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Funding awarded for green construction product development18/08/2008 12:39:25

The government's Technology Strategy Board has announced it has released further funding for the development of green construction products.

Around £20 million is to be invested in research projects which will also look at the creation of mouldable auto parts manufactured from sustainable resources, as well as the efficient recycling of composites.

Ian Pearson, science and innovation minister, said that the funding would help to improve the 'UK's manufacturing capability' in a number of areas.

'Manufacturing is a vital sector of the UK economy, accounting for over 50 per cent of our exports,' he explained.

'Given the UK's high-wage economy, future productivity and global competitiveness depend upon our ability to develop high-quality, clever technology and products.'

A leading UK environmental organisation recently published guidance for construction firms about the sourcing of sustainable timber.

Greenpeace released the report after it was revealed that many businesses in the UK are using illegal or unsustainable materials on a number of their building projects.

Student scoops construction placement award12/08/2008 15:32:09

A civil engineering student at Queen's University in Belfast has scooped a major prize from ConstructionSkills.

Fionnuala McKenna has been presented with £4,000 after entering the Inspire Scholarship World Placement award for her work at Farrans Construction between the first and second year of her course.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that the student was given the prize at a major ceremony in the city.

Speaking to the newspaper, she said that the placement had given her an 'opportunity to learn more practical skills' which could be used on her degree.

'Winning the ConstructionSkills Inspire Scholarship Work Placement Award has given me the confidence to continue to pursue my career in the construction industry,' she added.

Last week, it was revealed that two construction site managers from George Wimpey's west Scotland arm have won awards from the National House-Building Council.

Tommy Flynn and Paul Cunningham have both been given Pride in the Job awards from the organisation for their consistent high standard of work on developments.

Construction timber guidance published11/08/2008 11:49:58

Greenpeace has published new guidance for construction firms about the sourcing of sustainable timber.

The environmental organisation has released the report after it was found that many businesses in the UK are using illegal and unsustainable materials on a number of projects.

In addition, the body has called for the government to introduce legislation that would make it illegal for companies to buy timber from well-managed forests.

The shadow secretary of state for the environment, Peter Ainsworth, welcomed the work by Greenpeace and stated that no other organisation has done more to highlight the issue.

He said: 'There is now a need for urgent action to save what remains, for the sake of the forests themselves and their unique wildlife, and for the benefits they bring to our climate.

'This excellent report shows in a clear and compelling way, that there is action that responsible businesses and all of us can take to help.'

Garvis Snook, the chief executive of Rok, recently told the Journal that the government's Strategy on Sustainable Construction could be a 'sharp wake-up call' for the industry.

ODA announces construction waste plans05/08/2008 11:51:18

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has revealed its plans to make the construction of sites for the London 2012 Games as sustainable as possible.

Under the proposals, the body committed itself to recovering and recycling 90 per cent of the waste produced during the building process, while it also launched a new environmental management system.

Part of the plans will see Veolia Environmental Services establish a waste service on the site of the Olympic Park, where materials will be sorted and diverted away from landfill.

The ODA's head of sustainable development and regeneration, Dan Epstein, said the efforts were 'unprecedented for a development of this size, scale and complexity'.

He added: 'This demonstrates how we are integrating sustainability into every element of the construction of the Olympic Park and we hope it leaves a legacy for future projects to follow.'

It was recently announced that construction work on the Aquatics Centre for the sporting event has begun two months ahead of schedule.

'A fair amount of work still available in construction'04/08/2008 12:35:32

A 'fair amount' of work is still available to firms in the construction trade, according to an expert.

Tom Hadley, external relations director at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said that after conversation with the body's members in the industry, there are many projects still being undertaken.

He added that while skills shortages were affected trades like the building sector, many people are becoming wise to the opportunities available.

'I think what we are seeing is a push rather than pull factor where people are thinking this is a difficult time for the labour market and perhaps want to start looking at some of these jobs where there are opportunities that are actually very well paid,' he explained.

'For example, a crane operator is one job that our members have trouble recruiting and you can earn a very good wage there.'

Gerwyn Davies, public policy advisor of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, recently claimed that major commercial projects in London and the south-east have helped to save many jobs in the construction trade.

