THE ISLAND Quarter could eventually be home to more than 1,000 students following the submission of proposals for a second phase of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) on site. Plans submitted to Nottingham City Council today (16 February) will see a further 383-space student block built on the Manvers Road side
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has secured planning consent on behalf of UK’s national synchrotron light source, Diamond Light Source (Diamond), to extend its presence at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. Diamond works like a giant microscope, harnessing the power of electrons to produce bright light that is used to
HS2 has moved the first huge viaduct section into place over the motorway network in North Warwickshire, marking a milestone for the project’s Delta Junction as HS2 reaches peak construction in the region. Contractors working for HS2 have used a specialist push-pull technique to move the 84 metre, 300 tonne
CBRE has announced its new headquarters in Glasgow has achieved one of the UK’s highest sustainability ratings. The global real estate advisor’s offices at 177 Bothwell Street have been awarded a coveted BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating from the Building Research Establishment (BRE), placing it in the top 10% of fit-out projects
NATIONAL engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has been awarded a place on a procurement framework with the University of Cumbria, achieving the highest score of any of the bidders in the chosen lot. The opportunity was secured by the team at the firm’s Liverpool office – which specialises in civil and
The plan for new homes, jobs and sustainable growth in Greater Manchester has reached its final stage, following a report by planning inspectors. In their report, published last Thursday, the inspectors have concluded that the Places for Everyone plan, with the modifications recommended as part of their rigorous, extensive and
Public sector construction suppliers are being invited to attend a major industry event that will discuss broad perspectives from across the sector on retrofitting at scale to decarbonise the UK’s existing built environment and deliver a net zero future. Scheduled for 28 February in Birmingham, the Retrofit for a Net
Construction company Boutique Modern will start building a new factory in Newhaven this year which will create more than 35 further jobs at the business and double its capacity. The BCorp modular housing company was given the green light by Lewes District Council to build the factory in Avis Way
The digital mapping system is being implemented on projects delivered through the Repairs and Maintenance Framework with Northumbrian Water Group. Esh Construction has showcased the latest in UK digital mapping innovations on site after helping to shape the technology’s development with Northumbrian Water Group (NWG). The National Underground Asset Register
The UK’s fastest bricklayer has praised the talents of more than one hundred apprentices at the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) latest graduation ceremony in Milton Keynes. Held at the UK’s leading warranty and insurance providers NHBC Headquarters in Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, on Friday 16 February 2024, YouTube sensation and
THE ISLAND Quarter could eventually be home to more than 1,000 students following the submission of proposals for a second phase of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) on site. Plans submitted to Nottingham City Council today (16 February) will see a further 383-space student block built on the Manvers Road side of the 36-acre site. Combined with the 693 beds at the adjacent Winfield Court – which will open to students for the 2024/25 academic year – The Island Quarter will boast a significant student population once both phases are complete. The proposals – designed by DAY Architectural – cover a range of accommodation types including cluster accommodation, studios and premium options, along with student community amenity facilities such as a gym, laundry room, various lounges and informal breakout areas. Following a similar material palette to Winfield Court, the designs include a combination of grey, buff and red bricks on the building’s facade alongside ribbed metal cladding. Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “The demand for student housing has never been greater, and PBSA plays a vital role in ensuring that students have access to high-quality accommodation without the need to restrict housing supply that is better suited for Nottingham residents.” The new student block is the latest planning submission by developer The Conygar Investment Company, following last May’s approval for a new 250,000 sq ft biosciences campus on the northern side of the site. Ware said: “Intergenerational living has been a core principle for our plans for The Island Quarter, and a healthy population of students is a crucial part of this mix. In a competitive marketplace, these well-designed plans put student experience at their heart, and we’re looking forward to seeing this phase move forward. “This latest proposal is one of a series of planning submissions that are currently in the pipeline, building on the success of the first phases of the development at 1 The Island Quarter and Winfield Court.” The scheme has been designed by DAY Architectural with planning, transport and environmental advice being provided by Axis. David Jones, technical director at Axis, said: “As part of the evolving masterplan for The Island Quarter, this next phase of accommodation has been designed so that the proposed build can complement Winfield Court in design and function while diversifying the student living environments on offer.” For more information about the plans for The Island Quarter, including the overall masterplan, visit theislandquarter.