A Westcountry homebuilder has welcomed its highest number of apprentices to date as part of the firm’s commitment to nurturing up-and-coming talent in the construction industry. “Apprentices are the future of the industry and we believe we should be doing everything we can to encourage young people to consider job-based
A new sustainability director has been appointed by global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will in London. Joining the Lodon office is Asif Din who will lead strategic initiatives for sustainable building across the firm’s practice areas, including urban design, architecture, hospitality, and workplace design. He comes to the company with
Multidisciplinary main contractor, Winvic Construction Ltd, announced its partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) yesterday, to offer graduates a training programme in order to gain the specialist skills, knowledge and professional approach required to practice as a civil engineer. The ICE Training Scheme forms part of an employee’s
City of Bristol College students and apprentices aged 16 to 18 will benefit from support from Dickies, as the two announce their partnership. With a focus on employability and personal development, the partnership will help those preparing for a career in a range of vocational and technical trades and profession
Morgan Sindall’s annual scholarship programme has welcomed 18 new undergraduates. Developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Quest programme aims to encourage students studying Civil Engineering to choose a career in the industry. “We’re thrilled to welcome our latest Quest scholars to the business and provide them with a
Leading online trade supplier, IronmongeryDirect are celebrating the success of their graduate management scheme. The UK’s largest supplier of ironmongery have recruited two new graduates following the continued progression of the organisation’s previous intake of newly qualified students. One of the stand out performers is Dimitra Koutsochera. Dimitra joined IronmongeryDirect
MyJobQuote, a website that allows homeowners to easily source local tradespeople, has received more than 190,000 quotes this year, generating over £220 million worth of jobs for tradespeople. It connects homeowners looking for home improvement projects to qualified, local tradespeople who are right for the job. After the users enter the details
Acclaimed North East businessman, Gary Lumby has been appointed non-executive director by Newton Aycliffe firm BTS Facades & Fabrications, to assist the company in achieving its ambitious growth plans. The well-established firm, which has worked on projects including Tottenham Hotspurs’ new stadium, the Jaguar Land Rover Gaydon site, and student
The approval of a horticulture/landscaper supervisor apprenticeship is the latest in a suite of new standards which are revolutionising careers for the future in arboriculture, forestry horticulture and landscape industries. The new apprenticeship, announced by the arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and landscape apprenticeship trailblazer group will provide the technical and supervisory
Develop Training Limited (DTL), a leading provider to the utilities and construction sector, believes that apprenticeships can meet many of the challenges thrown up by falling university numbers. Many commentators have blamed high tuition fees for a growing number of young people applying for university, raising fears of a lack
A Westcountry homebuilder has welcomed its highest number of apprentices to date as part of the firm’s commitment to nurturing up-and-coming talent in the construction industry. “Apprentices are the future of the industry and we believe we should be doing everything we can to encourage young people to consider job-based training as a sound start to their careers,” commented Cavanna Homes’ Managing Director, Keith Miller. “We’re major supporters of apprentices and help subcontractors by funding apprentices so they can pass on their knowledge, which in turn helps us to be confident that the skills we’ll need in the future for housebuilding will be available locally.” Ten apprentices aged between 16 and 23 years of age have joined Cavanna Homes as paid full-time apprentices, the largest intake in the homebuilder’s 95-year history. Aaron Jones, Jesse Acutt, Matt Churchill, Max Dorothy, Jack Walker, Sam Perkins, Joe Darlow, Cameron Quinn, Lewis Duce and Owen Musk are based at Cavanna Homes’ head office in Torquay gaining experience both on-site and in the office. The apprentices will be completing qualifications in a range of specialist sectors including; carpentry, land, technical, commercial, build, electrical, painting and decorating, and plastering. “I am forever grateful to Cavanna Homes for providing me with such an amazing opportunity. They support me day in and day out, which has fuelled my drive even more. I’m surrounded by considerate colleagues who I now call friends and I can honestly say that there is no looking back, only looking forward. My one regret is not signing up to an apprenticeship scheme sooner – it’s the best decision I have ever made and I’m truly lucky,” said Sam Perkins, Land Apprentice at Cavanna Homes. The apprenticeships will be completed over four years which, depending on the scheme, will combine on-site work experience with skilled sub-contractors and attendance at college to gain an NVQ. “We’re increasing the number of apprentices that we support year on year, and we hope to see this number continue to grow in 2019. We strongly believe that providing open career paths within the construction industry will encourage young adults to explore the opportunities available to them,” Keith added. As a regional recruiter, Cavanna Homes takes pride in nurturing and investing in its apprentices to ensure they receive the best skills and experience in their trades to pass onto the next generation, and integral part of Cavanna Homes’ ethos.
