News

SB Skills Solutions ltd are proud to announce they have purchased their first UNIC 295 Compact Crane. The crane which can be used for either Compact Crane Training or can be hired out with or without the operator. Operations Director, Neil Beaumont comments – ‘This is a big step for SB Skills Solutions Ltd as we aim to provide the complete lifting solutions. We envisage this to be the first of many acquisitions in the crane department. The crane, barely a few days old has been hired out by a leading glazing company to provide assistance in the refurbishment of the local Next store on Aintree, retail park.’

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SB Skills Solutions Ltd are pleased to announce we have signed a contract with Calderdale College to provide Intermediate/Higher Skills Training to companies based within the Greater Manchester regions. This contract starts in November 2016 and is for an 18 month. The programme is further proof of SB Skills Solutions Ltd success at delivering high quality training and underlines our belief of being the “provider of choice” for construction and logistics training.

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SB Skills Solutions Ltd are proud to announce that we have gained accreditation for the CPCS A17E Suspended Loads Category. Being one of the very few centres in the North West to offer this qualification, the new slung loads on telescopic handlers means that Slinger Signaller associated machine disciplines continues to grow at pace as telehandlers will require an additional slinger to complete slung load lifting tasks. Coupled with the breadth of crane categories and the constant lifting with excavators in industry, there has never been a better time to gain this qualification.

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Who has a supervisor on site who requires the Gold CSCS Card? This is something us here at SB Skills Solutions offer. We offer the Level 3 Occupational Work Supervision NVQ! We can help your team grow a lot better as we offer a variety of courses that will help each team member of yours upgrade their levels.

So, what do our course units include?

• Developing and Maintain Good Working Relationships
• Confirming the Occupational Method of Work
• Implementing and Maintaining Health, Safety and Welfare
• Coordinating and Organising Work Operations
• Allocating and Monitoring the Use of Plant and Equipment

 

Another thing you may want to know is the price for this course which is only £850 + Vat but if you are a levy payer then you may be entitled to claim £400 on successful achievement. If you have successfully completed and passed this NVQ course, you can apply for the CSCS Gold Supervisor Card but that is providing you have also passed the Supervisors Health and Safety touch screen test. This is also a course we do.

 

For more information about this course etc you can email us on info@sbskills.co.uk or give us a call on 01695 558420

 

Starting Civil Engineering after graduating

Civil engineering is an amazing job and qualification to have as you are involved with creating architectural buildings to train stations to stadiums and to other amazing even historic buildings like the millennium dome! When you graduate, and start your first job as a civil engineer you are taking on important responsibilities and tasks that are forever improving from a day to day basis.

Being a civil engineer is someone that is needed every day so you will never be without a job. It isn’t always the best-looking job but it is most definitely worthwhile. The only questions you may have is what do you do after you graduate? Easy, find out here!

A bright future for Civil Engineering

Currently the UK unfortunately has a low number of civil engineers even though the demand is high. Therefore, if you are a graduate then you have a good chance of work, especially whilst the salary is high according to the magazine ‘Engineering and Technology’. The mirror also recently revealed that engineering graduates are amongst the ‘most employable in the UK’. You could also work overseas or take on jobs where you could travel around many countries! Who wouldn’t want to take this opportunity?

Are there future upcoming projects?

In the civil engineering world, there are always upcoming jobs out there and projects currently in talks. You are never out of work because projects like transforming rail networks with Crossrail and HS2 will need your talent but it is always good to have a fresh eye and ideas. Everything you have learnt will be beneficial to companies you work for or with as there is always some sort of project to do. Another upcoming project is protecting the Thames. Things like this always need some work on as the generations go by.

What is out there?

