The Association for Project Safety has launched its Micro Manifesto ahead of the UK General Election setting out priorities. It regards these as critical for the built environment not only to raise badly needed awareness of important issues, but to reset the construction industry’s safety relationship with government. APS wants to further build on a partnership with the next government that continues to empower the built environment to play a full role in tackling challenges particularly around in areas around building safety and mitigating risk within the building and construction industry. Although APS’s ‘key asks’ are neither especially new nor innovative, the fact is they remain its primary messages for the 650 new Westminster parliamentarians to be elected on 4 July. APS has identified Five ‘Asks’. They are . 1.  Training and Skills Development Issue: There is a significant shortage of skilled workers to meet the housing targets set in all the main party manifestoes, but especially in the Tory or Labour ones, both now launched. More info here. Solution: Invest in comprehensive training programmes, and real, meaningful apprenticeships to build a skilled workforce capable of safely constructing the planned 1.5+ million homes likely to be needed over the next five years. APS Ask: Immediate allocation of funds and resources to training centres, and educational institutions – with enforceable output targets. 2.  Planned and Selective Immigration (Short Term) Issue: Our members tell us that the current domestic workforce is insufficient to meet critical housing targets in the short term. Solution: Implement a planned and selective immigration policy to attract skilled workers from abroad similar to the Australian model. This would be a short-term tactic for five years. APS Ask: Fast-track visa processes for skilled immigrants with proven experience and identifiable, ‘provable’ skills in the construction sector. 3.  Long-Term Construction Workforce Development Issue: Many UK college/university training programmes are simply insufficient to meet the demand for skilled workers. Solution: Enhance and expand apprenticeship programmes to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers for future projects. APS Ask: Partner with industry leaders and educational institutions to design and implement effective programmes relevant to modern methods of construction and developing technologies. 4.  Environmental Protection in Planning Issue: Proposed fast-track planning on brownfield sites and abandonment of nutrient neutrality pose environmental risks. Solution: Ensure all planning and construction projects adhere to strict environmental protection standards to prevent uncontrolled pollutants in sensitive environments. APS Ask: Implement rigorous environmental impact assessments for all new construction projects. Some pioneering local authorities are showing this can be done; think how much more with government backing. 5.  Retrofitting Existing Buildings Issue: The focus on new builds overlooks the potential of retrofitting existing structures to meet modern housing needs and environmental goals. Solution: Develop a robust and realistic retrofit programme to improve existing buildings’ energy efficiency and safety APS Ask: Allocate funding and incentivise homeowners and businesses to retrofit their properties. In summary, APS urges the next UK Government to prioritise the development of a skilled workforce through improved domestic training programmes and selective immigration (visa) incentives. It is crucial to balance the push for new housing with environmental protections and retrofitting initiatives to ensure sustainable growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

For Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19th May), UK builders have shared their own mental health experiences, to encourage other people in the industry to speak about their feelings.  IronmongeryDirect’s latest Mental Health in the Trades report revealed that more than four in five (82%) tradespeople experience some form of mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, due to work.  Ahead of the company’s Match for the Mind tournament – a charity football event being held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium (25th May) to raise money for Mind – IronmongeryDirect asked workers to share their own mental health stories to inspire others, and reassure people that they are not alone in their feelings.  Frazer Budd, Builder  “I have struggled with my own mental health, but am lucky enough to have my children as a constant reminder of why I have to get up and carry on every day. Sadly I’ve worked with a lad that didn’t have the same family network, and one day he didn’t show up for work. He never spoke to anyone about his struggles and tragically died by suicide. It is so important to remove the stigma around people talking to someone about their feelings.”  Craig Brown, Builder  “I struggled massively through and after lockdown with really bad anxiety. I struggled to even leave the house at times. At some of my lowest points, I found myself laying bricks with tears running down my face. I managed to get through it with a great support network, speaking to my friends and family and two sons,  and speaking to some people on site that had been in the same situation.”  Paul Blanch, Builder  “Our work is so dependent on weather and this becomes stressful, and can interfere with other parts of your life. I have experienced this on occasions, and in the last few years, I have had a few sessions with a therapist to release this pressure and talk openly about personal issues. I find this really helps and refocuses your mind.”  Daniel McConnellogue, Builder  “My father has been on the building sites since he was 16 and was in an accident in 2005, where he sadly lost two of his toes. This led to him being stuck in hospital for months, which led to his business being shut down. These unfortunate events meant he then suffered from PTSD a few months after the accident, which sadly saw him fall into a deep state of depression, which took him ages to escape. But he has now done it. He is the strongest and most hardworking man I’ve ever met.”  Frankie Mason, Builder  “Someone I worked with on site with always came to work with a smile. He was always positive no matter how negative the days could be. Last month, he died by suicide after experiencing mental health problems. No one noticed his symptoms, but no one asked. They just assumed his smiling face meant he must be feeling ok. It takes 5 seconds to text an old friend, a friend, or a family member to see if they’re ok. For them to know someone cares.”  Ellis Osborn, Ecommerce Manager at IronmongeryDirect, said: “From both our research and from speaking to tradespeople across the UK, it’s clear how prevalent mental health problems continue to be within the industry. We thank the players from our upcoming Match for the Mind charity tournament for sharing their own stories, to encourage others to seek the support they need.”  To read the full Mental Health in the Trades 2024 report, visit:  https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/mental-health-in-the-trades   To find out more about the Match for the Mind, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/enter-now-for-your-chance-to-play-football-at-chelsea Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals