CPW
International engineering consultancy CPW gives back to local communities with annual charity day

International engineering consultancy CPW gives back to local communities with annual charity day

INTERNATIONAL M&E and sustainability consultancy CPW has given its team two dedicated working days for charitable work – totalling more than 653 hours volunteering and raising £3,700 on the first charity day. Its teams in Birmingham, Solihull, Bristol, Derby, Huntingdon, Leeds, Leicester, London and Nottingham focused their time on a range of fundraising and volunteering activities

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M&E consultancy CPW launches brand new Birmingham office

M&E consultancy CPW launches brand new Birmingham office

CPW has solidified its presence in the West Midlands with the recent addition of a new city centre office space at 103 Colmore Row. The leading sustainability and M&E firm has opened the new Birmingham office in the heart of the city, enabling the team to better service both new and

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International M&E firm CPW reveals new office in Nottingham

International M&E firm CPW reveals new office in Nottingham

LEADING sustainability and M&E firm CPW has solidified its presence in Nottingham with its recent relocation to a new city centre office space. Having been located on Stoney Street within the Lace Market area of Nottingham since 2008, the move to a 3500 sq. ft space in the Imperial Buildings

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REGULATE OR FAIL: TOO PASSIVE ON PASSIVHAUS

Anyone interested in building design and energy conservation will have come across the Passivhaus standard. This internationally recognised benchmark has for some years been the top grade for sustainable buildings and the principles have been adopted by many UK construction professionals. Neil Foster, director at international M&E consultancy CPW, explores

Read More »

CPW APPOINTS ACOUSTICS EXPERTS TO HEAD UP BRAND-NEW DEPARTMENT

INTERNATIONAL M&E consultancy CPW has further expanded its operations and appointed two accomplished acousticians. Jon Willmott now heads up the newly formed acoustics department, with the support of senior acoustics consultant James Large, in order to meet the growing demand across multiple sectors for acoustic input. Jon, who has been

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CPW WELCOMES NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS ACROSS ENGLAND

THE next generation of engineers has been welcomed by international M&E consultancy CPW as part of its long-standing apprenticeship programme, with a total of 12 trainees joining the company ranks in this year’s intake across its 11 offices. Established more than twenty years ago, CPW’s apprenticeship programme is committed to

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CPW ANNOUNCES NEW COHORT OF CIBSE-ACCREDITED CONSULTANTS

TWELVE experienced engineers at national M&E consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW) have attained accreditation to join the CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) Heat Networks Consultants Register. CIBSE Heat Networks Consultants are able to advise on the Code of Practice CP1 on Heat Networks, produced by CIBSE and the

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

CPW

International engineering consultancy CPW gives back to local communities with annual charity day

International engineering consultancy CPW gives back to local communities with annual charity day

INTERNATIONAL M&E and sustainability consultancy CPW has given its team two dedicated working days for charitable work – totalling more than 653 hours volunteering and raising £3,700 on the first charity day. Its teams in Birmingham, Solihull, Bristol, Derby, Huntingdon, Leeds, Leicester, London and Nottingham focused their time on a range of fundraising and volunteering activities for many local and charitable causes.  This includes volunteering activities such as litter picking, ground maintenance, decorating, car washing and supporting at local food banks. Fundraising events were also planned such as a charity walk through London and a pool tournament for participants to show their competitive side.  John Hauton, director and charity lead at CPW, said: “As a company with offices across the UK, we want to ensure we make a difference in all our locations and give back to the communities that have supported us to flourish in the different areas. We also felt it was important to give teams the opportunity to select a cause that matters to them.   “We want to thank all our staff for making this such a success, it was inspiring to see the passion with which our teams tackled their activities and we loved discovering the personal connections many of our staff had to these charities and causes.  “Closing all of our offices for two working days this year is a significant logistical undertaking, but seeing the results so far has already reaffirmed our decision to commit valuable time and make a difference.”  CPW is planning to undertake its second charity day in Autumn, with staff encouraged to start thinking now about which local charities may benefit from its support next. Directors at CPW have also agreed to match all funds raised over the two days this year.   With more than 300 staff based across 13 offices including international offices in Poland and India, CPW specialises in designing and integrating a full range of building services into new and existing buildings to deliver cutting edge sustainable solutions that are not only energy efficient but are both financially and environmentally sustainable for clients.    For further information on CPW’s sustainability work visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media.    Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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M&E consultancy CPW almost doubles regional staff in just one year

