News

Disasters can strike when you least expect them. The recent UK floods show that even the best-prepared areas can face serious infrastructure damage when rising water levels, turbulent winds or serious earthquakes occur. Hindsight is a wonderful thing; it’s tough to prepare for a flood, earthquake or storm after it’s happened, so instead, the best way to fight against the effects of a natural disaster is to be prepared for it in advance. We spoke to neXpower to learn more about how you can prepare for power outages – a common occurrence during floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Have first aid and food ready When the power goes out, your oven, microwave, toaster, fridge and freezer will all stop working. Because of this, any perishable …

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It is a well-known truism that in the construction and manufacturing industries, compressed air is the fourth utility.  Costing each business which uses a compressed air system roughly a 10th of its overall bills cost, it is arguably imperative that businesses in construction and manufacturing examine their air compression systems to ensure they are as efficient as they can be.  Alongside this, government regulation states that companies should be doing more to reduce their carbon emissions, and by reducing waste, this will also help to reduce cost. Compressed Air Systems Basic compressed air systems are straightforward enough to understand. In essence, the system delivers a pressurised stream of air to its target at a regulated level. It does this by taking air in and …

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A three-year foundation degree course in kitchen design at Buckinghamshire New University has been given the official go-ahead. Scheduled for the autumn, the bespoke course has been developed in conjunction with a panel of industry experts, primarily for those currently working in the industry. Delivered in partnership with the KBB NTG by kitchen industry experts, students will work on a comprehensive range of modules to cover aspects of materials, technology, sustainability, culture and design in order to develop critical and imaginative responses to kitchen design. Students will also learn about the technical and legislative contexts of kitchen design and will be supported through close contacts with industry partners. “In the UK there are more than 2,000 manufacturers supporting 5,000 kitchen retailers, so as independent kitchen design firms …

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The latest PMI survey reveals jobs creation hits a 33-month record Manufacturers are creating new jobs at the fastest pace since May 2011, according to the latest CIPS/Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) survey. February’s reading of 56.9 for the index – where the 50 mark separates growth from contraction – was better than the 56.6 seen a month earlier. Levels of production and new business rose at an above-trend rate, which filtered through to the labour market, with jobs creation at a 33-month record. Despite the impact of flooding on large parts of the UK, the strengthening domestic market was the primary driver of the manufacturing recovery, with an 11th successive monthly rise in production volumes. New export business also posted a solid gain in February, although the …

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A Shrewsbury College student studying Brickwork has just competed in the SkillBuild National Final and has been selected as one of the top seven bricklayers in the country. Ryan Stevens who is completing his Apprenticeship NVQ Level 3 in Brickwork at Shrewsbury College is hoping to represent the UK with his skills, is pictured with some of his work. Ryan Stevens, 19, of Shawbirch, Telford, is just completing his NVQ Level 3 Apprenticeship at Shrewsbury College, having started in the 14-16 programme and completed his Levels 1 and 2. Although he didn’t win any prizes when he competed at the NEC SkillBuild National Final in November, judges were so impressed by Ryan’s expertise that he was chosen as a potential candidate to represent the UK at bricklaying after getting a high enough score …

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Postcard campaign to mark National Apprenticeship Week Sanctuary Group is using a postcard campaign to launch a series of activities for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, taking place from 3 – 7 March. The leading housing and care provider has long recognised the positive impact that apprenticeships have for the individual apprentice, the organisation employing them and the wider industry, and is supporting more than 600 apprentice placements through its £750m development programme to build 5,000 new homes across the UK. Each apprenticeship offers a vital first step towards a career in construction for the young apprentice, while at the same time ensuring that the building industry has the range of trained people it needs in the future. The postcard campaign has been devised by Sanctuary to highlight these factors during National …

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Court of Appeal ruling gives high street landlords more protection in administrations Computer game retailer Game will have to pay £3m to a collection of Britain’s biggest landlords after it lost a landmark legal case about unpaid rent. The ruling by the Court of Appeal closes a legal loophole that meant companies could avoid paying rent for three months if administrators were appointed shortly after the quarterly rent day. Businesses in administration will now have to pay rent on a “pay as you use” basis, with rent classified as an administration expense. A consortium of property companies including Land Securities, British Land and Hammerson claimed they missed out on millions of pounds in rent when Game called in administrators in March 2012. Landlords have claimed for years …

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Using standard and bespoke Lego bricks, mini-figures and themed accessories, Weston Homes has built the first children’s bedroom dressed entirely in Lego products. Weston Homes has created the world’s first Lego-themed children’s bedroom. The brightly-coloured room, which has been created entirely out of red, black, yellow and grey Lego bricks, is on show at the company’s marketing suite for its Silverbrook development of 73 family houses in the village of Markyate in Hertfordshire. The bedroom also features a host of Lego-themed merchandise, including a Lego lamp and Lego alarm clock. According to Weston Homes founder and chairman Bob Weston, themed rooms are set to become a popular trend among housebuilders. “Linking in with brands such as Lego, Star Wars, Disney or other children’s …

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Construction companies are being urged to visit more schools in a bid to make a career in the industry more attractive to youngsters. The CITB is leading the charge for a more pro-active approach from contractors following a damning report which found young people were being advised they were “too clever for construction” CITB Chairman James Wates said: “Our industry has to compete with many others for future talent. “That means that we must be in the thoughts and choices of pupils making decisions at school – not as they’re about to leave or have already left. “We can’t leave this to existing careers advice because we need to reach teachers in order to reach pupils. “Teachers need to be made aware of what training and careers construction …

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The training body of construction professionals (CITB) says 182,000 jobs are to be created in the next four years. The CITB claims the growth will be fuelled by huge government infrastructure projects and demand for housing. However the body warns that work will be “very South Eastern England centric.” CITB deputy chairman Judy Lowe says ”One has to be careful in trumpeting the growth figures because initially it’s going be the South East which will benefit more.”

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