35% of manual construction workers say bosses put profits before people Over a third of manual and semi-skilled construction workers in the UK believe their employer is putting profits before people, according to a major new study. Across all sectors, 37% agreed that their workplace focuses more on making
Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented: “The government housing carousel continues to turn as yet another one bites the dust and it remains to be seen if there will be further casualties further down the ranks. Michael Gove is known as a Whitehall big hitter with a
The East Midlands is revealed as the fastest growing region for new home search in Britain, as the number of people searching for a new built property jumps by 46% in August. This is compared with an overall -10% decrease in new home search across the UK. The stat, released in this month’s WhatHouse? New Homes Index, is an encouraging
ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified for a ground breaking modular house design that could impact on the new homes market and environment. The development sees WINFRAMER units along with WIN2WALL multi-level sealing tape, being supplied to North East-based CoreHaus for installation in
Planned hydrogen innovation projects could create over 17,000 high-tech, green jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, new research published by Energy Networks Association (ENA) reveals today. £4.4bn of investment is proposed in developing hydrogen gas grids to help reduce carbon emissions from Britain’s six Industrial Clusters, where strategically important heavy industries
The era of digitalization makes up new rules and promotes new approaches. Speaking about the construction sector, most of the changes have already touched on communication and reporting. Traditional solutions do not solve present-day challenges, so players of the construction market niche implement new technologies to cope with complications when
Many homes within the UK need major structural work carried out on them to make them safe. In a lot of cases, it is actually far better to knock the house down and start again. Not only can the home then benefit from a more modern design structure, but it
NATIONAL residential and commercial developer Godwin Developments today announces that it has submitted outline plans for the creation of up to 50 new family homes on land south of Ashby Road Central, in the Leicestershire town of Shepshed. The proposed scheme, which will be a mixture of house types, is
Works commence at the new £4 million speculative development Knight Property Group has appointed Clark Contracts as the main contractor on the second phase of speculative development at Langlands Commercial Park in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. Works have commenced at the brand new £4 million property, which will comprise a
A retrofit service that helps people in Greater Manchester to eco-refurbish their homes is planning to train 3,500 builders, joiners, electricians and plumbers in green skills over the next five years with money raised via a £550,000 community share offer. The not-for-profit ‘People Powered Retrofit’ service is seeking investment from
35% of manual construction workers say bosses put profits before people Over a third of manual and semi-skilled construction workers in the UK believe their employer is putting profits before people, according to a major new study. Across all sectors, 37% agreed that their workplace focuses more on making money than keeping people safe, but that was 2 percentage points lower for those in construction. Almost one in ten from the sector who took part in the survey, carried out by YouGov on behalf of global workplace safety leader A-SAFE, also said they feared for their safety every day at work. The research also found a perception that the focus on Covid-security has compromised other measures designed to keep workers safe. Global workplace safety leader A-SAFE, based in West Yorkshire, commissioned the survey as they launch a worldwide campaign to highlight the risks being taken in some factories, warehouses and distribution centres, and the important safety measures that can be put in place to reduce them. 2,019 manual and semi-skilled workers from across the UK were questioned. Among them were workers from the construction sector – among the key findings from that group: 35% believe that profits are put before people in terms of ensuring the right health and safety measures are in place where they work. 37% say the focus on creating Covid-secure environments has led to the neglect of other health and safety measures – compared to the national average of 33%. Almost a quarter (23%) do not think their employer is dedicated to keeping them safe and they do not trust them to protect workers. Taken together, this leads to almost one in ten (8%) of those surveyed saying they go to work every day not feeling safe in general. Analysis of the official RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows that, on average, at least 136 workers have received fatal injuries in the workplace each year since 2016 with 70,000 receiving injuries. One in five of those deaths came from being struck by a moving vehicle. It is feared that many non-fatal injuries go unreported by workplaces who choose not to notify the HSE of accidents and near misses under RIDDOR. James Smith, co-owner and director of A-SAFE said: “I know that for some construction businesses health and safety becomes a chore with red tape, ticking boxes and endless bureaucracy. But when there are failures, the results can be catastrophic – lives can be changed and families devastated in an instant. it is time this hidden cost of going to work is highlighted, and that is what this