The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has partnered with CITB and Samaritans to create a wellbeing support tool, as part of the industry wide initiative Make It Visible. Make It Visible aims to make welfare and wellbeing support visible on every construction site, helping to reduce the stigma around the subject
Leading provider of high-impact training and learning solutions to safety-critical industries, 3t is celebrating the success of five D.A.L.E.S. Utilities Civils and Plant apprentices completing their End Point Assessment for their Gas Network Operative (GNO) Apprentice Programme, developed by EU Skills. A crucial result for futureproofing the gas distribution industry
Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which
Students from across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire got an insight into the huge range of jobs on offer at HS2 this week when the high speed rail project opened its doors to local schools and colleges. Almost 200 students from twelve schools and colleges attended the two-day ‘Making Tracks into Construction’
The city’s anchor institution for skills, City College Plymouth, in partnership with Kier Construction, one of the UK’s leading construction and infrastructure services companies, celebrated the successful opening of a significant initiative designed to tackle the skills requirements in the city’s construction sector, while championing social mobility for Plymouth and
Simon Acres Group Limited, the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (KBB) industry’s leading recruitment agency and an online training and service provider, has appointed three new team members to enhance several areas of the business. Firstly, Konrad Fibi has been appointed as a Recruitment Consultant for the KBB recruitment team. Having
Top 10 homebuilder Keepmoat has launched the third in a series of work placement opportunities, aimed at attracting women across the UK into the homebuilding industry. Keepmoat has partnered with Women into Construction (WiC) and the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and eight other home builders to provide candidates with opportunities
Leading East Midlands Homebuilder, Fairgrove, is aiming to attract new recruits to its existing workforce as the country’s demand for housing continues to grow amidst an ongoing and entrenched labour shortage. The family-run homebuilder currently has three development projects under way, which include the Brewery Yard and Nine Corners in
New industry data has revealed that building & construction firms could be missing out on top talent due to complicated application processes. The Access Group’s Recruitment and Resourcing Index has revealed a significant gap between candidate experiences when applying for new jobs across the major sectors – which could be preventing
Leading civil engineering and building contractor Farrans Construction has launched its application process for 50 high-demand positions on its industry leading graduate programme, Farrans Foundation, with intake dates in June and September 2024. Farrans Foundation is an award-winning, two year graduate programme which provides applicants with the necessary experience and
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has partnered with CITB and Samaritans to create a wellbeing support tool, as part of the industry wide initiative Make It Visible. Make It Visible aims to make welfare and wellbeing support visible on every construction site, helping to reduce the stigma around the subject and increase awareness of the support pathways available. Having secured over £400,000 in funding from CITB, a free website portal was created earlier this year to support the initiative. The portal provides a wide range of resources, covering themes of emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing. It aims to help individuals recognise when they’re struggling and how to cope with the challenges they’re facing. For each area, there is an extensive list of organisations that can provide further in-depth advice and support. Research from the Lighthouse Club shows that stress, depression, or anxiety accounts for 27% of all work-related illness in construction. Tragically, it also reveals that two construction workers in the UK take their own lives each day. The charity’s mission is to ensure that no construction worker or their family feels alone in a crisis, and that they get the support they need before it’s too late. The Make It Visible campaign also has a taskforce of people who are dedicated to visiting construction companies, builders’ merchants, hire centres, and sites across the UK and Ireland to get the conversation started and raise awareness of the free resources. The team has spoken to almost 30,000 people and visited more than 340 sites since the campaign’s launch in May, earlier this year. The portal is currently referring visitors to the world’s biggest mental health check-in, One Million Lives. This free tool has been developed by mental health professionals to help users assess their current state of mind and better understand the complexities of mental health. One Million Lives aims to create a global ripple effect by encouraging users to share the tool with friends and family. Bill Hill, Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity CEO, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support from our industry to take on the challenge of improving workforce welfare and wellbeing as a unified force. This new portal curates all the amazing free services from various charities in the UK and Ireland and simplifies access for anyone seeking emotional, physical or financial help. The CITB has been instrumental in making this happen. There is much more to do but this is a great step forward.” Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “We know that there is a huge mental health crisis in the construction industry, and we must do more to support workers and their families. The statistics presented by the Lighthouse Charity’s research are trulydevastating,andwith World Mental Health Day upon us, I urge anyone who is struggling right now to reach out to the charity’s helpline. “CITB has been making improvements to ensure employees get the wellbeing support they need, and I feel very passionately about carrying this through to industry. The work we are doing with the Lighthouse Club will help drive long term culture change and promote fairness, inclusion, and respect across workforces. “There is a great selection of resources online, and I hope that this will make support more accessible to the wider industry. When all workers can access support, without fear of stigma, lives will be saved and attracting new entrants will be easier.” To find out more and access the resources, visit the Make It Visible portal today. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading provider of high-impact training and learning solutions to safety-critical industries, 3t is celebrating the success of five D.A.L.E.S. Utilities Civils and Plant apprentices completing their End Point Assessment for their Gas Network Operative (GNO) Apprentice Programme, developed by EU Skills. A crucial result for futureproofing the gas distribution industry in the UK, the recent programme saw five Yorkshire-based apprentices successfully take part in 3t’s training course, with one learner passing with Distinction. Specialising in gas distribution and transmission, the GNO apprenticeship prepares learners for a career in the Utilities sector. An SME in the gas distribution sector, D.A.L.E.S. completes a diverse variety of contracts improving and replacing existing gas networks for various asset owners. Based in Doncaster, D.A.L.E.S.’, is a key employer within the region. Contributing to upskilling local workforces, the success of the GNO Apprentice Programme is the latest example of 3t’s support to futureproof operations within the gas distribution sector. Head of Employer Engagement for 3t’s Training Services division in Manchester, Tom Beetham commented “With operators across industries all facing issues surrounding skills shortages and talent retention, we’re all aware of the challenges ahead so it’s more important than ever to celebrate wins and successes like this. Smaller SMEs like D.A.L.E.S. need recognition for the part they play in helping to support the future of the industry, creating the next generation of workforce who have the skills, knowledge, and qualifications for a prosperous future across utilities.” Following his participation in the programme, apprentice Daniel Sanderson said: “After struggling academically in school, it was clear that my strength was in hands-on work. But without the qualifications, barriers were preventing me from breaking into the engineering industry. I knew about Dales Plant from my local area and had heard a lot about the contribution its CEO, Shane Yarrow, makes to the local community and the job opportunities the Plant provides. Allowing me to enrol on a GNO apprenticeship delivered by 3t Training Services, Shane, along with the 3t team, gave me the chance and supported me to take the step into a new career path. The training experience that 3t provided was fantastic, allowing me to develop and gain vital new skills to forge a career whilst supporting local industry.” Previously Utility and Construction Training LTD, following its acquisition last year by 3t (previously 3t Energy Group), the utilities and construction training specialist now operates as part of 3t’s rebranded Training Services division (previously AIS Survivex), which is responsible for training 125k delegates every year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which uses ultrasound to detect and locate air leakage sites. It is the first system of its kind to also quantify the extent of any air leakage. The tool can be applied to both new and existing buildings, so can be used before, during and after building or renovation. The new collaboration between Coltraco and Leeds Beckett University has been funded by the Government through Innovate UK to develop, evaluate, and optimise the use of the Portascanner® Airtight – creating an improved version of the product, along with best practice guides and training materials for professionals. Dr David Johnston, Professor of Building Performance Evaluation in the Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Beckett University, said: “The airtightness performance of building fabric can have a significant impact on energy use and CO2 emissions. Therefore, it is important to develop low-cost tools that are capable of rapidly assessing and quantifying the airtightness performance of a building, providing an alternative to existing methods of testing airtightness. All of these tools will be important in helping the UK meet its Net Zero obligations.” The project will assess the use of the new technology within both a controlled and real-world environment. This will be used to design and develop a rigorous, best-practice process. The team will also compare the technology with other airtightness testing technologies – such as blower door fans – to assess the accuracy of the Portascanner® Airtight and how it compliments tried and tested existing technologies. The team also plan to make improvements to the technology, including upgrading the hardware to include a wireless sensor, and developing and testing a mount for a geostationary drone, to hold the generator in place on external structures for tall buildings. Daniel Dobrowolski, Senior Physicist – Research, Development, Design, and Ergonomics at Coltraco Ultrasonics, said: “We are committed to evaluating the benefits of the Portascanner® Airtight as a rapid testing tool through a systematic empirical study and so this project is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with the academic experts. The research we undertake with Leeds Beckett will aid professional airtightness testers, building services engineers, and building surveyors to confidently take full advantage of Coltraco’s innovative technology to improve building airtightness and, ultimately, building sustainability.” Professor Johnston added: “We look forward to further developing our relationship with Coltraco, and demonstrating how industry and universities can work together to improve the sustainability of the