Actis regional sales director Jemma Harris and sales manager Melanie Porter have been flying the flag for the construction industry as a career path for young people at an educational event in Yorkshire. The pair were among seventy organisations taking part in an annual initiative aimed at educating, developing and upskilling the next generation in the region and addressing the skills shortage. Foundations Live 2022, organised by construction firm Hobson and Porter, and supported by Jewson, the Construction Industry Training Board and agricultural college Bishop Burton College, was aimed at inspiring people from as young as four up to adults looking at retraining to explore opportunities within the sector. Jemma, also a Women in Construction ambassador, and Melanie are among a number of Actis colleagues passionate about inspiring young people and women in particular to pursue a career in a currently male-dominated profession. Jemma has given inspirational talks in schools, while specification manager Amaret Chahal has co-written the latest Actis CPD material. In her talks Jemma, who is responsible for sales growth in the UK Northern region, has shared her own career path working in two very traditionally ‘macho’ environments – the Royal Navy, where she worked as a weapons engineer, and construction. Amaret explains: “I enjoy the fact that as a young woman of colour I have the opportunity to share my knowledge and technical understanding on all types of specifications, both simple and complex. The Actis team in the north is all-female and I love that we are women working in a demanding industry which is traditionally male dominated.” The Foundations Live event is captured on video, with Jemma talking about the joys of working in construction around six minutes in. In it she explains: “In the construction industry it’s definitely not boring. You get to meet various different people on a daily basis. No day is the same. One day you could be on a building site, the next day you could be stood in front of an architect doing a CPD presentation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The City of Liverpool College (COLC) has renewed its alliance with long-term partner and Heating and Hot Water Products Manufacturer, Worcester Bosch, as part of its commitment to providing first class training for the next generation of engineers. Recognising a need for more collaboration between industry and training providers, Worcester launched its College Links Learning Scheme in 2007 and has since worked closely with leading colleges across the country, including The City of Liverpool College, to increase skills, expertise and value in the market. The COLC prides itself on being a leader in training in the energy sector, green technologies and supporting the drive towards Liverpool City Region’s green agenda. This new partnership will see the COLC working collaboratively with Worcester to develop a bespoke training area with industry leading equipment, including emerging green technologies, for current and future engineers to train on. Last year, the UK committed to a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – a target which will require new technology and industry changes across a number of sectors, including heating and hot water. Worcester has led the way in the creation of green technologies – such as the nation’s first fully functional boiler system that runs on 100% pure hydrogen gas – making the partnership a natural progression for both organisations. The focus of the partnership is to train students and apprentices in current and future technologies, while also supporting those in industry to reskill and upskill, using high-class equipment. James McCawley, Deputy Head of Apprenticeships at The City of Liverpool College, said: “We’re delighted to be renewing our long-standing partnership with Worcester Bosch. Over the lasttwoyears, we have worked closely with the company to train and upskill the industry’s current and future talent and we look forward to developing our training offering together as the country moves towards greener technologies. “The partnership will ensure the very highest of standards in training for the region’s future engineers, while also providing Worcester Bosch engineers with access to the facilities and enable them to learn about new and existing products.” Worcester has donated equipment to the College’s training area, including new boilers, air source heat pumps, indoor immersion unit and an unvented cylinder for the use of its apprentices and engineers. College students and Worcester staff will have access to the state-of-the-art equipment to stay up to date with the latest technology, legislation, industry developments, fault finding and best practice. The COLC students will also benefit from learning opportunities with Worcester staff through guest speaker sessions and industry insights throughout their course duration. Ewan Sutherland, National Training Manager at Worcester Bosch, said: “I am delighted with the progress made at The City of Liverpool College to date. “The College is reputationally strong in green technologies and the energy sector, with a clear vision and ambition of adapting to green technologies. Its responsive nature to industry needs makes it the ideal partner for Worcester to collaborate with as we work towards a greener future and continue to create a highly skilled workforce. “The training facility at the College is a fantastic space for apprentices, engineers, and employers in which they will be able to keep right up to date with all the latest industry developments.” For more information on opportunities at The City of Liverpool College, visit: https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals