Derby-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has highlighted the success of its annual apprenticeship programme and role as a Cornerstone Employer as it supported 25 apprentices last year alone with employment opportunities. The contractor, which has headquarters in Little Eaton, Derby, operates across the East and West Midlands delivering high-value construction
This National Apprenticeship Week, a leading UK authority on asbestos training is urging employers to ensure asbestos awareness training is provided to all apprentices, to reduce the number of tradespeople contracting fatal asbestos related diseases. Research has shown that younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are
Caddick Construction’s growing apprentice programme across the North West is going from strength to strength with the appointment of a further seven new faces over recent months. The young recruits come from a variety of educational backgrounds as Caddick continues its commitment to bring through new talent to meet demand
United Living Group is delighted to announce that Caroline Lewis has been appointed as Managing Director for New Homes. Caroline has been working for United Living as Development Director, having joined the business in 2018, bringing with her 17 years of industry experience from both the public and private sectors.
THE next generation of engineers has been welcomed by international M&E consultancy CPW as part of its long-standing apprenticeship programme, with a total of 12 trainees joining the company ranks in this year’s intake across its 11 offices. Established more than twenty years ago, CPW’s apprenticeship programme is committed to
Two construction industry leaders have been appointed as non-Executive Directors to the board of family-owned Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes, to help guide the firm’s growth into its second century of trading. John Lougher, who steps down from his role as Strategic Land Managing Director for Vistry Group later this year,
A shopfloor assistant at one of the UK’s leading builders merchants has completed his apprenticeship – a few months before turning 70. Terence Archer, who works for Selco Builders Warehouse in its Crayford branch, achieved a distinction in his Level Two Retailer working with training provider Realise. The achievement is
A Suffolk construction boss has described apprentices as the answer to the industry’s skills shortage to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022. Simon Girling is the director of SEH French, an Ipswich-based firm operating across East Anglia, where apprentices make up 10% of the workforce. Mr Girling, whose apprentices include carpenters
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is heralding its Construction Skills Fund (CSF) initiative a resounding success after 20,000 people became site-ready after training at its hubs; 6,000 of those from the second phase of the scheme alone. 54% of those who completed training were from groups typically under-represented in
Prologis, the UK’s leading developer and owner of logistics property, has confirmed three strategic hires to kickstart the New Year, as it seeks to enrich its skill set and further strengthen its platform for growth in a dynamic logistics property market. Caroline Musker is joining Prologis from Lichfields, where she
Derby-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has highlighted the success of its annual apprenticeship programme and role as a Cornerstone Employer as it supported 25 apprentices last year alone with employment opportunities. The contractor, which has headquarters in Little Eaton, Derby, operates across the East and West Midlands delivering high-value construction projects in various sectors including healthcare, education, commercial, industrial, restoration, leisure and residential. Its annual apprenticeship programme enables G F Tomlinson to offer young people employment opportunities and mentor them through hands-on work in the business whilst also supporting them to achieve their professional qualifications. One of those young persons is Ed Smith, who was employed by G F Tomlinson aged 16 whilst undertaking a level 3 course. Now aged 22 Ed has completed his HNC course (Higher National Certificate) and his HND (Higher National Diploma) in Construction in the Built Environment at Derby College, whilst working on site four days a week. Following the completion of his studies with the college, Ed has become the first Derby College apprentice to achieve the new level 4 construction site supervisor higher apprenticeship standard. During his time with G F Tomlinson to date, Ed has progressed to the role of assistant site manager, helping to successfully deliver high-profile schemes, including the Advanced Manufacturing Building and Biodiscovery Institute for the University of Nottingham and most recently the major extension to Barr’s Hill School in Coventry. On his role and experience, Ed says: “I spent time getting to know all the departments, including design, estimating and quantity surveying and have since decided to progress my career within a site management role.” “One of the best things about working as an assistant site