Atlas Copco has extended its industrial portfolio to include process cooling equipment. The newly launched TCX 4-90A is Atlas Copco’s first process cooling chiller range, with plans to introduce more new products to the market in 2021 and extend the range to include higher cooling capacities. “The addition of process
The UK construction industry flexed its muscles yet again in February 2021, posting an astonishing £8.0 billion in new contract awards in the shortest month of the year research carried out by Builders’ Conference shows. CEO Neil Edwards looks on admiringly but remains concerned at the industry’s ability to keep
Timber frame construction specialist SO Modular is reaping the rewards of an investment it has made in a specific type of construction standard based around environmental standards and energy efficiency. The Neath-based company has made a significant investment in training all the employees in its fitting teams to educate them
Leicester based workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors has completed the refurbishment of new offices in Bristol for international property and construction consultancy Gleeds. Gleeds has 73 offices in 20 countries worldwide, with 20 offices across the UK, including one in Nottingham. In October 2020, the firm
Because we don’t want the pandemic to result in lost time in the fight against climate change, Futurebuild is launching The Lost Sessions. The series of webinars will take place from March 2 to March 4, the original planned dates for the physical Futurebuild 2021 show and will identify the
High profile FT1000 league table ranks Glencar within the top ten of all leading 1,000 European companies with the strongest revenue growth. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today revealed that it has been recognised by the FT
Difficulties with logistics, trade with Northern Ireland, and the time and cost to fill out customs and due diligence paperwork are adding pressure to an already tight timber supply chain, a survey by the TTF has found. Logistics is the most pressing challenge facing respondents, with a lack of haulage
SCAPE, the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority, has become a member of the Good Homes Alliance (GHA), making it the UK’s first framework provider to join the Alliance. The GHA aims to promote the building of quality sustainable homes that enhance the communities they are part of through a
Four Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) schools in Lincolnshire are set to be expanded as part of Lincolnshire County Council’s £86 million investment programme – to improve and develop special schools across the county – landscape architect Influence has announced. Working alongside contractor Willmott Dixon, Newark-based Influence is providing
A new report warning that skills gaps in the construction industry threaten the UK’s 2050 net zero target highlights the importance of training and embracing new methods of construction, says insulation specialist Actis. It was responding to a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which calls for
Atlas Copco has extended its industrial portfolio to include process cooling equipment. The newly launched TCX 4-90A is Atlas Copco’s first process cooling chiller range, with plans to introduce more new products to the market in 2021 and extend the range to include higher cooling capacities. “The addition of process cooling is the perfect complement to our compressed air and industrial gases portfolio,” said Alexander Pavlov, General Manager of Atlas Copco Compressors UK. He continued: “It means we can now deliver a broader product offering to our industrial customers, with the convenience of Atlas Copco service and connectivity.” The TCX 4-90A Process Cooling Chiller range features a compact, all-in-one water chiller with an air-cooled condenser and integrated hydro module (onboard tank and pump solutions), with units available in a variety of sizes. TCX chillers are specially designed for cooling water (or a mixture of water and glycol) for a wide range of industrial segments including machine cooling, plastics, printing, food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical. Over the last year, Atlas Copco leveraged its more than 140 years of design experience to deliver an innovative chiller product with a wealth of service features and built-in connectivity. The innovative and familiar Elektronikon® Mk5 Touch controller comes standard on the 11 to 90 kW TCX models, putting control at the user’s fingertips. Additionally, SMARTLINK 24/7 monitoring is available as part of the chiller’s total package. The TCX range can also be covered on a single-service contract with all other Atlas Copco mechanical equipment, such as air compressors, dryers, nitrogen generation systems and low-pressure blowers. The new range fully complies with Ecodesign directive 2021 to reach the highest level of energy-saving whilst reducing production costs and maximising efficiency, delivering the reliability and performance customers expect and demand from an Atlas Copco product. The design of the TCX range’s state-of-the-art microchannel condensers requires 30% less refrigerant, making the units more environmentally friendly. To learn more about the TCX range, please visit https://www.atlascopco.com/en-uk/compressors/products/compressed-air-ancillaries/process-water-cooling
