The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) is supporting redundant workers by allowing them to apply for and renew SKILLcards free of charge. Anyone who suffered redundancy as a result of the Covid-19 crisis since March 1 will have their fees waived if they apply between August 1 and October 31.
Although a university degree is valuable, it isn’t the best route for every high school graduate. Many college graduates today work outside of their degree, in spite of devoting several years of their life to time-consuming studying. According to the Harvard Business Review, recent graduates tend to be underemployed and sometimes don’t
East-Midlands-based multi-sector recruitment agency, Recruit 2 You, is celebrating its second business anniversary this month with national expansion plans on the horizon. The family-run company of recruitment specialists which has head offices in Heanor, Derbyshire, focuses on offering a personable and fresh approach to recruitment, providing tailored solutions for high-profile clients
The recipient of the Stewart Milne Group Access Scholarship at Robert Gordon University has hailed its success. Stephen Collins, now in his second year of the BSc Construction Management course at RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and the Built Environment, was awarded the scholarship worth £8,000 in 2019. Prior
Lindsay has been working in the property sector for the last twenty years, with the last ten years focussed on business development with a variety of clients ranging from top ten housebuilders to freehold investor landlords and resident’s management companies. Developers especially value her input when it comes to supporting
According to new figures from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, job postings were up by 0.7% following the government’s announcement that key industries could go back to work, with the construction industry (up 36.8%) experiencing an even bigger increase. The job board looked at the amount of jobs posted w/c 11th May, vs those posted w/c 4th May and found
iHASCO, a market-leading provider of Health & Safety and Compliance eLearning, have released an updated version of their popular Asbestos Awareness training course. Having already trained over 150,000 people across the UK and Europe in Asbestos Awareness, iHASCO have made appropriate visual and script changes to bring the programme in
THE UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover roofing products, Permaroof, has appointed Lily Chadwick as marketing co-ordinator as it continues to grow the number of brands and services it offers to merchants as well as direct to trade. With the addition of The Skylight Company, Permalawn and Permafence
The latest job market data from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, reveals that job vacancies plummeted by 78.4% in the construction sector in April, when looking at month-on-month data. The study looks at job market activity throughout April, comparing the findings with the previous month and year to build an understanding of how the UK job
SELECT, the trade body for electrical professionals in Scotland, has welcomed a small but significant upturn in the number of young women undergoing apprenticeships as electricians. Figures gathered by Scotland’s largest trade association show that there are now 13 female apprentices training to be electricians in 2019-2020, compared to seven
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) is supporting redundant workers by allowing them to apply for and renew SKILLcards free of charge. Anyone who suffered redundancy as a result of the Covid-19 crisis since March 1 will have their fees waived if they apply between August 1 and October 31. Engineering Services SKILLcard is one of the construction industry’s largest skills certification registers with more than 64,000 card holders across the UK. As a BESA group company, SKILLcard is the card and registration scheme for the mechanical sector of the building engineering services industry in the UK and is used by heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration specialists to provide proof of competence and qualifications. Applicants must still hold the relevant qualifications and certificates, but if they can provide evidence of redundancy they will not be charged the £40 fee when completing their renewal or application process. “We are acutely aware that many people in our sector are going through a torrid time,” said BESA Director of Certification Rachel Davidson. “Waiving SKILLcard fees may seem a relatively small gesture, but it represents a significant financial investment by BESA in the future of our people and our industry. Uncertain “It is also shows that we are serious about retaining skilled people in our sector and is just one of a number of ways in which the Association is trying to support workers faced with uncertain futures,” she added. BESA’s gesture is in line with the government-backed Construction Talent Retention Scheme that is designed to help redundant workers find new positions within the industry and avoid a repeat of the last recession when more than 500,000 people left construction. “Holding the relevant card is an essential part of finding work in our sector, enabling individuals to demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience so their skills can be re-deployed if they have lost their job,” said Ms Davidson. “This is a short-term downturn that could have very serious long-term consequences if we allow skills to drain away from our industry. We already had a serious skills gap before Covid-19 and if we don’t act now we will struggle to find the people we need to deliver the vital building engineering projects required to support the economic recovery,” she added. BESA is also launching its online Academy, which will make it easier for anyone working in building engineering services to access the training they need to refresh and update their skills.