manager at G F Tomlinson is the chance to work in lots of different places, meet many different people and work on some very interesting projects. I’ll be studying for my degree for the next three years at Nottingham Trent University, and once I’ve got my degree I’d like to work as a project manager, eventually managing £20 million plus projects.” Another apprentice, employed by G F Tomlinson in 2019 is Tiarna Powell, who completed her HNC course at the Roundhouse with a distinction, and is now studying for her HND with the Derby College Group. Tiarna is working four days a week, gaining hands-on experience within the quantity surveying team having worked on projects including the Blythe Valley M2 residential mixed-use scheme in Solihull and a large industrial scheme on the new Wakefield Hub for developers HBD and Yorkcourt. She will also be starting her degree in quantity surveying at Nottingham Trent University this year. Tiarna says: “Through my work at G F Tomlinson I have been able to start my career in quantity surveying and study at the same time to gain my professional qualifications. “I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to meet and work with so many different people at G F Tomlinson, and have the chance to work on a range of projects including Derbyshire Care Homes and Tunstall Town Hall – both exciting restoration projects which are bringing the buildings back to their former glory, whilst providing a modern upgrade to the interiors. I’m looking forward to starting my degree at Nottingham Trent University this year and continuing to progress in my career at G F Tomlinson.” Working with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership as well as local businesses and education providers, G F Tomlinson’s status as a founding member of the Cornerstone Employers group sees the contractor provide employment opportunities for younger people to gain knowledge and experience that can help them on their path towards a career in the construction industry.
This National Apprenticeship Week, a leading UK authority on asbestos training is urging employers to ensure asbestos awareness training is provided to all apprentices, to reduce the number of tradespeople contracting fatal asbestos related diseases. Research has shown that younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are at greater risk of developing deadly asbestos related diseases than older workers. Providing apprentices with key information about asbestos at an early stage will enable them to challenge poor work practices and protect themselves. Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), urged: “With the death toll from asbestos exposure over 5000 per year, UKATA is calling on all employers of apprentices working in trades, to ensure asbestos awareness training is conducted as soon as possible.” Apprentice electricians, plumbers, carpenters, joiners, heating and ventilation engineers, painters and decorators are just some of the 1.3 million tradespeople that are at risk from exposure to the killer building material. And the facts are startling: Asbestos kills around 20 tradespeople in the UK every week, making it the single biggest cause of work-related deaths (www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/tradesperson.htm) Electricians are almost 16 times more likely than the general population to develop the killer lung disease mesothelioma in their lifetime. (Occupational, domestic and environmental mesothelioma risks in the British population: a case-control study.) Asbestos exposure kills 4 plumbers every week (Health & Safety Executive) The UK has the highest death rate from mesothelioma in the world. The risk is highest in people who were exposed to asbestos before age 30. (Institute of Cancer Research) Despite the well-publicised health risks posed by asbestos, a 2017 survey conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of 500 tradespeople showed that less than a third were aware of the correct ways to deal with and handle asbestos in the workplace. Craig explained: “It’s never too early to provide asbestos awareness training to your workforce. The statistics show that the earlier in a person’s career they receive the appropriate training, then the better protected they are against developing asbestos related cancers in later life. “A half day awareness course could prevent them from contracting a deadly disease and also ensure they don’t expose others to the dangers of asbestos.” For employers whose apprentices are yet to receive asbestos awareness training, UKATA advises that they access UKATA approved asbestos awareness training, either with a local provider or online. “Asbestos awareness training is low cost and readily available. I urge all employers to book their apprentices on these half-day courses and provide them with a safe foundation for a long and safe career within the construction industry,” added Craig. UKATA approved asbestos awareness courses are available both online and in training centres throughout the UK. Alternatively, the training provider may deliver on site. To find a UKATA approved asbestos training provider near you, visit www.ukata.org.uk or for free advice call our team on 01246 824437.
