The University of Bath has developed an innovative MSc in Modern Building design as part of the HEFCE Postgraduate Support Scheme, a £25 million publicly funded programme.

The Faculty of Engineering & Design has worked with employers in engineering and architecture to develop and deliver this unique 15-month programme, which will welcome its first students in September 2014. 

As we approach World Day for Health and Safety at Work on 28 April, asbestos health and safety failings are still commonplace, with a number of court cases arising in March. In response to this, NAPIT are urging installers to make sure they are aware when it comes to the hidden killer.

Three cases stood out and were recorded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE): On 19 March, a Bath building contractor was fined a total of £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £637 after exposing two of its employees to asbestos dust while working at a residential property in the city. On 31 March, a Portsmouth demolition firm was fined a total of £500 with £1,000 in costs after stripping more than 50 metres of potentially-deadly asbestos board without a license and potentially putting workers at risk.

This week the government announced that the compensation awarded for people who are suffering from mesothelioma and lung cancer, as the result of asbestos exposure, will rise to an average of £123,000.

With the issue very much in the news, Eddie Strong (pictured), Chairman of UKATA (The UK Asbestos Training Association) has issued a reminder to those operating in the construction industry of the dangers of asbestos and how proper training might prevent them from suffering from these fatal diseases in the future. 

CISRS will be running an inaugural Instructors Conference this weekend, at the historic NCC East Training Centre at Bircham Newton, near King’s Lynn in Norfolk. NCC East was the very first scaffolding training centre to be given CISRS accredatation over 40 years ago.

More than 40 delegates invited from the UK’s top 27 training centres have signed up to this new event, which takes place on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th March.

The Duke of York visited Leeds College of Building this week to meet students and urge SMEs to take on apprentices, which coincided with National Apprenticeship Week.

The Duke also unveiled the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Apprenticeship Challenge during a speech to SMEs. His Royal Highness told the audience that businesses can inspire young people by giving them a chance to develop and take pride in a skill, adding that has wider benefits for communities. He said that young people cannot gain experience and work skills if businesses are not prepared to offer that opportunity in the first place, and challenged employers to take on an apprentice. 

Taylor Wimpey is marking National Apprenticeship Week, Monday 3 to Friday 7 March, by emphasising the need to address an industry skills shortage through investment in the next generation of home-builders.

Taylor Wimpey plc is pleased to support the initiative, and introduced a new site management apprenticeship scheme last year. So far, six new apprentices have been recruited by Taylor Wimpey for this new scheme and the company aims to attract around 100 new recruits to the scheme by the end of 2015.

The LSA has launched two new ways to help those working in construction access the information it provides. An electronic version of the LSA’s renowned Technical Manual and a range of new e-learning training courses are now available online.

When trainee plumber Aleksander Pietraszewski (20) from Raynes Park began looking for industry training opportunities, he was delighted to hear that Bellway Homes South East division wanted to offer him an apprenticeship, and he soon found himself on-site learning his new craft.

Speaking about how he came to plumbing and his course Aleksander said “After finishing my A-Levels, I started a civil engineering course at Loughborough University, but decided to change direction to gain hands on experience of the industry and earn some money rather than building up considerable debt whilst studying. I started a City and Guilds certificate in basic plumbing, level 2 at Nescot in Epsom in February 2013, even though I had no guarantee of an apprenticeship.” 

Why create your own qualification? 

Businesses benefit from a qualified workforce. If staff are trained and qualified they tend to be motivated and more productive. Creating your own qualification gives your staff learning formal recognition outside your business, enhancing your corporate image. 

The NASC has announced their Qualifying The Workforce (QTW) 2014 programme will begin this week. 

NASC members will be able to apply to for a payment of £125 for any of their employees that have qualified to CISRS Scaffolder, Advanced Scaffolder or Scaffolding Supervisor status since 1st September 2013. The operatives will need to have completed all requisite training and be in possession of a current valid CISRS card to be eligible.