Kenneth Booth

Contract awards continue upwards trend in September

The total value of construction contract awards in September 2020 was £5.4 billion based on a three-month rolling average. This is 21.2% higher than for August and is also 13.8% higher than September 2019. Quarterly analysis indicates that total construction contract awards were valued at £13.5 billion in Q3 2020.

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MOUNTPARK ANNOUNCES 359,500 SQ FT INVENTORY DEVELOPMENT IN BRISTOL.

Mountpark Logistics, a leading developer of industrial and logistics property, announced today that it has started construction on an inventory cross-docked unit of 359,500 sq ft at Mountpark Bristol 360 in Central Park, Avonmouth. The building is due to complete in July 2021. Designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification with

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Opening the door to enhanced fire safety

Europe’s leading door Provider, Hörmann UK, is continuing to position itself at the forefront of industry developments with the launch of its new steel and stainless-steel Fire Rated Sliding Doors for the industrial and commercial construction sectors. Compliant to BS EN 120 and BS EN 240, the single-leaf fire sliding

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Energy Assets Utilities Sharpens Business Development Strategy

Energy Assets Utilities (EAU), one of Britain’s leading utility network design and construction companies, has created two new roles to spearhead its business growth plans. The company has promoted Gary Smith to Head of Residential Sales and Craig Downie to Head of Commercial Sales to help drive the implementation of

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Knightsbridge additions drive lighting up – and down – the wall

Knightsbridge, one of the UK’s leading brands of wiring devices, accessories and lighting, is adding two products to its extensive outdoor lighting range. These two new LED wall lights offer contrasting design styles and lighting effects but share the same attention to quality and detail. The WAD12 is a die-cast

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Benefits of using a water filter at home

It’s not a secret that water is an essential need. Aside from keeping our body hydrated and healthy, it sustains our environment for us to live. Unfortunately, not all water is the same. Fresh running waters from the mountains may look refreshing however it most likely contains bacterias harmful to

Read More »

Relationship Between Community Education and Community Development

Every country has different communities, which are answerable for different aspects. One may find economic, medical, industrial, and other communities. Each community regulates its sector and affects others. The united effort of all communities affects the growth and development of the entire country. Of course, education plays a vital role

Read More »

Rising to the challenge: sustainable commercial buildings

The Co-operative Group’s headquarters in Manchester exhibits world-class sustainability, with features such as exposed concrete that acts as a thermal sponge, a rainwater recycling system and a cogeneration combined heat and power (CHP) biofuel boiler. With sustainable commercial buildings on the rise, which eco-friendly features should designers invest in? Here

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Latest Issue
Issue 344 : Sep 2026

Kenneth Booth

Contract awards continue upwards trend in September

The total value of construction contract awards in September 2020 was £5.4 billion based on a three-month rolling average. This is 21.2% higher than for August and is also 13.8% higher than September 2019. Quarterly analysis indicates that total construction contract awards were valued at £13.5 billion in Q3 2020. This is 47.1% higher than Q2 but is 8.4% lower than for Q3 2019. Raw monthly data has seen significant uplift in September to £6.0 billion which is an increase of 52.5% on the £3.9 billion in August. The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain. Analysis by sector indicates that residential maintained lead status in September accounting for 32.8% of awards. Infrastructure was the second largest sector in September with attributable share of 20.8% of awards. The commercial & retail sector was the third largest this month accruing 16.1% of the total. Regional analysis shows that London was the leading region in September with 22.6% of awards. The second largest region was the East of England with 13.7% of awards and was followed by the West Midlands which accounted for 11.0% of awards. Commenting on the figures, Tom Hall, Chief Economist at  Barbour ABI and  AMA Research said, “After 3 months of recovering activity, contract awards over July-September returned to pre-Covid 19 average levels. Given the size of the shock to the construction industry and the wider economy that is cause for celebration. However, these numbers will contain an element of catch-up from the lost activity in April-June, so underlying activity is likely to be somewhat weaker than the headline numbers. The recovery so far has been evident more in the public and infrastructure sectors, with the commercially minded sectors remaining slightly subdued. With significant uncertainties remaining it will be interesting to see how the situation evolves over the coming months” Download the full report here:  http://ubm.io/2FRLrwm

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MOUNTPARK ANNOUNCES 359,500 SQ FT INVENTORY DEVELOPMENT IN BRISTOL.