Caddick Construction’s growing apprentice programme across the North West is going from strength to strength with the appointment of a further seven new faces over recent months. The young recruits come from a variety of educational backgrounds as Caddick continues its commitment to bring through new talent to meet demand in the North West construction sector. Nathan Crowther and Malachy Cefai join as apprentice quantity surveyors while studying for their degrees in Quantity Surveying at the University of Salford. Nathan Worrall, from Liverpool, has joined as an apprentice administrator as he studies for his Level 3 in Business Administration at Warrington College. Harry Young, Georgia Harper, George King and Cameron Snow were taken on as trainee engineers while studying for their HNCs in Civil Engineering or Construction in the Built Environment. As well as studying at local colleges in Wigan and Leigh or Warrington, the apprentices are gaining live construction experience on Caddick Construction projects such as Guinness Point at Trafford Park, Gemini 8 in Warrington and AVIATOR at Ellesmere Port. All have the opportunity to shadow team members on site and, as part of their qualifications, they also spend a number of days on site to embed their knowledge and understanding of the wider construction industry. Ian Guildford, Contracts Manager at Caddick Construction, said: “We have a fantastic calibre of apprentices working closely with us on some high-profile projects across the North West. It is essential we equip the future workforce with valuable construction skills, enabling them to work on live projects. Work readiness is key if we are to continue to bolster the economy across the region and prepare the next generation for the construction sector.” Michelle Swarbrick, Social Value Manager from Caddick Construction, added:“Having joined Caddick to help deliver social value across the North West, I’m delighted to recruit seven apprentices from across the region demonstrating our commitment to tackling future skills shortages in the industry.”
United Living Group is delighted to announce that Caroline Lewis has been appointed as Managing Director for New Homes. Caroline has been working for United Living as Development Director, having joined the business in 2018, bringing with her 17 years of industry experience from both the public and private sectors. A Chartered Town Planner, Caroline has worked on multi-million-pound land acquisitions, regeneration and open market sales schemes, and implemented viability assessment models for both new build and asset management. Her promotion follows a series of key appointments at United Living Group as it moves into the next stage of its strategic development and ensures a best in class service for its customers in 2022 and beyond. Conor Bray, Chief Operating Officer, United Living Group, said: “I am delighted that we continue to strengthen our executive team from within the business which clearly demonstrates the strength and depth we have within the team. Caroline has taken on the role of Managing Director at an exciting time for United Living Group as we continue to innovate and drive forward our ambitious growth strategy”. “She has strong operational leadership and has led the New Homes business into the Build to Rent sector – securing a number of schemes, PCSA opportunities and direct negotiations of significant value. She also holds a degree and masters in Town Planning, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Surveying, highlighting her expert knowledge within the field”. Caroline Lewis, Managing Director, United Living New Homes, commented: “Having worked with the teams at United Living, I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take on the New Homes Managing Director role. “During my time with the business I have been very impressed with all of the people I have met and worked with. United Living is blessed with very talented, ambitious and dedicated people and the company has a tremendous future, well placed to go from strength to strength and I am excited to be on this journey.”
THE next generation of engineers has been welcomed by international M&E consultancy CPW as part of its long-standing apprenticeship programme, with a total of 12 trainees joining the company ranks in this year’s intake across its 11 offices. Established more than twenty years ago, CPW’s apprenticeship programme is committed to nurturing home-grown talent and bridging the skills gap by taking on apprentices straight out of school, college, and university. More than 15% of its workforce is currently part of the apprenticeship program, making up a total of 35 across a variety of levels in all offices, and solidifying its investment into the next generation of engineers. The London office has welcomed apprentice Joshua Yeboah, demonstrating its commitment to engaging and upskilling promising young students. Joshua will develop his skills as an engineer and gain practical experience working on world-class projects, specialising in sustainable mechanical and electrical engineering. He said: “I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in engineering as I’m driven by a desire to provide solutions and have a long-lasting impact on the built environment. After finishing sixth form, following a brief period searching for an apprenticeship, I found CPW. The firm stood out to me as a company built upon a strong work ethic but also a company who understands it has a duty to be as sustainable as possible. “CPW