Construction National

Nationwide Platforms to deliver IPAF-approved PAL+ virtual reality training

Nationwide Platforms is excited to announce that it is working with the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) to deliver advanced Mobile Elevated Work Platform training using virtual reality (VR) simulators.

Following an industry-wide consultation and development programme, IPAF has announced the controlled rollout of its PAL+ advanced operator assessment in a VR environment. These trials will be delivered by specially selected training partners, including Nationwide Platforms.

Read more: Nationwide Platforms to deliver IPAF-approved PAL+ virtual reality training

Highways Awards - Mick George nominated for Road Safety Scheme of the Year

The 2019 Highways Awards finalists have been revealed. With so many categories receiving a record number of entries, a team of expert judges certainly had their work cut out this year.

Jonathan Pearson, head judge and President of the Institute of Highway Engineers said: "This year has seen a record number of entries in the awards. Not only that, but it is another year of high-quality submissions.

Read more: Highways Awards - Mick George nominated for Road Safety Scheme of the Year

The self-build solution to the UK's housing crisis

The Big Question

Writing in Housing Today, Paul Smith managing director of the Strategic Land Group, asks "Is self-build the answer to tackling the housing crisis?". He then explains that, with 6 million Britons interested in building their own home, initiatives are just starting to cater to this market.

Read more: The self-build solution to the UK's housing crisis

Broker firm launches national vendor finance division

Financial services broker, Midlands Asset Finance (MAF), has announced the appointment of four directors for the creation of its new national vendor finance division.

Heading the division up will be the newly appointed Director & Head of Vendor Finance UK, Stewart Good, who previously led the vendor division at Aldermore, and his team will consist of Steve Shuttleworth, James Pigrem and David Cowe.

Read more: Broker firm launches national vendor finance division

Scaffolding Association and Mates in Mind drive awareness across the industry

In August, The Scaffolding Association became a Supporter of Mates in Mind, where they will be joining a growing community of more than 270 other organisations across the UK working in partnership to help to tackle this important issue.

Mates in Mind is a leading UK charity supporting employers to improve mental health by providing the skills, clarity and confidence on how to create supportive and mentally healthy workplaces for workers.

Read more: Scaffolding Association and Mates in Mind drive awareness across the industry

NASC launches Safe Scaffolding Charter

The NASC has launched a Safe Scaffolding Charter to recognise the ever-growing number of organisations that place NASC membership at the heart of their scaffolding contractor procurement policies.   

The Charter is open to any organisation that has specified ‘NASC-only’ in their scaffolding-related tender documents and/or has had an established commercial relationship with a full NASC member for at least a year.

Read more: NASC launches Safe Scaffolding Charter

The benefits of using aluminium in construction

Aluminium is a widely accessible material used in building and construction and is now the second most popular used metal in buildings next to steel. The properties of aluminium make it ideal to be used in many construction projects due to its ductility, lightweight feel and corrosion-resistant surface. Here we will explore the benefits of using this robust material in construction projects.

Read more: The benefits of using aluminium in construction

New app startup brings sharing economy to construction plant and tool hire

New app startup Shareplant has launched, set to disrupt the construction equipment and tool hire industry by allowing users to rent a wide range of idle construction equipment and tools directly from owners. The startup allows equipment owners to earn extra money and offset equipment running costs during downtime and gaps between jobs, while offering renters a seamless way to browse a wide range of available self-drive or operated specialist equipment on a single app, with up-to-the-minute information about availability and without having to contact or search multiple providers.

Read more: New app startup brings sharing economy to construction plant and tool hire

FIS Sector Skills Pledge launched to galvanise the sector to work together

FIS is proud to announce that we are launching the FIS Sector Skills Pledge, designed to bring the sector together to secure future sector sustainability and address the skills shortages in key trades, we need to work together as a sector. This will ensure a steady supply of new entrants into the sector who will be trained and skilled tradespeople with the right qualifications for their trade to deliver the projects needed.

Businesses can deliver lasting change by providing work experience, taking on apprentices and setting individuals up with skills and knowledge for long term careers. We want to inspire young people to choose careers in construction as a first-choice option, not the last.

Read more: FIS Sector Skills Pledge launched to galvanise the sector to work together

Multi-million education facility upgrade

Local contractor Mick George Ltd is about to embark on an earthworks project on behalf of Acrabuild which will kick-start a 6.7m scheme to create an education facility at Highfield Ely Academy.

The school, which is part of The Active Learning Trust, is the first school in the county to provide specialist and dedicated support and facilities for SEN students aged two-years-old through to 25. 

Read more: Multi-million education facility upgrade