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has secured planning consent on behalf of UK’s national synchrotron light source, Diamond Light Source (Diamond), to extend its presence at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. Diamond works like a giant microscope, harnessing the power of electrons to produce bright light that is used to study anything from fossils to jet engines to viruses and vaccines. The company required a new facility in preparation for its upgrade called Diamond-II, which is a project that will deliver a new machine and new beamlines with a comprehensive series of upgrades to optics, detectors, sample environments, sample delivery capabilities and computing. This new building will create space for assembly process and storage facilities which will enable the 48 section machine at the heart of the facility to be assembled. It will also provide office and laboratory space for around 100 staff. The new space will be located on the southern side of its iconic circular building. The 0.97ha site will accommodate assembly rooms, accessed off a central service spine, with all plant accessed from the perimeter road. It will also include offices and a variety of spaces for different staff preferences, working styles and team events. A sunny, south facing staff rest area will provide a balcony and a respite from work, as well as an informal touchdown and collaboration space Nicky Brock, Partner at Carter Jonas in Oxford commented, “We are extremely pleased to have achieved this planning consent on behalf of Diamond Light Source. This is an extremely important development, which will enable the research carried out at the Synchrotron to remain at the forefront of technology and stay competitive with comparable facilities around the world.” Dr Richard Walker, Interim Project Director and Technical Director at Diamond Light Source commented, “Diamond Light Source has established itself as a world-class synchrotron facility enabling research by leading academic and industrial groups in physical and life sciences. Diamond has pioneered a model of highly efficient and uncompromised infrastructure offered as a user-focussed service driven by technical and engineering innovation. To continue delivering the world-changing science that Diamond leads and enables, Diamond-II is a project that will deliver a new machine, new flagship beamlines, critical upgrades to several beamlines, and an extensive series of enhancements to optics, detectors, sample environments, and computing to support the capacity of the new machine. This will enable new applications at Diamond, including time-resolved experiments for several disciplines. The user experience will be further enhanced through access to integrated and correlative methods as well as broad application of automation in both instrumentation and analysis. Diamond-II will be transformative in both spatial resolution and throughput and will offer users streamlined access to enhanced instruments for life and physical sciences.” In achieving planning success, Carter Jonas worked alongside architects and engineers Ridge and Partners LLP. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 has moved the first huge viaduct section into place over the motorway network in North Warwickshire, marking a milestone for the project’s Delta Junction as HS2 reaches peak construction in the region. Contractors working for HS2 have used a specialist push-pull technique to move the 84 metre, 300 tonne steel viaduct section into place over the westbound link road between the M6 and M42 near Coleshill. This is the first of two moves to install the deck for HS2’s ‘East Link Viaduct’, which is part of the triangular Delta Junction. The second operation in April will create the full 158 metre long composite deck over both westbound and eastbound motorway link roads. Further work, including in-situ concrete deck works and parapets installation will be undertaken to complete the structure. It was delivered by specialist steelwork company Victor Buyck Steel Construction (VBSC), working on behalf of HS2’s main works contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV). Using a push-pull jacking system which gives greater flexibility during the launch operation, it was the first time VBSC have used their specially designed technique in the UK. The team completed the move ahead of schedule in a total of 11.5 hours during a weekend closure of the motorway link roads. Working in close collaboration with National Highways, the roads were re-opened at 2.35am on Sunday morning. Before the end of this year, a similar two-stage operation will move the identical ‘West Link Viaduct’ which runs parallel to the East Link Viaduct. This section of the triangular Delta Junction enables high speed trains to travel between London, Interchange Station in Solihull and Birmingham Curzon Street Station. Stephen Powell, Head of Delivery – Area North at HS2 Ltd said: “Building the East Link Viaduct in the Delta Junction is not only a key milestone for the HS2 project in the Midlands but is also critical to our earthworks mass haul strategy to keep construction traffic off the local roads. “While we continue to construct HS2 in this area, it will provide a crossing route over the highway for construction vehicles to move excavated material from the Bromford Tunnel to other work sites in the Delta Junction, removing thousands of lorry movements from the local road network.” Alex Staines, Sub Agent – Composite Structures at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “Delivering this milestone is a really proud moment for me and the team. We’ve worked very closely with our partners National Highways to make sure that this activity was delivered safely and efficiently. “By using an innovative launching technique, we were able to build the viaduct deck offline and move it into position over a weekend closure of the highway, greatly reducing the impact on road users.” Tibo Suvée, Project Manager at Victor Buyck Steel Construction said: “Our team were pleased to deliver this successful operation, which was the first time our push-pull jacking system has been used in the UK. The technique provides greater flexibility during the launching operation by allowing the bridge to be moved backwards or both ways if needed. “This is really the first milestone of four, and over the next eight months we look forward to delivering the second launch of the East Link Viaduct and the same two-stage operation for the West Link Viaduct, which will complete these first viaducts on Delta Junction.” National Highways Senior Network Planner, Frank Bird, said: “This has been a complex and collaborative effort to both minimise disruption for people using our roads but also enabling this engineering feat to take place. “We are pleased with how smoothly the operation went and are grateful to road users for their patience while this ambitious work took place.” The first launch takes the viaduct section to its halfway position over the westbound link road. Following completion of the first launch, three further steel girders will be welded to the back of the first structure, and 40 precast slabs will be installed on top of the girders. In April, this entire structure, weighing 1,100 tonnes will then be moved to its final position over both westbound and eastbound motorway link roads. The Delta Junction is made up of embankments, cuttings and a total of 13 viaducts taking high speed tracks over motorways, local roads, existing rail lines, rivers and floodplains. The viaducts include 6 precast segmental viaducts, 4 composite viaducts and 3 low viaducts. The layout of the Delta Junction triangle means the railway from London curves west on a spur towards Birmingham Curzon Street Station. As trains come out of Birmingham, the line heads north to meet the main HS2 line, which will then connect to the West Coast Main Line to Manchester. The third side of the triangle allows trains to run between London and Manchester without stopping at Birmingham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE has announced its new headquarters in Glasgow has achieved one of the UK’s highest sustainability ratings. The global real estate advisor’s offices at 177 Bothwell Street have been awarded a coveted BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating from the Building Research Establishment (BRE), placing it in the top 10% of fit-out projects in the UK. CBRE relocated more than 400 employees to the landmark development in January last year as part of a consolidation plan to merge three offices into one and enhance collaboration. The agency occupies the building’s ground floor extending to 18,000 sq ft. 177 Bothwell Street’s existing green credentials were a key factor in CBRE selecting it for its West of Scotland hub. It utilises 100% green power from a local source, supporting the advisor’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions. The building also features impressive wellness amenities such as a rooftop running track, seating areas and spa-quality changing facilities. David Smith, Managing Director of CBRE Scotland, said: “This fantastic excellent rating was achieved thanks to the collaboration of an in-house CBRE team which included Designers, MEP, Project Management and BREEAM Assessors. “Unusually, no comments or suggested actions for improvement were raised by BRE on the BREEAM documentation, which is a real testament to the hard work our team put into this.” Smith added: “It is important that we are able to demonstrate to our clients that a commitment to reducing the impact office buildings have on the environment should always be at the core of any real estate decision-making process.” The BREEAM excellent rating for 177 Bothwell Street falls within CBRE’s ESG commitments, with over half the buildings occupied in the UK now holding a green certification. Giulia Mori, Health and Wellbeing Lead, ESG Consultancy, CBRE UK added: “The achievement of the BREEAM standard for 177 Bothwell Street is another major milestone towards CBRE’s ESG commitments, and it demonstrates best practice since this office is only one of seven projects achieving BREEAM Excellent in Scotland. “The smooth achievement of the certification for this project is testament to the amazing team who participated in the process and the accuracy of the evidence provided.” BREEAM is the most widely used sustainability certification in the UK. Its requirements measure the environmental performance of a building under construction or undergoing refurbishment by assessing factors such as materials, waste, energy and water. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NATIONAL engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask has been awarded a place on a procurement framework with the University of Cumbria, achieving the highest score of any of the bidders in the chosen lot. The opportunity was secured by the team at the firm’s Liverpool office – which specialises in civil and structural engineering – led by director Chris Pollett. The ‘Estates Multi Lot Consultancy Framework’ seeks to support a range of projects with the university including upgrades and refurbishments across students’ residences, academic buildings, public realm, sports facilities and commercial units. The four-year framework is divided into seven lots, with Rodgers Leask successful on Lot 5; structural and civil engineering. Chris Pollett, regional director at Rodgers Leask, said: “This framework brings together a bespoke list of high-level suppliers within the built environment that we are proud to be a part of. We are keen to support the university in building towards their goals for the future, and driving forward our own portfolio of public sector work especially in the north west. “The team worked hard to produce this bid in what was a rigorous tender process. We expect a good mixture of smaller and larger projects across a range of the university’s diverse estate, which will be great experience for the team. We are looking forward to bringing our expertise on board for the next four years.” The University of Cumbria is a multi-campus university, offering high quality, research-informed academic studies to around 10,000 students. The university recently outlined its ambitious 2030 strategy which includes new campus developments in Carlisle and Barrow, as well as improvements to its Lancaster campus. The university’s vision is to transform lives and livelihoods through learning, applied research and practice – for now and for our future generations. For more information on civil, structural, geo-environmental and transport engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask, visit rodgersleask.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The plan for new homes, jobs and sustainable growth in Greater Manchester has reached its final stage, following a report by planning inspectors. In their report, published last Thursday, the inspectors have concluded that the Places for Everyone plan, with the modifications recommended as part of their rigorous, extensive and robust independent examination process, is sound and legally compliant. The publication of the report marks the end of the examination process, which included public hearings and consultations between November 2022 and December 2023. Places for Everyone will now be presented to each of the nine councils to consider the recommendations and whether to adopt the plan in line with Government’s expectations for a plan-led approach to development, which is in line with theNational Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Full details of the council meetings will be published in due course. Places for Everyone is a long-term plan of nine districts in the city-region: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. It is a comprehensive joint development plan of the districts that will determine the kind of development that takes place in their boroughs, maximising the use of brownfield land and urban spaces while protecting Green Belt land from the risk of unplanned development. It will also ensure all new developments are sustainably integrated into Greater Manchester’s transport network or supported by new infrastructure. For further information please contact the Communications and Engagement team on: news@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk. Find us on social media @greatermcr. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Public sector construction suppliers are being invited to attend a major industry event that will discuss broad perspectives from across the sector on retrofitting at scale to decarbonise the UK’s existing built environment and deliver a net zero future. Scheduled for 28 February in Birmingham, the Retrofit for a Net Zero Future Conference promises to be a gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and experts, all committed to paving the way for a sustainable future. The conference is being spearheaded by LHC Procurement Group (LHC), a not-for-profit built environment, compliance and consultancy framework provider delivering exclusively to the public sector. Among the distinguished speakers announced for the event are Euan Durston, Regional Director at ECD Architects, and Luke Smith, Managing Director at Build Test Solutions. Durston brings with him a wealth of experience from ECD Architects, renowned for delivering retrofit projects at scale across the UK. He will present case studies showcasing successful retrofitting at scale for a net zero future, offering practical examples and lessons learned. Smith, on the other hand, will delve into the critical role of measurement and analysis to ensure that the desired outcomes for building performance and quality are met. Other speakers at the event include Karen Ashley-Seaman, Product Manager at Vaillant, who will be delving into the importance of collaboration with stakeholders in achieving net zero through retrofit initiatives. Matt Hickman, Bid Director at VINCI Facilities, will provide insights from the responsible main contractor perspective, shedding light on the intricacies of delivering net zero projects. Simon Kemp, Director of Growth and Innovation at Warmworks, will speak on simplifying procurement of large-scale retrofit projects. LHC will also lead several discussions at the event, including one by Chris Ferguson, Technical Manager, Energy Efficiency at LHC, who will address the knowledge gap challenges facing the sector in achieving net zero and discuss strategies for overcoming these hurdles. At the heart of the discussions will be LHC’s latest Decarbonisation and Retrofit (N9) framework. Developed in response to extensive market engagement, this framework is poised to assist public sector organisations in overcoming the hurdles of decarbonisation. Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement at LHC, said the market had shown a positive response during the framework’s development phase, and explained the Group’s commitment to addressing the sector’s challenges. Dean Fazackerley said: “The conference will explore the urgent challenge of decarbonising the UK’s built environment, and the practical ways that public sector organisations can improve their buildings, such as enhancing building insulation, optimising heating systems and integrating renewable energy solutions. “Participants can look forward to discussions facilitating broad industry perspectives on areas such as control and management systems, electrical servicing, and multi-disciplinary works among other measures aimed at resolving the challenges towards a net zero future. “Collaboration is paramount in meeting this challenge, and by exchanging data, sharing best practices, and fostering innovation, we can drive meaningful change and usher in a new era of sustainability in the construction sector.” Designed to facilitate a transition to net zero, the N9 framework will offer a suite of energy efficiency and decarbonisation solutions, including consultancy services. Anticipated to launch in mid-2024, N9 holds significant importance in the journey towards achieving net carbon zero. Dean added: “This is an area of increased importance as we all strive to improve building stock, reduce operating costs, and deliver positive outcomes for occupants.” It is the most important net zero framework in development since LHC became a CLG last year and will be available nationwide through the Group’s five business units: London and South East (LSE); Consortium Procurement Construction (CPC); South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA); Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA); and Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA). The Retrofit for a Net Zero Future event promises attendees access to invaluable insights, best practices, and experiences in delivering retrofit and decarbonisation programs. With partners including Build Test Solutions, ECD Architects, Vaillant, Vinci Facilities, and Warmworks, the event is expected to catalyse meaningful discussions and collaborations within the sector. It will take place on 28 February at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Birmingham. To secure your place and be a part of shaping the future of construction, visit the LHC website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction company Boutique Modern will start building a new factory in Newhaven this year which will create more than 35 further jobs at the business and double its capacity. The BCorp modular housing company was given the green light by Lewes District Council to build the factory in Avis Way and plans to move in at the end of this year. The business specialises in delivering sustainable homes for affordable and social housing schemes in the South East, helping the most vulnerable people in society to find a place they can call home. Dick Shone, managing director at Boutique Modern, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for Boutique Modern, which will mean more homes and jobs for local people. “This will prepare us for the next exciting phase when we open satellite factories in other areas with housing demand. Each new factory will create upwards of 100 new jobs and generate more than £20m for the local economy per year, per facility. “It’s our belief that social and affordable housing should be beautifully designed and sustainable and it’s a privilege for us to be able to make a difference.” The factory has been designed by award-winning Brighton architects Morgan Carn and will feature a two-storey industrial building to be used to manufacture offsite modular housing units. Boutique Modern currently employs more than 70 people but has outgrown its current site in Beach Road. The new factory will take its headcount to more than 100 employees. The empty disused site in Avis Way was previously occupied by a large workshop, store and office building that was demolished in 2021 and the space is currently used by Boutique Modern for the temporary storage of off-site housing modules. When the new factory opens at the end of this year, it will enable the business to operate two manufacturing lines, which will provide more flexibility in terms of what it manufactures and increase control over delivery speed to clients. At full capacity the factory will be capable of producing up to 125 houses or 250 flats per year, whilst maintaining flexibility in its output to manage market peaks and troughs. Shone added: “The Boutique Modern business model has been developed over more than 10 years to allow us to open satellite factories in locations where there is housing demand. “Instead of growing one large factory capable of producing thousands of homes in a single location, the Avis Way Factory will allow us the opportunity to pilot setting up in a new facility with our existing processes and