has a well-established apprenticeship program and it’s been great to meet other trainees in the company who are looking to progress in their engineering careers just like myself. Working in the London office I’ve seen first-hand the different methods for achieving results for our clients and everyone has a uniquely CPW way of working. Having a mentor on my team has also been great for my development so I’m really enjoying it.” CPW is an international M&E consultancy with more than 240 staff based across 11 offices – including Bristol, Derby, Huntingdon, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham, and Solihull as well as Poland and India. To join the CPW programme, apprentices must demonstrate a sound ability in maths and science, due to the technical nature of being an engineer, but also a passion and desire to be part of a team and develop a career. CPW is dedicated to developing young people and see it as its inherent responsibility to create professionals that will go on to shape the country’s engineering future. With a culture based on collaboration and sharing knowledge, CPW strives to not only offer an environment that nurtures growth but offer opportunity wherever possible. As such, CPW funds higher education qualifications including bachelor’s and master’s degrees to enable its staff to gain invaluable knowledge, closely supporting them throughout the process. Wayne Eustace, director at CPW, oversees the apprenticeship program. He said: “We pride ourselves at CPW on leading the way in supporting and nurturing the talent of future engineers. Through our various programmes of traineeships, apprenticeships, and vocational training, we are witnessing first-hand the positive impact we can have on young people as they start their careers while crucially bridging the skills gap within the construction sector. “In the last ten years alone, we’ve brought close to 100 new engineers into the industry through our training and development schemes and some of our directors even began as CPW trainees. This year we are proud to have our most diverse cohort yet with more women and people from minority backgrounds than ever before. It’s a part of the business we’re really proud of and we’re thrilled to welcome our 12 new recruits and help plug the industry skills gap with our homegrown talent.” CPW specialises in designing and integrating a full range of energy solutions into existing and new buildings to deliver cutting edge sustainable solutions that are not only energy efficient but financially and environmentally sustainable for clients. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media.
Two construction industry leaders have been appointed as non-Executive Directors to the board of family-owned Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes, to help guide the firm’s growth into its second century of trading. John Lougher, who steps down from his role as Strategic Land Managing Director for Vistry Group later this year, and Stephen Trusler whose career in housebuilding includes senior roles with Lovell Partnerships, Wates Group and Laing O’Rourke, will support Cavanna Homes’ Managing Director Keith Miller and Finance Director Scott Murray to grow the business in tune with the family ethos. John and Stephen have also held non-Executive Director positions with housing associations; John with the Guinness Partnership and Stephen with Aster Group. Both industry leaders will be seeking to establish stronger partnerships on behalf of Cavanna Homes with industry contacts, including the larger housing associations. John explains: “The South West is a crowded market place where all of the national homebuilders have regional offices. Cavanna Homes can distinguish itself through its legacy, the strength of its brand and the quality of its product. This is an exciting time for the company.” Stephen added: “The ambition is to drive controlled growth beyond the company’s centenary year in a way that respects the family’s legacy, follows their ethos and maintains the highest standards.” Next year marks 100 years since PD Cavanna founded the family homebuilding business, which still has its headquarters in Torquay. Twelve years ago, third generation family members Jeremy Cavanna, his brother Jonathan and their cousin Martin, embarked on a succession plan in which non-family directors have been appointed to senior management and operational posts. Despite the challenging market, in 2021 the firm produced a turnover of £60 million and secured 162 open market and 45 affordable completions, which provided much-needed housing for local people and families. This year, the firm will be expanding its South West footprint with new land secured in Somerset and Dorset, as well as bringing forward new home developments in Exeter and Paignton in Devon and Bude in North Cornwall. Cavanna Homes is currently building in Hemyock near Cullompton, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Tavistock, Holsworthy and Bude. As part of its commitment to nurturing up-and-coming talent in the construction industry, the firm has welcomed its 2022 intake of apprentices, as well as taking part in the government’s Kickstart Scheme supporting young adults to gain valuable work experience to help build a successful start to their careers. Cavanna Homes is proud to have raised over £30,000 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as its Charity of the Year since 2019. Following a vote by employees, Cavanna Homes will continue supporting CHSW until the end of 2023.