Although a university degree is valuable, it isn’t the best route for every high school graduate. Many college graduates today work outside of their degree, in spite of devoting several years of their life to time-consuming studying. According to the Harvard Business Review, recent graduates tend to be underemployed and sometimes don’t get paid enough to cover their school debts and basic living costs. This isn’t to say that no one should get a college degree, but there are other effective routes that lead successfully into high-paying careers. One great example of a satisfying career that doesn’t require a lot of schooling is that of an HVAC technician. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The term refers to the systems in buildings that keep people comfortable. In addition to the heating and cooling systems, the HVAC needs in a building generally include adequate ventilation, moving fresh air into homes or businesses, and moving air away. Especially as construction becomes more air-tight, it’s important that ventilation systems replenish the oxygen in buildings. A good ventilation system also moves carbon dioxide, excess humidity, and unpleasant smells. HVAC work also includes attention to the filters on heaters, AC units, and vents. Filters remove dirt, allergens, and other particles from the air. More Than Installation and Repair Work The work done by HVAC technicians has a big impact on the health and comfort of the people who live or work in buildings. These professionals are responsible for installing and completing maintenance for heating, cooling, or combination systems. They may be hired to plan or repair ventilation or climate-control systems in homes or businesses. There’s more involved in keeping these systems running than just showing up to complete repairs. Technicians must understand how factors such as the size of the room, the amount of insulation, and how much power is available to affect the successful operation of heating, cooling, and ventilation appliances. HVAC Schooling Although some education and training are required to become an HVAC technician, the amount of time spent in a classroom and the cost of the training is much less than would be spent for a university degree. Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent; it is easier to get a job with more education or some time spent in an apprenticeship. There are some schools that specifically offer a certificate or an associate degree for HVAC work. These often take less than a year and may be offered online. HVAC Training In addition to earning the initial certificate, some technicians opt to complete trainings specific to focused areas of heating, cooling, and ventilation. For example, a technician may choose to focus only on refrigeration systems, or a technician may choose to handle installations, leaving maintenance and repair work to another professional. Sometimes, technicians specialize in specific equipment, such as commercial refrigeration or heating systems. Much of this training happens while on-the-job whether through an internship or similar program. Licensing and Certification In a few cases, it isn’t necessary to have schooling or training to get a job as a technician. However, many states require a license and certification. When states require a license, the technician may need to successfully complete an exam and verify a specific amount of postsecondary schooling or work experience or a combination of both. Certification, on the other hand, is required for every technician. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires the completion of Section 608 certification before anyone works with refrigerant. Further Training and Certification Technicians with more experience and more completed training under their belts are more likely to get comfortable jobs and make more money. Some of these options include specialized training for heat pump systems, electrical work, or HVAC load calculations. It may also be helpful for HVAC technicians to develop skills such as welding, customer service, and plumbing. Job Security There’s a lot of demand for HVAC technicians, and as long as people want to feel comfortable in their homes, there will probably be a consistent demand for them. The job growth in this area is comparative to electricians and plumbers (other jobs that pay well without a lot of school requirements.) The median pay for heating and air conditioning technicians, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is $48,730 per year and $23.43 per hour. A Path to a Satisfying Career Pursuing a college degree may be the best route for some careers, but it isn’t the only route to successful employment and a comfortable lifestyle. The path to working as an HVAC technician is shorter and less expensive than completing a college degree. The workload and continuing education requirements aren’t as demanding as working part or full-time while attending a university. Overall, the path to a successful career as an HVAC technician requires some schooling, training, licensing, and certification. Once these requirements have been completed, work as an HVAC technician can lead to satisfying employment and a comfortable life.
