End of brickies? Robotic Hadrian X can build a house in just two days

We have seen numerous developments in technology in the construction industry over the past number of years. The advancement of Building Information Modelling (BIM), the use of virtual reality, drones, 3D laser mapping, among others has revolutionised the industry. The latest technology to be showcased is Hadrian X, from Australian firm Fastbrick Robotics.

Hadrian X is a robot that can lay 1,000 bricks an hour from a stationary position and build a house in just two days.

Given the chronic shortage of housing within the Britain and the government’s ambitious housebuilding programme, the robot would certainly be in demand.

On their website, Fastbrick Robotics states that it “aims to make improvements in the areas of speed, accuracy, safety and waste” for the construction sector.

The Company has released a timelapse video to showcase the bricklaying skills of the robot.

Rather than using the traditional method of cement to hold the bricks together, Hadrian X will use a special construction glue as an adhesive. It is capable of working with bricks of almost any size and can cut, grind and mill each brick to fit.

The robot is mounted to the back of a truck, enabling it to be simply transported to construction sites. It has a 92ft boom that is attached to the main unit and uses its hand or claw to pick up and lay the bricks following instruction from 3D CAD software and laser guided system.

The robot brickie is named after the Roman emperor Hadrian, who in 122 AD began to build a defensive wall that stretched nearly 75 miles long – better known as Hadrian’s Wall.

CEO of Fastbrick Robotics, Mike Pivac, believes that the technology could transform the construction industry. He said: “We are a frontier company, and we are one step closer to bringing fully automated, end to end 3D printing brick construction into mainstream.

“We’re very excited to be taking the world-first technology we proved with the Hadrian 105 demonstrator and manufacturing a state-of-the-art machine.”

So should bricklayers be worried? Mr Pivac said the invention is nothing personal against the skills of bricklayers but the robot is an attempt to speed up and improve the housebuilding process.

Speaking about how people might feel their jobs could be under threat from the advancement of technology in the construction industry, Director of the RICS Built Professional Groups, Alan Muse, told UK Construction Online: “There’s always been a fear of new technology ever since the Luddites; it’s a fact of human existence. The key point here is if you look at history, technology has never displaced labour to any great degree. So actually those fears are unfounded in most cases.

“You can see it with computers; CAD systems and going further back, you see it with other examples from history. So what happens is new service streams are developed, which allow analysis and use of the technology so it’s an unfounded fear that’s the first thing for the industry to realise.

“Secondly, I think it’s a very exciting change in the industry that’s looking to deliver better project performance. Most professionals should support that if they understand the fear of replacing their job, all be it a fear that is real in terms of some automated processes does allow potential for new service streams to develop and it’s the new service streams that people should be looking at that. They’re the frontiers of our profession.”

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£300,000 Scottish government funding for renewable energy sector

Scottish government provides funding of £300,000 for research and training projects for renewable energy sector.

Research and training projects that will help Scotland continue to explore the vast potential of the renewable energy sector are set to benefit from £300,000 of government funding.

A total of £215,000 of funding will go to the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, a leading offshore renewable research centre. The funding will go towards developing a digital clone of their demonstration offshore wind turbine, opening up more industrial and academic research opportunities.

The remaining £85,000 will go to the Energy Skills Partnership, to support their virtual reality and work training programmes, which ensure that workers have the skills required by the energy sector in the future.

Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse said: “Over the longer term, Scotland will need to transition its primary energy from fossil fuels to renewable sources. This represents a huge opportunity as the country looks to increase vastly its demand for renewable electricity and heat.

“This is why we must have a workforce with the skills needed to help grow this industry.

“It is fantastic news that projects such as those we are announcing funding for today are looking to the future by striving to meet industry’s needs. They are new innovative projects, which represent exactly what we are looking for to boost the renewable energy sector and Scotland’s economy.”

Dr. Stephen Wyatt, Strategy & Commercialisation Director for ORE Catapult, said: “The creation of a virtual turbine, or ‘digital clone’, through sensors on the blades, tower and foundation, will enable us to develop a unique understanding of the performance, forces and strains on a next-generation offshore wind turbine.

“Not only will the project enable extensive future research and new opportunities for Scottish engineering and technology companies, but the resulting data will enable us to enhance future turbine design and potentially drive significant cost reduction”.

Jim Brown, Director of the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) said: “Our development of a highly realistic immersive Hybrid Reality (iHR) version of the Levenmouth Turbine is a tremendous opportunity to develop the skills and jobs required by the growing offshore renewables industry in Scotland”.

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British government delays approval on Hinkley Point C

The government have unexpectedly postponed a final decision on Hinkley Point C, despite EDF’s confirmation.

There has been an unexpected delay on what would be Britain’s first new nuclear power plant in 20 years, with the British government postponing the decision until early Autumn, despite EDF’s confirmation.

After a series of delays from energy giant EDF, on Thursday 29 July, the French firm approved the funding for the £18Bn project in Someset. The contracts were due to be signed Friday 29 July, however the government then said that ministers needed to review the controversial project again.

Justin Bowden, the GMB union’s national secretary for energy said: “Theresa May’s decision to review the go-ahead on Hinkley Point C is bewildering and bonkers.

“After years of procrastination, what is required is decisive action not dithering and more delay.

“This unnecessary hesitation is putting finance for the project in doubt and 25,000 new jobs at risk immediately after Brexit.

“It is a gross error of judgment and must be reversed.”

The announcement surprised EDF, who were planning to sign contracts with the government this week (Friday 29 July), but after the announcement, they have cancelled press interviews that it was planning with Vincent de Rivaz, the boss of its UK arm.

Critics have warned that the further delay may result in environmental damage and potential escalating costs, and expressed concern that the plant is being built by foreign governments, with one third of the cost of the project being provided by Chinese investors.

However, China General Nuclear Power Corporation said it remained committed to the project.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, the Conservative MP whose constituency includes Hinkley Point, said Mrs May is doing “exactly the right thing.”

“Theresa checks everything, and she wants to make sure this is right.

“We’re talking about three countries, we’re talking about an enormous deal for the United Kingdom, for France and for China. She wants to make sure it’s the right job and that’s what she’s doing, she’s checking it as all good Prime Ministers should.”

The new nuclear power station would be the first since Sizewell B opened in 1995.

 

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Consent given for North Wales Wind Farms Connection

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has given development consent to the North Wales Wind Farms Connection.

The application was made to the Planning Inspectorate for review in March last year and accepted for examination the following month. After a six month examination period in which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were provided the chance to give evidence to the Examining Authority, a recommendation was made to the former Secretary of State for Energy, Amber Rudd, on 28 April 2016.

The project will see the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of a 17.4 km 132kv electric line between RWE’s Clocaenog Forest and a point south of the unnamed Groesffordd Marli to Glascoed Road and the B5381 (Glascoed Road) near St Asaph, Denbighshire.

RWE’s Clocaenog Forest Project Manager Martin Cole said: “Clocaenog Forest will make an important impact on helping to tackle climate change.

“The project could also support an injection of up to £40m into Wales’ supply chain during the construction alone and could bring up to £19m in community investment funds over the lifetime of the project.”

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Sarah Richards said: “The decision announced today supports the recommendation made by the Planning Inspectorate. It is the 56th application for a nationally significant infrastructure project and the 35th energy project to be examined and decided.”

“The Planning Inspectorate has the responsibility to examine Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) within timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008. This provides developers and investors with the confidence to build and improve the infrastructure this country needs to secure future economic growth.”

 

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Nationwide: Brexit impact on house prices uncertain

Nationwide reports impact of Brexit may take months to become clear, recording slight increase in house prices in July.

The UK’s biggest building society, Nationwide, has said that the Brexit vote may lead to uncertainty.

In July, property prices rose by 0.5% compared with June, and were up 5.2% on a year earlier.

According to Nationwide, this meant the average UK home was valued at £205,715.

Even so, the resulting impact on house prices was “not certain”.

Nationwide’s Chief Economist, Robert Gardner, said: “Any impact from the vote may not be fully evident in July’s figures, as there is a short lag between a buyer making the decision to purchase a property and applying for a mortgage.”

“How the labour market evolves will be crucial in determining the demand for homes in the quarters ahead.”

This is the first house price data captured after the EU referendum, and experts warn that any disruption from the vote may not yet have been felt.

This is because the index uses data from mortgage offers and there is a lag between a buyer making the decision to purchase and being offered a mortgage.

He added: “Even if there is a fall back in demand as a result of economic uncertainty, the impact on house prices is not certain, as potential sellers may also hold off from placing their properties on the market,” he said.

Jonathan Hopper, Managing Director of buying agents Garrington Property Finders, said: “While you can’t read too much into the July house price rise, what is certain is that there has not been a crash in property prices since Brexit, more of a soft landing.”

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MOD signs £183M weapons contract

A £183M contract for a weapons system on board the Royal Navy’s new next generation Type 26 Global Combat Ship has been signed by the MOD.

US-based BAE Systems and Weapon Systems and Munitions will lead the work for bringing the weapons system into service.

Sub-contractor work will be undertaken by BAE Maritime Services Frimley & Broad Oak will develop, supply and integrate MIFS gunfire control; BAE Munitions Glascoed, will carry out the UK ammunition qualification and BAE Weapons Systems Barrow, will support the UK equipment safety cases.

The Maritime Indirect Fire System will be integrated onto the Type 26 Global Combat Ships, currently being designed by BAE Systems.

The Maritime Indirect Fire System includes the 5-inch, 62-calibre Mark 45 Naval Gun System, which is already in service with other NATO nations, including the US and Spanish navies.

The contract includes the design and manufacture of the first three guns, in addition to a training system and ammunition, and will support 43 skilled UK jobs.

Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said: “Our growing defence budget means we can invest in a cutting edge weapon system for the Royal Navy’s next generation Global Combat Ship at the best value for taxpayers.

“Along with sustaining highly skilled jobs across the country, this new contract underlines our commitment and demonstrates continued momentum in the programme.”

Deliveries of the gun to the UK are expected to start in 2020.

 

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Bigger share of jobs for Northern Powerhouse Enterprise Zones

Businesses based in Enterprise Zones in the Northern Powerhouse have created over 8,000 new jobs in the last four years, according to government figures.

The Enterprise Zones are central to the government’s plans to rebalance the economy, providing tax breaks and government support for new and expanding businesses across a range of key sectors.

Since 2012, they have created an average eight jobs every day and generated £1M worth of investment, with the final quarter of 2015 seeing the creation of more than 1,220 jobs – 18% more than in the previous quarter.

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Andrew Percy said: “From Siemens in East Yorkshire to GE on Tyneside, the Northern Powerhouse is attracting some of the world’s leading businesses to locate here and offer skilled jobs.

“Today’s figures make clear the real appetite to invest and do business in the North, with over 8,000 jobs over the last 4 years, thanks in no small part to the high quality local support on offer to new and growing companies.

“So I am especially pleased that Barclays has become our latest Northern Powerhouse Partner, and would urge all companies across the Northern Powerhouse to do all they can to promote our area as a place where businesses can thrive and grow.”

There are 14 Enterprise Zones across the Northern Powerhouse, which offer business rate discounts worth up to £275,000 per business over a five year period, generous tax relief worth millions to businesses making large investments in plant and machinery, and 100% retention of business growth to the Local Enterprise Partnership, allowing them to fund development.

These opportunities reflect the ongoing commitment from the government, to ensure the Northern Powerhouse successfully broadens the economy by boosting businesses and producing local job opportunities.

Barclays has recently signalled they would become the latest “Northern Powerhouse Partner”, with Mr Percy encouraging other companies to follow their lead.

 

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Balfour Beatty to deliver Gatwick capital investment programme

Gatwick Airport has selected Balfour Beatty to undertake a range of projects as part of its new £1.2Bn capital investment programme.

The Company has been selected for two frameworks, the Low Complexity Build and Low Complexity Civils Framework, in addition to the Medium Complexity Build Framework.

The projects delivered through these frameworks will be procured over the next five years.

There were a total of 127 bidders for the workload, with only 17 of those successful.

Balfour Beatty has a long standing relationship with Gatwick, for which it has delivered over 500 projects, including upgrades to the security lanes, the Pier 11 build, and the £50 million refurbishment of the North Terminal.

Earlier this month, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, welcomed news of the airport’s plan to increase its overall investment by £200M as part of plans to transform the airport.

Mr Khan, said: “Gatwick is the front door to London for millions of visitors to our city and I salute their decision to spend another £200m on improvements to the airport. They have put together a formidable plan that is a fantastic display of their confidence in London.

“The new Prime Minister has a very important decision to make regarding new airport capacity, and I urge her to rule as swiftly as possible in favour of a second runway at Gatwick, which would bring substantial economic benefits.”

It is hoped these plans will help to support Gatwick’s continued record growth. Since 2009, the number of passengers has increased from 31 million annual passengers to 41 million annual passengers. This is ten years ahead of the airport’s projected figures of growth.

Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said:“ As Gatwick rapidly approaches full capacity, this increased investment paves the way for our second runway project. As we enter a new era for Britain, we must be agile and decisive as a country to show the world that we are open for business.

“It is now clear that only Gatwick can deliver the runway Britain needs to boost international competitiveness and trading links at a time when it is most needed, and we can do that before 2025.

“This investment will also make sure that we can continue Gatwick’s record growth and transformation. Our total investment since coming into private ownership now stands at £2.5Bn as we operate the World’s most efficient single runway airport.”

 

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Back in time: Our coverage of London 2012

Today marks the four-year anniversary of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. UK Construction Online takes a look back in time at our coverage from four months before the start of the greatest show on earth.

 

London 2012 Olympic Games

The countdown to the start of the London Olympics is well and truly on with only four months to go until the opening ceremony on 27 July 2012 marks the beginning of the greatest show on Earth.

With 148 countries already qualified, and over 200 expected to compete in a total of 302 events in 26 different sports, London 2012 is destined to provide many historical moments befitting the landmark 30th Olympiad.

February saw the London 2012 Organising Committee take temporary ownership of the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Village for summer as it gets ready to house the competitors and team officials taking part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games sailing events.

The Osprey Quay development will contain 84 residential units and host 700 athletes and 550 officials during the Olympic Games. Half of that number will use the accommodation during the Paralympic Games.

During the Games, each house will host around eight athletes and have all facilities except a kitchen. Athletes will eat in a temporary dining hall to be constructed on the site and have a social area in the new Chesil Cove Foundation School, which LOCOG will take temporary ownership of in May.

All the residential units are low carbon with the heating and hot water for 58 of the homes coming from a biomass heating system and many of the houses are fitted with rainwater harvesting.

As part of the commitment to ensuring a lasting legacy, the apartments will be converted into homes once the sailing competitions finish, with 25% of the housing to be made available to a registered landlord for social housing needs.

Another significant landmark on the road to London 2012 occurred in January, when the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) handed over the Olympic Village site to LOCOG. This handover, which was on time, marked the start of the huge process to fit out the new apartments and village site ready to welcome athletes and officials from around the world in six month’s time.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent helped to start the ‘bedding in’ process by helping to lift in the first of more than 16,000 beds to be installed in the village in the coming months.

The village will house up to 16,000 athletes and team officials during the Olympic Games and 6,200 athletes and team officials, plus 1,000 referees and umpires during the Paralympic Games, all from 200 countries around the world.

Now underway, the fit out work at the village includes installing 16,000 beds, 64,000 bed sheets and 21,000 pillows. There will be 11,000 sofas, 5,000 bins and 5,000 toilet brushes, 9,000 wardrobes and more than 170,000 coat hangers. Each apartment will be equipped with a television and Wi-Fi services.

A temporary 24-hour dining facility is also being constructed, complete with 5,000 seats, and with the Village Plaza Café and ‘Grab-and-go’ carts, the village will provide the largest peacetime catering operation in the world, with up to 60,000 meals served daily.

The Olympic Village Plaza will be constructed, becoming the main social hub of the village, with essential shops and services for athletes and guests including a café, general store, bank, beauty & grooming salon, internet lounge, London 2012 shop and entertainment centre.

Exercise equipment will be installed, creating a state-of-the-art athlete gym in Chobham Academy, and a Welcome Centre will be incorporated into the village, becoming the initial arriving point for athletes and officials waiting to be officially accredited for the London 2012 Games.

Again, organisers have endeavoured to ensure the village leaves a legacy, and after the Games, it will provide 2,818 new homes across 11 individually designed plots in a new community to be known as East Village. Of these, 1,379 have been purchased by joint venture Triathlon Homes to provide high quality affordable housing.

Photo (c) Victor Maschek / Shutterstock.com

 

This article first appeared in UK Construction V15 N03.

 

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Citylabs campus £150M extension set for 2017 start

The first phase of Bruntwood’s £60M extension of its Citylabs project at the Old St Mary’s Hospital on Oxford Road is scheduled to begin in 2017.

The project is a joint venture between Manchester Science Partnerships, of which Bruntwood is the majority shareholder, and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT).

Citylabs is a biomedical centre of excellence and its expansion will allow companies to grow and co-create new health products, in collaboration with the NHS and academia for the benefit of patients.

The project was initially announced in March 2016 and will support the delivery of clinical care, research and innovation, as well as the future development of CMFT’s estate.

It is envisaged that upon completion and when fully occupied, Citylabs 2.0 and 3.0 will being in over £100M to the economy and create over 750 new jobs.

The three-part Citylabs complex will have a development value of £150M.

Subject to planning permission, construction work on Citylabs 2.0 will start in spring 2017, and will be completed in summer 2018.

Citylabs 3.0 will see the creation of new buildings and integration with Old St Mary’s Hospital, which is a listed Victorian building. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2018 and completed in 2020.

The scheme will also see the restoration of the former chapel, which will be converted into a café and dining area plus the possibility of meeting room facilities.

Rowena Burns, Chief Executive of Manchester Science Partnerships said: “It is entirely fitting that we are making this announcement as part of ESOF- an international event which is focused on innovation and collaboration – two of the pillars on which our business is built.

“Manchester’s Innovation District will be strengthened further by the development of Citylabs 2.0 and 3.0. Our investment will help create fresh ideas, partnerships and scientific discovery. Above all, Manchester and the North West offer investors outstanding access to talent, knowledge and clinical facilities.”

Chris Oglesby, Chief Executive of Bruntwood and Chairman of Manchester Science Partnerships, said: “Our investment in Citylabs 1.0 has been a huge success and we are confident that Citylabs 2.0 and 3.0 will be similarly well received by businesses centred in bio-medical research and innovation.

“Manchester’s excellent connectivity, universities and talent pool, combined with its spirit of enterprise means the city is well placed to thrive in the coming years and we are determined to be at the heart of this journey.”

Steve Mycio OBE, Chairman of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: ”By working together in this way with industry, the NHS can ensure health technologies are developed that deliver better outcomes more efficiently to meet current and future needs of our patients and healthcare providers.

“Citylabs 2.0 and 3.0 is our first scheme under the Strategic Property Partnership that CMFT has formed with Bruntwood.  Its purpose is to help ensure that our hospital building and facilities are developed in a flexible and modern way to facilitate early access to new diagnostics and treatments.”

 

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Ministers reaffirm Northern Powerhouse is high priority

Two key ministers have reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse remains strong.

Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, Jim O’Neill and Northern Powerhouse Minister, Andrew Percy, are reaffirming that plans to build a Northern Powerhouse is one of the government’s key commitments prior to Mr Percy’s visit today.

Both Ministers are proud Northerners and will lead the work across the North, to continue to grow the economy and expand on the strong progress of the last two years.

Mr Percy will have his first official tour today, since his appointment, and will visit Manchester, Hull and Liverpool to hear for himself how devolving greater power from Whitehall to Town Halls and greater investment is already leading to the creation of jobs and stronger economic growth.

Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy said: “As a proud Northerner, I am determined to ensure that people in every part of the North – from large cities to small rural communities – enjoy greater control over their lives and stronger, more sustainable economic growth.

“That’s why this government will continue to support major investments to unlock the potential of the North and ensure that every area benefits from a growing economy.”

Some key achievements for the Northern Powerhouse so far include five historic devolution deals that have been agreed across the Northern Powerhouse- in Sheffield, Greater Manchester, North-East, Tees Valley and Liverpool. A total of 55% of the population of the Northern Powerhouse will be voting for a new mayor for individual areas next year, which will give the areas a powerful new influence.

A £60M package for exploring work on HS3 has been invested to the north, along with £200M for Transport for North and a new rail franchise on the Northern network, which delivers 2,000 extra services each week.

Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Jim O’Neill said: “Making our great northern towns and cities a powerhouse for the economy once again is the reason I joined government, and there is evidence everywhere you look that our plans have already made a real impact.

“It is fantastic to be able to continue to champion the Northern Powerhouse within the very heart of government and there will be no let-up in our commitment to fuel the local economy through encouraging foreign investment, improving transport and creating new jobs.”

 

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£344M London City Airport expansion announced

Chancellor Philip Hammond, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid have announced a new £344M expansion programme at London City Airport.

The approved scheme includes plans for an extended terminal to create the space to cope with extra number of passengers and services; a new aircraft taxiway to allow for more planes and new parking areas to cater for larger, more modern planes.

The expansion programme will mean more flights at peak times, with bigger, newer and, most importantly, quieter planes.

London City Airport expects the project will create 1,600 airport employment opportunities, along with 500 construction jobs.

Investments will also be made in transport links around the airport, including funding the cost of additional DLR rolling stock (£2.6M), investing in a bus and taxi access scheme and improving walking and cycle routes to the airport.

It is envisaged the expansion programme will not only enhance passengers’ journeys but will also increase connections within the UK and Europe to support businesses opportunities and investment. A potential £1.5Bn could be contributed to the UK economy by 2025.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond said: “London City Airport’s ambitious growth plans will boost international connections, strengthening the City of London’s links to destinations across the world, and send a clear signal that Britain is open for business. Making it easier to visit and do business in the City of London will help drive forward our economy and further strengthen the city’s status as the world’s leading financial centre.

“This is a real vote of confidence in the resilience of our economy, creating over a thousand new jobs.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said that the scheme would provide a significant boost to the construction industry. He commented: “These new plans for London City Airport will deliver jobs and business in the capital and more widely. Companies across the UK will be able to bid for construction and procurement contracts worth £294 million, meaning the benefits will be felt up and down the country.”

 

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UK Construction Online Exclusive: Graham Nicholson, Chair of TAC

UK Construction Online talk exclusively with Graham Nicholson on the importance of apprenticeships in construction industry.

Graham Nicholson is a Chartered Structural and Civil Engineer. He is the Executive Managing Director of Tony Gee and Partners and has over 30 years’ experience of working for the specialist consultancy practice.

Graham chairs the firm’s Executive Board and is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the business. He became a Partner in 1992 and in 2003 took the lead role in the practice. Since then the company has grown from 100 to 400 staff. He has a passion for bridge engineering and has been responsible for the design of some extremely interesting and innovative structures, in particular the Dornoch Firth Bridge and Ceiriog Viaduct which were the longest incrementally launched bridges in the UK at the time. He was Chairman of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering in 2011 and remains on the ACE board responsible for chairing another great passion, the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium (TAC).

How important do you feel apprenticeships are to the UK construction industry at the moment?

They are very important. We have a skills shortage and there’s a need to bring in new blood into the industry, and a very good way of doing that is with apprenticeships. As we know, infrastructure plays a vital role in the industry and we need to bring as many people in as possible.

What are the main benefits for an individual who makes the decision to begin an apprenticeship?

It’s a work based route into engineering and it’s limitless. By taking on an apprenticeship, with suitable capabilities, you can gain those qualifications and effectively reach the very top of the industry. Apprentices can, with suitable qualifications and training, become a chartered engineer. The main benefit is that during their training, they are earning money and gaining very valuable on-the-job training.

To what extent do you think apprenticeships are successful in teaching the correct skills, and therefore having a positive experience in entering the workplace once the apprenticeship in over?

I think that’s for industry to teach their apprentices what they want them to do. It can be very tailored. Our particular business has a very specific set of needs and skills and we are able to teach our apprentices those skills that match our requirements, thus leading to a successful career.

What impact has apprenticeships had on the skills shortage that the construction industry is currently facing?

When I think of TAC, we’ve taken on over 1000 young people and put them through an apprenticeship now. That is 1000 people that perhaps wouldn’t have come into the industry that we’ve managed to encourage in through this route, so TAC has had an impact. We still need to bring more and more apprentices in, so we are hoping the TAC programme and the government will meet the targets, which currently far exceeds what we have at the moment, but it is a work in progress. There is still a huge challenge in trying to attract people into the industry. This is still something we have to work hard at.

What reasons are there for why sometimes apprentices don’t complete their apprenticeship?

You have to bear in mind that some of these apprentices come in at the age of 16 and have no experience of the workplace or work in engineering. For some people, they might find that the industry doesn’t suit what they want. This is usually down to the individual apprentices. We’ve had 2 out of 20 drop out and that’s primarily because they’ve come in and said it isn’t what they thought it was. I think that’s inevitable if you’re going to bring people in that are 16/17 years old who have very little exposure to it. You aren’t going to win them all. But the rest of them think it’s a fantastic career, get really stuck in and have done very well.

Companies give them time to go and study, support them financially and most company’s support them well with their training. Inevitably, I think the fact that you’re taking people in at such a young age means you can’t expect to get 100% record of retaining everyone. They start with an idea of what they think an engineering apprenticeship is, but once they discover that it’s not quite what they thought, they may decide to go and do something different. I think that’s understandable and provided it is only a small level of loss, then it’s something that our industry should be able to accept.

What measures can be taken to allow the successful completion of an apprenticeship?

It’s about mentoring and taking care of the apprentices. If you spend time with them and support them, then they should feel like a very vital part of the workforce. There’s a very specific training programme set out now in the apprenticeship route. There are specific requirements for gaining experiences in different parts of the business. It’s a matter of being able to expose them to this and make sure they can reach all of the objectives that they need, to be able to get their qualification. It’s important that the companies take the training of their apprentices very seriously and not think that it’s just down to the apprentice to do the work.

To become an engineering technician, through the ICE route, there are some very clear objectives and attributes that the apprentices have to achieve. The college will teach them some basic principles but they won’t get experience of managing projects or being able to demonstrate creative thought or being able to work off their own initiative. All of this is something that when placed in a working environment, the apprentice can then demonstrate that they have the ability to work on their own, and to work in teams and make a real impact. By having a mentor, someone can sit down with the apprentice and talk about what they have achieved, and what they hope to achieve – planning out where they are going to do their experience and ensuring they are moved around and get a variety of experience.

Do you think that leaving the EU will have any impact on apprenticeships?

I don’t think we will change what we are doing with apprenticeships because we are leaving the EU. The fundamental thing for the industry at the moment is to ensure our investment in infrastructure is protected. We need to keep our industry busy by building vital infrastructure, which is needed now more than ever as we need to create better connectivity with everyone. However, this will still leave us with the issue of the skills shortage.

Apprenticeships will be a very important way of dealing with that. Not just in short term. Apprenticeships are really building skills for the future. You can take in another 5,000 apprentices now and they will be become very valuable people in the next 4 or 5 years’ time. It won’t directly affect anything in the next one or two years.

I’m optimistic that something positive will come out of this, even if it wasn’t what we initially wanted. It is what is it is, and we will have to work hard to make it work.

There’s a lot of disruption that’s going to come but we just need to be clever and innovative and find ways to deal with it. I think we’re a very resourceful industry and country and we will find a way through this. Who knows, maybe in five years’ time we will look back and think this it wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

 

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Abandoned Victorian prison gets go ahead for housing development

City planners have given the go ahead for the redevelopment of Portsmouth’s abandoned Victorian prison into housing.

Following a vote by the Planning Committee Members at Portsmouth City Council, HMP Kingston, a prison built in 1877, will be transformed into housing by heritage developer, City & Country.

Plans for the abandoned site include the construction of 230 homes, with the consented scheme developed by Feilden Clegg Bradley.

The Grade II listed cell block will be converted into apartments, with proposals also including the retention of the listed walls and gatehouse, featuring a small café.

Prior to the submission of the application to Portsmouth City Council, the public were invited to a number of public consultation events. Over 5,000 residents and community representatives attended the meetings, and were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals.

Richard Winsborough, Associate Director (Planning) at City & Country, commented: “Restoring these buildings was of paramount importance to us when we purchased Kingston Prison and we are pleased that members at Portsmouth City Council recognised the need of delivering a new future for the redundant site. As well as providing fantastic, characterful new homes, the development will open up the prison to the wider community and enable the enjoyment of these magnificent buildings for years to come.”

HMP Kingston is the first prison conversion into residential that has been bought by the developer, and the first of four prisons that they have purchased to successfully gain planning permission.

The other three prisons purchased, which are hoped to be similar housing schemes include HMP prisons Shepton Mallet, Dorchester, Gloucester.

Councillors that voted for the plans were Cllr Jenny Brent, Cllr Ellcome, Cllr Galloway and Cllr Gemma New. Those who voted against the plans were Cllr Steve Pitt Cllr Hugh Mason and Cllr Lee Hunt.

 

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Cleaner, greener bus journeys thanks to £30M funding

Bus passengers will benefit from greener, cleaner journeys, after government confirm £30M low emission bus fund.

The government yesterday confirmed a funding pot of £30M, to be shared between 13 winning bus fleets across the UK, which will provide cleaner, greener journeys for passengers.

The announcement was made by Transport Minister Andrew Jones, and will award bus operators and local authorities across England, a share of the funding to buy low emission buses and install chargepoints and other infrastructure.

The 13 successful bidders can add a total of 326 buses, including electric, hybrid, hydrogen and biomethane buses to their fleets, and install more than £7M worth of infrastructure.

Sheffield City Region has been awarded £1.3M for 44 buses that are fitted with hybrid technology, and West Midlands Travel, has been awarded more than £3M to fund 10 hybrid and 19 fully electric buses, and install electric charging facilities.

Birmingham City Council and Transport for London has jointly won £2.8M for 42 state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel cell buses.

Merseytravel has received £4.9M for a total of 72 biomethane, hybrid or electric buses and associated infrastructure.

Nottingham City Transport has received £4.4M for 53 biomethane buses and infrastructure.

On a visit to Sheffield City, Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “My message is clear – greener buses are good for passengers and good for British business.

“Low emission buses have already proved to be a real success across the country. They are cost efficient, good for the environment, and there are wider benefits. We have provided more than £2 billion of funding to greener transport schemes since 2011, and by supporting this technology the government is ensuring the UK is driving innovation and investment up and down the country.”

Low emission buses produce at least 15% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the average modern diesel bus but they typically cost significantly more.

The funding will cover up to 90% of the difference in cost between a new bus and its diesel equivalent, as well as up to 75% of the cost of infrastructure.

The Green Bus Fund saw £89M of funding allow for 1,200 green buses on England’s road, with the government also investing more than £26M since 2013, to retrofit more than 2,000 buses in pollution hotspots with low emission technology.

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Digital Construction Week 2016 Preview: Exclusive Interview Part II

Now in its second year, Digital Construction Week will be held 26 -27 October in London and will be looking to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event. Once again, the impact of technology and innovation in the built environment will be examined and will see thousands of the most influential thought leaders and decision makers in attendance.

In the second of a two part interview, UK Construction’s Matt Brown speaks to Oliver Hughes, Director of Digital Construction Week, about this year’s speakers and what people can expect from the exhibitors.

Last year’s event obviously took place before the BIM Level 2 mandate, will the focus of this year’s event will be different?

In truth I don’t think we’ll be a million miles away. We always want to strike a balance between being an exciting event looking towards the future of the industry and an event that helps people solve real-time problems, and current challenges.

Hopefully our seminar streams help demonstrate this. The Innovation Theatre is a real future looking piece, whilst the BIM Village and Digital in Action theatre are all about how processes such as BIM can help people right now.

You can see in the creation of the UK BIM Alliance that there’s a need still to help get people up to speed and carry on their journey. We’ll be looking to help do the same.

Who will be speaking at this year’s event?

I’m delighted to say our opening keynote will be from Paul Morrell, the former Chief Government Construction Advisor. Paul will be taking a look at the direction the mandate has gone in a presentation titled ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ It will be looking at the aims that were set out when the mandate was first put in place and his perspective of where it’s going; what maybe the missed markers are; where the successes have been and what could come next.