M&E consultancy CPW almost doubles regional staff in just one year

LEADING sustainability and M&E firm CPW has continued its expansion in the East Midlands following the recruitment of 24 new starters.   The firm’s offices in Leicester, Derby and Nottingham now boast more than 50 members of staff, which marks an increase of almost 100% in the last 12 months and the biggest headcount to date. This remarkable growth has been cemented by a brand-new 3500sq ft office space in Nottingham opening late last year as further evidence of CPW’s growth and increased presence in the region.   Appointments have ranged from graduates to senior professionals, adding valuable expertise in design engineering and building information modelling (BIM) roles. Adam Harris, a newly appointed senior design engineer in CPW’s Nottingham office, said: “I’d heard great things about CPW before joining, so when I was looking for my next career move, it was an easy decision.   “The inclusive culture that runs through the firm has allowed me to share ideas with others more regularly than I have experienced in previous roles, which in turn allows me to consistently upskill and work with junior members of the team, which is crucial as they are the future of our industry.”  CPW is dedicated to developing young people and see it as its inherent responsibility to create professionals that will go on to shape the country’s engineering future. With a culture based on collaboration and sharing knowledge, the firm strives to not only offer an environment that nurtures growth but offer opportunity wherever possible.  Alastair Hirst, a senior design engineer who started with the firm at its Nottingham office in October last year, added: “Bridging the skills gap and recruiting the next generation grows more critical each year and it’s something I personally feel passionate about. I’m therefore thrilled that my role at CPW not only allows space to grow within my own career but also gives me the opportunity to lead others and develop my team skills – in turn helping the growth of those just starting their own careers.”  Carl Hubbard, director and Nottingham office co-lead at CPW, said: “Our presence within the East Midlands business community has been steadily expanding since 2003, but the additions of the last year have really accelerated our growth plans and will further solidify our presence in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.   “We’re proud of our fantastic teams across all three offices and, being at our strongest staffing levels yet is testament to the top-quality work and the strong relationships we have built with our clients. We’re therefore looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store for us.”  CPW is passionate about supporting skills, development and training, as well as nurturing young talent. With a leading apprenticeship programme that is now open for applications, CPW is proud to have more than 15% of its workforce currently part of the scheme, with a number of directors and senior team members starting their career via this route.  The international consultancy has more than 250 staff based across 13 offices and works across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, residential, education and more. The firm has sustainability at its core and specialises in designing and integrating a full range of MEP solutions into existing and new buildings.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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M&E consultancy CPW launches brand new Birmingham office

M&E consultancy CPW launches brand new Birmingham office

CPW has solidified its presence in the West Midlands with the recent addition of a new city centre office space at 103 Colmore Row. The leading sustainability and M&E firm has opened the new Birmingham office in the heart of the city, enabling the team to better service both new and existing clients.   Expanding into the business district was a natural next step for CPW with several major city centre projects underway, spanning the education, residential, healthcare, and commercial sectors among others.   CPW worked closely with B-Corp certified, flexible workspace providers x+why to create a space with a focus on sustainability and plug and play technology. The resulting office design is high spec and high tech, with a focus on sustainability and a biophilic natural design, plus flexible working spaces, meeting pods and call booths to suit collaborative work.   New technology in the office will help clients and engineers visualise designs better through 3D BIM (Building Information Modelling) and help guide clients on sustainable build solutions. The team can also enjoy cityscape views from the building’s roof terrace on the 18th floor.  Antonios Agapakis, director at CPW, said: “A city centre office was something our clients have asked for and we’ve listened and acted on it. We wanted to solidify our personal approach by offering more face-to-face discussions and networking opportunities, which we know our staff and clients both value and enjoy.   “The new Birmingham space gives us the opportunity to work with current clients and meet new ones, generate new business and friendships, and expand our current relationships. Post-pandemic, we realised how important these face-to-face relationships really are.”  The Birmingham office will also allow for wider recruitment of talent within the West Midlands region, particularly for staff looking to commute into the city centre for work. With clients, partners and industry leaders on the doorstep, all staff will be able to easily take advantage of networking and sector events in the city, as well as providing an additional office location for flexible working. With both Birmingham Snow Hill and New Street stations close by, staff can make the most of greener travel options and proximity to clients and projects.  John Thrupp, associate at CPW, said: “The new office has already generated lots of excitement from our clients. It was important to us that the new office reflected us as a company, but also practiced what we preach in terms of sustainable solutions and low-energy consumption in buildings. We know that clients want to see how you operate, they want to know that your core design principles come through in your own working space – this helps build trust in your abilities and priorities.   “Birmingham is such an exciting place to be right now – the city centre has changed and improved a lot in recent years, and we’re thrilled to be in such an incredible building like 103 Colmore Row.”   Ed Hobbs, area operations manager for x+why Birmingham, said: “We’re overjoyed that CPW have chosen x+why, 103 Colmore Row, as their home in Birmingham city centre. Their focus on sustainability and driving positive change in building design, is well aligned with our own company goals. We look forward to supporting their continued success in the years to come.”  For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media.   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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International M&E firm CPW reveals new office in Nottingham

International M&E firm CPW reveals new office in Nottingham

LEADING sustainability and M&E firm CPW has solidified its presence in Nottingham with its recent relocation to a new city centre office space. Having been located on Stoney Street within the Lace Market area of Nottingham since 2008, the move to a 3500 sq. ft space in the Imperial Buildings on Victoria Street marks a new chapter for the firm, aligning with the firm’s consistent growth and success in Nottingham and the surrounding areas since joining the region’s business community in 2003. Rising staff levels, flexible ways of working and the resurgence of client facing activity were key drivers in the decision to relocate CPW’s Nottingham team. The leadership team was compelled to create a space that was adaptable and complimentary of the energy, drive and passion that the CPW team embodies. Carl Humpage, director and Nottingham office lead at CPW, said: “We wanted to create a space that enables us to produce the best possible work for our clients, while also achieving a flexible office setting for our 26 staff with all the modern facilities and intricacies needed for growth in the sector. “Larger screens for building information modelling (BIM) capability, a boardroom with the ability to cater for larger meetings, a virtual reality room to bring our projects to life and the sustainability of air source heat pumps are just a few of the ways the new space is optimal for our line of work.” Craig Waldron, director at CPW, added: “The new office has provided us with an opportunity to re-invest. It’s an exciting and creative workspace that our colleagues are already loving. It’s brilliant how the new environment has reinvigorated the team and really enhanced the energy, drive and passion for what we do. “The location also provides us with easier access to the city centre and all its amenities, with a close tram stop improving connectivity for commuters and promoting more sustainable transport options.” The fully refurbished office includes facilities to promote staff capacity and wellbeing, including larger spaces for social evenings, breakout spaces for varied meeting environments and a pool table for friendly competition. The firm’s new fit-for-purpose space provides the opportunity for CPW’s already strong presence in the region to grow further. Carl Hubbard, director and Nottingham office co-lead at CPW, said: “Our work in the East Midlands is something we are really proud of and the mission to deliver low or zero carbon design solutions is never ending. Projects with the University of Nottingham and our involvement in The Island Quarter scheme are examples of the significant work we are involved in with local stakeholders. “Looking ahead to our 20th year in Nottingham, we are excited to build further on our current client base and our new office plays a vital role in our position as a leading business in the regional construction community.” CPW is an international M&E consultancy with more than 250 staff based across 12 offices. The firm – which works across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, residential, education and more – has sustainability at its core and specialises in designing and integrating a full range of MEP solutions into existing and new buildings. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media.  Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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REGULATE OR FAIL: TOO PASSIVE ON PASSIVHAUS

