As part of a drive towards helping homeowners achieve greener lifestyles, the award-winning Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has fitted electric vehicle charging points, as standard, to over 50% of the properties on the company’s first development in the Somerset town of Wincanton. For those who want to reduce their travel
As you advance in your medical career, you may find yourself in the position to open your own private clinic. For many, this can be a stressful decision. For one, you’d be leaving the comfort of the hospital to branch out on your own but for others, the ability to
Leading UK retailer Primark has selected GRAHAM to deliver four contracts across some of its national stores. The firm will roll out the retailer’s modern new concept in Manchester, Milton Keynes, Liverpool and Southend on Sea against tight deadlines. This builds on the £53 million worth of work GRAHAM has
Tarkett has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the sustainability of the built environment by becoming a member of The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). The mission of the UKGBC is to improve the sustainability of the built environment by transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated.
There are countless magazines devoted to modern living but many are filled with ideas that are simply out of reach for most of us. So we’ve decided to condense the top trends and make them more achievable with these 10 ideas for modern living. Consolidate Your Furniture Modern design is
A school is a world in itself. A self-contained eco-system which, like our wider world, is experiencing over-crowding, with class sizes rising, and a distracted population, and ever-more social media outlets clamouring for attention. For this, teachers face more and more challenges each day, and when it comes to engaging
Leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, Gilbert-Ash, has won a £17million design and build contract at one of England’s most historically significant colleges. Trinity College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, was granted planning permission last year for the erection of the new high-quality building.
As we accumulate more possessions and grow a family, we can often find that there’s a lot of stuff lying around the house, or clutter that really needs a place to be stored. Many of us also end up in living situations that we feel are lacking storage space, and
Whitley Bay’s landmark regeneration project, Spanish City, is celebrating after winning an international award for interior design. Adding to the site’s growing list of accolades, Spanish City recently won an FX Award for Best Mixed Use Development. The FX Awards celebrate the best in international design with a prestigious awards
Leeds College of Building is now offering the Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship, focusing specifically on the drylining pathway. This is a Level 2 qualification and typically takes two years to complete. Working in partnership with British Gypsum to deliver the course, it includes the supply of materials, training and keeping
As part of a drive towards helping homeowners achieve greener lifestyles, the award-winning Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has fitted electric vehicle charging points, as standard, to over 50% of the properties on the company’s first development in the Somerset town of Wincanton. For those who want to reduce their travel by car, Cavanna Homes is also offering new homeowners at Cales Reach the chance to join a Green Travel Initiative where they can receive cycle vouchers towards a bike or cycling equipment. Councillor Ray Tudgay, Deputy Chair of Wincanton Town Council, was invited to cut the ribbon at the formal opening of the “green” development where the new show home is fitted with the latest features to help achieve maximum energy efficiency. Cllr Tudgay was joined by Head of Sales and Marketing Paul Furner who said: “Cales Reach is a great example of how we are future-proofing our new homes with extensive wall and roof insulation in excess of industry guidelines, modern heating systems and car charging points. We recognise that many people will want to go much further in their efforts to live a greener lifestyle by choosing to travel by bus, bike or foot – and we want to reward that too by way of our Green Travel Initiative.” The three-bedroom show home is a ‘Steeperton’ which offers a spacious family lounge and a large, modern open plan kitchen / dining room for entertaining guests. At Cales Reach there will be 60 new homes, designed to appeal to a full range of requirements and tastes; from two-bedroom semi-detached homes to four-bedroom family homes and townhouses. Surrounded by hills, Cales Reach is close to the A303 and Templecombe train station. Wincanton town centre is within walking distance of Cales Reach and offers pubs, cafes, shops and a monthly farmers’ market. The town also has a GP surgery and vet practice. Wincanton County Primary school, which is close to the new homes, will benefit from a contribution from Cavanna Homes of £110,000 towards an extension which will house eight new classrooms. Cllr Tudgay said: “Cales Reach is in a brilliant location and Cavanna Homes’ Green Travel Initiative is a great incentive for home-buyers to opt for sustainable travel methods by foot, bike or bus. I look forward to seeing the completed development next summer.” Cavanna Homes was awarded the UK’s Medium Housebuilder of the Year in the 2019 national Housebuilder Awards. Kelly Aylesbury, Sales Advisor at Cales Reach, added: “Cales Reach is a fantastic development and we’re excited to open the doors to our stunning show home welcoming visitors to take a look around. “We’ve already had off-plan reservations, which is brilliant, and being in such a beautiful location has been a great selling point for many homebuyers. We also offer buying schemes, including Move Assist, Part-Exchange and our show home leaseback schemes. “If you’re looking to move to the area, come and visit us to see our selection of beautiful new homes.”
