Construction National

Mick George to kick start new charity facility

A project to create a large factory which will sort and distribute charity donations is underway at Kettering Business Park with local firm Mick George Ltd to begin Earthworks on behalf of Parkway Construction MK Ltd.

The facility will act as a depot for the Salvation Army, a charity tackling social inequality for more than 150 years.

Read more: Mick George to kick start new charity facility

University of Derby works with businesses to upskill workforce in BIM Principles

BIM is a key part of the Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025 with the aim being to increase productivity and collaboration through the use of digital technologies. It is a requirement of the common minimum standards for procurement that all public sector projects will meet Building Information Modelling Level 2. As a result, the University of Derby will be delivering an ESF part-funded two-day short course for local businesses on the 27th & 28th September - BIM Principles.

The two-day course will equip attendees with an overview of; BIM ISO standards, design management processes for compliance, BIM software, the application of software and processes to specific company roles and real-world examples of the use of BIM software and processes.

Read more: University of Derby works with businesses to upskill workforce in BIM Principles

Join Rainclear at the National Self Build & Renovation Show (NSBRC): 18-20 Oct ‘19

Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading specialist metal rainwater system stockist and online retailer, have a permanent stand at the NSBRC with samples of traditional Cast Iron, heritage Cast Aluminium, modern SnapIT extruded Aluminium, and their Infinity Galvanised Steel, Copper and Quartz Zinc rainwater systems on display so you can see and touch each for yourself.

Rainclear’s dedicated stand is on the Gable End of 'The Dale House' and their Infinity Galvanised Steel guttering and downpipes are on the roofline all the way around the Dale House in the plain Galvanised steel and in the colour coated Black and White Galvanised Steel.

Read more: Join Rainclear at the National Self Build & Renovation Show (NSBRC): 18-20 Oct ‘19

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