Construction National

Magazine, Online Directory and Web Design Service

Fri30012026

Last updateMon, 26 Jan 2026 3pm

BEST Programme announces accredited 'BIM for Facilities Management' course

As its success continues throughout 2015, the Built Environment Sustainability Training (BEST) Programme, working in collaboration with Project Five, will be delivering additional, accredited building information modelling (BIM) courses throughout Wales. The latest course to be announced by the programme is the delivery of CQFW Level 3 accredited course; “BIM for Facilities Management”. 

Read more: BEST Programme announces accredited 'BIM for Facilities Management' course

Health & Safety: Thinking differently - and changing the game

We live in a Health & Safety-obsessed world. Or so it seems. 

Schools, colleges, organisations, shops and businesses up and down the land take great pains to prove that they are ultra-conscientious about Health & Safety practices and are fully compliant with Health & Safety laws. They draw up strategies. They assess risks. They run Health & Safety courses. And — most importantly — they tick boxes. 

Read more: Health & Safety: Thinking differently - and changing the game

Stop demolitions and refurbish instead, says leading architect

VAT rules are undermining sustainable development by rewarding developers who demolish buildings and penalising those who refurbish.

Duncan Baker-Brown, architect of the University of Brighton’s Waste House, Britain’s first house made almost entirely of thrown-away materials, is calling on politicians to introduce an award system that encourages green retrofit projects to reduce CO2 emissions and combat climate change.

Read more: Stop demolitions and refurbish instead, says leading architect

Construction Skills - time for a different approach!

This piece on 'Thought Leadership' was written by Mark Wakeford, managing director at Stepnell on behalf of the Built Environment Hub.

Here we go again! The construction industry picks up after a recession, we are short of skills and everyone is surprised! Quite rightly the industry is responding to this in the time honoured way of encouraging more people into the industry at apprentice, graduate and mature entry points.

Read more: Construction Skills - time for a different approach!

Asbestos in schools problem is worse than previously thought

A story run today by the BBC concerning Devon man Mr Wallace and his exposure to asbestos in schools is concerning enough, but the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) says that figures obtained by the BBC suggesting that asbestos may be more prevalent in schools than previously thought will not come as a surprise to those working in the industry.

Asbestos was widely used as a building material in the 60s and 70s and while banned in the UK in 1999 once the health risks became apparent, the damage was already done. While asbestos can be managed safely if left undisturbed, the latest findings have led to renewed calls to make schools safer.

Read more: Asbestos in schools problem is worse than previously thought