It doesn’t matter where you start after graduating, you will always be able to build your way up and achieve the job title you want. You could be part of a designing team for the nuclear power stations in the UK. With aviation work you could deliver aviation services to airlines, airport owners, construction supervision, transactions etc. There is a lot you can do when doing aviation work. Estimating is a fantastic job to do and when you become more and more experienced you will notice that it is currently one of the highest paid salaries in the industry which include working on highways, structures, groundworks and public realm etc. Roads and drainage work is always important as they always need re-doing and making sure roads are all motor friendly etc. With this job, you could be working on pavement design, external level or even below ground drainage. Take a look through our blogs and see what else you could be doing after with civil engineering.

 

If you want to become a part of the construction industry, you need to know about these things

It does not matter if you have some experience in the industry or you are a fresh graduate without any experience; there are multiple opportunities available in the construction industry. If you have decided to join the construction industry, this article will help you and guide you to numerous options available to you to choose from; through degrees, diplomas or apprenticeships. Construction industry is one of the most versatile and diversified industries in the world and there are different roles available, depending upon your preference; whether you like a hands-on approach and a technical job or if you are more inclined towards an office job. Before selecting or deciding a role or position for yourself, you need to research a lot and find information related to that post, including the job requirements as well as the degree qualifications necessary for that particular role. You can research over the Internet or ask around to people who you already know, are working in the construction industry.

As mentioned earlier, the construction industry is one of the most versatile and diverse sectors in the world and can accommodate people from a variety of different backgrounds. From entry level to the top-management, there are several roles available in the construction sector. There are planners, warehouse managers, architects, plant managers, engineers. Quantity surveyors, draftsmen etc., which work and offer their services in this particular sector. It is always good to plan ahead of time and decide where you want to be in the future before selecting any role for yourself. This article explains in detail, attempting to answer your queries related to working in the construction industry. If you have decided to enter the construction industry, give the complete article a good read.

Read the complete article if you want to work in the construction sector!

How to Get Your First Construction Job

Finding an entry-level construction job shouldn’t prove too difficult a task, as opportunities are plentiful and the industry has been on the rise since 2009. The difficult task is knowing exactly what constitutes ‘entry-level’.

If you see the words ‘Trainee Quantity Surveyor’ don’t assume anyone can apply for it. As is often the case, it requires relevant work experience first and, alas, we are in that frustrating cycle of trying to get your first job when everything requires work experience.

There are more and more apprenticeships being offered now though, with companies willing to supplement your studies whilst you work/learn. But companies still like to see a certain set of skills and basic qualifications to consider you.

Construction jobs with no experience

To land yourself a construction job with little or no experience can seem an impossible task. After all, there are plenty of people out there with ‘x’ number of years in the profession and all kinds of qualifications. Ironically these ‘strengths’ are their greatest weaknesses. There are plenty of firms out there that would be put off by this, deeming the candidate over-qualified. So you should remain optimistic about entry level opportunities!

The key to finding them is down to what words you search for when looking for a job online. ‘General Labour’ or ‘Construction Labour’ are common terms employers use to convey that the role requires little or no experience. As obvious as it sounds, always ensure the job isn’t listing any particular qualification under the ‘essential requirements’ heading.

Most construction jobs with no experience tend to be temporary or part-time (to begin with), with more permanent openings and opportunities presenting themselves once you have some experience.

An Interview with a Builder

Bricklayers can be either fully employed or self-employed, with opportunities quite rich in both areas. More and more Bricklayers are tending to go down the self-employment route in recent years though, with the freedom of being your own boss and flexi-time proving a massive pull. But, just like any other self-employed vocation, it comes with its challenges.

Jay Charlton, a self-employed Bricklayer/General Builder, has kindly offered some of his own experience and insight into a career in self-employment within the construction industry:

What challenges on your path to becoming a Bricklayer/Builder have you faced in terms of opportunities and progression?

Having learnt all of my trades direct on-site I have no official paperwork or certifications for my skills therefore sometimes I have found it hard to find stable work within large companies as most will not consider you unless your CV looks appealing and brimming with tickets. Most of my career has been for smaller to medium size companies.

Are apprenticeships perceived as valuable (if not more so) than just qualifications in certain construction fields?

