-grange-priorslee.aspx. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Liverpool looking to define next chapter for its world-famous waterfront

Liverpool looking to define next chapter for its world-famous waterfront

Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront is to be the subject of an ambitious new masterplan to ensure its continued growth as a global destination and major economic engine. A report to Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet next Tuesday (September 19th) is seeking approval to launch the search for a team of planning and placemaking specialists, to prepare a strategy and masterplan that will guide the waterfront’s development for the next 10-15 years. Liverpool’s waterfront has undergone huge changes in recent decades with the multi-billion pound development of Liverpool ONE as well as major upgrades to the Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head and Kings Dock, including the creation of an award-winning arena and conference centre, cruise liner terminal and the new Museum of Liverpool. The city’s attractions now draw in millions of new visitors to the city every year and has enabled it to host major international events from European Capital of Culture in 2008 to Eurovision in May this year. More major regeneration projects are to come to fruition along the Mersey shoreline in the coming years, most notably a potential significant housing scheme at Festival Gardens to the south of the city and Everton FC’s new football stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, to the north. Liverpool City Council is also close to finalising the design and delivery strategy for Kings Dock’s further development and National Museums Liverpool and Tate Liverpool are currently leading on regeneration projects at their Royal Albert Dock buildings, including the historic Canning Dock. If approved the Council will issue a tender for the appointment of “an exceptional team with outstanding expertise at an international level” later this year. A key task will be the strategy and masterplan be informed by significant and meaningful engagement with key stakeholders such as Liverpool BID Company and the Canal and River Trust and major land owners such as Grosvenor and Peel Land and Property. Whilst Liverpool’s waterfront is a thriving destination in the city there are challenges around inequality and deprivation in adjoining neighbourhoods, and there are disparities between the demographics of the wards along and adjoining the waterfront. In addition, there are key challenges and opportunities around maximising investment opportunities, connectivity and linkages – north/ south and west/east, public realm and quality of place, conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment, as well as climate change and the city’s ambition to deliver net zero by 2030. The waterfront strategy and masterplan will have seven defining aims, that: In respect of public art, a ‘City Centre and Waterfront Public Art Strategy’ will be scoped out and will be closely aligned with the preparation of the waterfront strategy. Major family-friendly events such as the upcoming River of Light arts festival are seen as a key element in providing an all-year round cultural offer. It is intended that the final waterfront masterplan will be taken forward for adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This SPD would be informed by Liverpool’s Local Plan, which was adopted in 2022, and will complement surrounding masterplans that are being used to guide the development of neighbouring areas such as the city’s Commercial District and Baltic Quarter. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Fitted Interiors Installer apprenticeship standard gets approval paving the way for KBB future workforce

Fitted Interiors Installer apprenticeship standard gets approval paving the way for KBB future workforce

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) is delighted to share the news that the Level 2 Fitted Interiors Installer apprenticeship, which until now has been a pathway within the Furniture Manufacturer apprenticeship standard, has been approved to have its own standard by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE. This is a significant development and indicates an important juncture in the process of building a sustainable workforce – not just for the installation sector, but the whole KBB industry – as KBB installation career opportunities become instantly more visible to education leavers and those considering a career change. Even more so, having a standard specifically for KBB installation provides an opportunity for the industry to build other apprenticeship pathways within the standard to meet the needs of the sector, such as specialist pathways in kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom installation, as well as other disciplines including surveying, fabrication and even site management. The IfATE has advised that the Fitted Interiors Installer apprenticeship will be approved for delivery imminently, ahead of over 100 apprenticeship standard revisions which are currently being fast-tracked through internal processes, many of which within the construction and built environment team.  Damian Walters, CEO of BiKBBI commented ‘This development is a game-changer for our industry, and we should all be very excited about the opportunities that now exist as a result of having a stand-alone apprenticeship standard for fitted interiors. It has been a long and arduous process to get the standard approved, and a huge amount of credit must be given to Lisa Williamson and her team at Achieve + Partners, who have been instrumental in driving this through. The possibilities for attracting new talent to our sector and addressing the skills shortage across the KBB industry are, quite literally, endless as a result of this achievement.’ Lisa Williamson, Director at Achieve + Partners said ‘We are delighted that we now have the standalone apprenticeship available, giving the KBB industry the recognition it rightly deserves.  I would also like to thank the KBB industry for their continued support through the extended development process.  We look forwards to working with the KBB industry and training provider network to offer apprenticeships and help build a skilled workforce.’ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Five Reasons Accurate Measurements leads to Digital Construction Success – Claims Geospatial Expert

