Puma Property Finance (Puma) is sponsoring the launch of UCL’s new world-class research centre focused on developing sustainable practices in the construction industry and the built environment. It’s the first centre of its kind in the UK. It is estimated that 39% of global energy related carbon emissions come from
SD Team, one of the largest cosmetic finishing groups in the UK, has launched an all-new training facility, SD Academy, at its headquarters in Caldicot to conduct off-site classroom teaching at a time of skills and labour shortages in the construction industry. With more than a quarter of a million
This week is National Apprenticeship Week (NAR) and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) is supporting the annual week-long celebration of that most enduring route into work, the apprenticeship. With the UK facing a skills shortage the popularity of apprenticeships is on the rise, particularly in sectors like construction, and that’s
Are you Britain’s best bulldozer driver? A world-class wheel loader operator? The search is on for Operator of the Year, with £10,000 in prize money up for grabs in a dedicated all-day festival of construction. This is the competition’s third year, run by UK Plant Operators Magazine (UKPO) and supported
Finning is offering people of all ages the opportunity to become fully trained engineers through its award-winning apprenticeship scheme. As well as the chance to learn all the skills needed while on the job, Finning apprentices benefit from earning 39 per cent more than the national minimum wage for training
Actis regional sales director Jemma Harris and sales manager Melanie Porter have been flying the flag for the construction industry as a career path for young people at an educational event in Yorkshire. The pair were among seventy organisations taking part in an annual initiative aimed at educating, developing and
The City of Liverpool College (COLC) has renewed its alliance with long-term partner and Heating and Hot Water Products Manufacturer, Worcester Bosch, as part of its commitment to providing first class training for the next generation of engineers. Recognising a need for more collaboration between industry and training providers, Worcester
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has been praised by Ofsted for creating an inclusive learning environment, which allows apprentices to “develop and flourish.” Inspectors who visited the TICA training facilities over three days during October rated it as ‘good’ across all five areas: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour
More than 600 students of all ages and over 200 industry professionals attended Foundations Live 2022 – one of the north of England’s biggest construction, trade, networking, and careers events. Despite the torrential downpour, exhibitors, trades people, students and teachers were all able to keep dry and explore more than
One of the world’s leading experts in wellbeing has endorsed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Working Minds campaign, highlighting the importance of targeting smaller businesses. Professor Sir Cary Cooper joined HSE Chair Sarah Newton on HSE’s latest podcast to mark the first anniversary of Working Minds, where they discussed
Puma Property Finance (Puma) is sponsoring the launch of UCL’s new world-class research centre focused on developing sustainable practices in the construction industry and the built environment. It’s the first centre of its kind in the UK. It is estimated that 39% of global energy related carbon emissions come from the built environment. But despite its obvious centrality, the construction industry has historically been slow in developing sustainability initiatives. The new ‘Centre of Sustainable Governance and Law in the Built Environment’ seeks to address the challenge of building more with less emissions as the demand for more and better-quality housing increases. The two-year partnership will see the development of pioneering research designed to improve understanding of sustainability practices in the built environment and drive forward solutions. This includes research to identify the best measurement tools to accurately measure the environmental emissions and the social impact of construction projects and buildings; develop innovative financing models for construction projects; improve knowledge transfer; and decarbonise building stock. The centre will sit within the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction: the first built environment faculty in the UK, and one of the global leaders in this field. The ten-person research team will be led by Dr Armando Castro, an Associate Professor at UCL, who has been researching and writing about ESG related themes since 2014. Other team members’ expertise spans economics, finance, civil engineering, surveying, geography, management and law, in order to tackle and solve the wide-ranging issues across the industry. Puma has been a longstanding supporter of the drive towards greater sustainability in the construction industry. With this new partnership, Puma hopes to further inform the conversation and help the property finance industry to arrive at solutions that promote the next generation of the built environment. Paul Frost, managing director of Puma Property Finance, and member of the Centre’s Advisory Board comments: “We’re incredibly proud to sponsor UCL’s new research centre and play our part in significantly reducing the carbon impact of the construction industry. Delivering net zero buildings and retrofitting existing ones is a huge challenge, especially as we try to meet the demand for more and better quality housing, education facilities and suitable accommodation for our ageing population. “Progress can’t be achieved through policy and regulation alone; it requires collaboration across industry and academia, innovation, creativity and ambition if we’re to drive truly impactful change. “This new Centre offers an exciting opportunity to put that into practice, and we are delighted to be supporting its important work. The finance sector has enormous influence over the real estate that we build in this country and around the world. We can and must use that influence for the benefit of both current and future generations.” Dr Armando Castro, UCL adds: “This Centre has been launched in a critical time and has the purpose of sharing academic insights and knowledge, while connecting and fostering the dialogue between academics and practitioners of the built environment. This is greatly needed now since the construction industry and its players need to do more to address current societal concerns regarding their social and environmental impact. Further, universities’ research can be used for the greater good and should be shared more widely.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SD Team, one of the largest cosmetic finishing groups in the UK, has launched an all-new training facility, SD Academy, at its headquarters in Caldicot to conduct off-site classroom teaching at a time of skills and labour shortages in the construction industry. With more than a quarter of a million additional construction workers needed by 2026* to fulfil industry demand, SD’s training academy aims to develop necessary practical skills in complex surface repair and will ready participants for a cosmetic technician role within the business. The training facility officially opened in January 2023 new recruits coming on board to begin developing their skills immediately. The academy will be run by senior members of the SD finishing team, with plans to expand the programme in the coming months. At present, SD Training Academy offers three separate classrooms complete with workstations presenting a range of materials that are to be repaired and finished ‘as new’, as well as an open-plan workshop. “We are delighted to be able to open our training centre for apprentices and new staff. Investing in training, and in our people, will not only demonstrate to our clients that we are serious about the quality of our work but also ensure that our team is equipped with the right experience to carry out a brilliant job,” said SD Managing Director, Nick Jones, on launching the facility. “We hope to be able to invite customers to visit the training facility so that they can see how our team work, and they can also get involved and try out some quick and easy repairs to see what goes into a service like this.” The training academy has been developed in the wake of a record year in business, with figures for the last three quarters showing that SD has achieved a 25% increase in turnover year on year. The business, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023, has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the UK’s largest sealant, repairs and marine interiors companies, with nine offices across England, Scotland and Wales. “Having the opportunity to gain confidence and perfect new skills before you get on-site is a huge benefit as it can be quite daunting to get started on a big development when you’re still relatively new to the industry. I’m really grateful to be able to learn from some of the best in the business, and have the chance to shadow them here as well as on the job,” commented Evan, a Trainee, who will be learning at the facility. Launched in 1973, SD Sealants originated as a family-run business in Somerset that specialised in the supply and application of sealant. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the UK’s largest repairs and sealant companies, with nine offices across England, Scotland and Wales. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This week is National Apprenticeship Week (NAR) and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) is supporting the annual week-long celebration of that most enduring route into work, the apprenticeship. With the UK facing a skills shortage the popularity of apprenticeships is on the rise, particularly in sectors like construction, and that’s hardly surprising given the advantages a modern apprenticeship offers for both jobseekers and employers. Though many apprenticeships are taken up by young people places are available to anyone over the age of 16 and there’s no upper age limit. Christian Atkinson is 36 and he’s been an apprentice with WCHG for more than a year, having left his job as a support worker to pursue a career in joinery. In October last year Christian was nominated for the Apprentice of the Year award at the Construction Apprenticeship Awards 2022. Christian said: “I was incredibly proud when I found out I’d been nominated. I’m following in the footsteps of my grandad, who was a joiner for Manchester Council, and I hope taking up an apprenticeship at 36 will show others it’s never too late to follow your dream. “I think to succeed in an apprenticeship you have to have confidence in your abilities, and know what it you want to achieve from your time as an apprentice. For me no two days are the same in my job, and I love learning new skills each day and having a laugh with my colleagues at the same time. I’ve even told my son, if he wants a skill for life, get an apprenticeship.” Paul Butterworth, Executive Director of Assets at WCHG, said: “In terms of building a career and furthering your education an apprenticeship very much offers the best of both worlds. “An apprenticeship is a real job where you’re a paid employee with a contract of employment, just like any other employee. But as an apprentice you also attend college part-time and work towards nationally recognised trade qualifications, and your employer will support you throughout the whole process. “So, as an apprentice, you’re both earning and learning and gaining valuable, hands-on experience right from day one. “As an employer we also benefit by recruiting apprentices. Not only are we able to recruit bright, dedicated people into our business, it also helps us develop a talented workforce that’s equipped with skills for life. At WCHG we have a business head and a social heat, and it’s fantastic to see apprentices coming into our company and succeeding, not just in their chosen carer, but in life too.” Apprenticeships at WCHG In the last 10 years more than 100 people joined WCHG through our apprentice/trainee programs. In 2021/2022 there were 14 apprentices working at WCHG, all fully supported by our employment team. This included: WCHG now recruits apprentices from six different trades (up from three last year) and so far in this financial year we’ve already enrolled a further nine new apprentices, with more to follow. Recruitment for WCHG apprenticeship positions usually takes place during the summer months and places are advertised on the WCHG website, as well as through local schools and colleges. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Are you Britain’s best bulldozer driver? A world-class wheel loader operator? The search is on for Operator of the Year, with £10,000 in prize money up for grabs in a dedicated all-day festival of construction. This is the competition’s third year, run by UK Plant Operators Magazine (UKPO) and supported by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The event attracts substantial interest from owners, operators, hirers and contractors from across the UK. UK Plant Operators Magazine recognises that the industry faces a severe skills gap, urgent attention is required, as such this issue is at the strategic heart of the publication’s output. The nation’s leading contractors and hirers, through close relationships with the magazine, promote the operation of plant machinery as a rewarding and sustainable career path. The pathway to becoming a plant operator has been simplified with best-in-class training available through the CITB National Construction College (NCC) in Bircham. The best plant hire companies are providing excellent terms and conditions, first class opportunities and the latest technology. Creating a safer, smarter and cleaner environment to attract the next generation of UK Plant Operators. UK Plant Operator Magazine publisher Brian Coogan said: “We are delighted to welcome the CITB as headline sponsors of the 2023 campaign. As industry leaders the CITB supports the skills needs of the construction industry. We share the same values and face the same challenges. We look forward to working together to champion the sector, create awareness of the need for, and advantages gained, from quality training… all for the good of the UK construction industry.” In 2023 the UK Plant Operator of the Year campaign will see some exciting developments, with leading UK hirers and contractors entering teams to compete in a series of challenges across a range of Excavators, Telehandlers, Compact Loaders, Bulldozers, Backhoes, Wheel Loaders and Tilt Rotators, to name a few. The very latest models, supplied by the world’s leading manufacturers. The event is open to all to enter once they have their equipment tickets up to date. Finalists will demonstrate their skill and knowledge, in addition to showcasing the technological and engineered solutions the machines deliver, supporting the industry to be safer and more sustainable, whilst improving performance. The 2023 event will expand further with the introduction of a Scottish heat in July, the winners will qualify for the final on 30th September at the National Construction College. Brian Coogan added: “Working with the UK’s leading training authority, we will deliver together a message to the industry that encourages training, helping to build a safe, professional and fully qualified workforce.” Gary Cumiskey, Head of NCC Curriculum Delivery at CITB, said: “This is such a fun event and showcases all sorts of skills on various types of machines. But there’s also a serious message behind it, as we seek to attract the next generation of workers to fill skills shortages in the UK. The benefits of these careers are obvious, so I’d invite operators across the country or anyone who is curious about a construction career to join us for this exciting event and find out more.” To find out more about the campaign and register your interest visit https://ukplantoperators.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Finning is offering people of all ages the opportunity to become fully trained engineers through its award-winning apprenticeship scheme. As well as the chance to learn all the skills needed while on the job, Finning apprentices benefit from earning 39 per cent more than the national minimum wage for training schemes. And the latest retention rates showed that over 90% of apprentices were employed by the firm on successful completion of their apprenticeship – compared to the national average of under 60%. As Finning is the authorised dealer of Cat® equipment, parts and service in the UK and Ireland, many apprentices will get the chance to learn how to dismantle and reassemble the machinery the brand is known for. With apprentice roles available in the UK and Ireland, the company is looking to fill 24 positions in Winsford, Cannock, Llantrisant, Peterborough, Glasgow, Ashford, Chesterfield, Leeds, Lisburn, Nanpean and Dublin. The apprenticeship scheme is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, from school leavers up to people seeking a mid-life career change. Finning is an equal opportunities employer, proactive in supporting women in engineering positions, as well as being Disability Confident committed and is signed up to the Armed Forces covenant. Currently there are 62 apprentices at Finning working to complete the four-year apprenticeship programme. For 44-year-old Ahad Miah the apprentice scheme has given him the chance to restart his career. He explains: “As an older apprentice, I’d approached several companies in the hope somebody would give me the opportunity to learn new skills. Having looked on the website I could see how inclusive Finning were and that I could have a real chance if I was to apply. “I’ve felt supported from the very moment I submitted my application. Before the interview process, I was extremely nervous, having not had an interview in over 20 years. I was reassured every step of the way. The support continues now, even as an employed apprentice. If I ever have any problems, there is always somewhere to turn. “In the short time, I have been with Finning I feel like I’m already part of the team and starting to make a difference. I would 100 per cent recommend the Finning apprenticeship scheme. I felt like no one was willing to give me a chance, but I’ve been given a great opportunity, even at the ripe old age of 44.” As with all apprenticeship schemes, the salary rises year-on-year in line with skill development. On successful completion of the scheme, an apprentice with Finning will be offered a permanent position within the company, along with further opportunities to progress their career. Within Finning a number of former apprentices have gone on to hold senior roles, including Service Operations Director Iain Carpenter who began his career with Finning as an apprentice in Glasgow. Craig Smallman, Apprenticeships Quality Manager at Finning, is a former apprentice himself and believes the quality of the in-house training sets the scheme apart. He said: “There are so many great people that have come through the apprenticeship programme. It’s a great fit if you are interested in engineering and learning. The Finning scheme highlights the importance of education, as well as on the job experience, and supports apprentices with whatever they need to succeed within the company. “Employees are well looked after and will get out what they put in; if apprentices are ready to work and interested in learning they will reap the rewards. If you want to succeed, Finning is the place to work.” To take the first step on a rewarding engineering career with the world’s largest Caterpillar dealer apply now online. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Actis regional sales director Jemma Harris and sales manager Melanie Porter have been flying the flag for the construction industry as a career path for young people at an educational event in Yorkshire. The pair were among seventy organisations taking part in an annual initiative aimed at educating, developing and upskilling the next generation in the region and addressing the skills shortage. Foundations Live 2022, organised by construction firm Hobson and Porter, and supported by Jewson, the Construction Industry Training Board and agricultural college Bishop Burton College, was aimed at inspiring people from as young as four up to adults looking at retraining to explore opportunities within the sector. Jemma, also a Women in Construction ambassador, and Melanie are among a number of Actis colleagues passionate about inspiring young people and women in particular to pursue a career in a currently male-dominated profession. Jemma has given inspirational talks in schools, while specification manager Amaret Chahal has co-written the latest Actis CPD material. In her talks Jemma, who is responsible for sales growth in the UK Northern region, has shared her own career path working in two very traditionally ‘macho’ environments – the Royal Navy, where she worked as a weapons engineer, and construction. Amaret explains: “I enjoy the fact that as a young woman of colour I have the opportunity to share my knowledge and technical understanding on all types of specifications, both simple and complex. The Actis team in the north is all-female and I love that we are women working in a demanding industry which is traditionally male dominated.” The Foundations Live event is captured on video, with Jemma talking about the joys of working in construction around six minutes in. In it she explains: “In the construction industry it’s definitely not boring. You get to meet various different people on a daily basis. No day is the same. One day you could be on a building site, the next day you could be stood in front of an architect doing a CPD presentation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The City of Liverpool College (COLC) has renewed its alliance with long-term partner and Heating and Hot Water Products Manufacturer, Worcester Bosch, as part of its commitment to providing first class training for the next generation of engineers. Recognising a need for more collaboration between industry and training providers, Worcester launched its College Links Learning Scheme in 2007 and has since worked closely with leading colleges across the country, including The City of Liverpool College, to increase skills, expertise and value in the market. The COLC prides itself on being a leader in training in the energy sector, green technologies and supporting the drive towards Liverpool City Region’s green agenda. This new partnership will see the COLC working collaboratively with Worcester to develop a bespoke training area with industry leading equipment, including emerging green technologies, for current and future engineers to train on. Last year, the UK committed to a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – a target which will require new technology and industry changes across a number of sectors, including heating and hot water. Worcester has led the way in the creation of green technologies – such as the nation’s first fully functional boiler system that runs on 100% pure hydrogen gas – making the partnership a natural progression for both organisations. The focus of the partnership is to train students and apprentices in current and future technologies, while also supporting those in industry to reskill and upskill, using high-class equipment. James McCawley, Deputy Head of Apprenticeships at The City of Liverpool College, said: “We’re delighted to be renewing our long-standing partnership with Worcester Bosch. Over the lasttwoyears, we have worked closely with the company to train and upskill the industry’s current and future talent and we look forward to developing our training offering together as the country moves towards greener technologies. “The partnership will ensure the very highest of standards in training for the region’s future engineers, while also providing Worcester Bosch engineers with access to the facilities and enable them to learn about new and existing products.” Worcester has donated equipment to the College’s training area, including new boilers, air source heat pumps, indoor immersion unit and an unvented cylinder for the use of its apprentices and engineers. College students and Worcester staff will have access to the state-of-the-art equipment to stay up to date with the latest technology, legislation, industry developments, fault finding and best practice. The COLC students will also benefit from learning opportunities with Worcester staff through guest speaker sessions and industry insights throughout their course duration. Ewan Sutherland, National Training Manager at Worcester Bosch, said: “I am delighted with the progress made at The City of Liverpool College to date. “The College is reputationally strong in green technologies and the energy sector, with a clear vision and ambition of adapting to green technologies. Its responsive nature to industry needs makes it the ideal partner for Worcester to collaborate with as we work towards a greener future and continue to create a highly skilled workforce. “The training facility at the College is a fantastic space for apprentices, engineers, and employers in which they will be able to keep right up to date with all the latest industry developments.” For more information on opportunities at The City of Liverpool College, visit: https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has been praised by Ofsted for creating an inclusive learning environment, which allows apprentices to “develop and flourish.” Inspectors who visited the TICA training facilities over three days during October rated it as ‘good’ across all five areas: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and apprenticeships. TICA, which formed in 1957, provides access to the best industry training for levy-funded apprentices throughout the UK at its National Training Centre in Darlington. At the time of the Ofsted inspection, it had 153 apprentices enrolled on its apprenticeship programmes – 43 on the Level 3 standard for industrial thermal insulation technicians, and 110 on the Level 2 standard for commercial industrial thermal insulation operatives. The report said that the training is conducted in “very well-resourced workshops” with trainers, many of whom are time-served thermal insulator technicians, while describing the level of practical work produced by apprentices as “very high.” It praised the trade member organisation for designing a “well-planned and sequenced curriculum” that ensures apprentices build up strong skills over time. The report added: “Leaders have achieved this by working closely with employers to devise bespoke training that meets the principles and requirements of the apprenticeship programme. “Employers benefit from and are right to value the training that their apprentices receive and recognise the positive contributions that apprentices make to the business.” Apprentices attend training on a residential basis for two weeks every three months which, the inspection team said, “allows them to be taught substantial new knowledge and skills while working on projects with like-minded committed apprentices.” It added that: “Trainers support apprentices well” and provide “effective feedback” on the quality of their work and should an apprentice be identified as struggling, they receive “effective additional support.” It concluded that the programme leaders have created “an inclusive environment in which all apprentices are able to develop and flourish.” Marion Marsland, chief executive of TICA, said: “I’m delighted that the inspectors acknowledged our high standards, excellent training facilities, and the effectiveness of our programmes that allow apprentices to quickly gain both practical skills and valuable technical knowledge. “It is also gratifying to note that TICA has developed an effective curriculum that promotes a positive and supported attitude to learning. I hope this Ofsted rating further highlights the exceptional training we provide and encourages more apprentices into the industry to help solve an historic skills shortage.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than 600 students of all ages and over 200 industry professionals attended Foundations Live 2022 – one of the north of England’s biggest construction, trade, networking, and careers events. Despite the torrential downpour, exhibitors, trades people, students and teachers were all able to keep dry and explore more than 80 exhibition stands inside the huge arena at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire. Hobson & Porter, the event’s main organiser, was joined by the likes of Beal Homes, Vinci Construction, Keepmoat, Balfour Beatty, Spencer Group, Jewson, Dulux, British Gypsum, and Plasmor. In addition to all the schools, colleges, and training providers from across the region, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and representatives from Talentview Construction were also on hand to help people find first jobs, apprenticeships, and work experience opportunities. David Blades, SHEQ director at Hobson & Porter, said: “It was great to see Foundations Live back in action and in full force for the first time in three years due to the pandemic. It proved to be our biggest and most successful event to date. It was the perfect environment for those working in construction and engineering to network and find out about the latest sustainable and technological developments, as well as get information on how to access grants and funding. “With hundreds of young people of all ages engaging with our exhibitors and interactive activities, we were also able to showcase what wonderful sectors construction and engineering are, and hopefully help to address some of the current