As you advance in your medical career, you may find yourself in the position to open your own private clinic. For many, this can be a stressful decision. For one, you’d be leaving the comfort of the hospital to branch out on your own but for others, the ability to run your own clinic is part of the attraction. When building and owning a private practice, you have the control and the ability to steer the practice in the direction you want. There is a lot to be said for that amount of control whether you are an MBBS doctor or a medical assistant (see medical assistant programs here). However, it does come with challenges. The following will discuss aspects of starting your own practice and inform you of common missteps. There is no time like the present, don’t delay! While pursuing your medical career, you should constantly think about what you want for the future. If opening your own practice is something you’re interested in, consider the ramifications while you’re still in school. Thinking about the direction you want to go while still performing your internship or residency will help you make more informed decisions later on. It will also help you network with the right people to get your practice off the ground down the road. When it comes to getting your practice off the ground, give yourself a six-month head start. This will allow you the proper timing for the paperwork and credentials to clear if you need them. Get Your Finances in Order A private practice is a business and it will take capital to get it up and running. Many times you’ll need the help of a bank to secure a loan. You’ll want to do your research on the bank and the loan type for your practice. You’ll also want to put together a business plan and budget so the bank will understand what you’re trying to accomplish and the potential for growth in your industry. Having a good business model will help the bank make an informed decision on your loan, but it will also help define your vision moving forward. Take Your Time Vetting Employees Finding the right support staff is essential to running your practice. In fact, it is essential that you hire the right employees. When going through the hiring process, take your time. You want to be sure that you attract the right type of employee to your clinic, one who shares the same goals and level of service. You want staff that reflects your core values and echoes your philosophy. Also, consider the expense of hiring someone who doesn’t fit into your model, over time, this employee could end up costing you money and clients. Don’t’ be afraid to let someone go either, especially if they aren’t meeting your expectations. Don’t Get Too Focused on the Latest Technology We live in an amazing world where technology is expanding our horizons. The medical industry is no exception. Technology can be used to streamline the way you handle your patients from setting appointments to digitizing their records, but it can also be an effective tool to improving procedures. Don’t get caught up in the “latest” craze though. Make your practice efficient with the best technology available but don’t feel like you have to compete when it comes to the biggest or best gadgets, general facility fit out, chairs, or medical equipment. Focus on the Business In that past it was difficult to see the field of medicine as a traditional business but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. If you run your practice with a good foundation in business practice, the rest will fall into place. Of course, medicine does have its quirks but that doesn’t mean the basic rules don’t apply. If you don’t have a background in business management, consider hiring someone who does. An office manager who appreciates that side of the industry will do wonders for your practice and its success.
Leading UK retailer Primark has selected GRAHAM to deliver four contracts across some of its national stores. The firm will roll out the retailer’s modern new concept in Manchester, Milton Keynes, Liverpool and Southend on Sea against tight deadlines. This builds on the £53 million worth of work GRAHAM has already completed for the fashion retailer since 2015. Mark Gibson, Managing Director for GRAHAM Interior Fit-Out, said: “The work across all four stores comes with different challenges. Many will be completed in single phases while others will have a period of between 16-34 weeks to allow for a full fit-out. “The fast turnaround time required on each project, demands robust project management and efficiency in decision making and ultimately delivery. Throughout our four-year partnership with Primark we have consistently demonstrated our capacity to deliver multiple projects simultaneously without any variance in the high-quality of our work. “And because Primark is a popular retailer and, like many other fashion names, limiting closure over trading periods is of paramount importance, we will be working with a number of named sub-contractors in partnership to ensure the rollout is delivered on time and on deadline.” GRAHAM’s contract for the new Primark Barton Square store at the Trafford Centre in Manchester is worth over £9 million and involves an “extensive fit-out” covering 65,000 sq ft. The work will be completed in a single phase with an opening set for February 2020. Meanwhile the Milton Keynes store, a contract worth £4.5 million, will cover 75,000 sq ft across three floors with an opening due in April 2020. In Liverpool, GRAHAM’s work on its store will take place over a period of 16 weeks, from January 2020 until May 2020, while the store remains operational. This £3.5 million project will take place as GRAHAM works on the retailer’s most significant scheme next year, the £9.3 million Southend On Sea contract.
