London’s newest riverside hotspot is set to launch next summer behind Fulham’s iconic Craven Cottage stadium, featuring a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafés, a boutique hotel, spa, members’ club, and a cultural venue with stunning views of the Thames. Details were revealed yesterday about the forthcoming Fulham Pier, a promenade
Caddick has been appointed by Trebor Developments on behalf of The Prudential Assurance Company and M&G Real Estate to build Ark 42, a new 42,593 sq. ft industrial and logistics development at Trafford Park Road, Trafford Park. Work on the speculative development is now underway following a groundbreaking with project
London boroughs have welcomed the government introducing its Renters’ Rights Bill to the House of Commons, hoping that reforms will ease skyrocketing homelessness pressures in the capital. The cross-party London Councils group has emphasised its support for banning unfair evictions and for applying higher quality standards in the private rented
Bouygues UK and Acorn by Synergie’s Pentre Awel employment hub has created several career opportunities within construction on the landmark project in Carmarthenshire. The innovative, multi-million-pound development, being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council, is the largest regeneration scheme in South West Wales. The employment hub has provided local people the
Amey has successfully secured the hard facilities management (FM) contract for HMP Lowdham Grange, a training prison located in Nottinghamshire. HMP Lowdham Grange is a Category B facility for male prisoners aged 21 and over, with sentences exceeding four years and at least 12 months remaining. The prison has a
Barratt Developments PLC has entered into a joint venture with Homes England and Lloyds Banking Group to create MADE Partnership. MADE Partnership will focus on the master development of large sites, to help deliver thousands of much needed new homes across the country. MADE Partnership will act as master developer
The final phase of the £42.8m award-winning Welsh Streets neighbourhood regeneration in Liverpool has been completed, bringing the total number of Placefirst homes delivered across the area to 296. The now complete scheme delivers professionally managed, newly built and refurbished rental homes. In close partnership with Liverpool City Council, Placefirst
Metis Homes is to commence construction work at the former Warsash Maritime Academy campus. Situated in the coastal village of Warsash and close to the River Hamble, 117 characterful new homes will be delivered across the historic 7.4-acre (3Ha) brownfield site in collaboration with Juno Developments and McCarthy Stone. Located
Graf UK rainwater harvesting tank helps to dismiss cricket club’s watering woes. The installation of a Graf UK rainwater harvesting system at Chiswick Cricket Club has delivered a hat trick of firsts. Initially, it was the first time that water consumption consultants Ecoprod had specified a Graf UK system. Secondly,
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has launched a training programme to help building services firms work more closely with schools and inspire future generations of building services engineers. The BESA School Engagement and Engineering Discovery (SEED) Programme is fully funded by the Association and was developed by the schools
London’s newest riverside hotspot is set to launch next summer behind Fulham’s iconic Craven Cottage stadium, featuring a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafés, a boutique hotel, spa, members’ club, and a cultural venue with stunning views of the Thames. Details were revealed yesterday about the forthcoming Fulham Pier, a promenade opening up a previously inaccessible stretch of the river between Putney and Hammersmith. This seven-storey development, designed by renowned architects Populous, is the latest phase in the ongoing transformation of Craven Cottage, a Premier League stadium with a rich history dating back to 1896. The Riverside Market on the ground floor will introduce a range of exciting dining options when it opens next year, including Raps, a chicken brand by rapper Tinie Tempah, Goila Butter Chicken, Base Face Pizza by lifelong Fulham fan Tim Thornton, and Fat Pickle, a burger joint run by Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen graduate, Big Has. A cultural hub, dubbed the Orange Box, will host live events such as podcasts and comedy nights, while the first floor will feature a “destination restaurant and brasserie.” The second storey is designed for meetings and events, and the upper levels will include a boutique hotel, a health spa, and a members’ club complete with a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the Thames. Fulham FC Chairman Shahid Khan said: “There is no other riverside setting like this in London. Our vision is to maximise the breathtaking views of the riverfront while introducing an iconic promenade, offering a waterfront experience on every floor. This is the first stadium transformation of its kind in Europe, and we’re excited to share the space with our community and visitors, not just on matchdays, but throughout the year.” Glen Sutton, Director of Fulham Pier, added: “We saw a unique opportunity to utilise our incredible riverside location to create a destination for the community. With year-round events, a diverse range of dining options, and support for small businesses—including zero rent opportunities—we’re thrilled to be delivering a new social hub for west London residents, visitors, and tourists alike.” This ambitious development promises to make Fulham Pier a must-visit destination, blending culture, cuisine, and community in a unique riverside setting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick has been appointed by Trebor Developments on behalf of The Prudential