FMB calls for CIS flexibility30/07/2008 11:24:43

The Federation of Master Builders has called for flexibility to be created in the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).

Ron Wilson, the body's regional director, said that the operation of the tax system should be amended to consider the current economic conditions that construction firms are working in.

He explained that people running the businesses may have a limited amount of time to organise their tax figures due to concentrating on finding work and added that because of this, the CIS should not issue fines before contacting a firm.

'They seem to be imposing the fines first time around without warning,' he said.

'You can't say that they shouldn't be in on time or purposely be late time and time again, but I don't think the fine should be imposed the first time around.'

According to recent reports, HM Revenue and Customs issues around 126,000 fines related to the CIS during June this year.

The system was first established in April 2007 to create guidance on how payments to subcontractors should be handled by contractors.

Persimmon site managers win NHBC awards15/07/2008 11:57:31

Two site managers based on developments run on Persimmon Home's East Midland's division have been awarded accolades from the National House-Building Council (NHBC).

Paul Howes and Steve Summers have been given Price in the Job Awards for their work on sites based in Watlington and Chatteris respectively.

The prizes celebrate workers' commitment to high standards in housebuilding, while they are also awarded to enhance professional reputations.

Commenting on his win, Mr Howes said he was 'thrilled' to receive the award while working for the housebuilding company.

'This year marks my 13th year with the Persimmon Group and I have been working at Martingales for 18 months and believe this award reflects the hard work of the team on site and the high standard of the site itself. I feel very proud.'

Last month, Persimmon's south coast arm won the Construction Health and Safety Group's award in the house building category.

The company was recognised for its commitment to training staff, as well as its efforts to make the construction industry a safer sector to work in.

Plans to boost London apprenticeships unveiled14/07/2008 12:25:10

Plans to increase the number of apprenticeships working in areas including the construction sector in London have been unveiled.

The skills minister David Lammy announced the new proposals, which are based around the creation of a London Apprenticeship Taskforce that will work to expand the number of places on offer.

According to government figures, the number of apprenticeship opportunities available to young people in the capital is lower per head than in almost any other part of the UK.

Mr Lammy said that such schemes are 'valued across Britain' as a way of unlocking talent and creating a 'well-trained workforce'.

'Sectors like construction and retail, as well as our public services are crying out for high quality staff, so there is no excuse for not exploiting the apprenticeships route to meeting skills needs,' he added.

The Union of Construction, Allied Trade and Technicians recently called for the government to intervene in efforts to make apprenticeships more widely available across the UK.

EC VAT proposals 'will stop rogue builders'08/07/2008 15:18:04

The European Commission's (EC's) proposals to cut the rate of VAT on labour intensive services will stop the work of rogue builders, according to an expert.

Brian Berry, the Federation of Master Builders' (FMB) external affairs director, stated that a cut in the rate on domestic building work from 17.5 per cent to five per cent would reduce the 'commercial advantage' of tax-evading firms.

'The problem is that cowboy builders flourish in this country by evading VAT by offering the public supposedly cheap deals which all too often leave the client ripped off,' he explained.

He added that cuts would create 'a level playing field' in the sector and also drive rogue firms 'out of the market as customers begin to focus on quality and value and not just price'.

The FMB recently warned the industry that the deadline for its Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008 is approaching.

Entries for the scheme, which culminates with a ceremony in London in November, need to be received by the body before the end of this month.

Construction leadership research published07/07/2008 12:38:21

New research considering the importance of leadership in the construction industry has been published.

Three new papers that cover the issue have been included in the latest edition of Construction Industry Quarterly (CIQ), the Chartered Institute of Building's (CIOB's) academic publication.

Organisations including Northumbria University's School of the Built Environment are behind the studies.

Caroline Collier, editor of the CIQ, said that the publication 'aims to create a bridge between academia and practice to improve overall performance'.

She added: 'Involvement, communication and sharing ideas and information between the communities which make up our complex and fascinating industry is an excellent way of engaging in your own development as a leader.'

The CIOB recently announced that it has appointed an architect as its president for just the second time in its history.

Keith Pickavance, senior-vice president for Hill International, is the body's 105th president and stated that it was 'very humbling' to be given the chance to lead the organisation.