Mountpark Logistics, a leading developer of industrial and logistics property, announced today that it has started construction on an inventory cross-docked unit of 359,500 sq ft at Mountpark Bristol 360 in Central Park, Avonmouth. The building is due to complete in July 2021. Designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification with an EPC A rating, the facility includes features, such as rooftop Solar PV array and battery storage that will help maximise operational efficiency. The building, which has the potential to attract several hundred new jobs to the local area, has been designed to enhance employee wellbeing, with measures such as natural daylight in the warehouse and an office rooftop terrace. Close to the new M49 (J1), Mountpark Bristol 360 is within easy reach of the M4, M5 and M48 motorways and a 4.5 hour drive time of 85% of the UK population. Intermodal facilities and international transport connections are available at the Central Park rail freight terminal, at Avonmouth and Royal Portbury docks and at Bristol Airport. “Mountpark Bristol 360 is a prime site at the economic heart of the South West,” said David Carvey, Development Director UK & Ireland, Mountpark. “There is a shortage of Grade A stock in the region and rising demand. Central Park is an established distribution location and we believe this new development provides one of the best logistics property opportunities on the market.” JLL, Colliers International and DTRE are acting for Mountpark.  The Development Manager is Stoford.

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Opening the door to enhanced fire safety

Europe’s leading door Provider, Hörmann UK, is continuing to position itself at the forefront of industry developments with the launch of its new steel and stainless-steel Fire Rated Sliding Doors for the industrial and commercial construction sectors. Compliant to BS EN 120 and BS EN 240, the single-leaf fire sliding doors are available in two variations, with the FST 120-1 BS Fire Sliding Door offering 120-minute fire resistance and the FST 2410-1 BS providing 240-minute fire resistance. Providing first class fire performance, functionality and style, the two latest models are an extension of Hörmann UK’s impressive offering of sliding doors, which are renowned for delivering unrivalled durability and reliability. This is due to a patented cylindrical track roller and stable track roller, which provide optimal force balance for quiet operation and easy actuation, while the 72mm flush elements create a high quality door leaf with parallel, uniformed edges for a contemporary aesthetic. The new sliding doors are also available with a range of optional additions to meet the requirements of each individual specification. This includes impact absorber profile guards and anti-collision bollards to ensure continued safety and long service life, while the hold-open device and optical or acoustic alarm systems provide enhanced usability and safety. Available in either Pearlgrain galvanised or smooth galvanised surface finishes, there are a diverse range of colours to choose from including Flame Red, Anthracite Grey and Pure White. The sliding doors offer a modern finish, without compromising on fire performance. Paul Tulley, Key Account Manager for Hörmann UK, said: “Our new Fire Rated Sliding Doors, which are compliant to British Standards, are a key addition to our extensive range of fire rated sliding and functional doors. Suitable for installation across a wide range of developments and industries, the steel or stainless-steel doors can withstand heavy usage cycles with ease, due to their impressive quality of construction.” The doors can be operated in conjunction with an FSA-Basis hold-open device control centre, which combines the power supply, warning signals, fire detector evaluation, manual release button and reset device in a compact housing. This is supported by LED lamps or acoustic signals, which communicate the status and alarm states of the door. Additional safety elements, including fire detectors, magnets, recess flaps and fire alarm systems can also be quickly connected for easy integration. The doors can also be operated utilising Hörmann UK’s FSA-Plus hold-open device control centre, which features a battery backup for reliable operation, even in the event of power failures. The doors are also compatible with Hörmann UK’s powerful and maintenance-free SupraMatic operators, which provide fast opening and closing and are also available with soft start and soft stop available as standard, delivering gentle and quiet door travel. In case of fire, a patented compensator release system will unlock the operator, enabling the door to be closed via weights. For further information on Hörmann UK’s fire rated doors for the construction industry, call 01530 516880 or visit: https://www.hormann.co.uk/architects/doors.