Assurance Company and M&G Real Estate to build Ark 42, a new 42,593 sq. ft industrial and logistics development at Trafford Park Road, Trafford Park. Work on the speculative development is now underway following a groundbreaking with project partners, Trebor Developments and project manager, JLL. The project will see Caddick deliver a BREEAM Excellent two-storey development, including 34,670 sq. ft of warehousing with 10m eaves. The contract will include the construction of two storeys of Cat A office space occupying 7,923 sq. ft of the building and parking provision with EV charging. Work is expected to reach completion in time for spring 2025 occupancy. The project adds to Caddick’s growing portfolio of projects across Trafford, which also includes Bruntwood and Trafford Council’s transformation of Stretford Mall and Glenbrook’s new £45m 199-home high-rise development, Lumina Village at the 12-acre former Kellogg’s site in Trafford Park. Caddick’s appointment to Ark 42 draws on the business’ wider experience in industrial and logistics development, which last year saw the completion of Farington Park in Lancashire where Victorian Plumbing are set to occupy 544,000 sq. ft. Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction North West, commented: “Our appointment to Ark 42 represents both our growth in the industrial and logistics sector and also our increasing footprint in Trafford, where there are some really exciting investments taking place. Being so well established in Manchester and the North West we have a network of local supply chain partners that we have engaged in our delivery of Ark 42.” Mark Wright, Partner of Trebor Developments commented: “Ark 42 is Trebor’s latest project for M&G Real Estate and Prudential Assurance Company. We’ve been impressed by Caddick’s approach to the contract and we look forward to seeing this high specification scheme emerge. Ark 42 is a rare opportunity in Trafford Park to see a new high quality, speculative B2/B8 building having first class environmental credentials.” Jonathan Wiedemann, Head of North West Region, JLL, added: “It’s fantastic to bring this scheme to site and we look forward to working with Caddick and Trebor during the build. Ark 42 is located in a prominent position, located in the heart of Trafford Park and within 5 miles of the city centre. We’re excited to see the scheme come to life over the coming months.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London boroughs have welcomed the government introducing its Renters’ Rights Bill to the House of Commons, hoping that reforms will ease skyrocketing homelessness pressures in the capital. The cross-party London Councils group has emphasised its support for banning unfair evictions and for applying higher quality standards in the private rented sector – including the extension of Awaab’s Law to private landlords. With local authorities playing a key role in the regulation of the private rented sector, London boroughs also highlight the need for sufficient resources to implement these new measures effectively. Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said: “Three million Londoners live in private rented sector homes and undoubtedly deserve stronger protection. “Boroughs support a ban on no-fault evictions. Too often we’ve seen Londoners turfed out of their homes for no good reason and made homeless, turning their lives upside down. With London’s homelessness pressures at record levels, banning these evictions is a crucial step forward. “Boroughs will work both with the government and with landlords to ensure these reforms are as successful as possible. Part of that means ensuring boroughs are provided with the powers and resources we need to enforce the new rules. We will also work alongside minsters in tackling the other deep-seated issues driving London’s housing pressures and rapidly escalating homelessness crisis – especially the chronic shortage of affordable housing.” Research published last year by London Councils revealed a 41% reduction in private rental listings in the capital following the Covid-19 pandemic – a key factor in exacerbating housing and homelessness pressures. With the reduced availability of private rented sector properties in London, boroughs believe it is vital the government’s reforms support landlords and positively encourage them to increase standards. London Councils estimates that 175,000 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough. This is equivalent to one in 50 Londoners overall. London Councils’ latest borough survey shows a 10% increase in homeless London households living in temporary accommodation between April 2023 and April 2024. London accounts for 56% of England’s total number of homeless households. London Councils additionally points to a report last year from a cross-party parliamentary committee warning that councils may lack adequate resources for enforcing new rules in the private rented sector. The committee highlighted the precarious state of local government finances, the shortage of qualified enforcement staff, and a lack of reliable data. The report also stressed the need for more affordable housing to tackle the rocketing rental costs many tenants face. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK and Acorn by Synergie’s Pentre Awel employment hub has created several career opportunities within construction on the landmark project in Carmarthenshire. The innovative, multi-million-pound development, being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council, is the largest regeneration scheme in South West Wales. The employment hub has provided local people the chance to find out about potential construction trade jobs at the site, as well as supporting them with training and skills. Client Development Director for Acorn by Synergie, Lawrence Beach, has held regular sessions at the site, allowing unemployed people from the local community to come along and find out more about Pentre Awel: “The employment hub gives people out of work the chance to come and see what the site is like and see if there may be any opportunities that might interest them within the various trades present on site. “Pentre Awel is a huge site and coming here gives people a real taste of what a career in construction might look like. It’s open to all, is very informal and relaxed and is the perfect opportunity for people who think they might enjoy working on site to come and see it for themselves.” Lawrence added: “We run two-to-three-hour question and answer sessions which not only give people the chance to learn about all the different trades on a site, but also gives us an idea of what might suit that person too, so we can try and match the right people to the right trades. It’s very collaborative and supportive.” Geraldine Evans, 32, from Dafen, Llanelli is working as a site labourer for supply chain partners Massey Cladding Solutions at Pentre Awel and she has recently been awarded Operative of the Month for her efforts. She was interested in working in construction so attended the employment hub and found it very welcoming. She said: “I’m really enjoying the work. There is plenty of work to do, which I like because I like to be busy and I enjoy working for Masseys and their site team (managers and operatives). There is a really good working environment and everyone treats me with respect. It was also lovely to receive the health and safety award for the month which I’ve never had before.” Bouygues UK social value advisor Nina Williams said of the hub: “The employment hub has been a crucial tool to help us engage with local people who are looking for work or those who are interested in entering the industry. Giving people the chance to come on site means they can really get a sense of how things work here and whether construction is something that appeals to them. It’s great to see how well Geraldine is doing and how she has integrated herself into the team.” As well as supporting local employment opportunities through the employment hub, Bouygues UK is also supporting apprenticeship opportunities in partnership with the Coleg Sir Gar and Cyfle Building Skills Shared Apprenticeship Scheme. Through Cyfle, Bouygues UK and Whiteheads Building Services are supporting 10 electrical and plumbing apprenticeships, which will allow more apprentices to enter the industry and work with a number of different local employers. Harrison Griffiths, a Cyfle Technical apprentice who is currently on long-term placement with Bouygues UK at Pentre Awel said: “Doing an apprenticeship is an ideal way to get a start in the industry and it has been amazing working on such a prestigious scheme. I really love being part of the team on site and learning everything I can about how a site works and the work that goes into building a major project. I would encourage anyone thinking about a career in construction to consider an apprenticeship.” Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans commented: “Increasing employment is a key objective of the County Council, and a significant driver for this phase of the Pentre Awel development. We are pleased that the Employment Hwb has been successful in engaging with local people who have interest in the industry and hope that this gives local people an idea of how Pentre Awel can benefit them in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Amey has successfully secured the hard facilities management (FM) contract for HMP Lowdham Grange, a training prison located in Nottinghamshire. HMP Lowdham Grange is a Category B facility for male prisoners aged 21 and over, with sentences exceeding four years and at least 12 months remaining. The prison has a capacity of 888 inmates. Previously managed by Sodexo, the prison was brought back under public sector control in May 2024. The facility garnered media attention in July 2024 after the Independent Monitoring Board reported concerns over safety, citing a shortage of prison officers and six deaths in custody between March 2023 and February 2024. Amey has retained the existing maintenance team through the TUPE process when the contract commenced in August, with plans to fill additional vacancies in the near future. Pete Mathieson, Justice Business Director at Amey, commented: “Having been a key partner to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for several years, we have a deep understanding of the unique requirements for delivering FM services at these complex sites. HMP Lowdham Grange presents its own set of challenges, and we will work closely with the current personnel and prison team to bring the site back to a stable condition.” Amey delivers essential FM services across the justice sector, including at 64 high-profile prisons. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barratt Developments PLC has entered into a joint venture with Homes England and Lloyds Banking Group to create MADE Partnership. MADE Partnership will focus on the master development of large sites, to help deliver thousands of much needed new homes across the country. MADE Partnership will act as master developer for multiple large scale, residential-led developments from 1,000 to more than 10,000 homes along with a variety of community facilities and employment uses. Potential development opportunities will include large brownfield developments, as well as new garden village style communities. The partnership brings together Barratt, the UK’s leading national sustainable housebuilder, Homes England, the Government body responsible for housebuilding and regeneration in England, and Lloyds Banking Group, one of the largest funders of the UK housing sector. This is a long-term partnership, initially backed by combined equity funding of up to £150m provided equally by the partners. The partnership brings together the essential skills, expertise and long-term approach, with the ability to unlock and scale the capital required to bring larger sites into production, enabling both major and SME homebuilders to build the new homes and communities the country needs. Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said: “A failure to ensure the development system is working properly has held back the delivery of tens of thousands of new homes over recent years and this Government will work in partnership with all those who are focused on turning things around. “The landmark new partnership announced today will support our commitment to ramp up housing supply and boost economic growth by developing more large-scale, attractive and sustainable places across the country with the homes, jobs and infrastructure that communities need to thrive”. David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments, said: “We are committed to playing our part in delivering the millions of new homes the country needs over the next 10-20 years. To help us achieve this goal, we need to deliver more large developments. Through the MADE Partnership, we are creating a master developer which can manage the infrastructure and placemaking that is needed to deliver at scale, whilst consistently achieving the high quality and sustainability standards that Barratt is known for.” Peter Denton, Chief Executive of Homes England, said: “MADE Partnership will provide a master developer platform with the ambition and capability crucial for creating not just the homes but the vibrant, diverse places England needs. Whether it’s transforming a brownfield site, extending an existing town, or creating a whole new village, the partnership will have the finance, tools, expertise and partners required to ensure a cohesive approach to delivering a fabulous place that people want to live and work.” Charlie Nunn, Chief Executive of Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Our pioneering MADE Partnership between Lloyds Banking Group, Homes England and Barratt Developments has created a master developer – enabling the largest-scale projects and place-based solutions to be achieved, and helping to deliver tens of thousands of new homes which are so urgently required. This is the cross-sector collaboration we need, at significant ambition and scale.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The final phase of the £42.8m award-winning Welsh Streets neighbourhood regeneration in Liverpool has been completed, bringing the total number of Placefirst homes delivered across the area to 296. The now complete scheme delivers professionally managed, newly built and refurbished rental homes. In close partnership with Liverpool City Council, Placefirst developed a masterplan in 2016 that has delivered a carefully considered neighbourhood, designed to transform the highly deprived area into a vibrant community that meets the local housing needs. The single-family housing developer’s sixth and final phase offers 13 new builds, consisting of three-bedroom houses, and one to two-bedroom apartments, to mark the completion of Placefirst’s 10-year regeneration programme. Featuring a community hub, where Placefirst’s dedicated resident services manager will be based, in addition to providing a place for community engagement and building initiatives, the project is one with community needs at its core – from design to operation. Investing over £40m into the area’s transformation, Placefirst has generated socio-economic benefits that have seen a domino effect of greater investment into the area, including over £1.7m into housing, business property refurbishments and a rise in the number of small businesses[1]. The nine streets that comprise Liverpool’s Welsh Streets – named after the Welsh workers who built and lived in the houses that stood there in the late 19th century – have a celebrated history in the city including being the birthplace of The Beatles’ Ringo Starr, and the site for the BBC’s ‘Peaky Blinders’. Marking the completion of Welsh Streets, David Mawson, chief executive of Placefirst, said: “Rooted in the area’s history, the significance of Welsh Streets to the local community and the city of Liverpool cannot be understated. “Our mission to transform this once-neglected area into a neighbourhood that instils pride and delivers lasting social and economic benefits has driven this ambitious 8-year project. As we prepare to welcome residents to the final phase, Welsh Streets stands as a testament to the importance of community-centred development. Working closely with existing residents, the completed neighbourhood celebrates the area’s history whilst reflecting the ambitions of today’s community, fit to deliver longstanding value for generations to come. “As our growth continues at pace, Welsh Streets remains a flagship development that has set a standard for what to expect as we look to continue enhancing communities through the growth of our single-family rental portfolio.