Five Reasons Accurate Measurements leads to Digital Construction Success – Claims Geospatial Expert

by Michael Durnin, Head of Construction, Murphy Geospatial The construction industry is facing big challenges including a shortage of skilled labour, increasing material costs, adverse weather conditions and mounting pressure to hit carbon reduction targets. These pressures not only hinder project timelines but also tighten budgets, which can put the whole project at risk. There are ways to minimise risk and increase margins despite the current market conditions. In this article I explore the top five reasons to explore geospatial data as part of your construction project and the benefits that high-quality geospatial data can provide. According to Autodesk’s research, in Europe 40% of the average organisation’s data is bad, leading to poor decision making 41% of the time, and in the UK 32% of data used by construction companies is bad leading to poor decision making 31% of the time. Data inaccuracy comes from disconnected communication channels where site data is shared, or using outdated information that hasn’t been validated. Geospatial data offers the opportunity to take live projects from build to digital reality, filling the gaps in lost data and streamlining data sharing amongst your team so that everyone has one version of the truth. Geospatial measurements are crucial during construction as it provides the framework for optimal digital delivery, multiple stakeholder collaboration, and is the cornerstone of automation. As mounting pressure to address the construction industry’s impact on climate change rises, there is a growing recognition of the potential offsite construction brings to drive sustainable development and tackle systemic challenges like fragmentation, skill shortages, and outdated construction methods. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), particularly the rise of offsite modular construction is reshaping the industry in 2023. In place of ad-hoc reworks which take place in situ, MMC has been credited with offering 20% cost savings and 50% faster project timelines*. The success of modular construction hinges on precise location data, accurate dimensions and positioning of structures which can be repeated, offering a ‘fit first time finish’ with no nasty surprises. MMC is also hailed as  the method to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and minimise conflicts, all of which hold significance for stakeholders concerned with both costs and environmental impact. Construction is entering the tech world in a big way following the huge increase in digital working. Now, the next phase of tech advancements in construction are embedding automation, using AI, machine learning, and robotics. The benefits of autonomous workflows have been shown in in Hexagon’s Autonomous Construction Tech Outlook 2023 with the report stating that 60% of industry leaders expect them to impact competitiveness, profitability, satisfaction, and sustainability. Companies using four or more autonomous workflows also report notable improvements, including 58% in sustainability, 55% in collaboration, and 52% in safety compliance. Automation’s evolution necessitates precise alignment and environmental considerations to avoid costly rework. Digital tools, comprehensive mapping, and real-time capture of site conditions all play a pivotal role in achieving successful implementation and reducing errors in the construction process. The construction industry deals with numerous inaccurate assets daily. Harnessing the power of information can reduce rework, errors, and risks. Informed decision-making, enabled by geospatial information, leads to better quality, and enhanced return on investment. The Get It Right Initiative estimates that the construction industry could save between £10–25 billion per annum simply by eliminating error. Experts recognise BIM as a tool that not only shapes the future of construction design but also serves to mitigate risk by identifying and resolving design errors at an early stage. While BIM holds the promise of fostering collaboration on construction projects, its success hinges on effective onboarding, implementation, and cross-functional data-sharing. This becomes especially critical given the persisting challenge of project data standardisation across the industry. Alongside reducing reworks necessary when an error is spotted, finding out there’s a discrepancy early on can help you reduce the need for those awkward conversations that require multiple people to gather in a room and hash out where the blame should sit. Data doesn’t lie and it offers everyone reassurance. With the use of geospatial information during builds, conflicts and errors can be identified and resolved in the digital build environment, rather than the field, reduce costs and risk and improving on quality as well as health and safety. Empowering progress through geospatial management Geospatial management extends beyond specific mapping and modelling techniques but to a collaborative process that considers the unique requirements of any given construction project. Collaboration in this approach reduces errors, leading to enhanced project outcomes and cost savings. Data-driven decision-making and accurate measurement are paramount. By adopting geospatial data and processes, projects can achieve unparalleled productivity, sustainability, and profitability. This transformation will revolutionise construction, creating a more resilient and sustainable built environment for future generations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Three New Recruits at Simon Acres Group