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Energy Assets Utilities Sharpens Business Development Strategy

Energy Assets Utilities (EAU), one of Britain’s leading utility network design and construction companies, has created two new roles to spearhead its business growth plans. The company has promoted Gary Smith to Head of Residential Sales and Craig Downie to Head of Commercial Sales to help drive the implementation of a sector-based expansion strategy. “As a business, we have enjoyed consistent growth over the last few years and have built a significant customer base among residential and industrial and commercial developers,” said Steven Lynch, EAU Group Commercial Director. “We see huge potential in both sectors and introducing these new roles will build capacity at a strategic level while at the same time sharpening our sales activities. This organisational change will ensure we optimise the value of our offer based on the needs of our customers, whether they are housebuilders or commercial developers.” EAU has offices across Britain and provides multi-utility design and construction services covering gas, electricity, fibre and water networks. The company possesses a strong pipeline of projects covering housebuilding and large commercial schemes. In their new roles, Gary and Craig will support the wider business development team, while their respective sector focus and knowledge will strengthen EAU’s engagement with utilities construction opportunities in residential and commercial markets. www.energyassets.co.uk/multi-utility/utility-installation

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Knightsbridge additions drive lighting up – and down – the wall

Knightsbridge, one of the UK’s leading brands of wiring devices, accessories and lighting, is adding two products to its extensive outdoor lighting range. These two new LED wall lights offer contrasting design styles and lighting effects but share the same attention to quality and detail. The WAD12 is a die-cast aluminium, cube shaped wall light that is bi-directional, meaning it can show light from the top and the bottom at the same time. It features adjustable sliders on top and the bottom, which allows users to easily create a variety of lighting effects. The IP65-rated luminaire measures a compact 125mm in height, 100mm width and 100mm depth, and is available in either anthracite or black. It features two LED lamps producing 330 lumens, each in warm white. The RD10BK is a circular, IP54-rated wall light with die-cast aluminium body and polycarbonate diffuser that produces a warm white light from its 10W LED lamp. Measuring 155mm in diameter and with a projection of only 48mm, the luminaire is small enough to be discreet during the day but big enough to make an impact at night. What’s more, the RD10 is supplied with two covers, giving users the choice of two different light outputs. Both new arrivals come with a standard warranty of three years giving peace of mind. Whatever the outdoor application, whether it’s renovating a driveway, illuminating garden pathways and features, or installing outdoor security lighting. Knightsbridge has a product that can do it beautifully.

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Benefits of using a water filter at home

