Construction National

Coventry civil engineering degree apprentice among national trailblazers

A Coventry University student is among a small group of apprentices who are the first in the UK to have completed their Civil Engineer degree apprenticeships.

Scott Griffiths, who works as a structural engineer at Waterman group in Birmingham, passed his Level 6 Civil Engineering degree apprenticeship end point assessment in June, achieving Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Read more: Coventry civil engineering degree apprentice among national trailblazers

Construction sector surges ahead – and will ‘build back better’ with Clark-Drain

With almost sixty years’ experience in the construction industry, at Clark-Drain we’ve learnt to anticipate what our customers and the market are telling us, and respond with innovative products that are ‘grounded in expertise’.

And the current burgeoning demand for drainage products clearly demonstrates that - pandemic or no pandemic - construction of all kinds is undergoing a bullish resurgence.

Read more: Construction sector surges ahead – and will ‘build back better’ with Clark-Drain

CHAS members to receive 20% discount at Speedy Hire with new partnership deal

CHAS has announced that its members are set to receive a 20% discount on Speedy Hire tools and equipment thanks to a two-year partnership between the supply chain risk management expert and the UK’s largest hire provider.

The new agreement will enable CHAS contractors to hire products from Speedy Hire’s 2,250+ product lines, including everything from everyday tools and equipment, through to more specialist lifting, survey, powered access, rail and power generation equipment at a discounted price. 

Read more: CHAS members to receive 20% discount at Speedy Hire with new partnership deal

Branding refresh aims to enhance ASFP recognition

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has refreshed its branding to promote a cleaner and more simple design and to improve readability and consistency, as well as offering a more modern and versatile logo.

While maintaining the ASFP’s iconic flames motif, the new logo features the flames emerging from the ASFP name. The font has also been updated to improve legibility, ensuring readers quickly gain a clear understanding of the logo with a single glance. A heavier font has been selected to emphasise the Association’s strength of voice and authority. 

Read more: Branding refresh aims to enhance ASFP recognition

Feeling the heat: Tips for working in hot weather

Alex Minett, Head of Product & Markets at CHAS, shares some tips for working well in hot weather.

While temperatures have been variable in the UK this summer, the UK's ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2002 and overall, the world is hotting up; the highest temperature ever recorded on earth was observed in Death Valley on June 9th 2021, where it reached of 54.4°C. With extreme hot spells often arriving with little warning, employers and employees alike must be ready to recognise and manage the risks. 

Read more: Feeling the heat: Tips for working in hot weather

CIJC Employers Group launch new website

The employer’s group of the Construction Industry Joint Council has today launched a new website in partnership with Construction Industry Publications Limited. Access to the CIJC website, Construction Industry Joint Council working rule agreement and other information can be found at www.cijcemployers.co.uk.

The site will offer immediate access to the Construction Industry Joint Council working rule agreement, which provides guidance on terms and conditions of employment, including current national minimum rates of pay for those working in the building and civil engineering industry.

Read more: CIJC Employers Group launch new website

Constructionarium delivers a new blended learning womens programme

This week sees the formal end to Constructionarium’s inaugural Women’s programme. The programme, funded by Norfolk County Council’s Local Investment in Future Talent (LIFT) was aimed at providing a unique opportunity for females who are experiencing difficulty to get into or return to the industry. Steve Longhurst (University of Salford), who facilitated the project with Julia Stevens (Chief Exec), said “An excellent week with outstanding enthusiasm from the delegates.”

The programme kicked off at the beginning of May, with a host of webinars on Project Planning, Risk Assessment, Method Statements, Professional Chartership alongside hearing from some inspirational females from across the Built Environment Sector. Delegate, Sowmiya Aravinthan says “The programme has been such a valuable learning experience! I especially enjoyed meeting industry professionals both onsite and in the webinar sessions.”

Read more: Constructionarium delivers a new blended learning womens programme

Electric utility vehicle range from STAR EV set to shine in UK

Electric power, it’s a hot topic and rightly so. There’s no reason why transportation shouldn’t be predominantly all electric in the next ten years, but you need the right products to make that a reality which is where STAR EV steps in. 

This rising brand from an award-winning company launches in the UK with a comprehensive range of 28 lithium and sealed battery-powered utility vehicles. Leading technology, world-class innovation, breadth of range, strong value proposition and peak performance, STAR EV has it all.  

All the small, medium and large capacity electric UTVs for transporting 4–22 people or carrying materials have the following in common: rapid charge, a good mileage per charge, an extensive warranty – up to six years – along with the usual no more emissions and no more pollution stance. It’s no surprise that STAR EV has taken North America by storm. 

Read more: Electric utility vehicle range from STAR EV set to shine in UK

Free ladder safety webinar from Ladder Association and HSE

The Ladder Association and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have joined forces to release two new guidance documents that are set to help thousands of people work more safely on ladders.

With falls from height such a common type of accident – and the leading cause of fatalities at work – the updated guidance will be welcomed by safety professionals, site managers, company directors and ladder users alike.

It’s being launched at a special online event on Thursday 15 July at 10:30am (UK time), which is free to attend.

Read more: Free ladder safety webinar from Ladder Association and HSE

Materials Matter - BIM Version 4: A decade of the most advanced BIM Brick files

Responding rapidly to the Government’s Construction Strategy published in May 2011, Michelmersh responded with its first range of clay product files and was the first brick manufacturer to introduce Building Information Modelling (BIM) files in the UK, years before the competition.

A decade on and Michelmersh is now delighted to release BIM Version 4 (V4), its most advanced files yet. It is the only manufacturer to include Revit 2021 files to take advantage of the newest release capabilities, including its advanced rendering features, enabling customers to download the highest resolution brick walls on the market.

Read more: Materials Matter - BIM Version 4: A decade of the most advanced BIM Brick files