We’ve got a great panel looking at strategies for innovation, which include John Pelton who is the Strategic Projects Director at Crossrail, Iain Roche, who is Head of Innovation a HS2, and host of other speakers. People talk about innovation a lot, the idea of this session is to help people understand what it means really and how you do it. So that will be really interesting presentation, Crossrail in particular have a really interesting story around embracing innovation and technology.

We will also have David Hancock (Cabinet Office) giving an update on the government construction strategy. Anne Kemp (Atkins) will be introducing the UK BIM Alliance following its official launch at our Westminster Reception. Sadie Morgan (dRMM) will be offering a keynote on the future of architecture and design on major projects. And James Pellatt (Great Portland Estates) will be presenting his views of BIM and Digital Construction from a client’s perspective which should be really interesting.

There will be the usual mix of TED style presentations as well as panels, so we are really excited.

What can visitors expect from the exhibition?

More of the same hopefully. As was the goal last year, we really want to move away from just pop-up stands and literature and create a much more experiential exhibition.

It’s about having something a bit different to come, see and touch and get involved with rather what you can just find online. Something you might not find anywhere else. We want an exhibition that really offers visitors and experience.

As previously mentioned we’ve also got a whole host of free seminar content. That will be the real difference between this year and last year. There’s 4 stages with over 48 hours of free content to come and see.

How do you decide who will exhibit at the event?

We are always interested in new and innovative ideas and when you scratch the surface we’ve not been short of them. What we really want is people that can tailor their message and make it appropriate and accessible to all.

Really I think it is just showcasing everything that is out there – everything that people can start to use and get their heads round. Like I say 3D printing, robotics, virtual reality like the new Oculus, Soluis are bringing their new HTC Vive headsets. Last year, we had Leica’s scanning backpack and Faro’s handheld scanner.

We have introduced an Innovation Village this year, which is very much a kind of start-up opportunity to anyone with a new product such as an app, software or even hardware that isn’t quite there yet or is from another industry that they want to bring into construction. We are offering a nice easy way of them getting access to the audience and showcasing what they have got. We want to see new ideas and something different.

Similarly, though at the heart of the exhibition are exhibitors that can help visitors right now. Help them become more productive, efficient, and ultimately more profitable. Practical tools that you could apply right now. We want visitors to get excited about the future but primarily we want to help them with practical advice and guidance right now.

Is that something you would go out research to try and find the products or do people come to you with them?

A bit of both. This year certainly we have had a greater awareness so a number of people have approached us. We’ve been fortunate in that we are only the show that is doing what we are doing with this broader agenda of digital tech and innovation.

This year has been fantastic for us. A lot of people coming to us saying they have got a new bit of kit, app or a new bit of software and would like to show what it can do. Equally my role in putting together the conference and seminar program, you unearth a number of new ideas and concepts.

When I attended last year’s show some of the products on show were breath-taking. Do you still get that feeling when you come across inventions and technology?

Yes, I’m quite unashamedly a bit of a geek! I have to remember to rein myself in because it is easy to get very excited. There is a company in Japan for instance that is manufacturing exoskeletons, which I believe Bouygues are trying out, similarly things like the Daqri Smart Helmet look to have incredible potential.

That is the bit that I love which is partly what made we want to do the show in the first place. You do have to sit back and think “Ok, brilliant but what are the steps to making that happen” and that’s what we really want to show because it will be a long time before your house builder turns up to build an extension and emerges out the back of the van with an exoskeleton suit and robot helper. What they might have though is a project management tool that might help give you both better sight of the project delivery and costs. Those things are just as exciting in terms of industry change.

What we want to explore is what the business case for these new technologies and ideas is. Because without that its technology looking for a problem to solve when really it should be the other way round.

What was noticeable about last year was the number of SMEs exhibiting; will this still be the case this year?

Yes, to be honest it wasn’t deliberate. You quite often find though that SME’s are some of the most innovative companies out there. SMEs have the benefit of being able to be very agile, nimble and able to move with the times. We do see quite a lot of small companies with new ideas new bits of kit that they want to show. Yes, I think we will see more of that without a doubt.

Equally we’re keen to engage with SME’s as an audience too. We are an SME ourselves, so I feel the pain of having to pay £400 for a conference pass, trains and the time out of the office. We wanted to make the show accessible to as many people as possible which is why there’s so much free content. The conference itself is also just £200 for a two-day ticket. Which hopefully is pretty good value!

To read part I of this interview click here.

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Financial close for Carillion joint venture

A Joint Venture, Inspiredspaces Bundle 5 (Ireland), which is a 50:50 joint venture between Carillion and Dutch Infrastructure Fund, has achieved financial close on the Irish Schools Bundle 5 Public Private Partnership project, which has been procured by the Department of Education and Skills, with Ireland’s National Treasury Management Agency acting as agent on its behalf.

The joint venture will be responsible for financing, construction, operating and maintaining five schools and an institute of further education that comprise Bundle Five of its schools Public Private Partnership programme, located in counties Meath, Carlow, Wicklow and Wexford.  The joint venture will invest £9M of equity in the project, of which Carillion’s share will be £4.5M.

Carillion will also carry out the construction and provide support services over the 27-year concession period and these activities, combined with the equity investment, are expected to generate around £190M of revenue for Carillion.

Carillion has delivered over 150 new schools across the UK over recent years.

Richard Howson, Carillion Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to have achieved financial close on this important schools programme, which I believe reflects our experience and expertise in this sector of the PPP market.

“We look forward to working with the National Treasury Management Agency, the Department of Education and Skills and the individual school authorities to deliver a state-of-the-art facilities that provide excellent learning environments for students and staff.”

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UK talks multi-billion pound free trade deal with China

Chancellor Philip Hammond has begun talks with China on a free trade deal and has “no doubt” that Britain will strike a deal.

Talks have begun between Chancellor Philip Hammond and China on an ambitious free trade deal, with Hammond saying he has “no doubt” that Britain will be able to strike a free trade deal, hailing “more opportunities” for Britain outside the EU.

“What we now need to do is get on with it in a way that minimises the economic impact on the UK economy in the short term and maximises the benefit in the long term,” Mr Hammond said,

“The mood music that I have heard here is very much that this will mean more opportunity for countries like China that are outside the European Union to do business with Britain.

“And as Britain leaves the European Union and is not bound by the rules of the European Union perhaps it will be easier to do deals with Britain in the future.”

“We already have a strategic partnership with China. We have hugely increased our trade with China, investment both by British companies into China and by Chinese entities into the UK.

Earlier this month, Chinese state media reported that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce wants to do a UK free trade deal, with Mr Hammond revealing that Britain is also very interested.

If a deal is made between the UK and China, it will be the first time that the UK has embarked on such a major project with the second largest economy in the world.

As part of the deal, China would reduce barriers to Britain’s service industries like banking and insurance as well as UK goods and in return get greater access to the UK for its manufactured products and investment.

 

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Urgent and immediate decision needed on Heathrow expansion

MPs have warned Theresa May that an urgent decision on airport expansion must be made to stop damage to economy.

A total of 36 Conservative MPs, and 5 MPs from other parties, have warned Theresa May that a decision to expand either Heathrow or Gatwick airport must be made urgently, or the UK economy would continue to suffer.

Both Heathrow and Gatwick are bidding for an extra runway to be built, while a Department for Transport spokesman said it was important to consider all evidence before making a decision.

The British Infrastructure Group (BIG) report says a lack of runway capacity at Heathrow is causing “substantial damage to the industry and as a whole.

“It erodes confidence in the government’s stated ambition of growing the economy and our international trade.”

The Commons group led by the Conservative MP Grant Shapps, says a decision should be made immediately, adding that it would show new Prime Minister Theresa May’s “mettle”.

As part of previous recommendations set out in July last year, the independent Airport Commission suggested a third runway for Heathrow, with an estimated cost of £18.6Bn. By December, the government had delayed its decision, due to concerns over noise, pollution and compensation.

The proposed runway would provide an additional 250,000 flights a year and 120,000 new jobs.