It’s not a secret that water is an essential need. Aside from keeping our body hydrated and healthy, it sustains our environment for us to live. Unfortunately, not all water is the same. Fresh running waters from the mountains may look refreshing however it most likely contains bacterias harmful to our bodies. Your tap water is not exempted from these bacterias. Even if the water seems to taste okay, some other contaminants might slip to your glass. That’s why it is important to have a water filter at home. With a water filter, you can make sure that your water is clean for drinking, cooking, and a lot more. Here are some of the benefits you will enjoy using a water filter at home. Removes Harmful Bacterias The water you use at home is exposed to a large scale of chemicals including chlorine and chloramines. Lead is also a harmful chemical usually present in unfiltered water. These chemicals are not meant to be consumed. They bring harm to our bodies which can cause serious health problems. Water filters also get rid of bad bacterias that can cause serious gastrointestinal problems. Prevents Microorganisms Numerous countries have developed great water systems. The public water systems were created to bring water into each household seamlessly. However, the system is aging. As a result, some pipes may have leaked, corroded, or broken. These damages may lead to unsafe microorganisms in your tap water. A house filtration system with UV protection is the best option for fighting bacterias. It will give you and your family safe water to drink. Save Money Aside from the health benefits, you can get, water filters also save your time and money from buying bottled water. With your water filter at home, you’re saving your health, money, and the environment by getting rid of the plastic bottle. You can always get a water filter for the whole house. Some companies offer installation and cleaning services. Make sure that you’re getting the right kind of filters before making any decisions. Reduce the risk of skin irritation If you have sensitive skin, you should consider getting a water filter system. Chemicals from unfiltered water can not only cause damage inside your body but can also cause skin problems for individuals with sensitive skin. Persons who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema might develop allergies when exposed to different chemicals present in unfiltered water. Courtesy of making use of water filters brings a lot of benefits. It keeps your entire household healthy and well by drinking clean water. It reduces the chances of getting skin irritation and problems. It also saves you from buying bottled water that is not helpful to the environment. Normally, water filters are installed one-time and the cost is considerably low. It includes regular cleaning and occasional replacement of filter elements. Afterward, you can enjoy fresh and safe water at home.

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Relationship Between Community Education and Community Development

Every country has different communities, which are answerable for different aspects. One may find economic, medical, industrial, and other communities. Each community regulates its sector and affects others. The united effort of all communities affects the growth and development of the entire country. Of course, education plays a vital role and can ensure success or lead to the failure of a community in general. A professional team of essay writers from EssayLib writing service tried to dig deeper into the relationships between community education and community development. This informative guide highlights the way they are linked to one another and what importance for people they may bring. What is Community Development? Before we begin to seek the links between education and development, we should understand the phenomenon of a developed community in any country. Community development is a complex and important process, which is designed to make people knowledgeable and competent in a targeted geographical area. They are supposed to have certain skills, knowledge, and motivation to develop under certain economic circumstances. This approach is used to transform the area and thus affect the wellness of the country by embedding competencies. People are supposed to “know” what to do, rather than reading and following the instructions. This is when education steps up. Community development is