Construction training should be put in the hands of local authorities
Local authorities should take control of construction training in a bid to tackle the skills shortage within the industry…
The growing issue of skills shortages remains at the forefront of the construction sector. Last month, the Federation of Master Builders revealed many small and medium-sized firms are finding it increasingly...
Balfour Beatty cuts 400 staff to drive down costs
As part of its drive to cut costs Balfour Beatty has announced 400 staff members will be made redundant
Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty Leo Quinn revealed yesterday that 400 members of staff will lose their jobs in an attempt to cut costs across the business.
The firm has had a...
Construction sector faces illegal migrant worker clampdown
The construction industry will be one of a number of sectors that will be targeted by the government to reduce the number of illegal migrants in the UK...
A government clampdown on firms that employ illegal workers will put the construction sector in the firing line. Raids will take place...
Self-employed construction workers on the rise
New data has revealed an increase in the number of self-employed people working in UK construction...
Despite attempts to decrease the amount of casual labour in the construction industry new data has revealed a surprising rise.
Union UCATT obtained figures via a freedom of information request, which showed the number of...
EU posted worker directive could hit contractors
A proposed legal challenge that would make contractors liable to pay compensation to EU subcontractors if they undercut UK national trade rates is set for consultation...
Contractors could face compensation claims from workers of EU subcontractors if they undercut agreed UK national trade rates.
The proposed change has been put into...
Skills shortage threatens construction recovery
A new survey of small and medium-sized construction firms has revealed many struggle to hire skilled workers, placing the sector at risk...
A poll carried out by the Federation of Master Builders has highlighted the impact of the skills shortage on the construction sector.
The data collected revealed many small and...
Wates Group appoints new CFO
Former Crossrail Finance Director will join the Wates Group as the new Chief Financial Officer, it has emerged...
David Allen is set to join the Wates Group as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary next year. Allen, who is currently Finance Director at Crossrail, will take the role from the...
Hardest places in the UK to find construction work
New research has shown the hardest places in the UK to find regular construction work...
A new study has revealed the North East and Wales are considered the hardest places in the UK to find regular construction work. Electricians and bricklayers were found to be the two trades that struggled...
RICS launches new diversity initiative
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has announced it is launching a new initiative aimed at making the property and construction sector more inclusive and diverse...
A new initiative will launch next month aimed at creating more diversity in the construction and property industry.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)...
Mace hires two senior members of staff
Mace has announced two senior members of staff will join their team from rival contractors Laing O'Rourke and Sisk Construction...
Two new senior hires have been made at construction and consultancy firm Mace. Tom Gent is set to join as head of innovation, while Jon Harris will come over as...
Kier confirms Mouchel takeover
Building group Kier has announced it will acquire Mouchel in a £265m deal that will give the group a new order book of £9.3bn...
Mouchel, which maintains a third of Britain's highways, is set to be taken over by UK building group Kier.
The £265m deal will be financed by a...
Kingfisher announces 60 B&Q stores to close
The owner of DIY chain B&Q has announced plans to close 60 stores across the UK and Ireland...
Kingfisher has revealed 60 of its B&Q stores will close over the next two years. The firm, which also owns Screwfix, said it would also close a few stores across Europe that...
Time to address the skills shortage
Julia Evans, Chief Executive at BSRIA examines the current construction skills shortage and urges action to help promote the industry as an attractive career path…
As the influence of the recession begins to fade and the construction industry sees a return to growth, all the things that beset us, such...
400 Travis Perkins depots to open in four years
New plans have been unveiled by builders' merchant chain Travis Perkins to open 400 new depots over the next four years...
Travis Perkins has announced plans to open 400 new branches, creating 4,000 new jobs. The majority of these new roles will be outside London and the South East.
The investment...
Campaign needed to encourage girls to build
The NHBC Foundation has called for a new campaign aimed at encouraging more girls into the house building sector...
New research has revealed that just one in 10 women are interested in following a building or construction-based career. Now, the NHBC Foundation is calling for an industry-wide campaign to boost...
Plugging the skills gap
As an active Construction Equipment Association member, Junaid Makda of Nylacast views the construction equipment industry skills gap not as a problem, but as an opportunity…
The phrase “skills gap” often has negative connotations across many industries. There is no doubt it exists and is an operational problem, however, it’s...
Britcon has announced a new managing director
Paul Clarkson, former operations director, has been promoted to managing director of the building, civil engineering, and structural steelwork contractor Britcon.
Paul Clarkson, who has been with Britcon for five year, will take over from Shaun Hunt as managing director, it has been announced. Hunt will remain in a vice...
Carillion to create 5,000 new apprentices
Construction company Carillion will create 5,000 new apprentices over the next five years across the country.
The news comes following the Autumn Statement, which was delivered last week. The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne revealed plans to end employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) for all apprentices under 25. As...
2015 construction hiring numbers soar
The construction sector will see an increase in the number of new staff hired in the first part of 2015, according to a new survey.
A rapid increase in employment prospects within the construction industry will see the number of new staff taken on in the first part of 2015...
Kier in takeover talks with Mouchel
Kier has confirmed it has held preliminary talks with consultant Mouchel regarding a possible takeover.
Construction company Kier has revealed it is discussing the possibility of taking over consultant firm Mouchel.
The deal, if it goes ahead, could boost Kier's presence in the civil engineering sector.
In a statement to the Stock...
Construction dust: high risk, low risk?
Terry Slater, Director of SMH Training & Scientific Services UK LTD highlights the dangers of construction dust and solutions to reduce the risks
An estimated 5.5 million workers are exposed each year to hazardous gases, vapours, and airborne particles, and many of these workers are from the construction industry. The...
Barratt boss warns of skilled workers shortage
Mark Clare, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments, has warned that a shortage of skilled workers could prevent the country from tackling the housing crisis.
A lack of skilled workers will prevent the country from delivering the homes needed to address the housing crisis, according to Barratt Developments boss Mark Clare.
He...
£2m funding to close construction skills gap
A new London-based scheme will receive £2m worth of funding to help tackle the shortage of skilled construction workers in the area.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced £2m has been committed to a new project aimed at increasing the number of skilled construction workers in Greater London.
The money...
Mott MacDonald links with Birmingham university
Mott MacDonald and Birmingham City University are to enter a partnership to teach construction students how to problems solve and to develop people skills.
A partnership between engineering consultancy company Mott MacDonald and Birmingham City University will help construction students to develop people skills and learn to solve problems.
The course,...
The CDM-C route to added value
John Lacey, Past President of IOSH describes how CDM Regulations are meant to operate, and what qualities a CDM-C should possess.
The 6 European Directives introduced in 1992 created a major change in industry as a whole, and not only the construction industry. The foundation of ‘risk based’ safety was...
Clients under pressure: CDM201X?
Following on from the proposed changes to the CDM Regulations from the HSE, David Carr, MD of Callsafe Services Ltd examines whether the client is more likely to be prosecuted under the new regime.
The gun has been fired, and we are now all in the race to see if we...