A shopfloor assistant at one of the UK’s leading builders merchants has completed his apprenticeship – a few months before turning 70. Terence Archer, who works for Selco Builders Warehouse in its Crayford branch, achieved a distinction in his Level Two Retailer working with training provider Realise. The achievement is all the more remarkable as Terence, who turns 70 in April, left school with no qualifications at 15 and has now made the grade in English and Maths as part of his recent studies. Terence, who completed a carpentry apprenticeship 50 years ago and speaking as part of National Apprenticeship Week, said: “It just goes to show you are never too old to complete an apprenticeship. “I’m really proud of myself because I pushed out of my boundaries to achieve this. “I’ve only been in retail for two-and-a-half years and wanted to learn as much as possible to be as good at the job as I can. “The opportunity to complete an apprenticeship came up from Selco and I jumped at the chance. “Part of the qualification was to achieve functional skills in English and Maths which I didn’t achieve at school. “I also had to learn a lot of new IT skills from pretty much scratch and that was difficult. “There were many times when I wanted to give up but my trainers at Realise were brilliant at helping me through the tough periods and keeping me going. I’m very glad I got to the end and achieved a distinction.” Terence – who was a carpenter and then became a general builder – completed his apprenticeship as part of Selco’s Rising Stars programme which is designed to help colleagues upskill and progress their careers. As part of his Bronze Rising Stars qualification, Terence completed 16 modules including business management and brand reputation, customer and communication, product and services, stock and merchandising and team and performance. He added: “I started at Selco because, after I retired from building, I got bored sitting around at home and wanted to keep busy. “I never dreamt at that stage I would do an apprenticeship but I’m so glad I have and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. “I would encourage anybody thinking of doing an apprenticeship – whatever their age or occupation – to go ahead with it. It’s extremely rewarding and, for people far younger than me, can be crucial in them enhancing their careers. “If I was a few years younger, I would certainly do another one but I think that’s me done for now.” With hundreds of trade brands always in stock, Selco’s 72 branches are firmly focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible. As well as offering trade services, Selco also has a strong digital presence including Click & Deliver, a Click & Collect services.
A Suffolk construction boss has described apprentices as the answer to the industry’s skills shortage to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022. Simon Girling is the director of SEH French, an Ipswich-based firm operating across East Anglia, where apprentices make up 10% of the workforce. Mr Girling, whose apprentices include carpenters and quantity surveyors, said: “The construction industry, like many others, has got a major skills shortage. It’s something that has been ongoing and is probably only going to get worse. We’re certainly seeing the effects of it now more than ever when trying to recruit people.” The skills shortage in the industry has been well-documented over the years and that will likely remain unchanged, as it’s forecast 217,000 new workers will be needed by 2025 to meet demands according to the Construction Skills Network. Shortages are largely due to an ageing workforce which doesn’t have enough young people to replace them as they reach retirement. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed between October and December 2021, there were 42,000 job vacancies in construction. SEH French thinks investing time and money in bringing new people into the industry, such as apprentices, will help alleviate the strain present in construction while providing young people with more opportunities. Simon continued: “Bringing in new people into any industry is beneficial, young people bring fresh ideas. They [apprentices] live, develop and grow with us as people and in their trade or profession. “Apprentices help support our senior staff which in turn helps us operate and have better capabilities for meeting our client’s requirements and our own workloads. “Their on-the-job training teaches them how to work to our high standards and how to work as a team. It’s really important to be able to train them to how we want them to work and grow into a professional person.” National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is the 15th annual event aimed at celebrating the positive impact apprenticeships make to businesses and communities. With this year’s theme being ‘build the future’, Mr Girling thinks it’s the perfect opportunity for construction companies to recognise benefits of apprenticeships. He continued: “It’s important for us to contribute to bringing new people into the industry. I think companies have an obligation to do that and to help alleviate some of them problems with skills shortages.” SEH French remains keen to create opportunities for more young people across the region, and people are advised to check their careers page for future vacancies. For more information, please visit www.sehfrench.co.uk.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is heralding its Construction Skills Fund (CSF) initiative a resounding success after 20,000 people became site-ready after training at its hubs; 6,000 of those from the second phase of the scheme alone. 