built environment in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Students from across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire got an insight into the huge range of jobs on offer at HS2 this week when the high speed rail project opened its doors to local schools and colleges. Almost 200 students from twelve schools and colleges attended the two-day ‘Making Tracks into Construction’ event hosted in Bicester by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB – a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall. The young people – aged between 11 and 19 – got the opportunity to meet people working on the project and take part in activities including interactive plant simulators where they could try their skills on an excavator and see how high tech drones are used for survey work. They also got to see some of the vehicles and equipment used on HS2 construction sites, take part in engineering activities as well as learning more about the environmental and community engagement side of Britain’s new high speed railway. The second day was tailored towards young people with special educational needs and disabilities – with lower numbers and a quieter atmosphere to make the visit more accessible. Dr Catherine Pickup, Director of Project Based Learning at Futures Academy in Banbury, said: “Futures’ Year 10 students were eager to attend the EKFB’s Making Tracks into Construction event. The Year 10 students work on employability projects to find out more about what jobs are available and to develop their skills like teamwork and creative problem solving. “One thing we find is that most students are unaware of the wide range of jobs that are available to them. The chance to see so many organisations involved in such a high-profile infrastructure project is very exciting and will open their eyes to the opportunities they have ahead of them. Our hospitality and catering students are very interested in that side of the project too.” More than 29,000 people are currently working on the HS2 project, both directly and across the UK-wide supply chain, and ‘Making Tracks into Construction’ is part of a push to get more local people involved and inspire the next generation of rail engineers. Construction is well under way on the first phase of HS2, between London and the Birmingham which will improve journeys, boost the economy and free up more space on the existing rail network for freight and local services. More than 3,000 people who were previously unemployed have won work on the project, which has also created more than 1,000 apprenticeships so far. Jhen-Nel Swanston, HS2 Ltd’s Legacy Manager said: “At HS2 we are passionate about showcasing the opportunities and roles that a project like this involves. “It was great that so many young people from across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire were able to be on site this week, and I hope that events like this will inspire them to consider careers in construction and the rail industry.” Victoria Hingley, EKFB Skills, Employment and Education Coordinator, said: “It’s exciting to have been part of the team organising and hosting this event – young people are the future of the construction and engineering world, so we have a duty to inspire and help them. “HS2 is a legacy project, and I am passionate about to trying to have a positive impact upon the students and schools along the trace of the EKFB works. The event would not have been possible without the support of our supply chain and our site team at Bicester – thank you to all who have given their time and expertise.” The event was held on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd September. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The city’s anchor institution for skills, City College Plymouth, in partnership with Kier Construction, one of the UK’s leading construction and infrastructure services companies, celebrated the successful opening of a significant initiative designed to tackle the skills requirements in the city’s construction sector, while championing social mobility for Plymouth and upholding the College’s civic duty. The launch of the Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre took place on Wednesday 6 September at the College’s Picquet site in Devonport and was attended by Kier’s supply chain partners and key stakeholders from the construction sector. The partnership between City College Plymouth and Kier, a tier one contractor, was developed to bridge the skills gap in the construction sector. This initiative was a direct response to the demand for skilled workers in Plymouth and the wider region. Kier’s ongoing and completed projects in the city include Intercity House and Plymouth City Council’s new crematorium, ‘The Park’. The Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre will offer a free, five-week Level 1 Diploma in the Construction and Built Environment, providing essential skills to adults who are interested in pursuing a career in construction. The diploma is also poised to transform the lives of unemployed individuals and ex-offenders by equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in the city’s construction sector. The course aims to create a skilled workforce pipeline for Kier’s supply chain who will provide interviews for those who have successfully completed the five-week programme. Covering a wide range of vital construction trades, including bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating, wall and floor tiling, and plumbing, the course will also provide essential work experience opportunities. Additionally, students enrolled in the course will have the opportunity to obtain their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, a critical credential for accessing employment opportunities within the construction sector. The Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre is a testament to City College Plymouth’s unwavering commitment to their civic duty and the betterment of Plymouth’s community by empowering those who seek to rebuild their lives and embark on fulfilling careers in the vibrant construction sector. Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth, highlighted the profound impact of the Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre on both the construction sector and the broader community, emphasising the College’s civic duty and commitment to advancing social mobility in Plymouth. She stated, “The Hard Hat Ready Training & Learning Centre is a significant step towards building a robust workforce for the construction sector and is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality education and addressing the skills gap in the construction industry. But it goes beyond that. It exemplifies our unwavering civic duty to the city of Plymouth.” Jackie continued, “Our partnership with Kier Construction not only bridges the skills gap but also champions social mobility. By offering a free, five-week course in construction skills, we are empowering adults, including unemployed individuals and ex-offenders, with the essential skills to embark on fulfilling careers in the vibrant construction sector. “This initiative aligns with our core belief that education is the key to opportunity, and by doing so, we are strengthening our city’s social fabric. We are creating a pathway for those who seek to rebuild their lives and contribute to the betterment of Plymouth. This is our civic duty in action – enhancing the life chances of our community members and forging a brighter future for Plymouth through education and social mobility.” Doug Lloyd, Regional Director for Kier, added, “As a leading construction company with a long-standing presence in the city, we recognise the importance of investing in a skilled workforce for the future. The Hard Hat Ready course will provide benefits for those looking to upskill or begin a career in construction, as well as our wider supply chain and the local community. We are excited to be part of this initiative and to continue our partnerships with City College Plymouth and Building Plymouth, which provide opportunities for individuals to thrive in the construction industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Simon Acres Group Limited, the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (KBB) industry’s leading recruitment agency and an online training and service provider, has appointed three new team members to enhance several areas of the business. Firstly, Konrad Fibi has been appointed as a Recruitment Consultant for the KBB recruitment team. Having worked in recruitment for around three years, Konrad enjoys interacting with both clients and candidates. One of Konrad’s passions is to ‘make things happen’ and he has joined Simon Acres Group for the opportunity to manage his own workload while being part of a well-supported team. Konrad says: “So far I feel I have succeeded and surprised myself with how much I am capable of”. Leah Bray also joined Simon Acres Group as a Recruitment Consultant. Leah began her career as an Administrator at a recruitment agency that specialised in fulfilling temporary roles and was later promoted to Recruitment Consultant. The fast-paced environment of this role offered Leah a challenge to really push herself, which is how she developed her enthusiasm for recruitment. Leah comments: “The professionalism, passion and company culture of Simon Acres Group really shone through during my interview, so accepting the job offer was a no brainer. “It means so much to work with a team that encourage, laugh, praise and care about each other. Every day I get to speak to wonderful people in the KBB industry and it’s fantastic to be able to help people land their dream job and have the same satisfaction from their career as I do in mine. I am excited to see what the future holds at Simon Acres Group.” Finally, Michael Bayley has joined the building and construction division as a Recruitment Consultant. Michael has six years of experience in recruitment in the medical sector and more recently, within logistics. He has joined Simon Acres Group for a new challenge and to experience a different industry. Michael states: “I like the ethos of the company, which was evident during the interview process. There is a positive attitude within the office, I felt like part of the team very quickly and I feel as though I’m given the tools necessary to really exceed in my role.” Simon Acres, Managing Director, Simon Acres Group Limited adds: “It has been a pleasure to welcome Konrad, Leah and Michael to the company and it’s been wonderful to see them settle into their new roles so well. We’re proud to be the go-to recruitment agency for many businesses within the KBB and construction industries, so it’s important that we stay ahead of the curve and ensure we have the capacity and tools to continue to source fantastic candidates for the businesses that put their trust in us. We are also excited to be growing our building and construction team and have been putting significant focus into this division of our business.” For more information on Simon Acres Group Limited, please call the team on 0203 701 6660, email info@simonacres.co.uk or visit the website: https://simonacres.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Top 10 homebuilder Keepmoat has launched the third in a series of work placement opportunities, aimed at attracting women across the UK into the homebuilding industry. Keepmoat has partnered with Women into Construction (WiC) and the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and eight other home builders to provide candidates with opportunities to learn about the range of roles within the housebuilding sector and understand the experience that is required to start a career in the industry. Keepmoat has also supported the first Women into Construction Employment programme in the North East and since March, has successfully recruited two candidates in the North East and South Midlands regions. Kaycie Hall, an apprentice bricklayer in the North East, took part in the first work placement earlier in the year via the programme in the North East. Kaycie gained employment with Keepmoat in June as an Apprentice Bricklayer, and won the ‘Rising Star 2023 – North’ category at the WiC awards. Liliana Virlan and Hannah Nickolds joined Keepmoat on placement as part