survey and our campaign aims to do. “Protecting the health and safety of employees is an essential part of a company’s risk management and must be led by its leadership team. People are at their most vulnerable in industrial workplace environments, where vehicles and pedestrians are working in proximity, and yet more could be done to protect employees at work. The new campaign from A-SAFE will show these risks and highlight one story in particular – that of Lisa Ramos, a mum-of-one who lost her leg after being struck by a forklift truck. A gritty and emotional short film, titled Amputee, follows the traumatic impact of limb loss on Lisa and her family, and shines a harsh spotlight on the hidden cost of workplace safety. The safety barrier manufacturer is calling for stricter standards to be put in place to reduce injuries, protect workers and ensure that everyone who goes to work at the start of their shift is able to go home when it ends. A-SAFE is now calling for businesses to adhere to PAS 13 in workplaces. PAS 13 is guideline for organisations to follow which reduces the risk of collision accidents and ensures protection is fit for purpose and has been published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). James Smith adds: “Our survey serves to encourage business leaders to make better decisions and improve legislation, and the findings indicate that more needs to be done to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing health and safety challenges. Ultimately, failure to include health and safety as a key business objective can have catastrophic results. “We are launching our campaign, ‘The Hidden Cost of Workplace Safety’, to help raise awareness of the issue and increase standards in the workplace. As industry experts, we support organisations of all sizes to find the best ways to lead and promote health and safety, and therefore meet their legal obligations.” The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) welcomes A-SAFE’s work to draw attention to the importance of good health and safety management and the need to follow guidelines in the workplace. Dr Karen McDonnell,occupational health and safety policy adviser, head of RoSPA Scotland, commented: “The research highlights that during the pandemic, there has been a shift in attitudes towards health and safety – businesses faced pressure to be covid-secure and continue to operate. It also shows the worries, fears and anxieties that many of us face in a working environment. “The insight this research provides will help businesses and government bodies understand the need to follow clear guidelines for businesses in terms of health and safety. Lisa’s story highlights the human impact that a workplace accident can have on someone and how following clear guidelines, such as PAS 13 from the BSI, can make these accidents avoidable.” To watch the full Amputee film and find information on the ‘The Hidden Cost of Workplace Safety’ campaign, visit: asafe.com/thehiddencost
Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented: “The government housing carousel continues to turn as yet another one bites the dust and it remains to be seen if there will be further casualties further down the ranks. Michael Gove is known as a Whitehall big hitter with a reputation for rocking the boat so we may well see some changes. However, the reality is probably more of the same tired, recycled rhetoric around housing policy. Expect to see more initiatives focussed on fuelling buyer demand to keep house prices buoyant and very little in terms of actually addressing the need for more housing. In recent times, those charged with addressing the current housing crisis have lasted less time in their post than it takes to sell a house. No wonder the sector has been riddled with scandal and an inability to reach housing targets.”
The East Midlands is revealed as the fastest growing region for new home search in Britain, as the number of people searching for a new built property jumps by 46% in August. This is compared with an overall -10% decrease in new home search across the UK. The stat, released in this month’s WhatHouse? New Homes Index, is an encouraging sign that many home buyers consider the region to be the answer to their changing space requirements and lifestyle requirements post-COVID. The average price of new home property coming to market in the East Midlands is £304,485 (-3% since July), compared against the UK national average of £334,801 (-1% since July). Top three new home search areas during August: 1. South East of England – 31,293 new home buyer searches 2. West Midlands – 19,921 new home buyer searches 3. East Midlands has secured a top three search position with 16,760 new home buyer searches during August 2021, representing a 46% increase on July’s figures. • Across the UK, August saw a -10% decrease in new home search, recording a total of 149,521 new home buyer searches, compared to 166,137 during July 2021. The East Midlands has bucked this trend with a 46% increase. Regional home builders report that access to the stunning Peak District, great transport links, historic cities, and below national average new home asking prices of £304,485 may have contributed to the rise in East Midlands new home search – as home buyers seek more space and enhanced quality of life for their budget post-COVID. Daniel Hill, WhatHouse? Managing Director comments: “Over the past year, we’ve seen new home buyers’ priorities changing. More people are looking for a new build home with additional space for a home office or gym, and the need for outdoor space that arose in lockdown has maintained its crucial importance. We’ve also seen a substantial increase in people looking for new build homes outside of the traditional commuter zones.
ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified for a ground breaking modular house design that could impact on the new homes market and environment. The development sees WINFRAMER units along with WIN2WALL multi-level sealing tape, being supplied to North East-based CoreHaus for installation in its modular properties. The company has a five-year plan to produce around 1,000 precision engineered units a year built using modern methods of construction (MMC) to deliver long term energy cost savings. Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes, WINFRAMER is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm that allows windows to be supported independently from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place. Quick and easy-to-install, the product’s application on CoreHaus properties comes as the modular housing sector has been given a boost by national housing agency Homes England, which is accelerating the delivery of local authority housing schemes, encouraging greater use of MMC. ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL enables window and door gaps between 2 mm to 8 mm to be easily sealed from inside the property. Available in two widths to give the extra thermal insulation equivalent to A Rated (40mm tape) or A+ and A++ windows (65 mm tape), the tape is able to accommodate the vast majority of UK window installations. Dan Selby, production manager at CoreHaus, said: “As a house designer, we look at new ways to deliver low carbon structures, which use sustainable technologies. ISO Chemie’s fit and forget products offer innovative solutions for effective window and door sealing, delivering measurable airtight, acoustic and thermal sealing benefits in the process.” Nick Thompson, ISO Chemie’s technical consultant, said modular housing is gaining increasing traction and WINFRAMER and WIN2WALL can add real value during the initial and post construction phases. He added: “Using WINFRAMER as a platform for the windows to be moved forward, allows a cavity wall to be created outside the existing one. This can then be filled with insulation to massively improve thermal efficiency. As it’s also very thermally efficient and airtight, WINFRAMER is proving to be an easy and cost-effective way to improve the quality of the modular properties.” The composite WINFRAMER brackets can bear heavy windows loads, including bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high-performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner. A hinged insulation core combines with the composite wood structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with window energy saving regulations (EnEV) and the RAL quality assurance association. Among the key advantages of WIN2WALL are not only its thermal performance, but it is also weather tight to 600 Pa (Violent Storm Force 11) and has excellent acoustic insulation properties. Installing a window or door using WIN2WALL will give the window an equivalent or better thermal property than the window unit itself. Even the smaller 40mm size tape will give the joint between the window and wall a U-Value of 1.2, equivalent to an Energy A-rated window.
Planned hydrogen innovation projects could create over 17,000 high-tech, green jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, new research published by Energy Networks Association (ENA) reveals today. £4.4bn of investment is proposed in developing hydrogen gas grids to help reduce carbon emissions from Britain’s six Industrial Clusters, where strategically important heavy industries such as chemicals, iron, steel, glass and ceramics are concentrated. Over 9,000 of the jobs expected to be created would be employed by the network companies, with another 8,000 roles created in supply chain partners. ENA’s Innovation Impacts report shows that new hydrogen innovation projects proposed by Britain’s five gas network companies could create a total of up to 25,000 highly skilled green jobs across Great Britain over the next ten years across five strategically important areas, including those in Industrial Clusters, as they plan to invest a total of £6.8 billion in proposed hydrogen innovation projects. Up to 13,300 of the jobs would be created by network companies directly with, a further 11,400 jobs created by supply chain partners, in projects spread across the country. The investment plans have been submitted to the energy regulator, Ofgem, as part of the companies’ business plans. The regulator is responsible for approving investment plans proposed by GB gas and electricity network companies. The report sets out how the companies want to invest: £4.4bn to help reduce emissions in Britain’s industrial heartlands, such as HyNet North West, which will produce, store and distribute hydrogen while capturing and storing carbon from heavy manufacturing industries. These projects are expected to deliver over 17,000 high-tech green jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands in north-west England, the Humber and Teesside, Southampton, north-east Scotland and south-east Wales, as well as other locations. £2.2bn in projects to speed up research into how we can repurpose existing gas pipelines so they are hydrogen-ready, to ensure gas network companies can deliver the Government’s hydrogen plans for building hydrogen village and town trials. This investment is expected to create over 6,700 jobs in projects in Fife, Cumbria and southern England, as well as other locations. £150m in projects to ensure the wider energy system and economy is ready for hydrogen, such as the expansions of the HyDeploy project to trial blending of up to 20% hydrogen into the existing grid in north-east England and a continuation of the Future Billing Methodology project, which will ensure peoples’ energy bills remain accurate as we start to use more hydrogen. This is expected to create over 700 jobs in the north east and central England. £19.5m in transport and other projects, researching how hydrogen can reduce emissions from cars and good vehicles, as well as ensuring it is used in a way that it is integrated with other green technologies and gases, such as wind farms and biomethane. These projects are expected to create nearly 100 jobs. Commenting, Chris Train, ENA’s Gas Goes Green champion says: “For the first time, this report sets out the sheer size and scale of the economic and social opportunities that hydrogen innovation can deliver over the next ten years, creating new green, hydrogen super-skills in communities and companies across the country. “With the recent publication of the Government’s Hydrogen Strategy and the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan before that, the time is right for Ofgem to consider how it can unlock this investment, helping ensure that hydrogen plays its full part in fuelling Britain’s Green Industrial Revolution.” Chris Manson-Whitton, of HyNet North West, adds: “The UK has the innovation, skill and world leading infrastructure to be a global leader in the delivery of the hydrogen economy. Our leading industrial partners, such as those in the HyNet North West cluster, are committed to decarbonising their operations and products. Hydrogen enables them to do that, safeguarding jobs and attracting inward investment. As this report shows, network innovation underpins this transformation, also decarbonising our communities and transport systems, and creating thousands of skilled green jobs.