frequently taken as an economic indicator to define the efficacy of development. If the community isn’t properly developed, the economic situation is poor. Education as the Basic Building Block It’s really hard to underrate the role of education in the life of every citizen. When a person is educated, he/she knows a lot about the world and specific industries. He/she can efficiently apply his/her knowledge and skills to enjoy success. The success will be personal, as well as social because those skills and knowledge help society. This relationship is clear for every community. An educated nation equals a prosperous nation. Boost in Economic Growth If a group of people (who belong to a concrete community) is incompetent, the country will hardly reap many dividends. People with poor skills and a lack of knowledge simply don’t know how to work fast, efficiently, and productively. Thus, a certain sector begins to delay the development of other sectors. Did you ever wonder why some countries are more successful and the other fall behind? Some people say it’s because of the many natural resources. However, many African nations are undeveloped even when they have precious gems and other resources. Why can’t they enjoy economic success? The answer is obvious – a huge part of their population is uneducated. People have the potential but have almost no idea how to use it. As a result, they require the help of developed countries to show the right path. In the meanwhile, their own people are unemployed because workers from other countries can do that better. Accordingly, economic growth is heavily dependent on the level of education in the country. Cultural Progress and Evolution Education is the most efficient and important medium to pass the experiences of the previous generations. When children learn the history, customs, and traditions of their country, they preserve their own culture. If a country forgets about its cultural heritage, it is doomed to vanish. It is impossible to exist without knowing your own language, culture, history, traditions, etc. Every next generation creates something new and changes its culture. Nevertheless, authenticity survives because people do not forget their ancestors, history, and culture. Education helps to pass that knowledge and experience. Technological Progress Undoubtedly, a well-educated nation can follow the pace. We mean the creation of innovative technologies, which make our lives easier. Highly technological nations are the most successful ones. If a nation continuously creates new mechanisms, applications, medical equipment, industrial equipment, etc., it shows that it’s a wealthy nation. It has genius scientists, mechanics, engineers, physicians, etc. who have been educated in this community. The level of education is high to create technological marvels that improve the wellness of the entire country. It surely leads to economic growth and stability. What Are the Main Benefits? As we review the relationship between community education and development, we should summarize the main benefits of their collaboration. The government and other structures invest in education to achieve certain results. What are those results? Make allowances for the following essentials: Economic growth and stability; Technological progress; A reliable method to preserve cultural heritage; Intelligent and happy children; Bright perspectives for future development; Economic independence and prosperity; Development of social institutions; Progress of medical and scientific industries, etc. The benefits are almost immeasurable, but all of them are possible thanks to an educated nation. That’s why different governments, nonprofit organizations, and international development agencies invest in education. They know that a high level of education benefits the development of the community. They implement and improve the methods of teaching to ensure an intelligent nation. This investment will surely provide the desired results, which help to overcome an economic pit and improve the wellbeing of the country. As you can see, the development of any community is directly dependent on its compliance with the educational sector. If a separate group of people is not educated, that community falls behind and does not complete its functions. It negatively affects the country in general. Accordingly, educated communities are the foundations of economic development in every country.