Anyone interested in building design and energy conservation will have come across the Passivhaus standard. This internationally recognised benchmark has for some years been the top grade for sustainable buildings and the principles have been adopted by many UK construction professionals. Neil Foster, director at international M&E consultancy CPW, explores why projects aiming for full certification are surprisingly rare – meaning its transformative potential for futureproofing the country’s building stock has yet to be realised. After some delay and much consultation, the updated building regulations on conservation of fuel and power (Part L) have come into force, with stipulations for improved energy performance that some consider to be unambitious. Although certain aspects of the Part L regulations are now closer to the Passivhaus standard – such as those around fabric insulation levels – should legislation be going further, faster? It takes very little time to see the benefits of Passivhaus. When a simple change to triple glazing reduces heat loss by 40%, why would anyone ignore the opportunity to reduce energy consumption through passive means and avoid the need to generate energy, however sustainably, in the first place. When this approach is rigorously applied to every aspect of the building design, it is possible to reduce heating demand to near zero – even in a cold climate. Furthermore, the benefits remain despite changing views on the best energy production methods, shifting landscapes on energy security and fuel price escalation. The initial cost of Passivhaus compliance can be unpalatable and may fall victim to value engineering – a popular term among clients and contractors. Ultimately, this comes down to what is considered to be valuable. In my opinion, true value engineering should go beyond simple cost cutting and also include measuring the sustainability benefit in the long term. Homeowners would surely value a house that costs extremely little to heat all year round – an entirely possible scenario if the Passivhaus standard is achieved. The iterative nature of the value engineering process itself may play a part, gradually eroding the original design aspiration. Once one sustainability goal is discarded, others become vulnerable. Passivhaus is an established, unambiguous standard that is not easily diluted – ideally suited to being used as the required standard for new construction. It may be that this is not just a target, but a necessity in the future. The clock is ticking As the name implies, the Passivhaus standard stems from research on domestic houses. However, the passive approach to heating internal spaces is universally applicable. It remains to be seen whether key decision makers are willing to see it used on as many buildings as possible. Progress is being made. Legislation in the form of Part L of the Building Regulations, governing the conservation of fuel and power, continues to set more stringent standards with each new update. However, progress is slower than many hoped and comes at a cost to the environment. It’s important that we also remain realistic and not look to the future through rose tinted glasses. In many cases, the impact of political rumblings and consequential high prices mean that meeting a design brief is simply not possible for clients without breaking the bank. Therefore, having this conversation during a time of vastly increased construction costs is difficult, but the clock is ticking. What to expect next The Building Regulations will continue to improve the standards for buildings, with the goal of introducing a zero carbon ‘Future Home Standard’ and ‘Future Building Standard’ in 2025. It is likely that there will be a greater emphasis on refurbishment projects. This can be significantly cheaper, and the embodied carbon associated with materials and construction is much reduced. However, the suitability of repurposed buildings as safe and healthy environments will be increasingly scrutinised, especially in the wake of the recent pandemic. EnerPhit, the Passivhaus accreditation tailored to renovation projects, details a lower threshold of energy efficiency in recognition of the limitations imposed by the existing fabric. Nevertheless, whilst it is typically three to four per cent more expensive to make a new build meet Passivhaus standards, meeting the EnerPHit criteria can mean a cost increase closer to 20 to 25%. We are also seeing rising demand for support on decarbonisation projects, often across several sites operated by the client. There are, of course, lots of stakeholders to consider during this debate, so it’s inevitable that there will be some acting with more urgency than others. Shaping our future The need for decarbonisation is nothing new and many consultants offer good advice. Recent changes to legislative standards will initially increase demand for MEP support but these will quickly become the norm. Our ethos is to consider the long-term view and work towards the greater good, maintaining momentum in the right direction and supporting a consistently higher standard. We always advise and aim for certified projects in hope of influencing a high-quality construction build which demonstrates very little difference between design simulation and in use energy consumption. Training all our engineers in Passivhaus principles has helped them understand building physics and means they are becoming more sustainability-focussed MEP designers. A Passivhaus certified building results in ultra-low demand for heating and lighting and is an essential step towards true zero carbon buildings. It allows efficient use of low temperature heating systems such as heat pumps, which in turn removes dependence on gas. Zero carbon also means using electricity that is not generated using gas or other fossil fuels. The next innovation will be to use smart technologies to manage the usage and minimise the local PV generation needed to achieve the ultimate goal of zero carbon emissions, low running cost and a comfortable environment for the end user. For more information about CPW, visit www.cpwp.com