The UK construction industry flexed its muscles yet again in February 2021, posting an astonishing £8.0 billion in new contract awards in the shortest month of the year research carried out by Builders’ Conference shows. CEO Neil Edwards looks on admiringly but remains concerned at the industry’s ability to keep pace with its own success. There was a time when the confidence of the UK construction sector was a timid creature that was easily startled and that fled at the smallest sign of alarm. But that timorous fawn of old has given way to a rampaging gorilla; a seemingly unstoppable force that has met head on the triple threat of COVID-19, Brexit and wider economic jitters. And rather than running scared, the sector continues to charge forwards. In February – a cold and traditionally bleak month – the UK construction industry posted an astonishing £8.0 billion in new contract awards. And this was no HS2-fuelled anomaly. In the absence of a single £1.0 billion+ landmark project, some 340 contractors shared the spoils while each of the Top 20 on the BCLive league table won new work valued at more than £100 million during the month. Top of the pile was project management company Avanton, which was credited with two notable contract wins in the month worth a combined £980 million. The largest of these – valued at £730 million – a new build housing development at Ruby Triangle in Southwark, south London. Designed by renowned architect Farrells, the project comprises 1,152 dwellings together with retail business and community spaces and a public sports hall and gym. The work will be carried out in conjunction with A2 Dominion Group. In addition to winning the month’s largest single contract, Avanton also won a £250 million urban village development at the former Homebase site in Richmond upon Thames. That project will add a further 385 residential units to the UK housing stock, together with flexible business, retail and community space. In second place, and a long way behind in value terms, was Laing O-Rourke, which bagged a single £385 million contract in February. That contract is the redevelopment of Whiteleys at Queensway in London’s prestigious Bayswater area and will include more than 100 new residencies, 20 shops and a new Six Senses hotel and spa. Interestingly – like the number one position – third place on the BCLive league table was secured by a project management company. Tenacity International Group won a £200 million new contract award for a mixed-use development at Gracechurch Street in East London. Split across 33 storeys, the development will include 72,000 m2 of flexible office space, 1,800 m2 of retail space and 1,500 m2 of public access space. A free-to-access public gallery at levels 29 and 30 will offer views across London. The battle for supremacy in the most contracts secured in a single month favoured Morgan Sindall this month, the company temporarily wresting the crown from rival Kier Group with an impressive 26 new contract awards valued a combined £311.5 million (Kier Group won 21 new contract awards for £116 million to finish in 17th position). The largest of the Morgan Sindall contract awards was a £120 million 500 dwelling residential development at Littlemoor in Weymouth. VolkerWessells claimed the number five position with a creditable eight new contract awards valued at a combined £269 million while sixth position went to BAM with £254 million across five contracts. Against the background of such an unseasonably positive month, it seems almost churlish to mention the negatives. Despite the resurgence of Scotland (£458 million) and the exceptional performance of the Midlands (£774 million) and Yorkshire (£412 million), the regional imbalance still favours London that contributed an impressive £3.36 billion to the monthly total. A similar imbalance remains in the split of workload among the various industry categories. The housing sector contributed £3.52 billion of known work and will have been a large part of a further £1.52 billion of mixed use and miscellaneous work. Warehouses & Industrial units with £637.9 & Offices, with £479 million, came a distant second & third respectively. Also worthy of note is that the split between publicly and privately funded work, continues to widen. By value, privately funded works accounted for around 80 percent of all new contract awards, suggesting a post-COVID tightening of the Government’s purse strings. And, like an ever-present elephant in the room, the spectre of a worsening skills shortage continues to haunt the sector. Quite how the industry will meet the demand of £26 billion in new work in the space of just three months remains open to question. But, for the time being, the construction sector looks set to retain its position as the saviour of the UK economy. Quick