The era of digitalization makes up new rules and promotes new approaches. Speaking about the construction sector, most of the changes have already touched on communication and reporting. Traditional solutions do not solve present-day challenges, so players of the construction market niche implement new technologies to cope with complications when it comes to on-site and off-site works. Among the latest innovations that improve and simplify various processes in the context of the construction site are robotics, advanced building materials, construction bidding software, systems for labor and asset management, etc. One of the most demandable options today is mobile reporting. It is about the evolution of the report-driven procedures through the digitalization of most of them. Let’s take a closer look at mobile reporting and its advantages for the present-day construction sector. Paperwork is Significantly Reduced As reporting requires endless paperwork, this is a real challenge for all the participants of the construction process. Additionally, poorly organized paperwork causes problems with data access. It might happen that the report obtains some mistakes or unfilled lines. The absence of critically important information can become the main reason for other serious problems on the construction site. Today, any papered-based database should be digitized as soon as possible. This way you will avoid: Loss of essential information; Misplaced data in reporting; Mistakes in construction papers. Mobile technology improves not only the quality of the report but simplifies the search of the required papers, some specific information. Additionally, the automated process of data entry in the context of construction reporting saves time significantly. There is no need to spend minutes and hours to write down any details like technical parameters or some characteristics. Note that the special-purpose software with mobile reporting option also allows improved integration with any of the departments. For example, some updates entered into the e-form of the report will be available for accounting specialists with no risk of data loss or inaccuracy. Better Collaborations Become Possible With mobile reporting, representatives of the construction sector can count on the sped-up processes and flexibility. This way it is possible to save time for more projects and build better collaborations at once. For example, the management department gets a helpful tool that provides 24/7 access to the construction workers and other data. If you are interested in a clearer general picture of the performance on the construction site and fast reaction, e-reporting is an excellent solution to take into consideration. Together with high-level and immediate interconnections, you also get an essential tool for dispute solving. Sometimes managers require additional information and explanations from on-site builders. The mobile report will be sent at the request of management staff rather faster than a worker comes to the office. Mobile Reporting Is for Sustainability and Cost-Effectiveness All the paper documentation needs to be stored somewhere. Additionally, all the copies done every day are not about eco-friendliness and cost-efficiency. Paper reports can be forgotten, damaged, or stolen. The cloud-based software for mobile reporting is a real thing because all the e-reports are stored in the virtual environment. They can be changed, updated, sent. A sustainable approach because of a paper-free one. Online reporting also saves your working space because folders with documents are replaced into cloud-based ones. This way you can reduce overheads and optimize your document flow together with your workflow. Sometimes the head office should provide some tasks and report-driven recommendations to workers. Mobile reporting improves the productivity of the departments because all the documents are sent and received faster. If you are searching for a more integrated approach for your construction site, take a closer look at modern software and digital options to be implemented like mobile reporting. You can transform not only on-site processes but off-site ones with digital solutions.
