An innovative partnership led by a northeast housing association is creating opportunities for people to start their career in construction as an apprentice. Nine roles have already been created through the be:ONE partnership, which was established by believe housing in April 2024 to deliver internal and external improvements to around
Isover, a UK manufacturer of mineral wool insulation products, is launching new packaging to improve recyclability and reduce their environmental impact. Isover has reduced the ink coverage on its packaging to only 15%, with a change to white base foil. Additionally, the company will continue using 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR)
An innovative partnership led by a northeast housing association is creating opportunities for people to start their career in construction as an apprentice. Nine roles have already been created through the be:ONE partnership, which was established by believe housing in April 2024 to deliver internal and external improvements to around 5,600 of its homes over a four-year period. The not-for-profit landlord and contractors Buston & Maughan, RE:GEN Group, Sendrig Construction Limited and Sunter Limited made a series of commitments as part of the contract. One key aim is to boost the local economy and employment, by creating new jobs and apprenticeships and supporting business growth. And in the first year, all the partners have hired new apprentices to work on the contract. Buston & Maughan recently took on Brooke Hawes as an electrical apprentice, Robert Kirsopp is an apprentice joiner with Sendrig, and property maintenance trainee Scott Hutchinson is gaining a wide range of experience with Sunters. RE:GEN has six apprentices working on the contract; apprentice site manager Joseph Quigley, apprentice quantity surveyors Luke Bell, Joe Freeman, Ben Turnbull and Charlotte Kendal, and apprentice joiner Jack Robinson. David Taylor, Assistant Director of Major Works at believe housing, said: “be:ONE is not only about improving the homes of thousands of our customers but also ensuring the benefits of our investment reach the wider community. “I’m delighted for the apprentices who have secured roles with our be:ONE partners and hope they all go on to enjoy successful and fulfilling careers. “It is always good to see new people joining the social housing and construction sectors, boosting the workforce needed to build and maintain homes and support the growth of the UK and regional economy.” Jonathan Horner, Managing Director at RE:GEN North East, said: “We are a purpose-driven organisation focused on enhancing lives through safe, sustainable social housing regeneration. “Our work goes beyond just improving homes; it extends to creating jobs and training opportunities that benefit individuals and communities. “Being part of the be:ONE partnership and receiving long-term investment from believe housing gives us the confidence to create valuable apprenticeship roles, which are essential for the future growth of the housing and construction sectors. “The benefits of true partnership working are clear and it’s great to see so many people gaining from it.” The be:ONE partnership was created with support from procurement experts, Prosper. The partners also collaborate to improve customer experience, achieve significant savings, and maximise the impact of social value in communities. And they work together to cut carbon emissions, reduce waste, and increase recycling. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Isover, a UK manufacturer of mineral wool insulation products, is launching new packaging to improve recyclability and reduce their environmental impact. Isover has reduced the ink coverage on its packaging to only 15%, with a change to white base foil. Additionally, the company will continue using 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and aims to increase this in the future. The updated branding of the packaging has a cleaner look and includes a new suite of pictograms providing clear signposting for Isover product ranges, features and applications. Michelle Placide, Head of Insulation Category at Isover, said: “This packaging change to improve recyclability demonstrates Isover’s commitment to our purpose of making the world a better home while also improving our customers’ experience with the design changes to easily identify the Isover products for their projects”. Isover will begin the roll-out of the new packaging for all insulation products manufactured at its plant in Runcorn, Cheshire. The plant manufactures insulation products from up to 82% recycled glass, and all electric equipment in the plant is powered by 100% renewable electricity. The phased launch plan is expected to continue across the first half of 2025. The launch of this packaging is another key sustainability initiative from Isover, which is committed to supporting the circular economy and reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2050. In 2024, Isover partnered with The Pallet LOOP, a circular economy pallet supplier. Increasingly, Isover products such as Spacesaver and Acoustic Partition Roll are shipped on easily identifiable, green-coloured LOOP pallets, to significantly reduce avoidable pallet waste. To find out more about Isover’s insulation products and their commitment towards Net Zero Carbon by 2050, visit www.isover.co.uk/sustainability. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