Tarkett has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the sustainability of the built environment by becoming a member of The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). The mission of the UKGBC is to improve the sustainability of the built environment by transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated. This mirrors Tarkett’s belief that through collaboration, industry can make a positive impact on people and the planet. As part of its pledge of ‘Doing Good Together’, the global flooring manufacturer aims to create healthier spaces by making sustainable flooring that is good for both people and the environment. In particular Tarkett uses a circular economy approach to product design. It strives to select materials that can be recovered, recycled and transformed. The focus on Cradle to Cradle design principles allows products to be manufactured using healthy components and help preserve natural resources whilst mitigating the effects of climate change. Through its ReStart© takeback programme, Tarkett manages flooring waste effectively by transforming it into new, high-quality products. And thanks to breakthrough technology at its Waalwijk facility, Tarkett has increased its industrial capacity to separate the two principal components of carpet tiles – yarn and backing, so they can also be recycled for future use. Ross Dight, Technical and Sustainability Director at Tarkett, commented: “As a global flooring business we believe we go well beyond our peers, in the built environment supply chain, by making sustainable flooring that is good for both people and our environment. Following such principles also provides our customers with the opportunity to advance their own sustainability goals. Joining the UK Green Building Council allows us to collaborate with the wider industry, share best practice and be part of a movement that is creating a vision of a better built environment.”
There are countless magazines devoted to modern living but many are filled with ideas that are simply out of reach for most of us. So we’ve decided to condense the top trends and make them more achievable with these 10 ideas for modern living. Consolidate Your Furniture Modern design is minimalist. You only have as many chairs or tables as you need. However, you can further maximize space with multi-functional furniture like coffee tables that double as bookcases and footrests with hidden storage inside. Get rid of a flimsy nightstand and put in one large enough to do more than hold up a lamp. Or use a wooden stool as a work table next to your bath or bed. Minimize Your Wardrobe A large chest of drawers standing against a wall is big intrusion. Installing a walk-in wardrobe or built-in unit will simplify the lines in the room. So not only will you have a smooth visual flow for the space and more storage, but you may even save yourself from stubbed toe as you walk into the room late at night. Choose a Simple Layout Forget separate groupings of furniture in most rooms. Choose a simple layout. Have the bed at the center of the bedroom, and locate a single plush chair in the corner. That’s enough to relax with a good book or to sit on while getting dressed. Maximize Height in Small Spaces There are a number of tricks to maximize height in small spaces. Curtains that extend from floor to ceiling is one example. A good two tone paint job is another. But the universal solution is getting rid of clutter and excess furniture to give you as much space as possible. Declutter First, purge the stuff you really don’t use so there’s less to organize in the first place. Next, invest in organizers that sit under the bed or hang in the closet, and get any clutter off the floor. This won’t only make the room look better, but will also reduce your stress level. You’ll sleep easier and your bedroom will become a peaceful retreat. Bring in the Light Maximize natural light. If new windows or solar tube aren’t options, changing your window dressing to let in more daylight is a good first step. Also put mirrors on the walls opposite your windows to maximize light. Go with Basic Colours, Then Add Accents To avoid a colour scheme that will date quickly and is too expensive to change, decorate in basic neutral colors like white, gray, black and beige. This doesn’t mean you can’t have colour. Add accents like paintings, throw pillows and blankets draped over the couch. If you do decide to change the colour scheme, these items are easier to replace. You can also mix and match them as your color palette changes. Bring the Outdoors Inside As high tech living becomes the norm, we’re placing a bigger emphasis on nature. This has led to a literal growth in houseplants. Yet we haven’t seen a return to a love of gardening and hard work. This has resulted in low maintenance succulent plants becoming a popular choice. They need relatively little light or water, but they add a dash of color. Mount the Lights The trend toward mounted lights has occurred for practical reasons. If your lights hang from the wall or ceiling, you don’t need night tables or stands, freeing up floor space and reducing the odds they get damaged. Old Is New Again The trend toward eco-friendly materials and natural materials has resulted in a wave of recycled and repurposed products. It’s more than timber from old buildings being turned into furniture, though that is part of the trend. Before you spend money on these handcrafted items, look for antique and historic items in your own family you can use instead. Baker’s racks with wood board can serve as kitchen storage. Wicker baskets can be turned into hanging storage baskets.