East-Midlands-based multi-sector recruitment agency, Recruit 2 You, is celebrating its second business anniversary this month with national expansion plans on the horizon. The family-run company of recruitment specialists which has head offices in Heanor, Derbyshire, focuses on offering a personable and fresh approach to recruitment, providing tailored solutions for high-profile clients across the region and UK, matching candidates to roles across a variety of sectors. Founding directors Anita and Andy Jackson are husband and wife, and both head up the Recruit 2 You team which includes assistant director Jenna-Leigh Bates, who is also part of the family. The company was first launched as a multi-sector agency back in 2018 by Anita who is managing director, and has over a decade of experience in recruitment, having worked for a number of high-profile firms in the region. Since launching, the company’s client base has doubled in size, as has its team, with many high-profile brands using Recruit 2 You as a chosen ongoing recruitment supplier. Sticking to its company slogan – ‘Placing People First’, the Recruit 2 You team always strives to deliver exceptional results for clients and candidates seeking temporary, permanent or interim roles across a variety of industries. With its strong family roots, the business has been built around these values, and its close-knit team combines a diverse calibre of expertise with trust and respect – which has always remained at the heart of the business and the relationships extended to clients and customers. The company has maintained 100% client retention since its inception, and has primary focuses on the engineering, industrial and manufacturing and logistics and warehouse sectors, working also to recruit candidates across the procurement and supply chain, office and secretarial, construction and property, accounting and financial, and customer service and administration industries Anita Jackson, managing director of Recruit 2 You, said: “Every business milestone is exciting, but to be celebrating our second business anniversary is incredibly important to us and I am so proud of our strong and dedicated team who have worked very hard to get to this point. “I feel we have really held our own in a highly competitive industry, winning contracts over our competition and managing to hold a 100% client retention, with new client acquisitions on the horizon. “With the current COVID-19 crisis having a hard-hitting effect on the economy, business models are changing and the need for recruitment is higher than ever – we pride ourselves on having the experience, resources and dedication to save businesses time and money whilst sourcing the right candidates for roles, providing updates throughout the entire process. Looking to the future, with operations director Andy now taking a stronger lead in the business this year, the company is going for growth nationally and is looking to target specific sectors to support its existing clients and expand its offering, to open up opportunities for sector specific skilled candidates to join Recruit 2 You. As a direct result of COVID-19, the company has taken time to evaluate its offering and is keen to ensure that services are as easily accessible as possible to reach out to those seeking employment or recruitment advice. Teaming up with an ex recruiter, who is now working to produce the best user-friendly app on the market, Recruit 2 You is striving to ensure that its clients and candidates know exactly how to reach the team now and by the end of the pandemic.
The recipient of the Stewart Milne Group Access Scholarship at Robert Gordon University has hailed its success. Stephen Collins, now in his second year of the BSc Construction Management course at RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and the Built Environment, was awarded the scholarship worth £8,000 in 2019. Prior to being awarded the scholarship Stephen held down two jobs in an effort to fund his further study. He said: “The scholarship has aided me hugely as it helps me to focus on my work without financial worries. I can only imagine it will help me out significantly in the future. I am extremely grateful for the support.” As well supporting Stephen financially, the scholarship offers a 15-week placement within Stewart Milne Homes to gain relevant skills and industry experience which will enhance his employability within construction. Although Covid-19 caused the demobilisation of construction across the UK, this has not affected Stewart Milne Group’s commitment to funding programmes like the Access Scholarship. Stephen’s placement with Stewart Milne Homes is due to begin in 2021 and will be carried out in line with government guidance on construction work at that time. Sarah Dingwall, development manager at the RGU Foundation said “RGU is committed to widening access to higher education. The scholarship scheme supports this aim, enabling students from backgrounds typically under-represented at university to reach their full potential, through a package of financial and dedicated pastoral support. “RGU’s access scholarships raise aspirations and create opportunity for students who may otherwise face barriers. We are extremely grateful to Stewart Milne Group for their support”. Stewart Milne Group is committed to attracting young people into construction to build a sustainable future workforce for the sector. As well as being one of the first companies to support the RGU Access scholarship, Stewart Milne Group runs fast-track, trade and graduate apprenticeship programmes. There are currently 39 apprentices across the Stewart Milne divisions, accounting for almost 5% of the workforce, in a variety of trades such as joinery, plumbing and quantity surveying. Stuart McGregor, CEO of Stewart Milne Group said: “Attracting, developing and retaining the best talent is key to our success and our future growth. Our commitment to and support for these different routes into construction help address the skills gap in our sector and promote the attractive opportunities and diverse career paths in construction. “Programmes such as the Stewart Milne Access Scholarship allow anyone to pursue a career in construction, regardless of their background, through financial support, encouragement and practical experience. We wish Stephen the best of luck with his continued study and look forward to his placement within Stewart Milne Homes.”
Lindsay has been working in the property sector for the last twenty years, with the last ten years focussed on business development with a variety of clients ranging from top ten housebuilders to freehold investor landlords and resident’s management companies. Developers especially value her input when it comes to supporting site office teams launching new developments. Lindsay brings a real understanding of clients and potential purchasers’ needs, from initial site set up through launch, to handover and operational management. Vastly experienced in the property industry, Lindsay has worked on developments ranging from large scale consortium developments of upwards of 3,000 units, to high-end mixed-use city centre developments and listed building conversions. With a down to earth approach to building and retaining client relationships, Lindsay is a great asset to not just the Remus Management team, but the Fexco Property Services group as a whole.
According to new figures from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, job postings were up by 0.7% following the government’s announcement that key industries could go back to work, with the construction industry (up 36.8%) experiencing an even bigger increase. The job board looked at the amount of jobs posted w/c 11th May, vs those posted w/c 4th May and found that the sector experienced the second biggest hike in vacancies week-on-week: Agriculture +124.1% Property +47% Manufacturing +42.9% Customer Service +38.9% Construction +36.8% Administration +35.3% Accounting/Finance +30.5% IT +24.4% Electronics +23.4% Retail +22.4% On the other end of the spectrum, the industries that saw the biggest fall in job adverts include leisure/tourism (down 86.7%), automotive (down 72.8%), catering (down 34.2%), charities (down 18.2%) and medical (down 17.9%). Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments on the findings: “While the UK continues to follow strict social distancing guidelines, the government’s announcement that key industries could return to the workplace on Wednesday 13th May appears to have instilled confidence back into employers. As a result, we’re slowly seeing job numbers pick back up; though they are nowhere near the levels they would normally be.” The findings will come as welcome news to the millions of professionals who are actively looking for work right now. Indeed, a study CV-Library conducted amongst 1,408 professionals in May reveals that 90.9% of people who are currently unemployed in the construction industry are hoping to find a job during the coronavirus pandemic. Biggins continues: “Prior to this pandemic, the labour market was largely candidate-driven but this has definitely shifted. The demand for jobs is outstripping supply and it’s going to take some time for this to change. What’s more, a lot of companies are reliant on the government’s furlough scheme to keep their employees in work, so unemployment rates aren’t yet at their peak. “That said, our findings do provide some reassurance that the government’s effort to kickstart the economy again are working, though we cannot rest on our laurels just yet. Businesses must continue to make smart decisions and follow guidelines closely.”
iHASCO, a market-leading provider of Health & Safety and Compliance eLearning, have released an updated version of their popular Asbestos Awareness training course. Having already trained over 150,000 people across the UK and Europe in Asbestos Awareness, iHASCO have made appropriate visual and script changes to bring the programme in line with the look and feel of their newer courses. With the HSE putting the number of asbestos-related deaths at around 5,000 deaths per year, the threat of asbestos exposure is very real. Asbestos fibres can cause serious illnesses and fatalities anywhere between 10 and 50 years after they’ve made it into the lungs. iHASCO’s Asbestos Awareness Training course is IOSH Approved and has been audited by the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP). The online awareness training can be completed in just 35 minutes and allows employers in the UK to work towards compliance with The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The course, which is aimed at anyone who could potentially come into contact with asbestos whilst at work, has been designed to educate the user on where asbestos might be found, what to do if it is disturbed, and the the risks associated with the inhalation of asbestos fibres. Real life demos, examples, and step by steps feature throughout the programme to equip learners with the awareness and knowledge they need to keep themselves and others safe. “After months of hard work, my team have created a fantastic product and I’m confident that our clients will enjoy using it as much as we enjoyed making it.” says Lottie Galvin, iHASCO’s Studio Manager. “You’ll notice that we’ve embodied different styles of animation, we’ve included a fascinating timeline on the history of asbestos, and – of course – we’ve ensured that this training helps you keep your staff safe whilst keeping you compliant with current legislation.” Anyone interested in this training is invited to watch a short snippet taken from the updated course on The History of Asbestos. There is also an International version of Asbestos Awareness training for those outside of the UK.
THE UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover roofing products, Permaroof, has appointed Lily Chadwick as marketing co-ordinator as it continues to grow the number of brands and services it offers to merchants as well as direct to trade. With the addition of The Skylight Company, Permalawn and Permafence names to its offering, Lily is tasked with further strengthening each individual company in addition to the parent Permaroof UK Ltd brand, heading up all communications activity and implementing formal marketing strategies. Lily said: “Permaroof is a leading name in the flat roofing market; it has a strong reputation for strategic growth at an impressive rate. It was this market position and the company’s move into new markets, such as fencing and artificial grass, that held great appeal as a marketeer. “Permaroof is run as a really tight-knit friendly business, which extends to its relationship with customers. This is not only enjoyable as an employee, but it’s a fantastic basis for the formal marketing strategy that will be rolled out throughout 2020.” Permaroof, which has its head office in Alfreton, Derbyshire, has grown rapidly since it started trading as a family business in 1999. Over the past five years, the firm has tripled its turnover. In 2019, the business celebrated its most successful year to date with 24,000 orders completed; the highest figure in its 19-year history. This significant milestone followed four consecutive record sales months and a raft of exciting investments. The company added 22,000 sq ft of warehouse space with 60,000 sq ft of racking to its Derbyshire head office in early 2019, allowing the addition of new product lines, as well as increasing its sales force by eight to form a nationwide team of 37. Managing director Adrian Buttress said: “Lily’s appointment reflects the growth that we achieved in 2019 and our ambition to keep down this path with the aid of a clear and recognisable brand. I’m delighted to welcome Lily to support the evolution of our products and services which continues to progress quickly, even during the coronavirus pandemic.” During the outbreak, Permaroof reacted swiftly to adapt its offering to begin working closely with modular companies for the first time, supplying fast flat roofing solutions to four emergency NHS projects in the first month of lockdown. As a result, Permaroof is now supplying its Firestone RubberGard EPDM roofing system to four different modular projects – including Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guilford, Bristol Royal Infirmary and Chesterfield Royal. For further information on Permaroof UK, please visit www.permaroof.co.uk.
The latest job market data from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, reveals that job vacancies plummeted by 78.4% in the construction sector in April, when looking at month-on-month data. The study looks at job market activity throughout April, comparing the findings with the previous month and year to build an understanding of how the UK job market is fairing right now. The data shows that construction job numbers also dropped by a staggering 83.1% year-on-year. Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments: “We’re trying to support UK businesses as much as possible right now, but everyone is feeling the financial effects of the current crisis. Thousands of companies have put a pause on their hiring plans until there’s more certainty in the market and the pandemic is having an impact on the construction industry. “All we can do now is prepare for the recovery and hope that business confidence picks up over the next few months when lockdown restrictions eventually ease. Unfortunately, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel at this stage, especially as we move into the thick of the spring/summer period, which tends to be quieter for hiring anyway.” Despite more Brits being out of work or placed on furlough in April, CV-Library’s data shows that application numbers also dropped significantly last month; down 34.7% in the construction sector when looking at month-on-month data and by 36.5% year-on-year. In addition to these findings, the job board also explored the application to job ratio on its site and found that this increased by 276.7% in the construction industry in April, compared to the previous year. This means there is more competition amongst candidates for the roles that are available. In fact, CV-Library’s data shows that there were an average of 60 applications per construction role in April 2020, as opposed to just 16 in April 2019. Biggins concludes: “Unfortunately, organisations have had to make some tough decisions over the past six weeks, with ONS figures revealing that two thirds of businesses have placed staff on furlough. While these professionals might not be actively looking for work right now, especially at a time when there’s so much uncertainty, we do expect application figures to pick up in the coming months and clearly there is already increased competition for jobs.”
SELECT, the trade body for electrical professionals in Scotland, has welcomed a small but significant upturn in the number of young women undergoing apprenticeships as electricians. Figures gathered by Scotland’s largest trade association show that there are now 13 female apprentices training to be electricians in 2019-2020, compared to seven in 2018-2019. Fiona Harper, Director of Employment and Skills at SELECT, said: “This is excellent news, coming as it does in Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 2 to 6 March. “An electrical apprenticeship for a young woman, just as for everyone else, is a life-changing experience which can open many doors, not only to further career progression and global travel, but also to professional regard and life fulfilment.” To mark the occasion, SELECT has commissioned a short film, The Power of Apprenticeships, which features an interview at a member company in Falkirk with one of its female apprentices, Neave Brownlie. The TClarke trainee says: “I finished school and could have gone to uni, but I preferred the idea of being paid while I was learning to become a qualified electrician. “I’m enjoying it; you’re never left alone on site, there’s always someone there supporting you and making sure you are safe. I’m treated like a daughter or a sister and everyone I’ve worked with has been lovely. “The exciting thing is the opportunity to travel the world once I have completed my apprenticeship and become a qualified electrician.” The Power of Apprenticeships also features another TClarke employee, Elyse McBride, a qualified electrician who is now office-based and is training to become a quantity surveyor. Elyse – a former SJIB Apprentice of the Year finalist in the SELECT Awards – said: “Completing an apprenticeship as an electrician was fundamental to me moving into a managerial role. “There are any number of different paths that can be followed as a qualified electrician, and the career world is your oyster.” Filmed at TClarke in Falkirk, and now available to view on SELECT’s YouTube channel, the video was produced in partnership with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and Unite the Union. Ms Harper, who is also The Secretary of the SJIB, added: “There is a world of opportunity for young women in the electrical sector and with this film we hope to encourage many more of them, currently in school or college, to consider an electrical apprenticeship as a serious career option.” Founded in 1900, SELECT is Scotland’s largest trade association. It has nearly 1,250 members businesses with a collective turnover of approximately £1bn, employing more than 15,000 people and 3,500 apprentices. SELECT also delivers training courses to more than 3,500 electricians each year and is committed to regulation of the industry for a safer Scotland. The Scottish Joint Industry Board was founded in 1969 by SELECT and Unite the Union.