of WiC’s Women into Home Building programme in June. Established in partnership with the HBF and nine major homebuilders, the programme offers on-site work placements and insights into career opportunities within the homebuilding industry. Hannah completed her placement at Keepmoat’s Strawberry Fields development in Bridlington and Liliana undertook her placement at Glenvale Park, Wellingborough. Another success story is Evelyn Hopkins, who successfully completed her NHBC Level Four Site Supervision apprentice NHBC course in March 2023 and was one of a few candidates on the programme to achieve a Distinction level. As part of her course, Evelyn has supported the WiC programmes as a role model and mentor, demonstrating how women can succeed in construction roles. Keepmoat’s third work placement cohort, in partnership with WiC and HBF, launched at the beginning of September across its East and West Midlands regions. Charlotte Goode, Divisional Chair for Keepmoat West Midlands and East Midlands, said: “Investing in the next generation of talent and driving diversity within the homebuilding and construction industry is crucial. Partnering with organisations such as WiC and HBF enables us to maximise the opportunities that we can provide to local people when it comes to securing experience and careers within our industry. We are delighted to be working with them once again. The feedback so far has been extremely positive, and we are looking forward to continuing to make a positive difference to people’s lives.” Jacqui Wordsworth, Business Development Director at WiC added: “The Women into Home Building programme is a fantastic example of collaboration to create a pipeline of new female talent for the sector. Working together we can promote the opportunities on offer and attract a diverse range of women with amazing skills into Home Building.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading East Midlands Homebuilder, Fairgrove, is aiming to attract new recruits to its existing workforce as the country’s demand for housing continues to grow amidst an ongoing and entrenched labour shortage. The family-run homebuilder currently has three development projects under way, which include the Brewery Yard and Nine Corners in Kimberley, Notts as well as Swanwick Fields in Alfreton, Derbyshire. To support school leavers and help ease the current skills shortage in the sector, Fairgrove invests in the next generation of construction industry workers through its apprenticeship programme that it runs each year, which provides recruits with industry standard qualifications and experience. It isn’t just apprentices and school leavers who Fairgrove is recruiting. Fairgrove’s Trainee Site Manager, Will Brownett, is passionate about the sector and believes it is a rewarding industry to get involved in. He currently focuses on running the homebuilder’s different sites and maintaining the company’s high standard of work, alongside ensuring that all trades are lined up and that his team have the materials required for upcoming projects. Will said: “I started my career by working in the finance industry for five years, but then decided I wanted more, and was interested in trying something new, which is when I took a risk and became an Assistant Site Manager at Fairgrove. “After working here for over a year and progressing in my role, I have found the pay rate to be a good one, and that the construction industry is a hugely rewarding area to work within. The process of seeing a house come together into a finished product is a great feeling, and I’m proud that I can drive past these properties in the future and tell my friends and family that I worked on them. It makes all those stressful moments on the job really mean something.” According to new research from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), at least 225,000 additional workers are required by 2027 to meet demand, with the Government’s long held ambition of delivering 300,000 homes per year by the mid 2020’s seeming difficult without urgent action. Construction workers were also recently added to the Government’s ‘Shortage Occupation list’, which makes it easier for builders from abroad to apply for a working visa to help ease the skills shortage. According to Randstad, the construction industry is one of the highest paying sectors in the UK, with an average salary of £45,000, 33% higher than the national average. Will continued: “My favourite part about working at Fairgrove is that every day is different; the job never becomes mundane, and it keeps you on your toes which is an important highlight. The amount of progression in the industry is also appealing as there is so much opportunity to grow, which gives you something to work towards. I hope to become a fully qualified site manager and then continue to progress higher throughout the ranks. “With the skills shortages at the moment, there is so much work available and we are always open to taking on new recruits.” Managing Director at Fairgrove, Steve Midgley, added: “Will has become a valued member of the team since he joined us and we would encourage more people to make that career change if they are interested in getting involved in the industry, especially with the challenges the housing sector is currently facing. We look forward to seeing how Will progresses and develops in his career at Fairgrove.