Three New Recruits at Simon Acres Group

Simon Acres Group Limited, the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (KBB) industry’s leading recruitment agency and an online training and service provider, has appointed three new team members to enhance several areas of the business. Firstly, Konrad Fibi has been appointed as a Recruitment Consultant for the KBB recruitment team. Having worked in recruitment for around three years, Konrad enjoys interacting with both clients and candidates. One of Konrad’s passions is to ‘make things happen’ and he has joined Simon Acres Group for the opportunity to manage his own workload while being part of a well-supported team. Konrad says: “So far I feel I have succeeded and surprised myself with how much I am capable of”. Leah Bray also joined Simon Acres Group as a Recruitment Consultant. Leah began her career as an Administrator at a recruitment agency that specialised in fulfilling temporary roles and was later promoted to Recruitment Consultant. The fast-paced environment of this role offered Leah a challenge to really push herself, which is how she developed her enthusiasm for recruitment. Leah comments: “The professionalism, passion and company culture of Simon Acres Group really shone through during my interview, so accepting the job offer was a no brainer. “It means so much to work with a team that encourage, laugh, praise and care about each other. Every day I get to speak to wonderful people in the KBB industry and it’s fantastic to be able to help people land their dream job and have the same satisfaction from their career as I do in mine. I am excited to see what the future holds at Simon Acres Group.” Finally, Michael Bayley has joined the building and construction division as a Recruitment Consultant. Michael has six years of experience in recruitment in the medical sector and more recently, within logistics. He has joined Simon Acres Group for a new challenge and to experience a different industry. Michael states: “I like the ethos of the company, which was evident during the interview process. There is a positive attitude within the office, I felt like part of the team very quickly and I feel as though I’m given the tools necessary to really exceed in my role.” Simon Acres, Managing Director, Simon Acres Group Limited adds: “It has been a pleasure to welcome Konrad, Leah and Michael to the company and it’s been wonderful to see them settle into their new roles so well. We’re proud to be the go-to recruitment agency for many businesses within the KBB and construction industries, so it’s important that we stay ahead of the curve and ensure we have the capacity and tools to continue to source fantastic candidates for the businesses that put their trust in us. We are also excited to be growing our building and construction team and have been putting significant focus into this division of our business.” For more information on Simon Acres Group Limited, please call the team on 0203 701 6660, email info@simonacres.co.uk or visit the website: https://simonacres.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Endurance Land wins Shoreditch office project

Endurance Land wins Shoreditch office project

Developer Endurance Land have received the go-ahead to retrofit and extend a 1990s office near London’s Old Street Junction. The updated 35-storey building on 99 City Road will serve as an innovation hub for tech clients as it provides 700,000 sq ft of workspace. Putting a new spin on the outdated office, designers Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) plan to transform the existing building, upgrading how the building interacts with its neighbours and enhancing the sustainability of the building. Jonathon Fletcher, a CEO from Endurance Land said: “The redevelopment will deliver a landmark, Net Zero scheme that’s tailored to Islington and Old Street, drastically improve the building’s sustainability credentials, offer generous community benefits, and unlock the potential of the site. It’s an incredible achievement to design a tower of this calibre. We are delighted to have been granted a resolution for planning approval.” Redeveloping the tower building will improve the public realm by providing a generous new public square and widening pedestrian pinch points. Alongside the public benefit, the design puts a strong emphasis on sustainability credentials by targeting some of the highest industry standards for a tower development. Elie Gamburg, a Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates Principal stated: “The design for 99 City Road transforms an unattractive building, and almost triples the public realm at a key London location. Our design’s innovative approach to ‘folding’ as a formal concept responds to the site’s diverse contexts at multiple scales, and elegant structural solutions achieve ambitious embodied carbon targets. A careful emphasis has been placed on detail and material craft to create a building that is sensitively-scaled with an appearance that changes with peoples viewing position.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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