review of BCLive table for February 2021 340 no companies were detailed as winning new contracts during February 2021 600 no new construction orders were researched by Builders’ Conference all detailed on the UK’s only Live league table of construction contract awards BCLive Avanton Ltd secured overall top spot with a single contract worth £980 million Morgan Sindall Group secured most number of new construction orders in the month with 26no totaling £311.5 million Builders’ Conference real-time verified, independent, construction information, sales leads and research has neverbeen more important in allowing all types of businesses to receive LIVE construction information. Ensure your business has access to evidenced based premier construction project information from across the UK by becoming a member of the Builders’ Conference. Discover what is really happening in UK construction as well as critically analysing ALL our data via our built in report writing service. Go to www.buildersconference.co.uk/how-it-works for more information. We are a not for profit organisation who are dedicated to maintain our high level of services for as long as possible with the financial support of our membership. We firmly believe because it is the UK construction industries own information which we analyse no one should be paying vast sums to read it! Proud to
Timber frame construction specialist SO Modular is reaping the rewards of an investment it has made in a specific type of construction standard based around environmental standards and energy efficiency. The Neath-based company has made a significant investment in training all the employees in its fitting teams to educate them around the importance of air tightness and Passivhaus standards. Passivhaus standards relate to the energy consumed by buildings and the extent to which they are energy-efficient, comfortable and affordable, applying stringent standards and certification criteria to buildings. The training was carried out by specialist design and manufacturing engineer, Verity Moorhouse, who SO Modular is working with us as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, a Welsh Government initiative designed to help companies innovate by matching the skills and expertise of individuals in higher education with companies. The initiative also represented an important landmark in its journey to establish a formal training academy at its headquarters, the former Metal Box Factory, in partnership with Neath Port Talbot College and Cardiff Metropolitan University. It is the company’s objective to create a cutting-edge training academy that will lead the way in teaching many types of modern construction techniques. SO Modular is putting the new skillsets of its team to good use on a number of important projects including two exciting projects with Lloyd & Gravell that will embrace Passivhaus standards. One is a new 270-place, English-medium primary school with 30-place nursery and up to 23 full-time places for Early Years provision, is being constructed adjacent to the current Ysgol y Castell in Kidwelly. The current facility will be demolished on completion of the new build to accommodate a MUGA sports field and car parking area. SO Modular is also working on the Ysgol Gorslas project, a new £6.8million project that will create a new 210 pupil capacity school building on land located behind Gorslas Community Park. The scheme will provide space to accommodate nursery provision and facilities which can be shared by the community such as a large hall, school field and a multi-use games area. It is hoped the new school building can still be completed by Spring 2022. The project has been developed as part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme (MEP) in collaboration with the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme. Both schools will be built to a BREEAM Excellent, and energy efficient Passivhaus standard. For both schools, SO Modular will build and install a timber frame structure including all steel and glulam’s required for the buildings as well as installing insulation to Passivhaus standards. Charlotte Hale, Operations Director, SO Modular, said: “We believe in the importance of training the next generation and the value of quality in everything we do. A training programme like this helps instil these values in our people, and ensures our staff are trained correctly. “We understand that without the right training in place we cannot achieve the best results. Our aim is to inspire future generations to believe in producing a quality product and protecting our environment. “These are two fantastic projects to be working on. It is always great to be creating buildings that will play a vital role in educating and inspiring future generations. Evermore so when working with a partner such as Lloyd and Gravell who are such a remarkable Contractor to work with. “We are also delighted to be able to apply Passivhaus standards to these builds. We have invested in training out staff in these standards and we look forward to putting that investment into practice.”