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Rising to the challenge: sustainable commercial buildings

The Co-operative Group’s headquarters in Manchester exhibits world-class sustainability, with features such as exposed concrete that acts as a thermal sponge, a rainwater recycling system and a cogeneration combined heat and power (CHP) biofuel boiler. With sustainable commercial buildings on the rise, which eco-friendly features should designers invest in? Here Nick Cowley, managing director at aluminium building product supplier, Endurawood, explores the options. In 2018, the business sector accounted for 18 per cent of overall UK carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. With the race to combat climate change on, businesses are looking for ways to lower their environmental impact. With the building and construction industry accounting for almost 40 per cent of global emissions, building re-design is a good starting point. Fortunately, many sustainability changes also benefit a business’s bottom line. Renewable energy systems Large commercial buildings can hold thousands of workers, and therefore require a large amount of heating and power. It’s important to put systems in place to save these resources where possible, and source them in a more sustainable way. Building managers must ensure all equipment uses the most up to date technology, which can significantly increase efficiency. For example, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) can absorb heat from the outside air, which is renewable, and use it to heat the internal building. This heating method is highly efficient, with every one kilowatt (kW) of electricity supplied producing two to three kW of heat. The process can also provide air cooling and water heating depending on the model, and even work in minus temperatures. Another way to source your own renewable energy is to install solar panels. Solar panels emit no carbon emissions and use zero water in operation. Installing solar panels has the additional benefit of lowering energy costs, as you aren’t subject to energy supplier prices. Producing your own solar energy can save between six to ten pence per kilowatt hour (kWh). Extra insulation Energy usage by the UK commercial sector increased by 258 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe) between 2017 to 2018. An impactful way to reduce the figure is to increase building efficiency. Building managers should ensure all windows are rated A for efficiency. Strategic placement of the windows can confer other benefits, such as increased daylight, which naturally warms rooms and further lowers the use of electricity. An additional option is the installation of window films, which can add an extra layer of insulation and even reflect unwanted solar energy to reduce air cooling energy requirements. External cladding can provide further insulation, while protecting the building from weather damage. Cladding can also be used for architectural enhancement, giving the building a sleek and unique look. Green solutions Green roofs, also known as living roofs, involve covering flat or slightly-sloped roofs with a waterproof membrane and then cultivating a layer of vegetation on top. The systems deliver an environmental benefit by removing CO2 from the surrounding air and lowering energy usage by adding extra building insulation. Living roofs also present ecological benefits because they can provide a steppingstone habitat for wildlife. Business benefits include lower energy bills and increased soundproofing, with just twelve centimetres (cm) of substrate reducing sound by around 40 decibels (dB). Additionally, a rain harvesting system can be fitted to the top of the building. Rain harvesting systems collect rainwater that falls into the gutter and transport it to a storage tank. The stored rainwater can be pumped out when needed, and used for various, non-potable uses such as flushing toilets. By incorporating rainwater into the building’s water supply, reliance on mains water supply can be reduced by around 40 per cent. Eco building materials Embodied carbon is a significant concern in the construction industry, which is already renowned for its high levels of emissions. And it’s not just carbon we should worry about, building materials can use glues and solvents that contain volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can form ozone and particulates in the atmosphere, as well as being harmful to human and animal health. In addition, large volumes of building materials can go to waste, ending up in landfills. The UK Government’s most recent figures found that construction, demolition and excavation generated 62 per cent of waste in 2016. To combat this waste, sustainable buildings must be built using materials that have a lower environmental impact. Widely recyclable materials, for example, are an ideal starting place for designers that require durable materials that are better from a recyclability standpoint. Aluminium has one of the highest recycling rates of any metal, namely because its scrap still contains a high value. This means that used aluminium can be melted and reused, without diminishing its original qualities. Furthermore, recycling aluminium only requires five per cent of the energy consumed during its initial creation, and recycling one tonne of the material saves 15,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, making excellent environmental and financial sense. Endurawood is an aluminium building material that looks like wood, and can be used in a range of building applications, such as cladding, railings and enclosures. We believe that greener is better, and use VOC free coatings and lead-free finishes in all our products. Endurawood’s weather resistance and superior durability means it will remain flawless for years to come, but when end of life arrives, it’s 100 per cent recyclable. The Co-operative Group’s Manchester headquarters sets a shining example of sustainability, and with businesses becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, many are following in their footsteps. By incorporating features such as green roofs and solar panels, and using environmentally friendly building materials, commercial buildings can become more sustainable and work towards a greener future.

