The Collab Group of Colleges is excited to announce a partnership with Tarmac to develop and deliver an apprenticeship skills programme that will, in time, set the benchmark for the wider construction industry. 

The partnership will see Collab Group colleges support Tarmac’s apprenticeship training needs across multiple service areas, including: housing, civil engineering, aggregates, logistics, aviation, water, energy, rail, commercial, education, defence, ports and utilities.

Tarmac, the UK’s leading construction materials and manufacturing business, and its 7,200 employees, have been at the forefront of many notable infrastructure projects, garnering a reputation as a leader within the construction industry. They have evidenced a strong commitment to foster the next generation of talent, encapsulated best in their membership of the 5% Club: an initiative designed to increase the number of young people in the workforce. 

DIY SOS: The Big Build is the BBC’s flagship home renovation programme, which has been running for 18 years, and attracts up to 5 million viewers per episode. The concept of the award-winning show is to take on extremely Big Builds’ across the country, to help transform the lives of truly deserving families.

The latest selection for a makeover’ is most certainly a justified choice, and comes in the form of avid Cambridge United FC supporter, Simon Dobbin and his family home in Mildenhall, that is set to go under the hammer during November.

By Barry J Ashmore, Streetwisesubbie.com

If ever there was a time for clear and unambiguous leadership in the construction industry it’s now.

Recent tragic events have very publicly highlighted what happens when we get construction wrong, but what we don’t see is all the things that are wrong with construction in the UK but are hidden away under the surface.

No amount of hard work on a building’s decoration will overcome problems lurking under the surface. If the foundations are defective no amount of papering over the cracks will resolve the real problems.

The annual Sustainability and Resource Awards held by the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) is firmly in sight, with the ceremony set to take place in early November at the Grosvenor Square Marriot hotel, London.

These long-standing and well-respected awards are given for outstanding achievement in the sustainability, resource and waste industry, judged by experts in the sector.

An eagerly awaited event for all within the sector, especially for those who have been included on the shortlist for one of the prestigious awards, which were subsequently announced this week. One company that has managed to make the grade once again, is our very own Mick George Ltd, who has for the second consecutive year been included.

Independent financial services broker, Midlands Asset Finance (MAF), is celebrating after scooping the Top Hard Assets Broker award at the 2017 Leasing World Awards.

With the award aimed at the hard asset market, which includes yellow plant and construction equipment, the East Midlands-based firm picked up the accolade after being nominated and then selected as the winners by a group of judges. 

Director of MAF, Dave Chapman, was also invited to be a part of the industry expert panel earlier in the day as part of the Leasing World Pro-Summit Conference to share his thoughts on financial technology (fintech) and their online platform, Asset Finance Compared, which delivers a Decision in Principle in 60 seconds.

Heckmondwike, the UK’s leading fibre bonded carpet manufacturer, is entering an exciting new era with new branding, new shade cards, a new brochure and a re-designed website.

With a powerful new strapline - ‘Heckmondwike – Makers of Fibre Bonded Carpets’ - the company is demonstrating its unique heritage, celebrating 50 years of fibre bonded carpet manufacture for the education, commercial and health sectors.

LAR Ltd, a leading abatement specialist is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a refreshed company brand identity. Having maintained a consistent brand image for the past 20 years, LAR decided that it was time for a refresh to support its core attributes of being award-winning, high-quality, trusted and professional.

LAR’s brand colours remain the same, but the company has refreshed its logo and marketing materials and has also increased its online presence, including launching a new website and social media pages. 

Man and Machine supports the development of the buildingSMART Professional Certification programme and will provide buildingSMART approved training through its established BIM Ready courses.

buildingSMART Professional Certification is an international initiative that has been developed by chapters in Europe, Asia and the Americas and is expected to be adopted across the globe. As a recognized leader in the development of openBIM standards, buildingSMART will bring clarity and consensus in the definition and application of openBIM principles and provide a global benchmark for openBIM training and competency assessment.

Independent financial services broker Midlands Asset Finance (MAF) has bolstered its presence in Manchester and the north east of England by appointing a new Senior Business Development Manager in the region. 

Andy Keal has joined the firm on the back of a long and successful career in the property sector with Yorkshire Bank, National Australia Bank and the Bank of Ireland. He has been tasked with growing MAF’s client base in Manchester and the north east. 

The growth in the number of major contractors adopting Earned Value for major projects is expanding beyond the remit of public sector bodies, according to Donna Butchart, MD of Prōject (EU). Ltd

However being able to establish an earned value matrix is both tricky and complex, and being able to adapt existing systems for construction organisations is key, particularly when monitoring earned value throughout the life of the project.

There is an increasing trend for public sector contracts to require suppliers to monitor not just the costs and schedules, but also value add, through Earned Value Management. Earned Value management is seen as the best practice methodology, and as a result is being adopted by construction organisations involved with complex client projects.