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CPW APPOINTS ACOUSTICS EXPERTS TO HEAD UP BRAND-NEW DEPARTMENT

INTERNATIONAL M&E consultancy CPW has further expanded its operations and appointed two accomplished acousticians. Jon Willmott now heads up the newly formed acoustics department, with the support of senior acoustics consultant James Large, in order to meet the growing demand across multiple sectors for acoustic input. Jon, who has been in the industry for more than 20 years, has assumed the position of associate director and head of acoustics following successful tenures at several other major consultancies, where his expertise took him as far as the Middle East for the FIFA 2022 preparations. The acoustics department is a complementary service to CPW’s MEP consultancy and provides specialist advice on all aspects of the acoustics, noise, and vibration in the built environment. Based primarily at CPW’s Manchester office, Jon is tasked with offering specialist advice on projects across the UK as well as growing the team and client base. He said: “It’s been incredibly busy since joining CPW and taking on the responsibility of the acoustics department, but I’ve enjoyed every minute. “CPW’s work culture and values immediately drew me in. The forward-thinking nature of its employees and collaborative approach to solving problems within the built environment is something we’re keen to continue nurturing. Following a raft of new project appointments, we’re looking to grow the team and take on engineers across a range of positions. “This is a really exciting time for CPW following a companywide rebrand and the expansion of four offices, so further investing in the acoustics team will offer our clients even more added value on projects. As a business we are continuing to invest in the acoustic tools and software to enable exciting 3D modelling and auralisations. However, our core objective is to produce cost-effective practical design solutions to our clients, and communicate these in jargon-free, plain-English.” James, who has worked alongside Jon previously in his career, will also play a key role in driving the department’s future growth strategy. He brings nine years of industry experience to the team, having worked on several high-profile developments such as the refurbishment of Waterloo Train Station. James said: “I’m really pleased to be part of CPW’s new acoustic department. There are so many exciting opportunities on the horizon, and the acoustics team is already home to vast amounts of technical expertise ready to be put to good use for CPW’s growing customer base.” Having noticed the increased demand for acoustic services from the healthcare, education, residential and commercial sectors, CPW expects the department to quickly grow and complement its existing team of experts specialising in sustainability within the built environment. Antonios Agapakis, director at CPW, added: “I recognised that we needed an acoustics expert to head up our new specialist department – and to have Jon join us is a real win for the business. We’re delighted to build on our in-house capability, which will be bolstered by James’ expertise and support. “The department serves as a ‘one-stop shop’ for clients, offering peace of mind through both challenging regulation adaption and design recommendation. As we grow this new arm of the business, we look forward to expanding the team and furthering our service offering, whilst providing opportunities to the next generation of acoustic specialists.” Understanding that noise and poor acoustics can have wide-reaching implications on health and wellbeing, the acoustics department offers a range of services such as environmental noise impact assessments, acoustic modelling, sound insulation testing and BREEAM noise assessments – all of which add to the depth off offering to clients. CPW is an international M&E consultancy with more than 250 staff based across 11 offices – including Bristol, Derby, Huntingdon, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham, and Solihull as well as Poland and India – specialising in designing and integrating a full range of energy solutions into existing and new buildings. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media.

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CPW WELCOMES NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS ACROSS ENGLAND