Leicester based workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors has completed the refurbishment of new offices in Bristol for international property and construction consultancy Gleeds. Gleeds has 73 offices in 20 countries worldwide, with 20 offices across the UK, including one in Nottingham. In October 2020, the firm agreed a 10 year lease of 7,026 sq ft of office space on the second floor in the Aurora building within the Finzels Reach development in Bristol and appointed Blueprint Interiors to help them create a flexible, inspiring work environment. Blueprint Interiors carried out several workplace design workshops with users and stakeholders before presenting the final designs for approval. The company then completed the fit-out to create stylish open plan workspaces to encourage agile working. This includes welcoming reception areas, practical meeting spaces, collaborative innovative break out and kitchen dining areas that reflect the Gleeds brand identity and values. Commenting on the project, Rob Day, Chairman & Founder of Blueprint Interiors said, “Our design ethos is to create workplaces that inspire people to be happier, motivated and more productive. We thoroughly enjoyed working with the in-house team at Gleeds and helping them to deliver the base footprint for how all Gleeds offices in the UK will be designed in future.” Despite the fact Covid-19 has meant many employees working from home, Gleeds remains committed to providing staff with physical workspaces that encourage collaboration and a sense of belonging. Commenting, Rhys Davies, Gleeds Director heading up the new Bristol office, added “This move represents our first step in a shift in approach as we think about changing the ways in which we all work. We want our staff to have access to working spaces that are Covid compliant in the short-term and encourage collaboration and flexible working practices long-term. It’s also important to us that we occupy spaces which reflect our global commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and put us at ‘the heart of the action’ in terms of proximity to our natural client base. We’ve enjoyed working with the entire team at Blueprint Interiors, who were sensitive to our requirements and carefully interpreted our brief to develop an innovative and welcoming space.” Arranged over seven floors and set around a spectacular full height atrium, the building provides a new benchmark for sustainable development in Bristol achieving BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and LEED ‘Gold Standard’.. Shortlisted at the BREEAM Awards earlier this year, the building boasts Platinum Wired accreditation for connectivity and digital infrastructure. The design in the new Bristol offices incorporates high-end audio-visual equipment, new IT and telephony systems, and dedicated break-out working and client zones.
Because we don’t want the pandemic to result in lost time in the fight against climate change, Futurebuild is launching The Lost Sessions. The series of webinars will take place from March 2 to March 4, the original planned dates for the physical Futurebuild 2021 show and will identify the actions needed to achieve net zero. In partnership with the Edge, The Lost Sessions: Positioning ourselves for COP26 and beyond – a plan for the built and natural environment will take place from 12:00pm to 1:15pm each day. Each webinar in the series will explore the key issues the industry must address to trigger systemic change and create a plan for the future of the natural and built environment. “We’ve held Futurebuild’s renowned conference every March for the past 15 years — we couldn’t leave it a whole year without delivering the high-level content you’d usually find centre stage,” explained Martin Hurn, event director of Futurebuild. “Although the next physical event will not take place until 2022, we cannot wait until then to take action. The Government has declared its aim to build back better and to reduce our emissions by 68 per cent by 2030. To do so, we must act now. The Lost Sessions are a new platform for built environment experts to share their advice with the industry and create an action plan to prepare the UK for COP26 and beyond.” Each webinar in the series will focus on one of the most important issues facing the industry. The first webinar, Learning for the future – biodiversity and net zero as standard — will explore the future of built environment education so that future students will have the knowledge and skills to adapt the built and natural environment for the future. The second webinar — Putting nature at the heart of decision making — will explore the role of the construction industry in protecting the natural environment and identify actions needed for systemic change. The third and final webinar — Construction led action for net zero — will explore how the industry can respond to the climate challenge and put plans for net zero into action. To find out more about the speakers and topics in The Lost Sessions series and to register for each event for free, visit www.futurebuild.co.uk.
High profile FT1000 league table ranks Glencar within the top ten of all leading 1,000 European companies with the strongest revenue growth. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today revealed that it has been recognised by the FT as one of Europe’s fastest growing companies in the FT1000. The FT1000 league table is published annually by the Financial Times and Statista, charting the 1,000 companies in Europe that have achieved the highest percentage growth in revenues over the past 12 months. Glencar is placed in an incredible fourth place and scores highly as an innovative and fast-growing company, part of the driving force of the European economy in the 21st century, generating jobs and sustaining industry. Commenting on the achievement, Glencar Managing Director Eddie McGillycuddy said: “We are incredibly proud to feature so highly in the FT1000 league table now in its fifth year, especially following our recognition in top spot in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 league table in December last year. Since founding Glencar in 2016 we have seen a dramatic increase in the growth of the logistics/industrial construction sector and we believe our strong growth path reflects the growing demand for our expertise together with our customer-centric delivery model which has really given us a competitive advantage. None of this growth would have been possible without our people and this fantastic accolade really is testament to the hard-work and dedication of the team which has allowed us to keep building on this success. We are already experiencing a very busy start to 2021 with further announcements expected shortly and look forward to further growth this year. To view the FT1000 2021 list and for more information about the ranking click here
Difficulties with logistics, trade with Northern Ireland, and the time and cost to fill out customs and due diligence paperwork are adding pressure to an already tight timber supply chain, a survey by the TTF has found. Logistics is the most pressing challenge facing respondents, with a lack of haulage vehicles, inflated costs, and hauliers’ hesitancy to import and export goods in and out of the UK slowing down trade. The next most prominent issue for traders is the Northern Ireland Protocol, which 45% of respondents from Great Britain (GB) who are trading with Northern Ireland (NI) believe is detrimentally impacting their ability to supply the NI market. One respondent stated that it would be “more cost-effective for our business to cease trading with Northern Irish customers,” said one respondent. As timber from GB is subject to customs declarations, due diligence under UK Timber Regulation (UKTR), phytosanitary certificates and potentially duty under the Northern Ireland Protocol, GB suppliers are at a disadvantage compared to their European counterparts, as NI is for practical purposes still in the EU, and timber from the EU is not subject the same or similar requirements. However, NI exporters to GB do appear to have largely ‘unfettered access’, with 55% of respondents reporting that they were not experiencing trade restrictions while moving goods from NI to GB. Additional administrative procedures, as well as some European companies unwilling or unable to share details of supply chains to help members complete the necessary due diligence under UKTR, is also affecting respondents’ businesses. “More paperwork required, resulting in additional costs and resources required to understand the new requirements,” said one respondent. There was also concern from the survey participants that they will face further challenges and uncertainties once the grace period for customs declarations comes to an end in July, and when UKCA marking is enforced next year. Encouragingly, the survey did find respondents well prepared for their new role as Operators under UK TR and the due diligence requirements this entails, as well as for the new rules for importing, as none of those surveyed mentioned any issues from a compliance perspective. David Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Timber Trade Federation, said: “On the whole, this survey shows that our members are coping well with the changes brought about by Brexit. But, the new trade restrictions have come at a time when the market is experiencing unparalleled challenges as a result of the COVID pandemic. In December we released a market statement warning of tight timber and panel supplies into 2021. Now, the situation is exacerbated by increased administration and slower delivery times as a result of the Brexit trade deal.” “Looking ahead we see a variety of challenges besides logistics. Most concerningly is UKCA marking. This mark could raise considerable trade barriers for our members. The Government has yet to draw up the full framework for suppliers from outside the UK, so we foresee businesses struggling to prepare for the implementation of the new mark next year. “We are working with the Construction Products Association (CPA) to look for practical solutions to this situation. “However, it is positive to hear our members are optimistic for the year ahead as demand remains at an all-time high. People want to renovate their homes, and construction remains open for business during lockdowns. We are also extremely pleased that after almost half a decade of preparing members for Brexit, it is paying off as they feel confident they have the capability and knowledge to conduct trade successfully once the systems are up to speed. “There is still a lot of work left to do, but as ever the Timber Trade Federation will work with our members to prepare for the changes to come.” About the report The Timber Trade Federation Post-Brexit survey gathered thirty-six member companies’ responses, representing timber importers, merchants, agents, and manufacturers. The survey was conducted between 11 January to 12 February. You can find the report HERE.
