Construction National

Training engineers of the future - new partnership leads to work placements

A pioneering work experience programme has given students a fantastic opportunity to develop their careers in the engineering and electrical industries while they study for qualifications at New City College.

The work placement initiative was launched through a collaboration between mechanical and electrical services contractor Phoenix ME, based in East London, and New City College’s Construction and Engineering Centre in Rainham.  

Read more: Training engineers of the future - new partnership leads to work placements

Multi-million-pound investment programme for Civils & Lintels

Civils & Lintels, the UK's largest steel lintel distributor, has completed a major investment programme to increase its capacity and enhance its service levels to the UK residential sector.

The business has committed more than £5 million to create four regional distribution hubs for the lintels division of the company – including new facilities in Nottinghamshire and the South East.

Read more: Multi-million-pound investment programme for Civils & Lintels

GSHPA's online training course receives CPD certification

The Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) is delighted to announce that its comprehensive online training course, 'Stream One – Heat Pumps for Engineers,' has been granted CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certification. Aimed at professionals working towards Zero Carbon strategies and plans, this CPD certified course is designed to equip participants with an in-depth understanding of Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) and their applications.

GSHPA's 'Stream One' course takes a distinct approach by addressing the inadequacies of rules of thumb in GSHP design, emphasizing the development of a solid understanding within the design process. Through a series of interactive sessions led by expert instructors, participants gain valuable knowledge and skills to effectively work with GSHPs in both new build and retrofit properties.

Read more: GSHPA's online training course receives CPD certification

Major Occupational Safety and Health organisations form historic alliance

Nine of the UK’s most prominent Safety & Health organisations have united to form the Occupational Safety and Health Stakeholder Alliance. It will create a platform to offer a unified 360-degree perspective on critical Safety & Health issues for the first time.

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), British Safety Council, British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on May 12th 2023 to create the Occupational Safety and Health Stakeholder Alliance. The National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF) have since added their signatures to the Memorandum.

Read more: Major Occupational Safety and Health organisations form historic alliance

ASFP announces latest training dates

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has announced several new dates for its Foundation Course in Passive Fire Protection at both Level 2 and Level 3.

The 7-day classroom-based Level 3 courses will take place in Manchester, commencing on 15 August; Reading starting on 17 August; and Dublin on 7 September. The 4-day Level 2 courses will take place in Coventry from 1 September; and Dublin commencing on 7 September. Revision courses to help learners prepare for the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) exams are scheduled to take place on 2 October in Coventry and 5 October in Dublin.

Read more: ASFP announces latest training dates

RHS garden supported by building students wins Best in Show

An innovative garden which explores mental health in construction has been awarded Best Show Garden at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

The award-winning garden received the finishing touches of poignant wooden hearts decorated by Leeds College of Building Painting & Decorating apprentices.

Read more: RHS garden supported by building students wins Best in Show

Plant Market take full control and ownership of Boningale Limited

Boningale Nurseries part of the Boningale Limited group are pleased to announce the sale of the business has now been completed, with Plant Market taking full control and ownership of Boningale Limited, its brands and five production sites.

Kersten Catella, Boningale Nurseries Sales Director said, “This milestone marks a new chapter in our journey, one that presents immense opportunities for growth, innovation, and expanding our reach within the market. With the support of our new partners, we are poised to cultivate even greater success and become a driving force in shaping the future of horticulture. Together, we will continue to nurture our relationships, nurture our customers' needs, and flourish as a leading force in this thriving industry."

Read more: Plant Market take full control and ownership of Boningale Limited

Leeds College of Building ranked 14th Best UK Apprenticeship Training Provider

Leeds College of Building is celebrating after being named in the RateMyApprenticeship Best 50 Training Providers Table 2023-2024.

Read more: Leeds College of Building ranked 14th Best UK Apprenticeship Training Provider

Offsite Awards finalists showcase best in industry

The much-anticipated Offsite Awards returns this year to the Coventry Building Society Arena on 19 September for an evening of celebration and success sharing. In a year of much change and innovation, offsite businesses are rising to meet challenges and obstacles - designing and delivering the next generation of future-forward and sustainable buildings.

Read more: Offsite Awards finalists showcase best in industry

ASFP achieves ISO 9001 Certification

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is pleased to announce it achieved ISO 9001 certification in June this year, after a two-stage assessment by UKAS-accredited certification body LRQA.

As part of its continuous drive for improvement, the ASFP started its ISO 9001 certification journey in late 2022. ASFP Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager Tariq Malik worked to develop a Quality Management System (QMS) and Quality Manual in line with ISO 9001 requirements. A stage one assessment of our systems took place in February this year. During this audit our systems were reviewed to see if we had put in place all the requirements specified in ISO 9001. As with any new system, several gaps were identified and LRQA raised five findings for further work.

Having undertaken this work, our stage two assessment took place in May this year. As a result, we were finally issued with our ISO 9001 certificate in June.

ASFP Managing Director Mike Ward stated:

“I am delighted we have achieved this certification and would particularly like to thank Tariq for his hard work in developing our QMS system and for guiding the Association successfully through this process.

“By achieving ISO 9001 certification, we want to demonstrate our commitment to members and customers that our products and services will always meet regulatory requirements as well as our customers’ needs. We are always striving to improve and by becoming ISO 9001 certificated, we have gained another tool that will allow us to do so in a globally-recognised way.”

For further information visit asfp.org.uk