54% of those who completed training were from groups typically under-represented in construction. The project, delivered on behalf of the Department for Education, also saw just under half (2,934) of those trained in the latest phase find *sustainable employment in the industry. The second phase ran between March 2020 and September 2021, where training took place at 14 CSF hubs across England. They were based within construction sites, so that entrants could become employment and site-ready as quickly as possible. CITB’s Strategy and Policy Director, Steve Radley said: “The numbers reflect a fantastic achievement. We also exceeded our target in encouraging people who had not previously considered construction to make a career change. We were looking at 15% coming in from outside the industry to learn site skills instead this was 46%. The figures are boosted by many people being made redundant throughout the various lockdowns and looking for a new job. “Despite what the pandemic threw at the hubs, they’ve managed to get more skilled people into the construction industry when it needed them most.” Thanks to the CSF, Natalie Visser, 33, went from being a dissatisfied care worker, who struggled to get out of bed in the morning, to becoming a machine operator thriving in the great outdoors. Reflecting on her career change, mum-of-three Natalie, from Petersfield, near Portsmouth, says: “The CSF course changed everything. I used to lie in bed not wanting to get up. That’s all gone now. I come in to work happy and go home happy. It has been life changing. I’ve found my feet in my new career and I’m so grateful to my housing association (Abri) and CSF for this.” As DFE’s project finishes, CITB has established its own network of 13 Onsite Experience hubs in England and Wales, with more hubs planned in Scotland later this year. Building on the knowledge gained from the demand for the CSF hubs, the Onsite Experience hubs offer hands-on site experience and employment-related certifications needed by local employers. 13 hubs have been approved for £9.5m of CITB funding to give over 6,800 people the opportunity to become employment and site-ready and enable at least 3,300 of these to secure sustained employment within the next three years. This will contribute towards CITB’s target of equipping 16,000 people with hands-on site experience, enabling at least 4,800 to secure sustained employment in construction by 2025. Rohan Cheriyan, CITB Commissioner for this programme added: “Our Onsite Experience hubs are providing a one-stop recruitment solution for construction employers. By linking together employers, training providers, local authorities, LEPs, community agencies and other partners, hubs enable the development of employment and site-ready people from local communities. “These well-suited candidates are then linked to employers’ vacancies, and because they have gained initial site experience and have the necessary introductory training and health & safety credentials, they are ready to hit the ground running and are proving a real success with the employers who recruit them.” Between 2021 and 2025 CITB aims to increase Great Britain’s construction talent pool through these Onsite Experience hubs, creating a skills pipeline to meet the needs of construction employers and enabling career opportunities for people from local communities. CITB encourages anyone considering a construction career to find out more about the Onsite Experience hubs across England and Wales. Scotland will join the scheme during 2022.
Prologis, the UK’s leading developer and owner of logistics property, has confirmed three strategic hires to kickstart the New Year, as it seeks to enrich its skill set and further strengthen its platform for growth in a dynamic logistics property market. Caroline Musker is joining Prologis from Lichfields, where she gained more than 17 years’ experience from a number of roles, including her latest position as senior director. She has been involved in a number of Prologis’ projects during this time. As a Director at Prologis, she will be taking the newly-created role of Head of Planning, helping to get projects off to a good start and exploring ways to add value for the customer and the business. She will also be helping to assess potential acquisition and investment opportunities. Gillian Scarth joins Prologis as a director in the Capital Deployment and Leasing team, after 15 years’ experience as a senior development manager at Kier Property. Gill has an impressive professional network and extensive experience of managing diverse customer portfolios offering a mix of uses in multiple sectors. She will primarily be focused on driving growth and supporting the delivery of new and existing projects in London and the South East. Simon Perks is joining the Capital Deployment and Leasing team at Prologis UK as a director, with a specific brief to look for opportunities to further strengthen the company’s asset portfolio in London and the South East. In his former role as senior development manager at The Crown Estate, he gained considerable experience in developing and adding value to a unique land and property portfolio, which includes 10 million sq. ft. of assets in areas of central London. Paul Weston, Prologis UK regional head, added: “We are delighted to be making these strategic hires at the start of the year to help drive our growth. There has been a significant increase in demand for logistics property during the pandemic and finding land and property to develop, in the right locations is a key focus. By enriching our skill set and hiring talented people, we aim to boost our competitiveness and unlock more opportunities in the year ahead.”