Last month, Gatwick said the UK’s Brexit vote showed it was “clearer than ever that only Gatwick can deliver the new runway Britain needs”.

The report says: “Only their expansion can address the coming ‘capacity crunch’ and deliver sustained growth, underlining the concepts of the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine and sharing the proceeds of growth across Britain.”

The Prime Minister said in 2009 that ‘we need a better Heathrow, not a bigger Heathrow’

 

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Part II: Class of Your Own’s Alison Watson discusses impact of skills shortage

In the second of a four-part series, UK Construction Online’s Matt Brown speaks to Alison Watson, Managing Director and founder of Class Of Your Own Limited – creators of the Design Engineer Construct! (DEC!) programme.

Design Engineer Construct! is an accredited learning programme for secondary-school age students developed to create and inspire the next generation of Built Environment professionals. Through a project-based approach, DEC! applies pure academic subjects to the latest construction industry practices. The result is young people with real-world practical experience and employability skills.

In part II, Alison discusses the experience of engaging with students and what impact the skills shortage has had on the DEC! programme.

Engaging with students through live projects sounds like it would naturally inspire them.  This must be a rewarding experience for all involved?

It’s brilliant. There are now well over 3,000 kids studying ‘Design, Engineer, Construct!’ and I feel like a mum to all of them! We’ve just had the Ugandan School Parabongo Challenge – the four girls who won were just amazing. You can see what it does for them and they just take in their stride. I am in awe of what they can produce.

I used to say land surveying is the best job in the world but it’s not actually! My new job of encouraging children to be the land surveyors (and architects and engineers!) of the future is a truly rewarding experience. I’m 100% fulfilled, high on happiness, all the time.

Has the well-publicised construction industry skill shortage led to an increase of schools looking to offer the DEC! Programme?

Not at all really. Ridiculous, isn’t it? There’s a bigger push in Scotland and Wales to a certain extent because Construction is generally seen as a good industry to aspire to, although I suspect it is still considered trade and craft opportunity. I think the main reason there is an issue in England is because schools are driven by core academic subjects. Children have to study Maths and English – that’s a given and that’s fine. They also have to study humanities, science and language subjects to meet English Baccalaureate targets.

Vocational, or as the government now refers to them, ‘technical and professional’ qualifications, are still seen as non academic in many schools, and as such, subjects such as DEC! can easily be ignored. Essentially, kids can be left with just one option choice from DEC!, Art, Drama, Music, PE, Sport, Design Technology, and a host of other creative and technical subjects.

Although’ Design, Engineer, Construct’! has academic parity, it’s not part of the EBacc. Most schools don’t see the construction industry as a destination for high attainers, and so you lose young people traditional Law, Medicine, Science and Research careers. The construction industry just doesn’t appear on their radar.

I can give you a good example: at my local school, top-achieving children didn’t have a clue that they could be engineers. Their careers advice was limited to a pile of Russell Group University prospectuses. It’s terrible, but unfortunately, the construction industry is at fault as much as the education system, because we never champion what we do.

It frustrates me; I still believe there’s so much more we could do.

The delays in government announcements surrounding the apprenticeship levy are only making things worse. We are saying “Join our industry; be an apprentice; apprenticeships are fantastic for everybody”, and I thoroughly believe they are, yet the fear of the unknown blocks organisations from stepping up to the challenge. Every time you thing you are making progress, you end up taking a step backwards.

Does this mean that the skills shortage will hit infrastructure and housing projects with a lack of people to build them?

Yes, I’m sure it will, especially when schools see bricklaying, plastering and joinery as a job for those who ‘If you can’t do anything else, do that’. We need to champion the fact that bricklayers, plasterers and joiners need maths. Schools admit to sending kids to construction college because they believe they can’t do anything else. I’m quite sure many of these kids are highly capable, they just learn in a different, more practical, way.

Colleges can turn out some wonderful bricklayers who bypassed the school system because they didn’t achieve the grades they wanted. They need ‘functional maths’ – applied maths – but sadly, the general consensus is that applied maths is for people who can’t do pure maths and statistics. It’s bonkers. Absolute bonkers.

Clacton Coastal Academy is in one of the most deprived areas of the country and depravation is also linked to low attainment. Yet CCA is turning out DEC! students who are being offered great jobs with major contractors and consultants. These kids are fantastic and have been given a chance to prove themselves. The school genuinely believes that the construction industry can offer these amazing life chances.

The same is true at St Ambrose Barlow RC High School in Salford. Those students, even the ones who attained lower grades in DEC!, chose to come into built environment; going to college to study bricklaying and so on, because they want to become bricklayers. They see the worth, they know they’ll need special skills, especially in numeracy and literacy.

We need to put the message out there that whatever you do in construction, you can have a brilliant career. You can carve out a niche for yourself no matter what your academic ability.

Our government is constantly sending out the message that our country needs to up its game when it comes to raising attainment in numeracy and literacy. Instead of spending so much money on deploying teachers from Singapore I’d love to get Maths teachers into construction for a week to spend time with architects, surveyors, engineers and trade and crash specialists – because the maths they use is just like that taught in British classrooms they teach. I have worked with maths teachers and showed them some of the applications we use on site – most memorably Pythagoras for setting out, and most would love to take the kids out into the fresh air and show them. However, there is not enough time – teachers have to crash through an ever expanding GCSE syllabus and hope they hit their target grades.

I’m not criticising maths teachers; I’m basically saying that when pupils question the use of maths in everyday life, saying ‘I don’t like Maths, it’s boring, I’ll never use it’ etc it would be great to show them applications that bring the subject to life. There’s no better industry than construction for doing that. Think of a school building, a classroom, as a fantastic tool – so many opportunities to use trigonometry and quadratic functions, area, volume….

To read part I of this interview, click here.

Part III will appear soon.

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Pre-designed new schools tackle school place shortage

Pre-designed new schools are to be used in an effort to solve the shortage of school places in England.

According to the official forecast from the Department for Education, an extra 750,000 school places in England will be needed by 2020. It estimates that between 2016 and 2025, the state school system will see the number of pupils increase from 7.1 million to 8.1 million – an increase of ten per cent.

Sunesis is a joint venture between contractor Wilmott Dixon and public sector organisation, Scape Group and is working to solve the issue through the use of pre-designed new schools.

The designs are standardised but can also be altered and personalised to meet the demands of the client.

Sunesis schools can be delivered through the OJEU-compliant Scape framework, negating a prolonged and expensive tender process, or they can be delivered through the client’s own procurement route.

Tim Carey, Product Director for Sunesis, said that the organisation is already establishing itself as a viable option to build new schools and extra classrooms.

He commented: “Pupil numbers continue to grow, and demand won’t slow down due to Brexit, so schools need to be 100% confident that if they are due to accommodate a greater number of pupils this need is met in the timescales required.

“The recent report from the Department for Education projects that the next big increase in pupil numbers will be in secondary schools, which currently cater for 2.76m pupils but will need to be able to accommodate up to 3.04 million in 2020 and then 3.33 millon in 2025. This means within the next decade secondary schools will have to create an extra 570,000 places countrywide.

“We can, and are, making a tangible impact on these projections with Sunesis. We’re using technology that is innovative and forward thinking, but at the same time providing inspirational teaching and learning environments for current and future generations, which are guaranteed to be delivered on time and on budget.

“The report is concerning and will have raised alarm bells for many leaders in the education sector. However, Sunesis can help to narrow the gap between pupil numbers and school spaces and we will continue to support the Department for Education in tackling the problem with our flexible, creative and time efficient builds.”

 

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Small businesses calling for faster broadband

Following complaints about the unreliable quality of internet provision, small businesses have demanded broadband speed guarantee.

Federations have demanded minimum broadband speeds for all customers of at least 10Mbps across the UK, following complaints that the quality of internet provision is unreliable.

Network complexity has become a bigger challenge than bandwidth for progressive businesses. With an ever increasing number of internet connected devices, businesses have become more dependent on connectivity than ever before, with more data flowing across both private networks and the public internet.

Network development has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, with the ways in which businesses interact using the internet. The cost of bandwidth has decreased and its availability has increased, allowing businesses to support a variety of different services from different locations.