Again, if you have completed an apprenticeship within a trade you are more valuable and will be considered ahead of those without – even though you may not be able to complete set tasks to the same standard as others (paperwork does not always mean you know what you are doing).

Health and Safety

Of course the big subject in the construction industry is health and safety. The good news is just how much safety regulations have improved over the last 40 years within the UK. Fatalities are down by almost 80% since 1974, the graph below demonstrates this:

Construction jobs for women

Though the stereotype that the construction industry is largely male remains prevalent, there are currently a record amount of opportunities for women to break into a career within this sector. Out of the 11% of the female workforce that represents the construction industry, most roles are office-based, with only 2% working in manual jobs.

However, there are now an increasing number of work placements and training courses specifically aimed at getting more women into construction.

The fact that there aren’t many women in construction means that, should you be successful, you can become a role model and help to start the shift. This is no better represented than by the ‘Women in Construction Awards’ ceremonies – which are now in their ninth year.

The complete article can be found here:

http://www.agencycentral.co.uk/articles/2015-07/working-in-construction.htm

How to bridge the gap in skills in the construction industry?

A new survey was conducted by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) which reveals that the employers and companies are concerned about their ability to recruit people in the future. The Right Combination, CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey 2016 was published in July 2016. The results were shocking; they revealed that 69% of the respondents feel that the skilled personnel and staff will not be available. The concerns of the organizations were related to their worries related to not being able to find enough skilled personnel and workers to fill the positions which require high and intermediate both skill levels. The survey was conducted between the time period of April 2016 to May 2016 and it included around 500 different companies of different sizes. The most popular of the respondents to the survey were from the manufacturing, engineering and construction sectors. The respondents also varied in ranks and around one third of them (31%) were Senior Management Executives (SMEs). The survey encompassed a variety of factors ranging from thoughts on business graduates, preparations for school leavers, worries regarding skilled workers and apprenticeships. The concern regarding the skilled workers was primarily that there is dearth of skilled persons and around 77% of employers stated that the next few years will bring more job vacancies but will require high skill levels. Indeed, the situation is critical regarding the less number of skilled personnel but there are measures which can be taken in order to prevent the problems that it would bring in the future. This article discusses the recruitment in the construction industry and how can the gap be bridged.

Read the complete article to learn more about this issue!

Josh Hardie, Deputy Director-General of CBI, accepts the skills shortage is “already biting” but believes there is a commitment to preventing it.

He said: “Skills have always been a vital currency and this is particularly pertinent as the UK carves out a new economic role in the world and beings the process of leaving the European Union.

“The rapid technological transformations affecting our jobs and workplaces make skills ever more critical – when someone enters the workforce and throughout their career.

“Shortages are set to grow and their impact is already biting. This is particularly acute in some sectors and at higher levels where they are acting as a brake on growth.

Construction fears

This is certainly the case for construction employers. Many respondents from this industry anticipate demand for people with higher skills to increase hugely. Of those in construction who responded, 89% think this will be the case, while 80% expect an increase in demand for workers with intermediate skills.

These fears are no surprise, according to construction recruitment agency Right 4 Site Ltd, whose Director Mark Hudson, said the industry was one of the first into, and last to leave the recession – a five-year spell that saw school leavers look at other careers. The shortage has been worsened because the recession also resulted in experienced skilled workers leaving the industry.

He said: “We are now suffering from this as there is a void of trained and skilled workers.”

How can employers and recruiters respond?

Accentuate other positives of working at your company

Construction employers often rely on recruitment agencies to find them the most suitable staff for vacancies, but can agencies help companies bridge the existing gap between lack of skilled workers and the demand for these?

Right 4 Site believe the current level of supply and demand in the industry is making it harder to recruit workers for higher skilled positions because these candidates are in a position where they can “auction” themselves to the employer who will pay the most.