A new sustainability director has been appointed by global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will in London. Joining the Lodon office is Asif Din who will lead strategic initiatives for sustainable building across the firm’s practice areas, including urban design, architecture, hospitality, and workplace design. He comes to the company with over 20 years of experience working on a number of PassivHaus and Zero Energy Developments. “As a practising architect and environmental expert, Asif joins Perkins+Will at a time of growing global demand for leadership in sustainable design that looks at the entire lifecycle of a building. We are excited for our sustainability initiatives to have a strong director at their helm. Asif is perfect for the newly created Sustainability Director position, and I look forward to working with him to create designs that are economically and environmentally resilient, built to last, and focus on the occupants’ experience,” said Steven Charlton, managing director of Perkins+Will’s London studio. Asif Din also commented on his appointment: “It is imperative that the architecture profession takes a proactive, not reactive, approach to tackling the realities of climate change through building design. I’m excited to join Perkins+Will to explore the range of sustainability opportunities in the London office, while also engaging with the firm’s breadth of research and expertise at a global level.” This appointment supports the recent announcement by the Mayor of London to make the capital a zero-carbon city and at least 50 per cent green by 2050.
Multidisciplinary main contractor, Winvic Construction Ltd, announced its partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) yesterday, to offer graduates a training programme in order to gain the specialist skills, knowledge and professional approach required to practice as a civil engineer. The ICE Training Scheme forms part of an employee’s 12 month initial professional development period, which bridges the gap between education and professional qualifications. The structured training will be delivered in-house by Winvic and this leads to sitting the EngTech (MICE) Professional Review as a stepping stone to onward progression to IEng or CEng status. The diverse and thorough framework is tailored in relation to the individual’s previous, and often very recent, education route, specialist discipline and desired future professional qualification. The Scheme’s content is overseen by ICE, ensuring quality and methods, in order to maintain the highest standards. Tim Reeve, Winvic Technical Director, commented: “We have always taken the personal and professional development of our employees very seriously but with a significant increase in staff over the last few years we felt it was time to offer even more support. Our 93 percent staff retention rate indicates that the individuals who join our team after completing an Undergraduate or Master’s Degree are with us for a long time to come; it’s the people that make our business thrive and we owe it to them to help them be the best they can be.” Winvic will provide each trainee with a supervising civil engineer (SCE) and a delegated engineer (DE who will be experienced ICE Members; their roles will be to support and mentor, helping the individual to become multi-skilled, possess good technical, communication, commercial, people and legal knowledge, and understand the implications of their work across these areas. HR and Training Manager at Winvic, Rebecca Schwarz, added: “We are thrilled that ICE – such an important body within the global construction industry – sees our commitment for developing our employees, and that we have been chosen as a training partner. Educational qualifications contribute hugely in giving people the required competencies, but some things just can’t be taught in the classroom, as our year in industry students so often tell us. Winvic’s new ICE Training Scheme will help to create the next wave of innovative, first-class engineers that also share Winvic’s esteemed values.” Cath Mansell, Membership Manager, Mid England said, “It is great for ICE to see new companies implementing the ICE Training Scheme. I know that Winvic have been working hard with Ray Hulse, ICE Membership Development Officer, to get this off the ground and it shows an impressive focus on the professional development of their staff.” For more information about joining Winvic, please visit our Careers page, or contact the HR Department. Vacancies can also be found on LinkedIn and Twitter pages.