However, due to the rapid increase in the number of devices and applications, the management and monitoring of the flow of data has becoming increasingly difficult, which has had an effect on availability, performance and security.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said that a voluntary code of practice was necessary, to ensure that broadband providers are providing what was promised.

In a report published at the beginning of September 2015 by the FSB, members said that although services were improving, complaints had to be made regarding the reliability of the speed promised by providers, and that a Universal Service Obligation (USO) would resolve the problem by setting a floor of 10bps.

“Large numbers of small firms are using new digital technology to revolutionise the way they do business, but the market still has barriers stopping firms from seizing these opportunities,” said Mike Cherry, FSB Policy Director.

“The success of the digital revolution has led to ever higher expectations from businesses and consumers which at times the market struggles to deliver.”

Further investment in digital infrastructure was also recommended in the report.

Businesses were also concerned about the amount of time it took service providers to repair faults and install new services.

As part of the UK’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme, it has promised to provide superfast broadband of more than 15Mpbs to 95% of the country by 2017.

 

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RIBA Stirling Prize 2016: Blavatnik School Of Government

UK Construction Online takes a closer look at the Blavatnik School Of Government building that’s been shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2016.

First up is Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. This building already has picked up a number of awards in 2016– the RIBA National award, the RIBA South Award and the RIBA South Client of the Year.

Designed by the Swiss architects responsible for the Tate Modern, Herzog & de Meuron, the Blavatnik School of Government is one of Oxford University’s latest departments.

The building was officially opened by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, in May 2016 but has been in use since the end of last year.

Herzog & de Meuron were tasked with reflecting the School’s mission of “improving government around the world, bringing people together in an inspiring and open space”.

To this end, the design incorporates a central meeting area known as The Forum.

The building itself is made up of a stack of cylindrical and horseshoe shaped volumes that reflect Radcliffe Camera and Sheldonian Theatre that reside nearby.

RIBA described the interior of the building as “simply breathtaking”.

Blavatnik School Of Government want the students to constantly enage with ear other. RIBA say this achieved with“offset balconies and wide twisting staircases, interactive spaces at the junction of stairs and communal spaces between. The traditional Oxford quad has been reinterpreted and the rule book thrown away, resulting in a space where people naturally come together and engage both physically and emotionally.”

The winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced on Thursday 6 October 2016.

photos (c) Iwan Baan

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Decision on Hinkley Point to be made next week

EDF will meet next week and the long-awaited decision will be made by EDF on the final investment of Hinkley Point.

EDF is expected to make the final investment decision on Hinkley Point on Thursday 28 July, when the board of Directors will meet and decide the fate of the new nuclear power station in Somerset.

The French government-controlled energy giant will make the decision on whether to build two reactors at Hinkley Point, after announcing in April that they would be delaying the final decision until September while it consulted with trade unions.

The Chinese company, CGN, had said in terms of partnership, it would not go ahead with the project by itself if EDF were to drop out.

The Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark, said: “New nuclear is an essential part of our plan for a secure, clean and affordable energy system that will power the economy throughout this century. This is a welcome decision from EDF, and we look forward to the outcome.”

Concerns were raised about the cost of the project which was originally estimated at £12Bn, rising to £18Bn.

However, last week the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said that the government remained committed to building the new nuclear power station, despite the rising potential cost to the taxpayer of the electricity it will produce.

EDF said: “The two reactors at Hinkley Point would strengthen EDF’s presence in Britain, a country where its subsidiary EDF Energy already operates 15 nuclear reactors and is the largest electricity supplier by volume.

“Hinkley Point C is a unique asset for French industry as it would benefit the whole of the nuclear industry and support employment in major companies and smaller enterprises in the sector”.

EDF Managers spoke with MPs last week, regarding a series of problems with the reactor design and multibillion-euro lawsuits over delays on similar schemes, suggesting the company should postpone the project.

Hinkley Point C is expected to provide 7% of the country’s electricity demand once it is up and running in 2025, although many have said this is unrealistic as reactors of the same design build that are being built in Finland and France are running years behind schedule.

 

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Sheila Hoile on apprenticeships: Part II

In the second part of UK Construction Online’s exclusive interview, we talk with Sheila Hoile, on the positives of an apprenticeship and the new apprenticeship levy.

We discuss the standards that an apprentice needs to meet, how to get involved, the impact apprenticeships have on the current skills shortage and companies plus the new apprenticeship levy.

Can you talk a little bit about the standards that an apprentice must meet to get involved?

The apprenticeships run by the companies in the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium are technician apprenticeships mapped to the Engineering Council UKSPEC EngTech requirements and membership of the relevant Professional Engineering Institution. As such the requirements for entry are a minimum of 5 GSCEs Grades A*-C including English, Maths and a Science subject.  In many cases a minimum of a Grade B in Maths is preferred in order to meet the challenges of the course.  It is worth commenting that these are minimum grades and we have a significant number of successful applicants with A-levels who have made the decision to take the apprentice route. You can get some idea of the calibre of the apprentices by taking a look at the video on the TAC website (www.tacnet.org.uk) which was launched in National Apprenticeship Week this year.

How can someone get involved in becoming part of trailblazer?

Employers may wish to get involved at various stages of a Trailblazer from establishing a group to submit an Expression of Interest in developing an Apprenticeship Standard through to recruiting apprentices onto a Trailblazer programme once it has been approved.  A list of apprenticeships approved for delivery can be found at http://ift.tt/1B7N9Mn

Young people considering their career options can search for apprenticeship vacancies on http://ift.tt/1R1jYHE .  There is also information and advice on the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium website along with profiles of some existing apprentices.  Employers have found schools reluctant to provide students with information on technician apprenticeships.  This is partly due to a wish for the students to remain in the school or go onto university and partly due to a lack of understanding of technician apprenticeships and the opportunities they offer to start a career as a professional engineer.  This puts young people without access to someone who knows about engineering at a distinct disadvantage and means that the industry is not able to access talent from across the student population.  In 2014, the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium published a report “Accessing Untapped Talent” based on work it had done in London, funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, which provides recommendations as to ways to reach out to less traditional groups in terms of gender, ethnic minorities and the socially disadvantaged.

What positive impact do you think it could have on the construction industry in addressing the skills shortage?

Firstly, employers are reassured that the apprenticeships have been developed by their colleagues to meet the current and future skill needs of the sector.

Secondly, the end point assessment means that those completing the apprenticeship will have been subject to rigorous quality assured and consistent assessments designed to make sure that they are competent to carry out the designated role.

Thirdly it is important to acknowledge the fact that skills shortages exist across the workforce – in engineering consultancy practices as much as amongst contractors.  To deliver, amongst other projects, ambitious infrastructure programmes the companies need people with the right high level skills in an industry where we are seeing rapid changes in technology and working practices.  As can be seen from the success of the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium employers are finding that “growing your own” has distinct advantages.  From a starting point of six companies and eight apprentices in one college in London in 2010, the recruitment in September 2016 is looking like 500 apprentices meaning that over 1500 young people across England will either be in training or have completed their apprenticeship and gone onto further and higher education courses.  We have noticed that, now the companies have apprentices, other managers see their presence and think that they would like to have one working for them, recognising their enthusiasm and how well they work.

How could an employer benefit more from this initiative?

In two ways, as I have already described.  If there is a case for a new Apprenticeship Standard then the opportunity is there to develop one.  Through the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium we already have Apprenticeship Standards for Railway Engineering Design Technicians and Transport Planning Technicians.  We are close to completing Standards for Civil Engineering Technicians and Building Services Design Technicians which will complement programmes we have developed already.  We are about to submit an Expression of Interest for an Acoustics Technician.  We are planning Level 6 degree apprenticeships in Civil Engineering and Building Services Design to provide properly structured progression routes for those that have completed their technician apprenticeship.

Where apprenticeships have already been approved for delivery then employers can look to recruit apprentices and get involved in the programmes knowing that the apprenticeships have been designed by employers to rigorous quality standards to ensure consistency, validity and value for money.

What effect do you think the new levy could have on apprenticeships? Do you have any concerns?

I think that it is too early to tell.  A certain amount of detail has been released but there is still a lot of uncertainty as to the cost bands the government will impose and the support that will be given to small employers that fall below the levy threshold.  A further concern is around the amount of bureaucracy that managing the levy and digital voucher process will bring on the companies.  I remain cautiously optimistic that companies who, up until now, have not taken on apprentices will give serious consideration to doing so. The Technician Apprenticeship Consortium can offer support to these companies by providing expertise, advice and guidance.

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Aberdeen offshore wind farm gets £300m investment

Swedish energy company Vattenfall has decided to invest over £300M to build Scotland’s biggest offshore wind farm off the coast of Aberdeen.

Vattenfall had developed the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre with its partner, Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group.

The Company has now taken full ownership of the project following its purchase of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group’s 25% share.

The project will test and demonstrate cutting-edge offshore wind technology.

Work is due to begin offshore in Aberdeen Bay late next year and ready to generate power in 2018. It is expected to be in operation for more than 20 years.

Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “This is great news for the industry. Scotland is admired around the world for our work in renewable energy.

“This project will keep our nation at the forefront of innovation by allowing energy companies to identify new ways to reduce operating costs.

“We’re working hard to ensure offshore wind projects can help generate the low carbon electricity supply Scotland needs and the associated high quality engineering jobs Scotland wants.”

Gunnar Groebler, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Wind at Vattenfall, said: “Vattenfall’s green light for the EOWDC underlines our long term ambition to grow our wind power capacity, including in the UK.

“The UK Government believes that wind power should continue to provide an essential part of the UK’s low carbon electricity generation mix and so we remain committed to expanding our UK operations. In particular, we are confident that the new UK and Scottish governments will continue to support growth in offshore wind as the industry lowers the cost of energy significantly.”

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Mortgage lending soars in June according to CML

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has said that the amount of lending has soared to its highest level in eight years.

The amount of money being borrowed by homeowners last month is the highest June level for eight years, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

Following recent Brexit uncertainty, gross mortgage lending has showed no signs of uncertainty as it hits an eight year high, with £20.7Bn lent in June.

This shows a 16% monthly rise and a 3% rise from June last year, however the money lent in June was still significantly lower than the £26.1Bn lent out in March, when there was a rush to buy.

The rush to buy came as a result of a 3% surcharge on stamp duty, which began in April and affected landlords and anyone who owns more than one property.

Separate figures for HM Revenue and Customs said the number of homes sold rose by 4.9% during the month. A total of 94,500 houses or flats were sold during June, according to their figures. Although that was more than in May, it was 10.2% lower than in June last year.

The figures suggest that homebuyers did not necessarily hold back due to the uncertainty of the EU referendum on the 30 June, although higher mortgage lending also reflects the increasing house prices, which are still rising at 8.4% a year, according to Halifax.

CML senior economist, Mohammad Jamei, said: “The result of the EU referendum is likely to affect the housing market, but there remains considerable uncertainty. Although mortgage firms have ample lending capacity, activity levels are likely to bear the brunt of any market adjustment over the next six months or so, as buyers and sellers wait to get a clearer idea of where we might be headed.

“But as with the economy, the UK housing market’s starting position is relatively favourable, with transactions having increased by almost 80% from post-crisis lows. Over the next six months, activity is likely to soften modestly, while lending will be driven more by remortgaging and less by house purchases.”

 

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Second installment of Tesla’s “Master Plan”

Elon Musk, Chief Executive of Tesla, has published the second part of his self-titled “masterplan”.

On Wednesday night, Elon Musk released an updated strategy plan on his self-titled “masterplan”, which revealed that electric versions of pickup truck, small sport-utility vehicle, large over-the-road truck and bus-type vehicle are planned over the next several years.

Those vehicles are stated to follow the high-price Model S sedan and Model X SUV currently on the road, and the more affordable Model 3 due for launch in 2017.

The update also included a plan for customers to share autonomous Teslas, which are equipped with self-driving technology and has the potential to rival other self-sharing firms such as Uber Technologies Inc. Once the cars have full autonomous driving capabilities, Mr Musk said he would allow owners to make money on the cars when they are not using them.

Another announcement was that Tesla would be branching out into creating a “solar-roof-with-battery product” that people can have fitted to their homes. Musk wants Tesla to full acquire SolarCity, with the vision of a system which would turn homeowners into their own utilities.

His ambition, he wrote, was to “accelerate the advent of sustainable energy”.

“We must at some point achieve a sustainable energy economy or we will run out of fossil fuels to burn and civilization will collapse.

“Given that we must get off fossil fuels anyway and that virtually all scientists agree that dramatically increasing atmospheric and oceanic carbon levels is insane, the faster we achieve sustainability, the better.”

Musk is currently facing criticism after the roll-out of Tesla’s Autopilot feature, in which cars autonomously travel along motorways, changing lanes and speeding up or down in keeping with traffic. The technology failed to spot a vehicle driving across the Tesla’s path, which led to the death of the driver, however Musk stressed in his masterplan that Autopilot was in beta mode, and that all drivers are warned of that.

He said: “It is called beta in order to decrease complacency and indicate that it will continue to improve (Autopilot is always off by default). Once we get to the point where Autopilot is approximately 10 times safer than the US vehicle average, the beta label will be removed.”

He said even partially autonomous cars are “already significantly safer than a person driving by themselves and it would therefore be morally reprehensible to delay release simply for fear of bad press or some mercantile calculation of legal liability.”

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Significant £5M makeover for Hilton London Hyde Park

Hilton London Hyde Park has undergone a major £5.4M refurbishment, which has seen a complete renovation of its meeting spaces.

Guest rooms and common areas have been totally revamped, with bedrooms now combining the Edwardian history of the hotel with the demands required by the modern guest.

The hotel will now be more family inclusive by offering a new type of spacious room catering to families to meet the increasing numbers of families visiting the capital.

The four new rooms are designed in such a way that they can be accessed via a private door on a floor of their own and are available exclusively for larger groups.

The 136-roomed hotel has completely redesigned its restaurant area by expanding into space formerly occupied by a tanning salon and hairdresser into the Aubaine Restaurant. It will now offer al-fresco dining and an increased capacity from 75 to 175 diners.

The Hilton London Hyde Park is located in the centre of London close to two underground stations, connecting with three major London tube lines and multiple bus links.

Harun Dagli, Hotel Manager at Hilton London Hyde Park, said: “The entire team is thrilled to be welcoming guests into our completely renovated hotel. We have always listened to our loyal guests and what they loved about staying with us.”

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David Davis aiming to trigger Brexit talks before or by start of 2017

Brexit Secretary has said Britain will be in a position to trigger the official process to leave EU by start of 2017.

The newly appointed Brexit Secretary, David Davies, has called for a “brisk but measured” approach to Brexit, aiming to trigger Article 50 to leave the EU before or in early 2017.

He said Article 50 should not be triggered too early, due to the risk of EU countries acting “irrationally”.

Access to the single market will be an important area of negotiation, which EU leaders have said is conditional on accepting the free movement of people.

Mr Davis said that the “ideal outcome” would be “continued tariff-free access” to the EU single market, adding: “Once the European nations realise we will not budge on control of our borders, they will want to talk, in their own interests.

“But what if they are irrational, as so many Remain-supporting commentators asserted they would be in the run-up to the referendum?

“This is one of the reasons for taking a little time before triggering Article 50. The negotiating strategy has to be properly designed, with serious consultation.”

Prime Minister Theresa May has previously said she would not trigger Article 50 before the end of 2016, which will begin the two year process.

David Davies has said that the “first order of business” should be to make deals with non-EU countries such as the United States and China, which would give Britain a trading zone almost twice the size of the EU.

He said that this will provide massive exports and cut costs for Britain’s manufacturing industries.

Former Cabinet Minister Oliver Letwin warned that the UK does not have its own trade negotiators, as they all work for the European Union, however Mr Davis insists that Britain will be able to put in place new trade agreements which will come into force at the point of exit from the EU having been fully negotiated beforehand.

It would be up to the British people who work for the EU in trade negotiations, if they would want to switch to working for the UK.

Mr Davis cited the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) as a possible blueprint for the UK’s future relationships with the EU once it leaves, which is described as a “great trades deal” but a “significantly less close relationship” than EU membership.

An example is that it does not include the rights for financial firms to trade unhindered across the EU under rights known as “passporting” and has less “labour mobility” than full membership.

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