Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March 2019), Mecalac Construction Equipment UK Ltd has welcomed nine new apprentices to its Coventry manufacturing facility. Coming as part of an educational partnership with Derby College, the programme affirms Mecalac’s commitment to developing the workforce of tomorrow. Each studying towards an NVQ in
The best-of-class in south-west Scotland’s construction sector are set to be honoured in the area’s first-ever awards focused on those actively excelling at upskilling their workforce. Contractors on projects for hub South West – the partnership dedicated to community infrastructure projects in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway –
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
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
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
The 2018 On the Tools Training Excellence Award has been awarded to Dulux Academy. The awards, which celebrate and reward construction workers, subcontractors, tools and equipment manufacturers and construction companies from across the UK, were held at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham. All entries for the awards are independently judged by
A new construction skills course funded by developer Berkeley Homes will provide practical experience of working in construction to a group of Year 10 students from Bay House School’ Enterprise Academy. By funding this new innovative course, Berkeley Homes hopes not only to provide a valuable opportunity to the students
A series of five, two-day Building Information Modelling training courses has been launched by ceda, developed in conjunction with The BIM Academy and Northumbria University. Initially offered to ceda Members, the uptake has been incredibly positive therefore more course will be organised for both Members and non-members. “As with everything
Develop Training Ltd (DTL), a leading training provider to the construction sector, is working with Ridgewood Environmental Ltd to stress the need to prepare workers against the threat posed by asbestos in the ground. Ridgewood Environmental Ltd and third-party provider, DTL, have recently been approved by UKATA to deliver a
A purpose-built construction academy, one of the first of its kind in the UK, has been launched by Berkeley and West London College. The West London Construction Academy has officially opened in Southall Waterside and it aims the tackle the U’s construction skills crisis and address the exodus of talent
Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March 2019), Mecalac Construction Equipment UK Ltd has welcomed nine new apprentices to its Coventry manufacturing facility. Coming as part of an educational partnership with Derby College, the programme affirms Mecalac’s commitment to developing the workforce of tomorrow. Each studying towards an NVQ in Performing Manufacturing Operations, the students have completed their classroom-based period and will now gain practical experience working across departments including ‘quality’ and ‘production’. Alongside supporting personal development and building real-world skills, the 12-month placement will provide hands-on experience and put academic theory into practice. Gregg Horne, General Manager at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK Ltd, commented: “The biggest challenge facing the UK construction industry is undoubtably its skills deficit. Currently, the recruitment of new talent is failing to keep up with the rate of retirement, which is limiting activity and increasing labour costs. “At Mecalac, we wanted to tackle the issue head-on and, as such, have adopted a joined-up approach to improving skills and knowledge. Through our training initiatives, we target every stage of the education system – from primary schools right up to Universities. The programme even includes training modules for experienced employees to learn new skills and competences. “Partnering with Derby College to offer practical training for post-GCSE students is a key part of this initiative. Alongside being paid for their time, candidates work towards achieving a City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate and Level 2 NVQ in Performing Manufacturing Operations at the end of the course.” Mecalac’s vision is for more young construction professionals to enter the sector. Through training and education initiatives, the global leader in construction equipment design and manufacture aims to tackle the skills deficit and hopes that other businesses are inspired to follow suit. For more information about Mecalac, or the company’s innovative portfolio of compact construction equipment, visit https://www.mecalac.com/en/.
The best-of-class in south-west Scotland’s construction sector are set to be honoured in the area’s first-ever awards focused on those actively excelling at upskilling their workforce. Contractors on projects for hub South West – the partnership dedicated to community infrastructure projects in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway – will discover who is leading the way in training and recruitment at a ceremony taking place on May 16 at the Dalziel Park Hotel in Motherwell. The awards will commend local companies for their commitment to inspiring the next generation of professionals within the industry, as well as those firms committed to nurturing staff already working in the sector. The South West Skills & Training Awards will be divided into two categories: Best Training Culture and Best Employment Initiative for Young People. In each category, there will be a winner for firms employing more than 25 people, and those with staffing of 25 or less. All entries must be directly linked to a hub South West project, meaning that any entry must be directly connected to an initiative contracted by the partnership. Finalists will be expected to give a short presentation on their company’s initiative on the day to a small panel of representatives from CITB and Skills Development Scotland. Tier-1 contractors are encouraged to nominate sub-contractors from their supply chains. The deadline for entries is March 29. For more information and to enter these awards visit https://hubsouthwestscotland.co.uk/skillsacademy/skills-training-awards-2019. Michael McBrearty, chief executive of hub South West, said the awards mark an important new phase in the partnership’s commitment to raising the bar within the industry. “The skills shortages we have within this sector have been widely-reported and are well-known,” he said. “In addition to supporting the project’s commitment to engaging local communities, the small and larger firms involved with hub South West also strive to do their part in tackling wider skills issues across the industry. It is only fitting that we should applaud their efforts.” Entries are limited to one per company. Those for the category of Best Employment Initiative for Young People will be judged on the criteria of youth employment, the introduction of construction as a viable career path, structured framework apprenticeships, graduate programmes and initiatives targeted at women, the disadvantaged and the disabled. Best Training Culture will examine ideas and programmes that have proven successful, with a learning platform that encourages training and staff development that underpins the overall development of the business. The hub South West partnership was established in 2012 to deliver value for money on public sector community-based infrastructure projects to generate growth in local economies across Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway. Since then, it has successfully completed projects with a total value of more than £380m.
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.
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.
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.
The 2018 On the Tools Training Excellence Award has been awarded to Dulux Academy. The awards, which celebrate and reward construction workers, subcontractors, tools and equipment manufacturers and construction companies from across the UK, were held at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham. All entries for the awards are independently judged by a panel of industry experts – On The Tools is the No1 social site for tradespeople to watch videos, read articles and share content, with more than two million followers on Facebook, Instagram and twitter. “This award coincided with our four year anniversary of starting work on the concept that is now known as Dulux Academy,” said Vickie Mather, Dulux Academy Manager. “In that time, we have welcomed more than 4,500 professional painters on to our courses ranging across every aspect of decoration including spray, wallpaper, colour selection, first aid and social media at our flagship Slough facility and across our network of college partners. We’re proud to be recognised against construction industry peers and establish ourselves as a credible training provider contributing to the upskilling and professionalising of the painting and decorating industry,” added Vickie Mather. The On the Tools awards, hosted by comedian Justin Moorhouse, handed out a total of 25 awards, including recognition of excellence in individual trades. It was therefore great to share the awards stage with Georgie Baker, a Dulux Select Decorator, who was nominated and voted for by the public audience as Painter & Decorator of the Year. Dulux Academy is the home of painting and decorating excellence. Its team of industry leading experts delivers learning experiences that celebrate the brand’s portfolio and proud heritage, showcase products and application innovation and embrace technology. Its courses can deliver increased knowledge and understanding, enabling those who chose Dulux Academy to meet their personal and professional ambitions.
A new construction skills course funded by developer Berkeley Homes will provide practical experience of working in construction to a group of Year 10 students from Bay House School’ Enterprise Academy. By funding this new innovative course, Berkeley Homes hopes not only to provide a valuable opportunity to the students taking part, but also to inspire more young people to consider a career in construction related industries. Initially twelve students will take part in the 30-week course, which starts this month and will run through the school year, resulting in a BTEC Level 1 Extended Certificate in Construction. This will involve attending Highbury College in Portsmouth once a week to undertake modules in topics such as carpentry, plastering and bricklaying, as well as health and safety. The teenagers will gain hands-on experience of working at Berkeley’s nearby Royal Clarence Marina development in Gosport. Regular visits will give students a chance to set foot on a live construction site, watch The Bridge House develop, and meet the Project Team. “We are pleased to welcome the students to this unique programme that offers a wide range of practical and employability skills that we hope they will find positively engaging. The construction industry is crying out for more young people to take an interest in jobs in this sector, so we want to give them a taster of some vocational skills that could lead to stable employment. For students that find traditional academia challenging, school can be a disillusioning place so it is great to be able to provide a different kind of opportunity to those young people,” said Chris Gilbert, Managing Director of Berkeley Homes (Southern). Bay House School’s Enterprise Academy, based on Military Road, is a facility designed for young people that need extra support and who can find it more challenging to work in a classroom environment. As well as doing core GCSEs in English, mathematics, science and ICT, they work towards accredited qualifications in vocational and business skills. This course is delivered in partnership with Highbury College in Portsmouth, which is experienced in providing pre-16 courses and has excellent construction course facilities.
A series of five, two-day Building Information Modelling training courses has been launched by ceda, developed in conjunction with The BIM Academy and Northumbria University. Initially offered to ceda Members, the uptake has been incredibly positive therefore more course will be organised for both Members and non-members. “As with everything we do, these courses have been developed as a direct result of need from Members. We have spent the last few months devising and developing and we’re thrilled to be able to offer these courses to our Members and the wider industry. The uptake has been fantastic and we will be running further courses,” explained ceda Director General, Adam Mason. Designed for those within the foodservice sector and those involved in design and collaborating on BIM-enabled projects, the course aims to increase their knowledge of BIM processes and software skills. Even though there will be an introduction to BIM, some pre-existing knowledge is assumed. Experience of 2D CAD and/or 3D modelling would be beneficial but is not essential. No prior experience of Revit is necessary. The course will equip delegates with an understanding of the key aspects of Level 2 BIM processes and how these impact on those working in the foodservice industry, and experience and skills using BIM software in the context of the foodservice sector. The current Dates & Locations: 15th and 16th October – Newcastle – FULL 5th and 6th November – Academy Leasing, Warrington – 2 SPACES AVAILABLE 12th and 13th November – Welbilt, Sheffield – 4 SPACES AVAILABLE 22nd and 23rd November – Electrolux, Luton – FULL 6th and 7th December – Bristol – FULL Feedback from the first course in Newcastle has already been received and the majority of delegates rated their understanding of BIM prior to the course as poor, compared with good afterwards. Places are limited to a maximum of 10 delegates per course and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Develop Training Ltd (DTL), a leading training provider to the construction sector, is working with Ridgewood Environmental Ltd to stress the need to prepare workers against the threat posed by asbestos in the ground. Ridgewood Environmental Ltd and third-party provider, DTL, have recently been approved by UKATA to deliver a brand new Asbestos in Soils training course. In order to launch the training they are inviting employers to attend one of two free seminars on Thursday 8th November at DTL’s Derby centre. The seminars will allow employers to view some of the course content, meet the training team and ultimately find out if the training is suitable for their employees. Several external speakers will also be in attendance, including representatives from Tanglewood Environment and Dyne Solicitors who will be discussing legislation and duty of care for asbestos contaminated soil. Jim Donnelly, a training delivery manager at DTL, said: “The menace from asbestos in buildings is well known but it can also be hazardous when disturbed in the soil. Finding it beforehand is a challenge for construction site managers. The substance may be present as fragments of insulation materials visible to the naked eye or as micro fibres requiring scientific tests to confirm their presence.” He added: “People need the skills to conduct proper risk assessment and to implement a range of other steps depending on the nature and scale of the problem.” Those steps could include ensuring licensed personnel carry out remediation work, informing the Health and Safety Executive of the incident and providing protective equipment including respirators. Disposing of waste and decontaminating operatives may also be required, and air monitoring might be set up on site or near to neighbouring homes. At the seminars, representatives from Ridgewood Environmental and DTL will unveil their latest training course, UKATA Asbestos in Soils. The course, delivered by third-party provider DTL, is tailored towards supervisors, managers and CDM duty holders who may work on sites where asbestos is present. Attendees will be able to see course content first-hand, and ask questions of DTL’s expert trainers and delivery team. Date: Thursday 8th November 2018 Location: Develop Training, Derby Training Centre, Ascot Drive, DE24 8GW Seminar 1: 9:30 – 12:00 Seminar 2: 13:00 – 15:30 Both seminars will contain the same content. The seminars have already attracted attention from DTL’s existing high profile customer list that includes leading construction and utility firms, private companies and public sector organisations, with the morning session already almost fully booked. To book a free space, go to http://resources.developtraining.co.uk/asbestos_in_soils_seminars_nov2018
A purpose-built construction academy, one of the first of its kind in the UK, has been launched by Berkeley and West London College. The West London Construction Academy has officially opened in Southall Waterside and it aims the tackle the U’s construction skills crisis and address the exodus of talent from the industry. More people are leaving the construction industry than joining it, threatening productivity and growth, according to recent figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. With a shortage of homes, it is vital that the sector tackles the skills crisis head on. If it does not the workforce will decrease by 20–25% in the next decade. “The West London Construction Academy aims to address the industry’s skills gap for the long term by inspiring the next generation and preparing them for the world of work, including giving them the best chance of securing a placement at the end of their apprenticeships,” said Berkeley Group Chief Executive Rob Perrins. Berkeley Group, together with West London College and trade partners, have designed a new ‘By Industry, For Industry’ curriculum. Apprentices will gain on-the-job experience alongside classroom and online learning, bridging the skills gap for the long term and allowing students to earn as they learn. The courses available are services vital to the industry, such as bricklaying, plastering, dry-lining and carpentry and are open to anyone aged 16 and above. All apprentices will benefit from individual support from business champions and mentors. Apprentices graduating from the academy will be given the best chance of securing employment at the end of their courses – putting their skills to use straight away. A number of positions will be available with Berkeley and its supply chain at Southall Waterside itself. “West London has a number of major projects either planned or underway, from Southall Waterside and HS2, to Crossrail and Old Oak Common; training local people will be integral to the success and timely delivery of these projects – and will be an incredible opportunity to build experience and establish desirable skills. West London College is thrilled to be in the position to offer such an incredible facility to the industry,” said Karen Redhead, Chief Executive at West London College.