It is not an easy problem to navigate around but Mark Hudson says agencies need to be proactive in marketing their clients’ vacancies, rather than only getting employers to increase the pay they offer.

Author: John Train

Link to the original post:

http://www.agencycentral.co.uk/articles/2016-08/construction-recruitment-skills-gap-solutions.htm

These safety guidelines will help you keep the workplace safe

For warehouse safety, there are many factors and things which are overlooked by us. However, it should not be the case since workplace safety is very important. Often at times, the safety procedures are overlooked due to shortage of time, shortage of resources or mostly, due to an attempt to save money, time and resources. This must, however be noticed that, even if at the time being, you may save some time or money but if there is an accident, due to the lack of safety in the warehouse, it can cause a lot more trouble and problem than just a few dollars. When the proper safety procedures are implemented, then the employees will be more satisfied and content working in a safe place. When the employees will work with a peaceful mind, it will lead to increased productivity and increased business, which will lead to more profits and sales. When the risk of accidents and injuries is minimized, much lesser workplace incidents and injuries occur and also the equipment downtime is reduced, which causes losses in the company. This article provides some basic guidelines to be implemented in the warehouse in order to ensure the safety of personnel working there. These tips, although quite basic in nature, are very easy to implement and are very effective. If you employ and follow these safety principles, you will be able to make the warehouse a safer place for all your employees and workers.

Read the complete article to learn more about the safety principles for the warehouse!

Ensure Safety Equipment is Used at all Times

In the warehouse it is vital that forklifts or hydraulic dollies are used to lift items that are too heavy. Appropriate eyewear and hard hats should also be worn when required. Employees should be aware of emergency exits and the sprinklers installed in the roof should not be blocked at any time. Safety equipment is implemented in order to minimize workplace injury, so although it may be time consuming to initiate its use, it does pay off in the long run.

Eliminate Any Potential Safety Hazards

Ensure all warehousing floors are free of ‘slip and trip’ hazards. It is important that this safety check is carried out on a regular basis, by all employees, and that the floor is always free of stray cords, liquids and any other potentially hazardous items. It is also essential that any cracks and pits in the flooring are attended to as these can cause serious injuries to employers as well as damaging expensive machinery.

Clearly Label Designated Hazardous Zones

Dangerous equipment should be stored away in an area that is clearly labeled and safe walk ways should be highlighted through necessary signage. The easiest way to illuminate hazardous zones is by using tape or painting black and white stripes on the floor of the designated area. This enables employees to be aware of dangerous surroundings and can be useful in avoiding accidents that can cause serious injury.

Link to the original post:

http://www.aalhysterforklifts.com.au/index.php/about/blog-post/warehouse_safety_principles_6_key_guidelines_to_keep_your_workplace_safe

 

You need to have these qualifications and skills if you want to become a project manager

The construction industry is booming these days. New projects and developments are being set up at a rapid rate and there are many roles in the construction sector which one can take. Almost every field or technology can be fit properly to serve the needs of the construction industry. Project managers are also an integral part of the construction industry and the construction process of any project. Project managers are responsible and look after the construction job. They are mainly responsible for the planning and execution of a construction job and are involved in the entire project’s various steps from the beginning to the completion of a particular project. The project manager oversees the whole construction job and ensures that all the personnel involved in the project are completing their jobs professionally, while adhering to the industry standards and all sticking to the safety procedures for carrying out their respective jobs safely. The project managers are also responsible for maintaining the inventory and ensuring that all the raw materials or consumables for the project are available to all the workers and employees involved, so that they can work in a hassle free manner, without any problems or issues concerning the materials for the project. The project managers interact with different levels of professionals involved in the project, ranging from labors, architects and planners to designers and engineers. This article highlights some important qualifications for project management in the construction industry,

Read the complete article to learn more!

Project Management Professional (PMP):

The most widely-recognized industry credential for project managers, PMP certification is known and sought after by employers across the world. PMP certified professionals can expect to increase their marketability and salary potential – and learn about every level of project management in extensive and intensive detail. Eligibility varies depending on academic credentials, but candidates should have extensive project management experience and a secondary or university-level qualification before applying.