SCAPE, the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority, has become a member of the Good Homes Alliance (GHA), making it the UK’s first framework provider to join the Alliance. The GHA aims to promote the building of quality sustainable homes that enhance the communities they are part of through a range of social, economic and environmental benefits. As a member of the Alliance, SCAPE will collaborate with more than 80 organisations – ranging from industry contractors and suppliers to local authorities and universities – to support the aim of net-zero emissions homes along with higher standards in comfort and health for occupants. The GHA has an ever-growing Vanguard Network of forward-thinking local authorities and has recently launched a new Pathfinder Network for housing associations. Members of the GHA – such as Pollard Thomas Edwards, Hoare Lea and Bioregional – are driving innovation and improving standards across the housing sector, including actively supporting progress towards the government’s 2050 Net Zero carbon target. To aid that, the GHA is supporting the Building for 2050 research project, funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which aims to inform UK policy on delivering low carbon homes in England and Wales. SCAPE champions the development of sustainable low carbon homes through its procurement frameworks for public sector projects and has recently published its own comprehensive environmental policy – alongside recommended environmental standards for projects – approved by the UK Green Building Council. The policy sets out a range of objectives that will match the environmental objectives of our most ambitious clients. Featuring in its recently published Social Value: More Than Metricsresearch report, SCAPE has also outlined a series of recommendations to encourage sustainable development across the UK. Mark Robinson, group chief executive of SCAPE, said: “If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that collaboration is essential to driving meaningful and impactful change. As a collective of the private and public sector’s most forward-thinking organisations, the GHA is spearheading the effort to create exemplary homes that set a benchmark for sustainability – not just in the UK, but across the world. The Alliance’s work is vital to developing the homes that we need to live in a greener world. “We currently work very closely with our delivery partners to improve project standards and ensure that benchmarks are not only met but surpassed, so we know that outstanding things happen when we pool knowledge, resources and commitment to the same cause. By joining the GHA, I’m confident that we can achieve more together as we actively contribute to its work for championing change and best practice and generating the sustainable outcomes that local communities deserve.” The GHA is led by a board that includes council representatives, sustainable design experts and architects. The Alliance operates within four key themes to embed sustainability into the mainstream: exploring alternative housing models that address the housing crisis; introducing measures that improve people’s health & wellbeing in homes; identifying techniques to support carbon neutral and carbon positive homes; and encouraging the adoption of robust standards that yield high-performance housing. Julian Brooks, Programmes Director at Good Homes Alliance, said: “We’re delighted that SCAPE has joined our Alliance. Developing the supply chain to enable the delivery of net zero new homes is a critical part of the journey and experience from client groups is suggesting that a greater focus is needed around verifiable and real net zero outcomes. Working with organisations such as SCAPE opens up this much needed discussion directly across the supply chain and we are optimistic that we can accelerate the delivery of net zero homes as a result.”
Four Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) schools in Lincolnshire are set to be expanded as part of Lincolnshire County Council’s £86 million investment programme – to improve and develop special schools across the county – landscape architect Influence has announced. Working alongside contractor Willmott Dixon, Newark-based Influence is providing landscape design services to Willoughby School in Bourne, Eresby School in Spilsby, St Bernard’s School in Louth and The Priory School in Spalding. The council’s investment strategy seeks to create an extra 500 SEND school spaces across the county, to meet the increasing demand and to combat families having to make long journeys to school. Of the improvement works at the four schools, Willoughby, Eresby and St Bernard’s achieved planning permission in 2020 to construct extension buildings to existing sites, enabling more school places for pupils, as well as additional space for improved facilities. Works are now progressing on the £6.5million expansion plan for Eresby School in Spilsby, which will deliver five new classrooms, a hall, IT and science spaces, small group rooms, meeting spaces and hygiene facilities. Works also include enlarging the school’s car park, installing a canopy link, introducing new vehicle access points and fencing and landscaping around the site. The £4.25 million works to Willoughby School in Bourne will see 74 new car parking bays provided, along with capacity for 20 minibuses and a new drop off and pick-up point at the start and end of the school day. New fencing, lighting and CCTV security systems will also be installed, with safe, segregated vehicular and pedestrian access routes included as part of the site design. Works at St Bernard’s School, Louth, will see the demolition of two existing buildings and construction of a new two-storey building, remodelling of existing buildings and the creation of additional car parking and hard play areas. Construction on the schools is due to begin early this year, with completion expected by early 