THE next generation of engineers has been welcomed by international M&E consultancy CPW as part of its long-standing apprenticeship programme, with a total of 12 trainees joining the company ranks in this year’s intake across its 11 offices. Established more than twenty years ago, CPW’s apprenticeship programme is committed to nurturing home-grown talent and bridging the skills gap by taking on apprentices straight out of school, college, and university. More than 15% of its workforce is currently part of the apprenticeship program, making up a total of 35 across a variety of levels in all offices, and solidifying its investment into the next generation of engineers.  The London office has welcomed apprentice Joshua Yeboah, demonstrating its commitment to engaging and upskilling promising young students. Joshua will develop his skills as an engineer and gain practical experience working on world-class projects, specialising in sustainable mechanical and electrical engineering.  He said: “I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in engineering as I’m driven by a desire to provide solutions and have a long-lasting impact on the built environment. After finishing sixth form, following a brief period searching for an apprenticeship, I found CPW. The firm stood out to me as a company built upon a strong work ethic but also a company who understands it has a duty to be as sustainable as possible. “CPW has a well-established apprenticeship program and it’s been great to meet other trainees in the company who are looking to progress in their engineering careers just like myself. Working in the London office I’ve seen first-hand the different methods for achieving results for our clients and everyone has a uniquely CPW way of working. Having a mentor on my team has also been great for my development so I’m really enjoying it.” CPW is an international M&E consultancy with more than 240 staff based across 11 offices – including Bristol, Derby, Huntingdon, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham, and Solihull as well as Poland and India. To join the CPW programme, apprentices must demonstrate a sound ability in maths and science, due to the technical nature of being an engineer, but also a passion and desire to be part of a team and develop a career.  CPW is dedicated to developing young people and see it as its inherent responsibility to create professionals that will go on to shape the country’s engineering future. With a culture based on collaboration and sharing knowledge, CPW strives to not only offer an environment that nurtures growth but offer opportunity wherever possible. As such, CPW funds higher education qualifications including bachelor’s and master’s degrees to enable its staff to gain invaluable knowledge, closely supporting them throughout the process. Wayne Eustace, director at CPW, oversees the apprenticeship program. He said: “We pride ourselves at CPW on leading the way in supporting and nurturing the talent of future engineers. Through our various programmes of traineeships, apprenticeships, and vocational training, we are witnessing first-hand the positive impact we can have on young people as they start their careers while crucially bridging the skills gap within the construction sector. “In the last ten years alone, we’ve brought close to 100 new engineers into the industry through our training and development schemes and some of our directors even began as CPW trainees. This year we are proud to have our most diverse cohort yet with more women and people from minority backgrounds than ever before. It’s a part of the business we’re really proud of and we’re thrilled to welcome our 12 new recruits and help plug the industry skills gap with our homegrown talent.” CPW specialises in designing and integrating a full range of energy solutions into existing and new buildings to deliver cutting edge sustainable solutions that are not only energy efficient but financially and environmentally sustainable for clients. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media.

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The heat is on education: M&E specialist explores sustainable design solutions

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR EDUCATION Construction within the education sector is set to face a number of challenges in the next decade as schools look to reach net zero and utilise renewable technology and techniques. Matt Wrate, director at international M&E consultancy CPW, looks at how to keep schools cool yet sustainable when developing heating solutions. One of the biggest issues we face when designing schools is overheating, due to increased occupancy density and equipment gains. Keeping schools cool, especially with the ever-looming threat of climate change, has been an issue since Tony Blair’s ‘education education education’ promise that pledged to put schools at the top of the agenda. It’s easy to draw parallels to Boris Johnson’s ‘build build build’ but this time the focus is on the property and construction industry with an emphasis on helping both new and existing buildings become carbon neutral. I recently took part in a Stride Treglown Climate Action Relay panel, which looked at the challenges of delivering a carbon net zero school and considered the implementation of modern methods of construction (MMC) in schools, the impact of changing regulations and behavioural changes in reaching net zero. The consensus was that there is no one answer for reaching net zero but rather that we need a wider solution that incorporates a transparent supply chain, renewable technology, MMC and a simple way to measure operational and embodied carbon on projects. In short, we need to work together to reach the government’s 2050 target. This is where clever solutions come in. In 2000, when renewable technology first gained popularity, the cost was astronomical. However, in the decades since then the price of materials has significantly reduced and so has the overall cost. Photovoltaic panels already cover the roofs of schools across the country and a number of passive solutions have been installed to keep spaces cool before resorting to energy-hungry air conditioning. But we need to take the next step. New technology is in the research and development pipeline, so we need to begin weighing up the benefits of implementing sustainable techniques while keeping inside the budget. Even with the best intentions, if the proposed solutions aren’t economically viable, the most financially suitable option will win out every time.   I believe closing the ‘performance gap’ is essential if schools are to operate as zero carbon.  Engaging the client’s facilities management team, who will actually operate the building, is ideal but not always feasible at design stage. We therefore need to design systems that are simple to use without training to ensure energy is not wasted. However, the biggest difference we can make when designing schools is allowing flexibility. School buildings are used in different ways, at different times, by different groups of people and the design must facilitate this as much as possible without adding significant cost. Technology is also constantly evolving so we must consider the entire lifespan of a school – typically 25 years – and allow space to incorporate different solutions as they become available. Yes, we need to consciously design with sustainability in mind, utilising the most up to date methods and technology, but flexibility is key when reaching for carbon net zero. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on Twitter.