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Metis Homes is to commence construction work at the former Warsash Maritime Academy campus. Situated in the coastal village of Warsash and close to the River Hamble, 117 characterful new homes will be delivered across the historic 7.4-acre (3Ha) brownfield site in collaboration with Juno Developments and McCarthy Stone. Located on the western side of Newtown Road, the site and buildings had previously been used by Southampton Solent University’s Warsash Maritime Academy, and will see two listed buildings retained and converted by Juno into 35 apartments. The lower part of the development will remain home to the University’s Warsash Maritime School Safety Training Centre. The regeneration of the waterside site will also consist of 38 new build houses and apartments delivered by Metis, including 18 three-, four- and five-bed houses, and 20 one and two-bed apartments, some with sea views. In addition to the 38 private newbuild Metis homes and Juno’s listed buildings’ conversion, 44 retirement apartments for the over 60s will be delivered by McCarthy Stone. The waterside development will see hundreds of jobs created for the surrounding area, with construction and completion of the development expected to take 20 months. JTP Architects – a nationally renowned London-based practice – has sensitively designed the project, ensuring the newly built homes effectively respond to the existing listed buildings on site and wider coastal surroundings. Adam O’Brien, Managing Director of Metis Homes, said: “We are delighted to get going with this development, which received unanimous approval from Fareham Borough Council’s members. This stunning waterside development will see the creation of a variety of new homes, suitable for a diverse range of buyers and located in a beautiful coastal setting. All the homes will have sustainable technologies and energy-saving features.” A new large public open space is being created as a focal point for future residents and the local community. Some of the upper floor newbuild apartments will enjoy views of the River Hamble and Southampton Water. Steeped in history, the two Grade II listed buildings which will be restored and converted into homes by Juno Developments include the Shackleton building, which was originally opened in 1960 as a cadets’ residence, and the Moyana refectory block, named after the college’s first training vessel. Some of the new Metis houses are designed in a contemporary mews-style townhouse arrangement, with more traditionally designed 2-storey detached homes on the frontage, knitting nicely into the existing character along Newton Road. The new Metis apartment building features a modern design, to complement and enhance the listed buildings. Parking will be provided for both residents and visitors. Close to the sought-after riverside village of Warsash, the new development is just two miles from the M27, which provides access to the wider motorway network and convenient connectivity across the south of England. The closest train station, Swanwick, has frequent services to both Southampton and Portsmouth city centres, with onward travel to London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Graf UK rainwater harvesting tank helps to dismiss cricket club’s watering woes. The installation of a Graf UK rainwater harvesting system at Chiswick Cricket Club has delivered a hat trick of firsts. Initially, it was the first time that water consumption consultants Ecoprod had specified a Graf UK system. Secondly, it was the first time water management systems contractor Jamie Vacher had installed a rainwater harvesting system. And thirdly, the project is the first of its kind in Middlesex. Chiswick Cricket Club was founded in West London in 1853 and has recently undergone a major redevelopment in line with the English Cricket Board’s (ECB) emphasis on sustainability. Part of this focus has been on increasing their facilities throughout the year without increasing the use of mains water, as well as thwarting the increasing occurrence of temporary use bans which mean that during hosepipe bans the club can only water its cricket square. Through accessing the ECB’s County Grants Funding, Middlesex Cricket approved the grant contributing towards the cost of Chiswick Cricket Club installing a rainwater harvesting system, which is believed to be the largest below-ground system in cricket in the country to date. Chiswick CC will monitor its performance until the end of the summer to better understand how rainwater harvesting on this scale can benefit a cricket club, with the potential for the project to be used as a sustainability exemplar for the ECB. Ecoprod was called in by Chiswick to suggest a suitable system, having sustainably redeveloped the women’s changing rooms two years ago. Having often come across Graf UK, and also having a mutual acquaintance in Prof Jacob Tompkins OBE as a consultant, they decided to specify Graf’s 15,000-litre Platin XL shallow-dig underground rainwater harvesting tank. This stores circa 250m³ of rainwater per annum from the main roof of the clubhouse, which is clay plain tiles, and from rear and side flat-roof extensions, together totalling 550m². The run-off is used to water the 900m2 cricket square and surrounding grassed area of more than 5,000m2. Jamie’s first installation of a rainwater harvesting system took just six days from start to finish. A team of two used a five-tonne excavator and general hire tools to dig a 9m-long by 2.5m-wide by 2.3m-deep hole in virgin ground at an outdoor eating area next to the clubhouse. The 7.5m-long by 2.2m-wide by 1.3m-high tank weighing 710kg was then lifted in by the excavator and backfilled with 40% of the sand that had been underneath the top layer of clay. The remaining 60% of sand was used to re-dress the cricket pitch itself, completely negating waste. To complement the fully assembled Graf tank, Jamie added a water meter to the mains top-up feed so the club will not have to pay for the waste water it is not processing. So impressed with the ease of installation of the Graf UK system was Jamie that he is now keen to become a regular installer of Graf UK systems. “We did get lucky with the ground conditions but it was a very easy installation, perfect to be honest. The Graf systems do exactly what they say on the tin. I had to ring the technical team on one occasion, about the water top-up sensor, and it was resolved straightaway. It was the best service you can get and a very good experience overall.” He added: “I can definitely see the benefits of rainwater harvesting systems now. We just need to get more people realising that.” Ecoprod’s director and general manager Marcus Rose was equally impressed by his first specification of Graf UK systems. He said: “The project ran very smoothly, with both technical support from Graf and excellent on-site operations from our appointed contractor Jamie Vacher, so it will be very appropriate as an exemplar case study for the English Cricket Board.” He added: “Graf are now our go-to supplier for below-ground rainwater harvesting systems.” Josh Knappett, facilities and projects lead for MCCC, said that despite the exceptionally wet season, Chiswick CC and Middlesex Cricket wanted to learn what impact a rainwater harvesting system with below ground storage would have on cricket clubs in London as many are facing extremes of climate conditions, alongside increasing water mains costs. “We hope that by the end of the summer we will have a better understanding of Chiswick Cricket Club’s use of rainwater versus mains water on the maintenance of their grounds and on playing conditions. Anything we can do to support a cricket club, we will do,” he said. As well as rainwater, the Platin XL recycled and recyclable plastic tank is designed to accommodate substances such as wastewater, raw sewage, effluent, silage, slurry, greywater and bluewater. This makes it an excellent choice for applications including firefighting. Its adjustable lid height allows for flush alignment with ground level, ensuring the tank fits seamlessly into its surroundings. Additionally, the rotating tank dome aids in aligning connecting lines, simplifying the installation process even further, and an optional vehicle loading lid, which is ideal for installation under drivable surfaces like driveways or parking lots, allows the tanks to handle significant loads, ensuring durability and safety in high-traffic areas. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has launched a training programme to help building services firms work more closely with schools and inspire future generations of building services engineers. The BESA School Engagement and Engineering Discovery (SEED) Programme is fully funded by the Association and was developed by the schools engagement specialists Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS) which has worked with more than 4,000 schools across the UK. The 12-week programme is designed to give engineers and business owners the skills and knowledge they need to engage effectively with their local schools and promote career opportunities in the building services industry. The training will be delivered in three tranches with eight places available on the September intake with another eight in January 2025 and a third cohort setting out on their engagement journey in April. Full details can be found here. BESA members regularly cite long-term skills shortages as the biggest challenge to their businesses and this new fully funded scheme is part of the Association’s response. Members will now have the chance to work with experienced educators to gain insights into engaging the interest of school children and inspiring them to want to work in a sector that can make a huge difference to major social issues like climate change, air quality, and health & wellbeing. ConfidenceAs well as helping to shape a future generation of engineers and improve the flow of skilled workers into the sector, this exercise can also have major benefits for existing staff who gain valuable communication and presentation skills – not to mention improved confidence. “This is a groundbreaking exercise for our industry and an opportunity not to be missed,” said BESA’s head of skills & policy Stuart Rattray. “Early adopters can demonstrate their commitment to education and community involvement which will boost their reputation. “It also gives them the opportunity to spot and nurture young talent early, creating a direct pipeline of future apprentices and employees who are already familiar with the company and the work opportunities available in our sector.” BESA also pointed out that working with schools aligns with corporate social responsibility goals, demonstrating a company’s commitment to giving back to the community and supporting local education. “By helping to educate and inspire future engineers today, employers are investing in the long-term success and sustainability of their companies and the broader building engineering services industry,” said Rattray. “They will be sowing the SEEDS for the future of skills in our industry.” Topics covered in the training include understanding the National Curriculum, OFSTED requirements, safeguarding issues, and best practices for engaging with schools safely and effectively. The programme also shows employers how to build partnerships with local educators. Adam Taylor, chair of BESA’s Indoor Air Quality group, has already completed several engagement projects with schools focused on the topic of air quality. He said the adults working with the children also gained valuable, and sometimes surprising, insights. “The children were clearly engaged and had a lot of fun building the air filter boxes we used as a practical exercise,” said Taylor who is CEO of ARM Environments. “The exercise ended up being one third educational (about air quality), one third just having fun building the boxes, and the other third was all about demonstrating you can do this kind of thing for a living and make a difference to people’s lives. “As an example of how to engage school children in activities with a building services connection, it shows the importance of giving them something visual and interesting to work with,” said Taylor. Sign up for the free BESA School Engagement and Engineering Discovery (SEED) Programme and become part of this major new initiative to inspire future generations of building services engineers and secure your skills pipeline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