skills shortages the sectors are facing.” According to the CITB 19,000 extra workers need to be recruited to meet expected levels of work over the five-year forecast period. Ms M Joshi, from The Market Weighton School, said: “It was a very productive morning and the students have all enjoyed it. With practical tasks that have given them hands on experiences, as well as excellent businesses to talk to, students have been able to engage in really productive and informative ways that will no doubt help them when making their career choices.” Exhibitor Alicia Bowyer, from Synthotech Ltd, said: “We work with Northern Gas Networks and came to showcase some of the technology we use when servicing their pipes. We brought our robot with us that has a camera and sprays a flexible sealant inside the pipes to fix cracking joints. The kids loved it and were really enthusiastic asking loads of questions. We are part of the innovation team and it’s great to get in front of the next generation and explain what we do.” Sarah Cooper, from Northern Gas Networks, said: “It’s the fourth time we have exhibited at Foundations Live. One year we brought one of our sniffer dogs that spots gas leaks, which was really popular and this year we brought the hydrogen car with us. These kind of events are great for us as we get to chat to people about the huge variety of careers available – you don’t have to be a gas engineer to work for us!” Mike Hutchinson from window firm, Fakro, said: “We have been before, and each year take a larger stand! It’s a really good event where we get to speak to joiners, carpenters and builders and companies like Jewson about our window products. The students have all been engaged and interested in how we manufacture and install our products and we can’t wait for next year!” Sharon Tallett, from Bishop Burton College, said: “What a great event! I have had invaluable conversations at Foundations Live, particularly about sustainability. Everyone has been so friendly and informative, and I have made some great industry contacts too.” TV host Mark Millar also returned to the event as Foundations Ambassador. Mark is an experienced project manager who runs a successful building firm in Bristol and is the presenter of Channel 5’s primetime series Dream Kitchens And Bathrooms He’s also one of the most recognised faces on BBC One’s DIY SOS and he’s passionate about developing the talent of the future and promoting the construction industry as a career to the next generation. Foundations Live will take place next October 2023, for more details visit www.foundationslive.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the world’s leading experts in wellbeing has endorsed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Working Minds campaign, highlighting the importance of targeting smaller businesses. Professor Sir Cary Cooper joined HSE Chair Sarah Newton on HSE’s latest podcast to mark the first anniversary of Working Minds, where they discussed the value of good mental health, the impact work-related stress can have on staff and how employers can spot the signs of stress. A frequent contributor to national newspapers, TV and radio, Professor Cooper has written more than 450 scholarly articles for academic journals and is the author/editor of over 170 books. Professor Cooper teaches organisational psychology and health at the University of Manchester and received a knighthood from the Queen in 2014 for his contribution to social sciences. HSE’s Working Minds campaign encourages employers to start to tackle work-related stress and to talk to their staff and take steps to support employees with their mental health in the workplace. Its main aim is to raise awareness of stress and the impact it has on mental health of workers and businesses. Professor Cooper said: “A lot of the bigger companies since the financial crisis of 2008-2015, have really treated stress at work and wellbeing much more seriously, much more strategically. There are now directors of health and wellbeing in many of the big companies and public sector bodies. Indeed, the NHS have – every hospital in the NHS has a non-executive director on its board who’s responsible for employee health and wellbeing. The real issue, and I think why this campaign is a really important one is for the SME sector, small and medium sized enterprises, because they don’t have big HR departments, chief medical officers, and so on.” HSE’s research highlighted that many employers are unaware of their legal duties or how to spot the signs of stress. In response, Working Minds looked to develop networks to promote the legal duties by encouraging employers and workers across all sectors of the economy to sign up as campaign champions. The campaign also has a series of partners who work with HSE to highlight issues around work-place stress and its impact on mental health. HSE Chair Sarah Newton said: “Most employers will understand that it’s their responsibility to think about the physical risks, the physical health concerns that people can have at work, but what they don’t often realise is they have an equal responsibility to the psychological wellbeing of their staff. So, part of our campaign is to remind employers of those legal responsibilities. They do have a duty to do risk assessments of their employees for both physical and psychological risks to ill health, and then to provide them with the toolkits to enable them to assess the risk and then manage and mitigate the risk.” Working Minds encourages employers to promote good mental health in the workplace through collective behaviours and forming habits using the 5 Rs: Reach out, Recognise, Respond, Reflect and make it Routine. To listen to the full podcast with Professor Sir Cary Cooper click here: One year of Working Minds: podcast with Prof Cary Cooper – Work Right to keep Britain safe To become a Working Minds champion click here: Working Minds – Champions – Work Right to keep Britain safe Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