Many homes within the UK need major structural work carried out on them to make them safe. In a lot of cases, it is actually far better to knock the house down and start again. Not only can the home then benefit from a more modern design structure, but it will be safe far longer into the future. This is clearly a huge potential revenue stream for construction companies. As well as rebuilding homes for people, in fact, many of these homeowners may be far interested in selling the house as it is to construction firms or any other potential property cash buyers and going elsewhere. This can save them a lot of stress. There is scope here for developers to make a lot of money if they get in on the act. Rebuilding Homes A construction company that takes on the job of rebuilding someone’s home will have many things to consider. First, the home has to be rebuilt according to the specification of the homeowner. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as it limits the construction companies ability to create the ideal home as they see fit. But, you will be able to create something that the homeowner loves. Having happy customers is essential in this day and age, as this will mean that you will be provided with excellent feedback and your customer experience rating will go up, causing you to be more competitive. The average income you would receive for a complete rebuild project for the average three-bedroomed house is about £198,000. This is clearly dependant on many factors, including the location of the site. However, if done correctly, rebuilding projects could be a vital part of any construction firm’s revenue stream. Redevelopment of the Site If you purchase the old home, you can clearly make more profit as you could build four flats on the site as opposed to one construction project. You will not be limited to the specification of the homeowner either. In addition, a project like this can help solve the housing crisis which is blighting the country. New houses are desperately needed, and demolition and reconstruction jobs are vital in the battle against this crisis. Brownfield Redevelopment There is huge scope for construction companies to develop on brownfield sites across the UK. In some places, development has begun in earnest on these sites, and in many ways, it is a far superior option to building on the green belt. First of all, you won’t have any green activists fighting against you every step of the way, as who could really argue with a company cleaning previously developed land and making use of it again? Obviously, these projects will be full of their own issues, ensuring that the land is free from toxins being one of them. But these developments again can prove profitable if done correctly and with the right planning. With the rising cost of housing, perhaps this option needs to be reconsidered by construction companies if they had previously ruled it out.
NATIONAL residential and commercial developer Godwin Developments today announces that it has submitted outline plans for the creation of up to 50 new family homes on land south of Ashby Road Central, in the Leicestershire town of Shepshed. The proposed scheme, which will be a mixture of house types, is situated on a vacant site next to the established community on Crowson Close, and is allocated for housing in the emerging Charnwood Borough Council Local Plan. When built, the development will contribute toward the delivery of much needed, good quality family homes in the area, including affordable housing. It will provide parking for residents and cycle storage for every dwelling, as well as private gardens and attractive house frontages. The scheme will feature an extensively landscaped area facing onto Ashby Road Central, giving residents access to shared green space and adding to the appeal of the town. It will use native planting throughout and an attenuation pond to support sustainable drainage, while also retaining existing green boundaries for privacy and the promotion of biodiversity. As a part of the work to increase connections with the town of Shepshed, the proposals will improve footpaths, offering active forms of travel to new residents. The development is advantageously positioned along the main arterial route into Shepshed with a range of amenities – including local primary and secondary schools, shops, recreational facilities, a wide range of other services and local employment nearby. It lies just over half a mile from junction 23 of the M1 motorway and approximately three miles from Loughborough, the principal settlement in the Borough of Charnwood. Residents of the new development will benefit from access to local public transport routes, with bus stops a short distance away offering regular services to Shepshed, Loughborough and Leicester. Historic parks and gardens as well as Charnwood Forest and the National Forest are also within a short drive from the development. Ketan Patel, senior development manager at Godwin Developments, said: “Our proposals for a residential development at Ashby Road Central are a logical extension to the town of Shepshed that needs to build 2,331 new homes by 2037 to satisfy growing demand. This will be a high-quality scheme that we hope will not only meet the expectations of local residents and support the Council’s strategy for sustainable development but will also promote Shepshed further as a desirable place for people of all ages to settle in and become part of the local community.” Nick Harrison, planning director at Godwin Developments, added: “This application delivers on the emerging local plan allocation and successfully mitigates any potential adverse impacts of development consistent with the relevant provisions of the development plan. The planning balance weighs heavily in favour of this sustainable development which will assimilate well with the established neighbourhoods of Shepshed, facilitate the provision of new local infrastructure and support the continued vitality and viability of the town.”