systems before we expand to other sites, thereby enabling the sustainable growth of our business.” The new factory will feature solar panels to provide on-site power generation for lighting and power tools, feeding energy back into the grid when not required on site. It will also include electric vehicle charging points and more than 30 covered cycle spaces for employees to cycle to work, together with trees and plants to improve the look of the site. Councillor Zoe Nicholson, leader of Lewes District Council, said: “I’ve placed a strong focus on community wealth building at the council, so to see a local contractor we work with growing so dynamically is really exciting and welcome news. “I recall being at the opening of the homes in Fort Road, Newhaven, the first modular project undertaken by Boutique Modern for Lewes District Council. “It was a proud moment seeing new council housing opened that is highly sustainable and of such high quality. There is so much good news coming out of Newhaven and plenty still to come.” Newhaven Enterprise Zone programme director Corinne Day said: “We are so happy Boutique Modern is expanding into a new site in the town. “We cannot wait to cheer on the business as it continues on its exciting journey and it’s fantastic news it will create even more jobs for local people, both here in the town and later on in other sites across the region.” For more information visit: https://boutiquemodern.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The digital mapping system is being implemented on projects delivered through the Repairs and Maintenance Framework with Northumbrian Water Group. Esh Construction has showcased the latest in UK digital mapping innovations on site after helping to shape the technology’s development with Northumbrian Water Group (NWG). The National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) was created by the Geospatial Commission to digitally map data on underground power cables and utility services across the UK. Clive Surman-Wells, Innovation Partnerships Manager at Northumbrian Water Group, initiated the concept during the firm’s Innovation Festival in 2018. Esh Construction was the initial contractor to trial the system, and has worked collaboratively with the water company to develop the technology since 2018. Norman Barnett, Framework Director at Esh Construction, said: “NUAR will be a game changer for health and safety in the construction industry, which all those that have been involved with it so far within Esh are in agreement with. Being able to access this information around the clock, and to also capture unchartered service information, is a huge step forward. We are proud to be one of the first contractors nationally to have been involved with the development of NUAR, from conception, through the trials and now at the go live stage.” With upwards of 60,000 accidents recorded owing to accidental damage to the network annually, NUAR is identified as not only reducing the number of accidents, but innovating timesaving and health and safety enhancements to working conditions. HSEQ Advisor at Esh Construction, Ash Dunn said: “As a delivery and framework partner for Northumbrian Water Group, we were at the Innovation Festival in 2018 and we’ve been involved with it since – the health and safety benefits are huge. “The team on the ground can see more than they’ve ever been able to see before regarding restrictions and hazards, and the clarity of the system beats anything that has been available before it. When you can easily understand the hazards that are there, it eliminates one element of danger, which is immensely important within a construction environment and in line with our ‘Everyone Safely Home’ campaign.” Dunn has been heavily involved in rolling out the system among the Esh Construction team and said the change from cross-referencing and plotting out multiple maps in back-end administration prior to starting on site to the new NUAR system, which provides instant access when you insert the co-ordinates, offers a monumental shift. Dunn and his colleagues showcased how Esh operates the system, where Groundworker and foreman John Ridley said it has been really beneficial. He said: “NUAR allows us to respond to emergencies and mobilise on site almost immediately without the need to wait for multiple utility drawings to be issued. Seeing as many assets visible on a single view as possible makes it easier to understand what utilities are in the area and where they are. Having 24/7 access to a live system is a major benefit as we regularly work around the clock and carry out excavations overnight.” NUAR is a system that has the capability to provide detailed underground maps from over 700 utilities providers, with asset owners like Northumbrian Water being responsible for granting access to its contractors. While the UK Government’s intended rollout across the UK by 2025 continues to be developed, Esh will gradually implement the system through the Runway 1 Repairs and Maintenance Framework with Northumbrian Water, but it is envisaged that it will go across the business’ wider divisions when it becomes available to all contractors. Clive Surman-Wells, Innovation Partnerships Manager at Northumbrian Water Group said: “We’re convinced of the many benefits of NUAR: helping keep our people safe when they are excavating and minimising our impact on services to customers being just two. NWG have rolled-out NUAR more extensively than any other company and in the North East region there is increasing uptake across both utilities and local authorities. Throughout the development process we have worked collaboratively with Esh, the Geospatial Commission and other asset owners to design a really usable system.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK’s fastest bricklayer has praised the talents of more than one hundred apprentices at the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) latest graduation ceremony in Milton Keynes. Held at the UK’s leading warranty and insurance providers NHBC Headquarters in Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, on Friday 16 February 2024, YouTube sensation and Super Trowels Bricklaying Competition winner, Charlie Collison, said apprentices are key to the housing industry’s future and urged more people to consider a career in the sector. “What NHBC and its national network of bricklaying hubs is achieving is vital if we’re going to close the skills gap and housing shortage we are facing,” Charlie said. “Each NHBC Training Hub across the country is enabling 100 apprentices to be trained by experienced tutors each year, enabling house builders to create a flow of new talent onto sites. It’s a great start to begin to address the skills gap in house building, the impact of which cannot be underestimated. The research is showing the need for an additional 225,000 construction workers in the UK by 2027 – that’s a staggering 45,000 per year. “When this is considered alongside recent reports that builders are struggling to recruit bricklayers, it becomes clear just how important it is for the house-building industry to attract more people from all backgrounds to bricklaying. It also highlights how significant it is to have so many accomplished bricklayers here with us today,” Charlie said. Amongst those recognised was Jack Hart, 17, Leicestershire, bricklaying apprentice who trained at NHBC’s Training Hub in Tamworth. Jack, who passed with a distinction was today awarded NHBC Apprentice Bricklayer of the Year. Jack said a career in the housing industry offers so many opportunities. “Training at the NHBC Training Hub, meant I had leading experts teaching me real on-site experience from just five weeks in and my apprenticeship was completed in just 18 months. That’s a standout difference compared to 30 months which it can take through more traditional routes,” said Jack. “I would recommend an apprenticeship at one of NHBC’s Training Hubs as it’s a great way to learn. I’ve not only gained bricklaying skills, but I’ve expanded my people skills and learnt a lot about communication. I knew I wanted to learn about bricklaying so the opportunity to do this while also still earning money was really attractive to me. People are often surprised to learn the average bricklayer earns 50 thousand pounds a year. An apprenticeship in bricklaying is a pathway to a really well-paid and greatly varied career in the housebuilding industry. I’d encourage everyone to consider it. Since becoming a registered apprenticeship provider in 2020, around 450 people have progressed through NHBC’s Bricklaying Training Hubs. Also recognised at the ceremony were students studying with NHBC for apprenticeships in Construction Site Supervision and various other housebuilding roles. Stephanie Black, 23, Northampton, was awarded NHBC’s Construction Site Supervisor Apprentice of the Year. Stephanie said: “An apprenticeship in house building is for everyone!” We must attract the widest pool of talent and people from all backgrounds to take up an apprenticeship in the house-building industry to help address the nationwide skills gap and housing shortage. I took on such a varied, interesting and demanding apprenticeship, and have gained such extensive knowledge and expertise in a wide variety of topics. I’m looking forward to what I hope to be a great career ahead which offers many opportunities and makes a real difference.” Darryl Stewart, responsible for NHBC’s apprentice training programme and training hubs, said, it’s encouraging to see people entering a career in housebuilding but there’s still more to do. “In recent years, house builders have found it more challenging to recruit people for a range of reasons. It’s an industry which is facing an ageing workforce and has been seen as a career path mainly for men. This means we must continue to find ways to encourage people from all walks of life to join the sector as it offers a fantastic range of careers and an apprenticeship in the house-building industry is a pathway into a rewarding and well-paid career that can make a real difference. “At NHBC, our apprenticeships and training programmes and our growing network of national NHBC Training Hubs, are getting more people started in the industry and helping to close the skills gap by training the next generation of house builders. Our house-building apprenticeships are an excellent alternative to the more traditional educational routes with our courses designed with input from across the industry and leading experts. It’s fantastic to see this latest cohort today of over 100 apprentices being equipped with skills for life which they can take forward and use to build high-quality new homes. NHBC’s apprenticeships are for everyone and we’re delighted to see people from all backgrounds coming through, including women, career changers, diverse cultures and school leavers wanting to work in house building. It’s never too late to learn a new skill!” Darryl said. For more information about NHBC’s apprenticeships, visit Apprenticeships | NHBC Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