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New industry data has revealed that building & construction firms could be missing out on top talent due to complicated application processes. The Access Group’s Recruitment and Resourcing Index has revealed a significant gap between candidate experiences when applying for new jobs across the major sectors – which could be preventing them from completing the process. The index was compiled using different metrics – including user-experience of careers pages, the number of questions on an application form, and whether candidates can apply via LinkedIn or need to send a covering letter. The higher the score, the better the candidate experience. The findings come as the British Chambers of Commerce latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO) found that 80% of UK businesses have reported difficulties in recruiting – down just 2% from the ‘highest level of recruitment difficulties on record’ last year. The Access Group, a business management software specialist, analysed 20 industries including manufacturing, legal, healthcare and logistics to find out which ones offer the best candidate experiences, and where there is room for improvement. The lower the index score, the worse the experience. Building & construction firms were one of the most likely to struggle to recruit top talent according to the index. Topping the index as the industry most likely to struggle to fill positions due to arduous recruitment processes was accounting and finance, followed by automotive and building and construction. The ten industries potentially missing out the most on industry talent When it comes to the best candidate experiences, consumer-centric industries like retail and ecommerce, and homeware and interiors are leading the way, according to the index. Bookstore Waterstones had the best-performing website, while Hobby Craft, Mamas and Papas and Bargain Booze came out top with the best application processes. Overall, comic book and science fiction retailer Forbidden Planet scored the highest among the retailers with an average index score of 188.1. Top ten industries for providing the most seamless candidate experience Commenting on the findings, Julia Harvie-Liddel, Head of Recruitment at The Access Group said: “In today’s competitive jobs market, organisations cannot afford to risk losing candidates at the final stage because of poor experiences with their website and arduous application forms. “The good news is that with a few improvements, employers could see a vast improvement in the number of people who complete their application form. Make sure your careers pages or microsite is performing well from a technical perspective. Like customers, candidates will be put off by sites that are slow to load or don’t display properly on a mobile, so ask your digital team to check its Core Web Vitals (CWV). Just as important is updating your website with the latest roles and engaging content – everything from rewards and benefits to company life.” She added that in-house recruitment software can also play a valuable role in achieving this. “This technology enables firms to create a professional branded website that attracts candidates, engages them at every stage of the journey – keeping them updated on the status of their application and completing checks as efficiently as possible.” To view the full Recruitment and Resourcing index, visit: https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/blog/the-industries-winning-the-recruitment-race/ Methodology The Access Group used two key metrics to compile an average index score for each industry analysed, based on the UK’s top 100 brands by turnover by sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading civil engineering and building contractor Farrans Construction has launched its application process for 50 high-demand positions on its industry leading graduate programme, Farrans Foundation, with intake dates in June and September 2024. Farrans Foundation is an award-winning, two year graduate programme which provides applicants with the necessary experience and knowledge to fast track their career in construction, quantity surveying and civil engineering. With a blend of classroom-based learning and on-site experience, this is the starting point on the journey to becoming the future leaders of Farrans. This year, Farrans will be hosting a series of virtual career open days in September, October and November for those people who are interested in finding out more about what it is like to be a graduate or a placement in the company. Farrans Construction, a CRH company, has over 80 years’ experience of delivering world-class projects across the UK and Ireland. The company which employs more than 600 people has offices in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds and Belfast with further site offices connecting its regional network. Dominic Lavery, Managing Director of Farrans, said: “We understand that the move from education to employment can be a big step and we want to make the experience as enjoyable as we can. Our graduate programme, which has recently been CPD Accredited by Engineers Ireland, will provide you with all of the necessary experience and knowledge you need at the start of your career. We will support you to begin your journey to become Chartered with your relevant professional body and, with over 60% of our professional employees Chartered, we are able to give you all the help, guidance and support required to attain your professional qualification. “We receive a high volume of applications for our programme so I recommend that anyone who is interested should join a virtual open day to find out what we look for in our graduates and placements and to take your time to make your application the best it can be.” Conor McCourt, senior engineer and Farrans Foundation Graduate, said: “Farrans Foundation is a graduate programme that provides you with an opportunity to learn about all aspects of the business so that you understand the ‘why’ of the work that you are doing. It certainly made me more commercially astute, taught me time management skills and opened my eyes to the many career paths I could take. University focuses on the theory while Farrans Foundation provides a framework to excel on the ground. “One of the major benefits is that you are able to make connections with colleagues at many levels. The programme gave me a support network of experienced professionals to call on for help if I need it. Skills from Farrans Foundation can be easily transferred to working towards Chartership.” For more information, to register for an virtual open day and to submit an application to Farrans’ Graduate and Placement Programme visit: www.farrans.com/graduates/ and www.farrans.com/placements/ Virtual open days will take place on 27th September from 5-6pm, 18th October from 1-2pm and on 23rd November from 4-5pm. Register here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
