Industry expert calls for greater control over sparkie qualifications
Posted: Thursday, October 21st, 2021
The flood of short courses and competing certifications and qualifications has created a confused landscape in the electrical industry. The industry needs to take command of the situation, argued Paul Meenan on last week’s Electrical Show
CITB and CIOB join Stand Together to clamp down on modern slavery
Posted: Tuesday, October 19th, 2021
Stand Together wins support from construction sector trade associations for SOS hand signal
London Councils outlines ambitious £98 billion plan to retrofit London homes
Posted: Tuesday, October 19th, 2021
London boroughs ask government to release £30 million of investment ahead of November spending review to kickstart citywide retrofitting scheme
Construction journalist claims trades need more government support
Posted: Tuesday, October 19th, 2021
Construction sector journalist, Tim Clark argues more needs to be done by the government to support the construction sector as they face rising material prices and labour shortages
Diamondback’s Connor Crook outlines plans for product expansion in Carpentry Show interview
Posted: Wednesday, October 13th, 2021
Since taking over cult tool belt manufacturer Diamondback in 2016, Connor Crook has taken the brand to new heights. In five years, he has grown the product range, expanded production capacity and crafted an aspirational brand that has customers crying out for more.
Women Installers Together makes cheerful return at Installer Show
Posted: Friday, September 24th, 2021
Female installers are coming together next week to discuss green technology, training initiatives and... well being women in the trade.
Drug and alcohol abuse is still rife in the industry
Posted: Tuesday, September 21st, 2021
In a pre-pandemic survey, 35% of construction workers said they had seen colleagues working under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. Nearly two years later, there are no signs that the sector has cleaned up its act.
Heating engineers must embrace new skills warns expert
Posted: Wednesday, September 15th, 2021
The environmental crisis means that the UK’s 130,000 Gas Safe Registered engineers must move away from gas boilers and embrace emerging skills and technologies
Start-up businesses join Clive Holland Show
Posted: Wednesday, September 15th, 2021
Ray Taylor, Ross Dickinson and Steve Roberts all appeared on the Clive Holland Show to talk about their entrepreneurial journey
DIY SOS puts shout out for joiners and plumbers for Hull project
Posted: Monday, September 13th, 2021
DIY SOS is looking for joiners and plumbers to create an adventure campsite for St Michael's Youth Project just outside Hull. The project will feature as a special Children in Need episode of the popular programme.
Are you tired but wired? You need to talk to somebody
Posted: Friday, September 10th, 2021
The scale and depth of the mental health crisis in the construction industry is scary, and it is getting bigger. It is estimated that two people in the sector commit suicide every working day in the UK and Ireland. It is way past time we all start to work on a solution
One in four gas appliances are unsafe warns Gas Safe Register
Posted: Friday, September 10th, 2021
With Gas Safety Week kicking off in September, there is still work to be done to raise awareness about safety issues.
Mates In Mind Launch Survey For Mental Health in Construction
Posted: Friday, September 10th, 2021
With mental health being such a huge issue across the country but specifically in construction, mental health charity Mates In Mind have launched a survey to find out some more information…
Man Paralysed from Waist Down Explains Incredible Trade Journey
Posted: Thursday, September 9th, 2021
John Poulter was training for Britain’s strongest man when he was badly injured by a forklift driver – but fails to accept defeat and is now a widely respected tradesman, despite his injuries.
Stop stressing and get organised: four important business lessons for all tradespeople
Posted: Tuesday, September 7th, 2021
Long hours, endless paperwork and few holidays mean lots of stress and little relief for many small businesses and sole tradespeople. But by getting on top of your finances, using technology to streamline your operations, and hiring good people you'll put your business on a solid footing.
Select campaigns to end retention payments
Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2021
Select is calling for an end to retention payments. According to the trade association, the system favours clients and tier one contractors and unfairly penalises small and medium sized businesses.
Expert slams ‘shocking’ van security
Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2021
According to Jeff Scott, director of Sussex Installations van security is a low priority for manufacturers, despite vans making up the three most stolen vehicles in the UK in 2019-2020.
CITB policy director defends apprenticeship strategy track record
Posted: Friday, August 27th, 2021
In the last two years CITB has increased the level of grants for apprentices, and worked closely with apprentices, colleges and employers to improve the pipeline of people entering the industry. However, as the public rebuke from Build UK shows, the training board still has some way to go before it restores confidence among key stakeholders.
'Buyers beware' of new housing stock warn housing experts
Posted: Friday, August 27th, 2021
Intense pressure from developers is resulting in shoddy workmanship and low-quality housing. Problems range from poorly installed doors, faulty ducting, out of tolerance walls and floors, no insulation, missing fire cavity barriers and fake weep-beds.
London thieves snatch £17.5 million worth of tools in 2020
Posted: Thursday, August 26th, 2021
Crime stats from the Metropolitan Police show that GBP£17.5 million worth of tools were taken last year. Although the figure was an improvement on the 2019 total, crooks still managed to swipe an average of £57,000 worth of tools every day in 2020.
23 steps to securing your van
Posted: Thursday, August 26th, 2021
The top three stolen vehicles in the UK between 2019 and 2020 were all vans. Given the poor level of standard security on most models, tradespeople cannot assume their van (and livelihood) is secure just because they double-locked the doors. Sussex Installations highlights some of the most important points to consider when it comes to locking up your van for the night.
Less talk and more action: it's time for the industry to get moving on climate change
Posted: Wednesday, August 25th, 2021
The latest IPCC report left little room for doubt – humans are driving ‘unprecedented’ climate change. With the built environment responsible for an estimated 43% of emissions, it's time for the construction sector to push through rapid change to reduce its carbon footprint.
Everybody needs to get onboard to solve the skills deficit
Posted: Wednesday, August 25th, 2021
It is no secret the construction sector is facing a skills crisis - between May and July vacancies in the industry hit a 20 year high. As the industry's traditional talent pool is drained by a rush to get into university, there is an urgent need to fix the apprenticeship system and make the sector more appealing to the next generation.
9 tips to cope with the materials shortage
Posted: Wednesday, August 25th, 2021
The materials shortage is expected to last until the end of the year. According to the ONS, the lack of materials and skilled staff is putting the brakes on construction output. Given trying times are ahead, we've compiled nine tips to cope with ongoing material shortages.
Tool theft won’t stop until it is made harder and carries serious punishment
Posted: Wednesday, August 25th, 2021
Eight out of ten builders have had their tools nicked. According to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) tool thieves cost an average builder GBP£10,000 and six working days over the course of their career. But despite all this cost and misery, nothing is being done.
‘No Jab, No Job’ the Pimlico Plumbers Debate
Posted: Monday, January 25th, 2021
Pimlico Plumbers are set to introduce a ‘No Jab, No Job’ policy for employees, with reference to the COVID-19 vaccine.
ROCKWOOL launches Green Homes Grant companion app
Posted: Monday, January 25th, 2021
ROCKWOOL Green Homes Grant app supports homeowners with energy efficiency scheme.
Research raises concerns for government’s environmental targets in the Construction Sector
Posted: Monday, January 25th, 2021
Uponor’s recent Whitepaper has revealed that many industry professionals believe there needs to be big changes in the construction industry, in order to meet the government’s net-zero environmental targets by 2050.
Construction Community: Tarmac launches the Blue Circle 'One of the Family' Podcast
Posted: Monday, January 25th, 2021
Tarmac Cement have launched their ‘One of the Family’ Podcast this month, aimed to support struggling Tradespeople and Construction workers.
Protrade launches eco-friendly foil pack in mission to champion a greener future for the Construction Trade
Posted: Thursday, January 21st, 2021
Protrade launches eco-friendly foil pack in mission to champion a greener future for the construction trade.