A school is a world in itself. A self-contained eco-system which, like our wider world, is experiencing over-crowding, with class sizes rising, and a distracted population, and ever-more social media outlets clamouring for attention. For this, teachers face more and more challenges each day, and when it comes to engaging and holding students’ attention, they need all the help they can get. This is where the school’s physical environment comes into play. Here, Ian Clarke, Armstrong Ceiling Solutions’ commercial technical manager, outlines a few ways the ceiling itself can aid and promote learning, as well as some of the critical considerations for designing spaces in which learning can thrive. Sound principles Research clearly shows acoustics have a profound impact on learning. In their study of two schools in London, for example, Evans and Maxwell1 concluded that poor acoustics can result in many students struggling to understand one in four words spoken. And, as classroom sizes grow and teachers strain to be overheard, acoustic performance in a ceiling is always the first thing architects turn to for aiding learning. However, it’s not as simple as it may seem. Minimising classroom din is not just about specifying ceilings with the highest levels of sound absorption because while diminishing class noise, it would – by extension – mute teachers’ voices, leading to vocal strain and fatigue for tutors, and classes being unable to hear lessons. A balance is needed between sound absorption and attenuation, between removing and reflecting sound to enable students to hear and teachers to be heard. Light learning Research has also shown a conclusive link between the provision of natural light and academic success – with one study2 showing that students working in classrooms with higher levels of daylight achieve 7% to 18% higher test scores. Another – Clever Classrooms3 – suggests that classroom design has a c25% impact, positive or negative, on students’ academic progress. Flooding interiors with natural light is a way not just to improve student performance but also to reduce reliance on artificial lighting. Combining highly-white, highly-reflective mineral ceiling tiles with larger windows or floor-to-ceiling glazing is an easy solution but again, it’s key to maintain balance. Too much natural light can cause eye strain or create glare for students and staff alike, so reflectance must be balanced with diffusion. Stimulating design Every architect wants to create stimulating spaces for learning but there’s a wealth of complications in designing ceilings for learning environments. For example, in classrooms accommodating children with special educational needs, the ceiling specification requires particular consideration to avoid designs that could exacerbate their conditions. Best practice, in line with UK Government standards like BB93, also includes minimising reverberation, keeping ceilings low (below 2.4m) and using Class A absorbent finishes. A balance needs to be maintained between aesthetics and practicality. While exposed soffits may help reduce schools’ heating footprint, these carry their own problems for acoustics and aesthetics – a challenge that can be solved through the disguise of unsightly features using suspended ceilings and canopies. Context is everything Beyond sound, light and aesthetics, ceilings within the learning environment need to be safe and durable, compliant with legislation and meet the unique challenges of each environment. Other vital considerations are ease of installation and maintenance. Omni-directional tiles can eliminate many installation errors for an easier fitting process and reduced need for correction. There are also myriad issues to consider in ceiling placement, from pressure drops (and ‘fluttering’ when doors open) to dust collection and access to the plenum space above the ceiling. A world in itself So, we’ve addressed a few of the key concerns for how the ceiling can actively aid learning but the educational institution encompasses libraries and canteens, auditoria and offices, kitchens, cloakrooms, toilets and corridors too. Architects should take a comprehensive approach to ‘zoning’ throughout a school or college, with each zone part of a wider, self-contained ecosystem. A world in itself – that can make a world of difference to future generations. To learn more about how Armstrong Ceiling Solutions can help you create better spaces for learning, visit https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/applications/school-ceiling-tiles.html 1.Chronic Noise Exposure and Reading Deficits: The Mediating Effects of Language Acquisition. Gary W. Evans & Lorraine Maxwell, Environment and Behaviour – Volume 29, Number 5, Sep 01, 1997. 2.Daylighting Impacts on Human Performance in School. Lisa S Heschong, University of California, Santa Cruz. Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society 31 (2) Sept 2013. 3.Clever Classrooms. Professor Peter Barrett Dr Yufan Zhang, Dr Fay Davies, Dr Lucinda Barrett. (University of Salford). Feb 2015.
Leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, Gilbert-Ash, has won a £17million design and build contract at one of England’s most historically significant colleges. Trinity College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, was granted planning permission last year for the erection of the new high-quality building. It is set to provide teaching facilities, residential accommodation and a multi-purpose auditorium. Gilbert-Ash will construct 45 new en-suite study bedrooms, five dedicated teaching rooms, three multi-purpose areas for music practice rooms, additional teaching rooms and a basement for plant and storage. Advanced logistical planning is pivotal in this project as the new building will be located on a sensitive site close to several listed buildings and gardens. It represents the first major building project at Trinity College for over 50 years. The new building will also be home to additional formal study spaces, a new reception area designed as an orangery overlooking the gardens and two additional student kitchens. There will be a kitchen to provide catering facilities, laundry and basement storage facilities, as well as male, female and gender-neutral bathrooms and ancillary accommodation. It has been designed in a classical manner with traditional materials being carefully considered to reflect the established architectural character elsewhere in the college. It will have stone-faced elevations finished in a honey coloured ashlar limestone to complement buildings across the college and ensure it sits comfortably with its historic setting. Having constructed the student accommodation at Wadham College, Gilbert-Ash has a well-established working relationship with the University of Oxford and has a deep knowledge of working in areas of significant historical importance. Raymond Gilroy, Gilbert-Ash Construction Director, commented, “Gilbert-Ash is really pleased to be working on this major project for Trinity College. We are excited about the new building and what it will offer to the university community. We are in no doubt about the challenges which lie ahead, working in a tight location surrounded by listed buildings and grounds, but our team has the experience to meticulously plan for and work through any challenges which present themselves. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work with our partners to deliver this prestigious project.” Working as one with Trinity College and the design team at Adam Architecture, Gilbert-Ash has developed a thorough plan to ensure the project objectives are delivered to the highest possible standard. The structural challenges have been addressed through the sub and superstructure strategies, which include contiguous piled basement retaining walls, internal load bearing piles with in-situ concrete basement and ground floor slabs. The superstructure will be an in-situ RC frame up to roof level with proprietary timber trusses and large concrete transfer beams at first and ground level to accommodate large open column free spaces. The project is due for completion in August 2021. Highly detailed design, advanced logistical planning and development goes into every Gilbert-Ash project, with the team skilled in delivering the finest quality projects in the UK and globally, including historic building and educational developments. For more information on Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com
As we accumulate more possessions and grow a family, we can often find that there’s a lot of stuff lying around the house, or clutter that really needs a place to be stored. Many of us also end up in living situations that we feel are lacking storage space, and our things begin to take up valuable floor space. Ottoman beds have been around for a while, but they’re often restricted to the guest room as many believe the most stylish beds can’t come with storage. Read on to explore all the reasons why beds with storage are an idea worth investing in for your home – not just in the guest room, but the master too! Why choose a Ottoman storage bed? The thought process behind having a storage bed in the guest bedroom is usually to fill the storage with spare bedding and blankets for your guests – but we all know that this storage usually ends up being used for all of the old clutter that we end up forgetting about! If we need so much extra storage for our things, doesn’t it make sense for the storage to be in the master bedroom where we won’t forget about it? Many homes lack the right amount of in-built storage for all our needs, and it is becoming more and more common for people to rent properties. With a bed that has in-built storage, you are bringing your own in-built storage to any home you live in, meaning you’ll always have somewhere to keep your things. Assess your storage needs, not only for now, but in the future too, and then take a look at the varying levels of storage available within beds. What type of storage bed is right for you? Beds come with varying degrees of storage to suit different needs. From storage that’s not so simple to access – best for the kind of items you’d put in a loft, or beds with drawers – a great place to put the same items you’d keep in a chest of drawers. The type of bed you go for should depend on your needs, but also the size of your room and the size of your budget. Ottoman divan beds are a popular choice because they offer a mattress that can be lifted with a gas-lift hydraulic system to reveal a large amount of storage underneath. This is the kind of bed that offers storage for those items you don’t need on a daily basis, such as seasonal decorations, spare bedding and small pieces of furniture that are not currently in use. Divan drawer