 

RIBA Certificate in Construction Project Management:

Focusing on problem solving, effective construction practice and meeting client needs, the RIBA certificate is a hands-on modular course for experienced project managers seeking to improve their competence and professional technique. The certificate also places a strong emphasis on the culture of communication in the modern construction industry. Course components are taught face to face and via distance learning.

Program Management Professional (PgMP):

PgMP certification is designed to show a candidate’s ability to manage multiple, related projects simultaneously, and use their abilities to achieve strategic goals. The credential helps established project managers move into senior positions and develop a wider skill-set. Eligibility varies depending on academic experience, but candidates with a secondary education and extensive practical experience of project management may apply. The PgMP certification is internationally recognized.

Link to the original post:

http://www.careersinconstruction.com/article/careers-in-construction-project-management-qualifications/

 

Some information on how the EU referendum has affected the construction sector

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed some figures which tell that there has been a decline in the construction output. This article is focused on providing the information regarding the effects of the EU referendum on the construction output. The results were announced by the ONS in August and September of this year and they show a decline in the construction output. The output figures for the time period between the months of April and July show that there have been decreases as compared to earlier in the year and also the last year’s same point. During the second quarter (Q2), the construction output reduced by 0.7% in comparison with the output between January and March, first quarter (Q1) for the year 2016. The comparison from the Q2 of the last year (2015) reveals that, this year, the output has reduced by 1.4%. What’s more is that, the output results in June 2016 are 0.6% lower as compared to the output results of May 2016. When the quarterly numbers are broken down further, it is observed that there is an overall decrease of 0.8% in new work owing to the fact that the total new housing (1.1%) and the infrastructure (3.7%) both decreased in the Q2. In fact, the big decrease in infrastructure has another information; it was the third successive quarterly decrease. This article provides some detailed information to explain the effects of the EU referendum that took place on 23^rd June this year, on the output of the construction industry.

Read the complete article to learn more!

The role played by the EU referendum

One line in the report that stood out concerned the EU referendum, which has been and continues to be a source of much debate.

We’ve reported previously about the effects of Brexit and how organizations should prepare. Interestingly though, the ONS report states “there is very little anecdotal evidence at present to suggest that the referendum has had an impact on output.”

Granted, with the data in this ONS release running until the end of June, there hasn’t been much time to feel any impending effects of the decision to vote leave. However, there was plenty of uncertainty beforehand.

Despite this, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) – the UK’s largest trade association in the construction industry – told us that house builders have seen little change since the referendum, which suggests that the fall in output is not related to the referendum.

An FMB spokesperson said: “Undoubtedly, the results that measured the construction sector’s health immediately preceding and following the vote looked disastrous. However, many house builders – both big and small – are reporting that things have actually changed very little since the referendum, and that demand for new homes remains buoyant.”

This feeling was backed by Paul Payne, Managing Director of One Way, a construction and rail recruitment company, said this only caused “some natural hesitation.”

He said: “While numerous people have suggested that Brexit presents challenges to the construction industry, the idea is actually a bit of a red herring and we’ve seen little change since the result, except for some natural hesitation brought on by the ‘Armageddon scenarios’ being pumped into the market.

“We’re as busy now as we were before the referendum.”

There isn’t agreement across the board for this opinion though, as demonstrated by Max Robinson, who owns Ace Work Gear – a business that sells construction safety equipment and workwear.

He believes the referendum has taken on an ‘immense role’ in the decrease in output. He said: “There has been a clear decline since the start of the year, but it became considerably worse for all sections in the construction industry (apart from public housebuilding, but even there we’ve noticed a slowdown), in June of this year.”

Author: John Train

The complete article can be accessed via the following link:

http://www.agencycentral.co.uk/articles/2016-09/has-the-eu-referendum-affected-construction-output.htm