City of Bristol College students and apprentices aged 16 to 18 will benefit from support from Dickies, as the two announce their partnership. With a focus on employability and personal development, the partnership will help those preparing for a career in a range of vocational and technical trades and profession with extended opportunities for learning. “We’re excited to be working with City of Bristol College as part of our commitment to instil pride in the next generation of tradespeople. Workwear can play a big part in feeling confident and ready to do a good job, but we know that’s just one aspect to starting a career on the right note. By supporting colleges like this to motivate and encourage students and apprentices, we hope we can make a difference to the careers of future tradespeople,” commented James Whitaker, Marketing Director for Dickies. The global workwear brand will also deliver talks by inspirational speakers and mentors and sponsorship of the College’s Student Awards, as well as provide items of specialist clothing and student induction packs to help students and apprentices with their studies and development. “A skilled, knowledgeable and motivated workforce is an essential ingredient for building a strong and sustainable economy. Our students were delighted with their Dickies induction packs containing essential items to help them make good progress in their studies and career development,” said Emma Jarman, Vice Principal – Curriculum and Quality. “Our partnership with Dickies will enable us to continue developing rich and stimulating learning experiences of our students and apprentices through co-design and co-delivery of our curriculum and engagement with current and highly respected industry practitioners,” Emma added.
Morgan Sindall’s annual scholarship programme has welcomed 18 new undergraduates. Developed by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Quest programme aims to encourage students studying Civil Engineering to choose a career in the industry. “We’re thrilled to welcome our latest Quest scholars to the business and provide them with a head-start into the industry. After 10 years of being a part of this scheme, it’s fantastic to see how Quest scholars from previous years are continuing to develop their careers with us and I wish our latest cohort well as they join the Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure family,” said Simon Smith, Morgan Sindall’s Infrastructure managing director. Over the next four years, the scholars will undertake placements around the business, while being mentored by a member of the previous Quest cohort and a chartered supervising civil engineer. “I am incredibly proud of what these young people achieve. Our Quest scheme offers scholars the opportunity to work on some exciting high-profile and major civil engineering projects across all of our sectors. They undertake highly responsible roles from their first undergraduate placements and; when they graduate they progress quickly in their early careers. I’m pleased to say that in recent years we have seen an increase in women amongst our Quest cohort where we now typically have a 50/50 representation of men and women scholars,” commented Tony O’Donnell, the company’s engineering director. Freya Buchan, Quest Scholar, also talked about his excitement to start working with Morgan Sindall and learn about the industry and its prospects. “I have been impressed by how closely they work with their Quest scholars so I’m eager to get the best out of the experience.” Applications for the 2019 Quest Scholarship open in March.
Leading online trade supplier, IronmongeryDirect are celebrating the success of their graduate management scheme. The UK’s largest supplier of ironmongery have recruited two new graduates following the continued progression of the organisation’s previous intake of newly qualified students. One of the stand out performers is Dimitra Koutsochera. Dimitra joined IronmongeryDirect in 2013 after completing an MSc in Business Management and since starting as a graduate management trainee, has gone on to be promoted to Supply Chain and Inventory Planning Manager. Dimitra identified the diversity on offer in her role and the opportunities she was provided with to realise her best strengths as the major contributing factors for excelling in the scheme. Talking about the scheme, she said: “My university course gave me the tools and introduced me to the best frameworks for me to know what it takes to perform a job well. However, you are only going to learn if someone gives you the opportunity to apply this into practice, make mistakes, and learn from them. “This is the advantage of the IronmongeryDirect graduate scheme as you have the opportunity to work in various departments, build business acumen, earn further qualifications, and at the end of it all, identify what you really enjoy doing and start a career. You understand how each department links to each other and the impact that your decisions may have. Graduate schemes give you the flexibility to choose what is best for you and your future career, compared to going down another route.” IronmongeryDirect’s latest crop of graduates include Oliver Bull and Luke Scott. Oliver graduated from the University of Warwick having completed a Masters in MSc Biotechnology, Bioprocessing and Business Management and is already immersing himself in the new role: “I have just started my first three-month project, aimed at further enhancing customer experience. I have been welcomed and already feel valued and part of the team. “IronmongeryDirect offered the perfect opportunity for me to further expand my knowledge and experience in the field. It was clear the company invests time and effort into its employees, and despite its size, has maintained a family-like business environment, which in turn, has created a thriving workplace. A wide range of personal development opportunities are also available.” Luke, who graduated with a degree in Mathematics from Loughborough University also praised the wide-ranging nature of the graduate scheme: “The most attractive feature of the scheme was the fact that I would be working in lots of different departments throughout the programme, which meant I would be getting a full scope of how the business works. “There is a great work culture here; the whole team is friendly and always ready to lend a helping hand, with everyone, including the directors, available if you need a chat! I would definitely recommend IronmongeryDirect to somebody else.” Dimitra concluded with some final advice to any aspiring graduates: “Ask questions, loads of questions as this is your opportunity to learn. Also, take any feedback on board and do not hesitate to suggest ideas or solutions. Be proactive and take your own initiative to investigate and change things for the good of the department. It’s your time to shine and give your career strong foundations so make the most of it!” IronmongeryDirect is the UK’s largest specialist ironmongery supplier, with over 16,500 products in stock, available for next day delivery.