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TWO YOUNG FEMALE ENGINEERS SAY APPRENTICESHIPS ARE A KEY ROUTE TO STEM DIVERSITY

IT’S NO SECRET that the UK construction sector is suffering from a serious skills shortage, with a reported 182,000 new engineers alone needed each year to bridge the gap. Apprenticeships have been proven as a great way to combat this crisis and are becoming a serious option for all school leavers as Covid-19 makes higher education a decreasingly attractive option. With most apprenticeships rooted in STEM fields, another key action point when closing the skills gap is encouraging more diversity. The latest figures from the Women’s Engineering Society1 (WES) show that women make up just under 13% of the engineering workforce and just less than 18% of higher apprentices in the engineering and manufacturing sector. This is something Zoe Fittock and Angelina Stankovic, both trainee apprentices at national M&E consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW), are hoping to change. Zoe said: “Apprenticeships have always been an attractive option for many, including myself, and are increasingly seen as a strong rival to higher education, providing the valuable skills and real-world experience needed for success in the construction sector. “With it being Women in Construction Week, it’s an important time to be talking about the need for more women in the construction sector. Apprenticeships are a great way for women to circumvent the glass ceiling and get their foot in the door. “By making it easier for women to step into the industry from the start of their career, we can challenge stigmas around female engineers and normalise equal representation from the start.” For new trainees entering the industry, the need for frequent technical engagement is a key part of development. CPW’s two-fold approach ensures that this can continue despite the challenges of lockdown restrictions. Firstly, a straightforward mentor hierarchy for trainees keeps lines of remote technical input clear and concise, and secondly, CPW currently retains some weekly office presence options for trainees to sit alongside mentors. Apprentices are given priority over socially distanced desks and office numbers are appropriately limited, while still allowing some of the regular face-to-face interaction that is vital to progression. Angelina added: “The construction industry is as hands-on as it gets and having the opportunity to gain practical experience with software, design implementation, and working as a team on a common project goal is invaluable. “We’ve already had great insights into the sector, enhancing our knowledge of M&E engineering and construction industry trends beyond what could be learnt in a university classroom. “Entering a traditionally male-dominated industry can be daunting to say the least. It’s a self-fulfilling prophesy as the ‘boys club’ mentality deters women from applying for roles at all. By beginning at an apprentice level, it paves the way to gender equality in engineering. Learning alongside male counterparts and benefitting from the expert knowledge of your more experienced team members, really helps challenge the stigma.” Authentic on the job learning and an opportunity to earn whilst you learn makes construction apprenticeships an attractive place to start your career. CPW has a strong track record of supporting trainees and apprentices in further and higher education across all ten offices. More than 40% of its team has come through the apprenticeship training programme and trainees are given the opportunity to complete industry-recognised qualifications and work on live projects while being managed in a supportive environment.   Taking on new trainees each year, CPW will be launching its 2021 apprenticeship scheme later this year. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CpwEastMids on Twitter.

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CPW ANNOUNCES NEW COHORT OF CIBSE-ACCREDITED CONSULTANTS

TWELVE experienced engineers at national M&E consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW) have attained accreditation to join the CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) Heat Networks Consultants Register. CIBSE Heat Networks Consultants are able to advise on the Code of Practice CP1 on Heat Networks, produced by CIBSE and the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). Rather than simply providing guidance for industry professionals, the code specifies minimum requirements which must be met in order to produce a successful scheme and comply with the code. Accredited Heat Networks Consultants are required to pass an examination which assesses their knowledge and understanding of the code of practice before they are able to join the register. Speaking of the achievement, Carl Humpage, director at CPW, said: “The ethos that underpins all of the work that we do at CPW is our unwavering commitment to industry standards, personal CPD and ultimately exceeding the expectations of our clients. With this in mind, my fellow consultants and I were keen to achieve this accreditation in order to confidently advise and offer a considered recommendation to each of our clients’ individual requirements. “District heating networks are now seen as one of the key solutions to deliver a low carbon energy economy, particularly in high heat density areas so they need to be designed, built and operated to a high standard to deliver customer and user satisfaction. Through this new accreditation, our team are now fully prepared to guide our clients so each project connects with the UK’s future low carbon energy infrastructure.” For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @Couchperrys on Twitter.

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