2022. Plans for The Priory School, Spalding are nearing completion and are expected to be submitted for planning shortly. Shona Hatton, associate director at Influence, said: “We are proud to be managing the landscape designs of the extension and improvement plans for Willoughby, Eresby, St Bernard’s and The Priory Schools, in partnership with Willmott Dixon and Lincolnshire County Council and alongside their architects Kier Specialist Services. “The building works are part of the council’s ambitious investment plans to improve and expand SEND schools in the area, offering more places and improved facilities to children who will benefit hugely from having safe, engaging and enjoyable spaces to learn and interact. “We have worked on a number of schools in the East Midlands, including other SEND projects, and it is especially rewarding to see plans come to fruition that positively impact the services and quality of education available within our local communities.” Nick Heath, director of delivery at Willmott Dixon, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be working on these amazing schemes. With only 20 special education schools currently operating in Lincolnshire, we want to do everything we can to increase school places across the county to allow students of all ages easier access to the education they deserve. Despite currently being in a national lockdown, the team will continue to operate by adhering to stringent safety procedures and enhanced social distancing measures. This optimisation of risk management means that we will be able to deliver the project to the agreed timescales and improve educational facilities for students across Lincolnshire as soon as possible. At Willmott Dixon, we pride ourselves on leaving a legacy in the local communities we work among; therefore we are delighted to be working in collaboration Influence to help Lincolnshire County Council establish a school system that provides education that is accessible to all who need it.” Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “We want to ensure that all children can access high-quality education, as near to their family and local community as possible. To help achieve that, we’re investing £86m in improving our special schools over the next few years. “Our ambitious programme will mean more pupils with SEND can attend a local school rather than having to travel large distances for their education, which will be of great benefit to both the children and their families. “I’m delighted to see construction getting underway at Eresby School and Willoughby School, and I look forward to seeing the projects progress.”
A new report warning that skills gaps in the construction industry threaten the UK’s 2050 net zero target highlights the importance of training and embracing new methods of construction, says insulation specialist Actis. It was responding to a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which calls for leadership from the government and collective action from industry to upskill and retain the existing workforce and encourage recruitment. Skills for a Green Recovery – A call to action for the UK construction sector points to a skills drain, with 750,000 construction workers due to retire within the next 15 years and only 20% of workers under the age of 30. Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper, whose company works with many timber frame manufacturers, says this latest report is yet another reminder that, while employment levels and green skills training need to be increased, so does adoption of more energy efficient, consistent and quicker methods of construction. “Houses produced offsite can be built up to 30% more quickly than traditional brick and block, delivering much needed homes at a faster rate and using fewer man hours per unit. And costs can be reduced by as much as 25%. “But their ability to offset a smaller than desirable workforce is not the prime driver to increase the use of this method of construction. Because they are factory produced, quality consistency is far easier to control. They can be thermally superb, cutting carbon emissions and saving money for the occupier. “Timber framers choose our Actis Hybrid system because it offers a thermally superb envelope with no thermal bridging. The products can also be installed quickly, cleanly and effectively with ease by someone who has had minimal training, possibly via our snappy on-line tutorials. Installing Actis insulation can take half the time of solid board alternatives, adding further time savings to the overall build process to help counter the skills gap.” The report’s message has been backed by industry heavyweights including government MMC champion Mark Farmer and bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Federation of Master Builders and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) who are calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to support the sector to get the green skills it needs. Mark Farmer, author of the 2016 Farmer Review and 2020’s Build Back Better, added: “The IPPR has set out in this report a refreshed challenge to government and industry to make sure we make the most of our current and future workforce, equipping them with the right skills in conjunction with broader objectives to increase MMC and associated technology adoption. Without this approach, plans to Build Back Better and enable a green recovery could be scuppered from the start.” (caption) Mark Cooper, UK and Ireland sales director for insulation specialist Actis, says increasing use of offsite is vital to help offset the skills gap identified in the latest IPPR report (caption infographic) Installing Actis insulation can take half the time of solid board alternatives, adding further time savings to the overall build process. This goes some way towards countering the skills gap identified in the IPPR report which has been backed by Mark Farmer, the CITB, FMB and CIOB