MyJobQuote, a website that allows homeowners to easily source local tradespeople, has received more than 190,000 quotes this year, generating over £220 million worth of jobs for tradespeople. It connects homeowners looking for home improvement projects to qualified, local tradespeople who are right for the job. After the users enter the details of the job, the platform matches the customer with the right local tradesperson across 32 categories, 200 sub categories and more than 13,000 verified trades, who will then get in touch in order to complete the job. The 32 categories and 200 sub categories include, but are not limited to: bathroom, builders, carpenters & joiners, cleaners, electricians, heating engineers, kitchen, plasterers and plumbers. The platform offers complete transparency and lets homeowners find a tradesman without having to search for hours online and in the telephone book. Once trades are sourced by the site, the user is able to choose the tradesperson that is right for them. Likewise, for tradespeople and businesses, the site allows them to connect with homeowners without the need for any marketing experience. Trades are able to sign up for the site on either a pay-as-you-go basis, or through a subscription. This year alone, over 190,000 quotes have gone through the site, generating more than £220 million worth of jobs for UK-based tradespeople. Since inception, £491 million worth of jobs have been generated through the platform, £220 million of which was generated throughout 2018. “It has always been our aim to offer a service that is both transparent and useful, both for trades and homeowners, and it’s what we have achieved from all of our hard work. We’re delighted to have been able to generate over £220 million worth of jobs for trades, whilst solving so many consumers’ problems,” said Carl Meredith, spokesperson for www.MyJobQuote.co.uk. There are currently more than 13,000 verified trades signed up to the site in total. What’s more, customers are able to submit feedback following a job to help others find the right person for the job, and the average review score given to trades is 4.2/5. The site itself has an average review of ‘excellent’ on trustpilot and reviews.co.uk. Since beginning operations in 2014, MyJobQuote has received more than 471,000 quotes of Britons wanting to find a tradesman for jobs of all sizes within their home and businesses.
Acclaimed North East businessman, Gary Lumby has been appointed non-executive director by Newton Aycliffe firm BTS Facades & Fabrications, to assist the company in achieving its ambitious growth plans. The well-established firm, which has worked on projects including Tottenham Hotspurs’ new stadium, the Jaguar Land Rover Gaydon site, and student accommodation in Wembley and Coventry, met Gary at its recent open day and believed that his unique skills could offer considerable benefits. Gary works with 22 other clients across the North East and Yorkshire, adding value to the businesses and contributing to growth. His role at BTS will encompass coaching, strategic planning, and advice and he is joining the firm to help oversee plans to automate its production process and sustain its impressive growth. He said: “BTS is a fabulous company that is growing fast already and is investing heavily in automation and people. The development of its rainwater screening and facade business is fuelling that growth and I am excited to be working with the company to accelerate it even further.” BTS, which employs 49 people, has seen turnover grow from £5.3million to a forecasted £7million over the past 12 months. The company has also invested in low voltage intelligent LED lighting throughout its factory and offices, and a biomass heating system to help reduce its carbon footprint. Phil Atkinson, managing director at BTS, said: “Gary’s appointment is a real triumph for us; my mission for the business is to be one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of rainscreen systems and metal fabrications, I’d like to see turnover reach £10million in the next three to four years and I believe Gary will help us achieve that. “I’m truly passionate about BTS and I am so proud of how far we have come in such a short time. While I enjoy all aspects of my job, I think my favourite part is seeing completed jobs being installed and photos coming back. I also enjoy watching staff excel and come through the ranks. We have a great family feel within the company and it is my pleasure to be part of it and watch it grow.” For more information on BTS Facades & Fabrications, see https://btsfabrications.co.uk/ Twitter: @btsfabs
The approval of a horticulture/landscaper supervisor apprenticeship is the latest in a suite of new standards which are revolutionising careers for the future in arboriculture, forestry horticulture and landscape industries. The new apprenticeship, announced by the arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and landscape apprenticeship trailblazer group will provide the technical and supervisory skills for those who are maintaining and installing parks, gardens and commercial landscapes. This apprenticeship joins the arborist, forest operative and horticulture / landscape operative apprenticeship standards that were approved in the summer of 2017. Designed by employers working together as the trailblazer group, they contain the skills, knowledge and behaviours that will provide the industry with highly-qualified workers. All these apprenticeships contain the key practical skills required for workers in their respective roles – from tree climbing, planting and felling to soil cultivation and hard landscaping. Successful candidates must pass rigorous end tests that demonstrates they have not only reached the standards required by employers, but also that they can put their skills and knowledge together and do the job effectively. In their first year of being available for delivery, 127 candidates registered on the arborist and 507 on the horticulture / landscape operative apprenticeships. This represents a solid start for these new programmes and the trailblazer group is committed to working with training and assessment providers to make these programmes successful. The employers in the trailblazer group are now discussing future applications for further apprenticeship standards, based on the findings of a recent survey of relevant businesses. Bartlett Tree Experts has stepped down as the lead employer for the trailblazer group and we would like to thank them for their tireless leadership throughout the project. They remain Chair of the arboriculture sub-group and are succeeded by Ground Control Ltd, who have been Chairing the horticulture sub-group since the start in 2014. This work would not have been possible without the hard work, investment and persistence of employers and trade organisations from the industries concerned, which shows how important it is that we work together to ensure the supply of skilled and motivated new entrants to our respective sectors.
Develop Training Limited (DTL), a leading provider to the utilities and construction sector, believes that apprenticeships can meet many of the challenges thrown up by falling university numbers. Many commentators have blamed high tuition fees for a growing number of young people applying for university, raising fears of a lack of social mobility. But DTL points out that school leavers give other reasons too, including that they don’t enjoy studying or don’t think they have the necessary academic skills for university. The training company says that apprenticeships have the capability, not just to provide an alternative to university but also to address the wider issues. “Instead of racking up student debt, apprentices earn while they learn, and apprenticeships provide other ways of learning for those who aren’t suited to academia. At DTL, we specialise in practical training for high earning roles in utilities and construction. Yes, there is an element of classroom learning but for most of our apprenticeships, the focus is on learning through well-supervised, genuine on-the-job experience,” said Operations Director, John Kerr. Mr Kerr argued that apprenticeships can also generate social mobility, even beyond what might be expected from gaining a practical qualification and a well-paid job. “As an organisation that believes in providing a holistic educational experience, we support many young people who have fallen behind with academic learning,” he explained. Crucially, he points out, that includes ensuring that apprentices attain satisfactory levels of literacy and numeracy. Ensuring students attain a set level of literacy and numeracy is a requirement made of apprenticeship providers by the educational watchdog Ofsted, and DTL has invested in technology and teaching to ensure that apprentices reach the levels they need, not just to attain their qualification but also to equip them for life. “Clearly, people who have poor literacy or numeracy, or both, are going to be disadvantaged. This is a significant step in giving them social mobility,” said Mr Kerr. With these crucial core skills and the confidence of having completed an apprenticeship, they might well go on to get a university degree or similar-level qualification, he points out. “For us at DTL, this is much more than a question of meeting the requirements of the regulator. You can see this in our response to another Ofsted instruction. We have pioneered the introduction of safeguarding, ensuring that young people are safe in the workplace and the training environment,” he added. DTL’s latest Industry Skills Forum on the subject brought together leading figures in HR in the utilities and construction sector, to discuss safeguarding and the government’s Prevent initiative, which requires education providers to play their part in ensuring young people aren’t recruited into extremism. As an approved provider under the apprenticeship levy scheme, DTL says its customers expect it to deliver well-trained individuals, capable of carrying out their roles effectively and safely. This is particularly important when those roles are often in potentially hazardous environments in the gas, electricity, water and construction industries. “Our first duty is to the apprentices themselves, and we believe that ensuring their safety is paramount. By also ensuring they have those core literacy and numeracy skills, we add value to the opportunities created by their apprenticeship,” John Kerr concluded.