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London’s ‘green and pleasant’ multi-million-pound residences thrive

A room with a view, a front door onto the street, and a garden are proving more seductive for the wealthy than a James Bond-style bachelor pad in Chelsea. London’s high-end housing market is surprising estate agents who are reporting increased transactions for properties worth more than £5m. Estate agents Dexters marketing director Richard Page says: “Since the market re-opened we’ve had more than 9,000 viewing appointments across London per week and our website has never had so much traffic with 90,000 visits a week. “London is busy and people are getting on with their lives.” However, travel restrictions mean foreign investors are no longer driving the market. Demand for a pied-à- Terre in traditional super-prime hotspots such as Belgravia, Chelsea, Kensington, Marylebone, and Westminster have waned. Global estate agents Savills says central London prime properties are currently on sale for 21 percent less and sales activity is slow. Savills PR director Sue Laming says: “The prices are good value for non-sterling buyers and normally we would expect the market to pick up. Right now, these buyers are physically not in the market.” London’s green villages are on a roll Instead, rich domestic buyers and people from abroad who have already made London their home are the ones buying homes in the city’s desirable green districts. Finance brokers Hank Zarihs Associates chief executive Shiraz Khan says: “The rich no longer need a pad near their office in the City but a country style home within easy reach of the big smoke where they can work and relax.” Trendy green oases like Fulham, Islington, St John’s Wood, Notting Hill, and Dulwich are attracting intense interest from buyers who have up to £10m to spend. Property network LonRes research and data analysis head Marcus Dixon says: “A high proportion of moves are life-style ones whether it’s to move from a flat to a house or the countryside.” Estate agents Knight Frank’s head of residential research Tom Bill agrees saying the market for family houses in these areas has shown a month-on-month rise. “Family houses in these districts are doing very well. There’son top  strong momentum in the market.” Although he admits most of August and September’s exchanges were related to pre-lockdown sales. The pandemic has also led to longer times of up to six months for a sale to complete. The type of buyer has also changed with the home-grown purchaser outnumbering overseas ones. “We are seeing a higher proportion of domestic moves rather than international. This has meant that areas of central London with a high proportion of flats and little outside space, which were appealing to overseas buyers, are less busy than leafier areas with houses and green space,” says Dixon. He says that September has shown a 21 percent year-on-year increase on houses under offer but says this is skewed in favor of more expensive properties. “People aren’t buying small flats for investment. They are making long-term larger property decisions.” The capital’s resilience is partly due to the city’s good schools and universities which are commanding wealthy people’s loyalty. Page says: “I think London is still seen as a safe haven. There’s still demand here driven by access to a good education and cultural life. They tend to take a long-term view.” In fact, sales for properties worth more than £5m in September are showing a 29 percent year-on-year increase according to LonRes figures. The rich take a life-long view Bill agrees that the wealthy are in the fortunate position to be thinking 20 to 40 years ahead and are less restricted by banks tightening their lending criteria. “The high net worth prime buyers are less constrained by the mortgage market,” he says. “The ability to react and respond is something we’ve seen with the prime buyers.” But there’s trepidation about how the market will fare at the end of March when the stamp duty holiday on properties worth up to £500,000 ends. Although, stamp duty savings of £15,000 helps wealthy buyers it’s not a make or break issue for buying a high-end des res. But it is important for stimulating activity at the lower end of the market which enables the wealthy to free up assets and buy more high-end properties. “There will be a rush of activity then afterward there will be a slump and buyers will demand price drops,” says Dixon. On top of that, an extra 2 percent surcharge on stamp duty for overseas buyers will kick-in in April 2021. Bill adds that political uncertainty with Brexit, changes to capital gains tax, and higher stamp duty are likely to contribute to a more subdued market next Spring. The page is optimistic that the future for London, although a little tricky in the near-term, will be bright in the long run. “London goes through trials and tribulations, but it always comes through and it generally comes through stronger.

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Job applications in the construction sector grow by 44.5% in Q3 as end of Job Retention Scheme looms

According to the latest quarterly job market report from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, job applications in the construction sector grew by 44.5% in Q3 2020 and by 21.2% year-on-year.   The report looks at job market data throughout Q3 2020 and compares this with findings from the previous year. It reveals that the construction sector, alongside the following industries, saw the highest growth in applications quarter-on-quarter:   Administration (up 90.2%) Recruitment (up 85.5%) Marketing (up 78.6%) Sales (up 77.7%) Telecoms (up 74.6%) Legal (up 61.5%) Finance (up 58.6%) Education (up 51.5%) Electronics (up 46.9%) Construction (up 44.5%)    Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library comments: “It’s no surprise that there are more candidates on the market given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the state of our economy. While the circumstances around this influx of talent are unfortunate, it provides a great opportunity for businesses in the construction industry to snag top talent.”    The data also reveals that the number of job postings has increased by 213.4% between Q2 and Q3 2020. However, the number of roles advertised between July and September is still 19.2% lower than at the start of the year.   What’s more, as vacancies continued to rise during Q3, the number of applications per vacancy dropped by 53.9%. However, this is still 85.5% higher than during the same period last year.  Biggins continues: “This data clearly shows that the construction industry has started to recover from the national lockdown in March, but it still has a long way to go. However, it’s likely that this new found confidence may be short lived.   “The uncertainty surrounding future government restrictions, as well as those put in place last week will force businesses to put a freeze on their hiring plans. Sadly, this will coincide with the end of the original Job Retention Scheme, which may spell bad news for professionals.   “That said, if you’re planning on hiring this quarter, you’re likely to have your pick of the best candidates on the market. However, be sure to approach your hiring process with sensitivity as this will be a particularly difficult time for job seekers.”  

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