beds are better suited to storing clothing, shoes and kids’ toys – the things that you’re likely to reach for on a more frequent basis. These drawers are ideal for clearing away clutter, preventing it from taking up valuable floor space. Different Divan beds come with varying layouts, offering different draw sizes and varying available space. These beds can come with one to four drawers. One drawer is best for larger storage needs, as you’ll simply pull one big drawer out from one side of the bed. Four drawers will offer four separate, smaller storage spaces, two on the left and right side of your bed. Can Ottoman storage beds still be stylish? Gone are the days where the most beautiful and stylish beds were not the ones to offer storage. Due to the increased storage needs of 21st-century living, it is now so much easier to find a bed that is perfect for your tastes and offers a large amount of storage. One type of bed that is the height of style and popularity at the moment is the upholstered bed. These beds come upholstered with luxury materials such as velvet and leather, amongst other desirable fabrics. This style of bed offers a luxurious and grand place to slip into for a comfortable night’s sleep, with the added softness of an upholstered headboard. Upholstered beds are a statement piece for any bedroom, but that doesn’t have to mean a sacrifice on storage. Today, there is a wide range of upholstered beds that come in a range of stylish fabrics and colours, while also offering the several styles of storage previously mentioned in the article. Making the choice to invest in a storage bed no longer means settling for a bed that doesn’t meet your exact tastes, or keeping storage limited to a guest bedroom. You can find your dream master bed that fits the bill for your tastes and interiors, while also offering you a large amount of convenient storage to add to your bedroom.
Whitley Bay’s landmark regeneration project, Spanish City, is celebrating after winning an international award for interior design. Adding to the site’s growing list of accolades, Spanish City recently won an FX Award for Best Mixed Use Development. The FX Awards celebrate the best in international design with a prestigious awards ceremony in London each year. Spanish City beat critically acclaimed design projects as far afield as San Francisco, Salerno and Southern China to scoop the grand prize. Judges described Spanish City as an “amazing restoration” with “extremely high-quality spaces providing a social hub and uplifting connection with the community.” The interiors strategy for the Spanish City project was led by senior interior designer Katie Thompson, who used contemporary finishes, materials, lightings and fittings to recreate the feel of the building when it first opened. She said: “We were thrilled to accept the award for Best Mixed Use Development at FX Awards in London on Monday night – the 13th award for this fantastic building. “The competition in the category was amazing, so we are very happy that the judges thought ADP was a worthy winner.” Since reopening in 2018 following ADP Architecture’s restoration, Spanish City has also won a RIBA North East Award and many others. It is hoped that the restoration will continue to have a positive impact for the local community and economy.
Leeds College of Building is now offering the Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship, focusing specifically on the drylining pathway. This is a Level 2 qualification and typically takes two years to complete. Working in partnership with British Gypsum to deliver the course, it includes the supply of materials, training and keeping apprentices up-to-date with product development. If you are interested, get in touch with the Apprenticeship Team on 0113 222 6041 or email wbl@lcb.ac.uk For full details click here. Key facts Where will the apprentice study? Leeds College of Building Funding band: £1400, non-levy employer contribution £700 Apprentices start: Sept 2020, however early demand could bring the first wave forward to February 2020. Apprenticeship Training Costs: If you are an apprenticeship levy-payer you could fund this course through your levy payments, and for non-levy payers you will be required to contribute 5% of the course cost. If you are a non-levy payer and have less than 50 employees and take on a 16-18 year old apprentice the course will be free. Regardless of whether you are a levy/non-levy paying company, you can claim a one-off incentive of £1,000 for taking on a 16-18 year old apprentice. The college will also support apprentices from out of the area by accommodating them free of charge in a city centre hotel whilst they are in college and also help with the travel costs. With around 60,000 Dryliners active in the UK, Drylining must, as a trade be one of the UK’s best kept secrets. Everybody knows what a plasterer or a carpenter is, but you often get blank looks when you talk about drylining. The fact is that drylining is now emerging as one of the key trades in construction. It is encouraging to see leading colleges like Leeds evidencing this by getting behind it. We now have a new Apprenticeship Standard, new providers and the new funding allows real flexibility about age of apprentices. We are also seeing significant increases in the CITB funding available for companies who take on apprentices – this is over and above the funding that you can get to cover the training. This is a huge opportunity to make 2020 the year of the apprentice, for the sector to embrace this standard as a catalyst for change, to revisit how we invest in training and work with colleges and providers to put drylining firmly on the careers map. Iain McIlwee, FIS chief executive