Works commence at the new £4 million speculative development Knight Property Group has appointed Clark Contracts as the main contractor on the second phase of speculative development at Langlands Commercial Park in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. Works have commenced at the brand new £4 million property, which will comprise a flexible 23,980 sq ft high-quality industrial warehouse, with 1,980 sq ft of office space, 10m eaves height, air conditioning to the offices, two electrically operated roller shutter doors and electric car charging points. With a target EPC rating of ‘A’, the main frame of the building is a steel portal frame construction and features high performance wall and roof cladding. There will be 20 car parking spaces, along with an extensive yard extending to 35,585 sq ft. The construction process will take seven months and is due for completion in April 2022. Howard Crawshaw, Managing Director of Knight Property Group said: “It is fantastic to see Clark Contracts start works at this development and we look forward to seeing it all taking shape over the next seven months. This next phase will see an initial site start consisting of excavations and the formation of foundations for the steelwork structure plus commencement of external works for yard and parking. “The continued strength of the industrial and logistics market in the central belt of Scotland and the enquiries thus far, particularly in Lanarkshire gave us confidence to push ahead speculatively with the second phase of this development.” Michael Scanlan, Director of Clark Contracts added: “We have extensive experience of industrial developments and are very excited to be appointed on this contract. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the team from Knight Property Group and delivering a high quality end product.” Langlands Commercial Park is located within the well-established Kelvin South and Langlands industrial areas of East Kilbride, adjacent to Sainsbury’s logistics facility. The site is prominently situated with excellent frontage to the A726 Strathaven Road, linking to the town centre and Hurlawcrook Road and has excellent connectivity to Scotland’s main motorway network serving central Scotland and beyond. Alan Gilkison, Partner at letting agent Ryden said: “Langlands provides an excellent location for businesses involved in the industrial and logistics sector and we anticipate strong interest in this development from a range of occupiers.” Ryden and Gerald Eve are joint agents for Knight Property Group at Langlands Commercial Park. The architect is Space Solutions. Click HERE for further information or visit: https://knightpropertygroup.co.uk/development/langlands-commercial-park-phase-4/
A retrofit service that helps people in Greater Manchester to eco-refurbish their homes is planning to train 3,500 builders, joiners, electricians and plumbers in green skills over the next five years with money raised via a £550,000 community share offer. The not-for-profit ‘People Powered Retrofit’ service is seeking investment from individual investors so it can scale up its specialist eco-renovation training and help the city region hit its 2038 net-zero carbon target. Although there is demand from householders to green their properties, there is a shortage of skilled, local contractors who can deliver the work. People Powered Retrofit is already a member of Mayor Andy Burnham’s Greater Manchester Retrofitting Task Force which aims to tackle this problem. In addition to developing new green jobs and skills, People Powered Retrofit plans to use the money raised to make 1,150 homes in the region more energy efficient by 2026, saving 2,700 tonnes of carbon. From as little as £250, anyone can become a part-owner of People Powered Retrofit which already works with hundreds of householders in Greater Manchester, giving them independent advice on finding trusted ‘green’ contractors and choosing the right eco-upgrades: from wall, floor or roof insulation to high performance windows and doors or draught-proofing works. Funds raised through the community share offer will also help the not-for-profit service to recruit extra retrofit advisors, co-ordinators and assessors and reach thousands more householders, supporting them to improve the energy performance of their homes. Jonathan Atkinson, People Powered Retrofit programme manager said: “Our homes are responsible for about 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions but to make properties more energy efficient, at scale, we need thousands more builders, installers and tradespeople with specialist green skills. Money raised through the community share offer will go towards skilling up this ‘green’ workforce.” Floor insulation contractor, Boris Afinogenov said: “The training I got through People Powered Retrofit convinced me to turn my woodwork hobby into work. They gave me access to information and to people connected with floor insulation. I also learnt about whole house insulation. They helped me to realise my ambitions, so I didn’t have to go back to my sales job.” Ethex CEO, Lisa Ashford said: “We’re very pleased to welcome People Powered Retrofit to the Ethex platform. Our investors love to use their money to fund impactful organisations like this to scale and grow, and this organisation is a great example of grassroots action to tackle climate change.” The People Powered Retrofit community share offer is open for investment until 30 November 2021. Investments start at £250 and go up to £55,000. Investments in the share offer target a 5% return. Visit https://www.ethex.org.uk/invest/people-powered-retrofit for more details. Investors should read the Community Share Offer document carefully, including the Terms and Conditions section, before making a decision to invest.