Taziker has been awarded a place on a long-term, multi-million-pound framework for the provision of scaffolding with National Grid, covering multiple locations around the UK.
Taziker’s Industrial Services division was established in 2018 to capitalise on major industrial works in the power and process industries.
The specialist division supports the construction, maintenance, de-commissioning, and replacement of major industrial assets across the UK.
National Grid owns the electricity transmission network in England and Wales. With 330 substations to manage and maintain, the supply and erection of access scaffolding within the structures is essential for safe working practices.
Craig Walker, Managing Director – Industrial Services, Taziker, said: “The award of this contract demonstrates to the industry that Taziker Industrial Services is capable of undertaking work of this nature for high profile clients.“Since introducing Industrial Services into Taziker’s offering in 2018, we have grown our capabilities and client relationships. Our services include access scaffolding, rope access, thermal insulation, industrial cleaning, surface preparation and protective coatings, as well as confined space rescue.“The National Grid contract will give us the strength to grow the business further, expanding our Industrial Services team and reach across the country.”Craig Walker, Managing Director – Industrial Services, Taziker
Steve Corcoran, CEO of Taziker, said: “The ambitious growth plans we have for the business are being realised everyday with new project wins, additional frameworks and contracts signed. We are delighted to have been chosen by National Grid to undertake these works which is a testament to our people and their commitment, knowledge, and skills.”
The National Grid system is made up of approximately 7,200 kilometres (4,470 miles) of overhead line, 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) of underground cable and around 330 substations.
GKR Scaffolding Strategy Director Helen Gawor explains how sustainability has gone from being a buzzword to a strategic target for the whole industry.
The Construction industry has made a pledge to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050, in line with the Government’s national targets. Specialists in the supply chain, including those of us in temporary works will need to contribute to this.
Not only is it simply the right thing ethically for our businesses to work towards, but the cold hard fact is that having a clear, measurable sustainability strategy will win you more business. Procurement scoring will increasingly rate us for our Net Zero credentials, and all clients, large and small, will be expecting us to play our part.
But how do scaffolding businesses get to Net Zero?
Understanding your carbon emissions
The first step is to understand the volume and composition of our carbon emissions. This is probably the biggest hurdle for most SMEs because there aren’t enough simple tools to enable businesses to do this easily.
At GKR, we used a third party to audit our emissions under the current regulations, but many businesses will not have the budget or resources to do this.
You will find calculators online that give you a steer on what your carbon footprint looks like from organisations such as the Carbon Trust and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol as a starting point.
But you will also need to be familiar with some of the terminology and categories of emissions to understand what it actually means to become Net Zero Carbon.
What is Net Zero?
Carbon emissions are categorised under 3 scopes:
Scope 1: Direct Emissions
Produced from our business activities, such as our fleet and use of plant/machinery.
Scope 2: Indirect Emissions
Secondary sources we use such as electricity in our offices.
Scope 3: Supplementary Emissions
Sources such as those our supply chain is responsible for and employee travel to work.
These categories of emissions need to be understood as reductions in particular scopes impact your status towards Net Zero Carbon.
Net Zero Carbon is achieved when our businesses make significant reductions in all 3 scopes and we are offsetting the amounts that cannot be reduced. If you search for approved offset programmes, you will find interesting options from planting trees to supporting enterprises is developing countries.
Offsets however must be used on top of continuous reduction efforts. You cannot achieve Net Zero status if you are offsetting emissions that are possible to reduce or remove from your business.
Being Carbon Neutral
At GKR, we achieved Carbon Neutral this year as our first milestone to becoming Net Zero.
This means we have made significant reductions in our Scope 1 and 2 emissions and offset the remainder, with a clear plan to reduce Scope 3 emissions towards a Net Zero Carbon target date.
Reaching this milestone did require a clear understanding of our carbon footprint and which reductions we can prioritise and control. Our audit showed that over 60% of our carbon emissions derived from our fleet. By switching to and securing a future supply of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) to replace diesel, we reduced carbon emissions from our fleet by 93%.
We were already using renewable electricity in all our buildings and investing in other areas of sustainability too.
The challenge now is for us to prove continued reductions in all 3 scopes towards our Net Zero Carbon deadline of December 2023.
Can we be Net Zero when using steel and plastic?
The elephant in the room is that we are a steel-intensive industry. The manufacture of iron and steel is responsible for 11% of global CO2 emissions.
There is a misconception that our businesses can’t achieve Net Zero Carbon whilst we use steel that is manufactured using fossil fuels. As it is outside our businesses’ control, this is not true, however, it should not be ignored.
Encouragingly, a growing number of steel manufacturers have made Net Zero pledges and there is active exploration of carbon reduction and carbon capture methods in steelmaking in Europe and even in China.
So, in the future we will be able to establish Green Procurement Policies and it will become possible to procure more sustainably manufactured steel products. In the meantime, our focus at GKR is on used rather than new materials to reduce the demand for extracting raw materials.
Businesses in our sector will also need to eliminate waste in all the materials we use. A growing number of contractors are introducing Zero Landfill policies which our non-recyclable materials such as sheeting will not comply with. We need to increase pressure on our supply chains to manufacture and distribute sustainable alternatives that meet the standards we require. At GKR we are trialling 100% recyclable sheeting with persistent organic pollutants removed, for example
Will the scaffolding sector become a Net Zero Carbon industry?
Net Zero Carbon is achievable for scaffolding businesses. However, the roadmap to get there needs to be supported by better tools to calculate the volume and composition of our carbon footprint and provide information to empower businesses to make the changes needed to reach their target.
Although some of us have charged ahead, we have done so not to be the first, but to prove it can be done and how. I’m chairing a working group at the NASC, where we are investing in building the tools and resources scaffolding businesses will need to start your Net Zero Carbon journey.
The good news is that all businesses are in the same place – finding our way through the clutter of useful information and less useful rhetoric. Those that have made some progress, like us, are still learning.
One thing is certain, Net Zero will remain to be a priority for the industry. The businesses in our sector who put the investment in now, will not only be future-proofing their businesses but creating a better world for future generations.
This article was first published in the ScaffMag Magazine Issue 15
Scaffold sheeting business ITP Ltd is supporting war-torn Ukraine with the sponsorship of a 40ft articulated lorry transporting aid to those in need.
The Easingwold-based company has teamed up with a Thirsk-based aid and fundraising initiative, Yorkshire to Ukraine, to organise a cargo of essential items taken to Eastern Europe by Yorkshire-based haulier, Bryan Yeardley Logistics.
ITP has donated £3,500 to meet the cost of transportation and is inviting the local community to bring cartons of donated items to its premises on Stillington Road, YO61 3FA.
Donations can be brought to ITP from Monday to Friday between 8am to 5pm until the end of the month. Over the coming weeks, ITP will be taking a series of batches to Marrtree Business Park in Thirsk, where a Yorkshire to Ukraine collection centre has been set up in unit 7.
ITP’s sponsored lorry will depart from the collection centre and travel to Poland or Bulgaria, where the goods will be offloaded and taken to Ukraine. Donations suitable for transportation include canned and dry foods, baby formula, nappies, baby wipes, towels, bedding and blankets, sleeping bags, camping mats, thermal clothes, torches, batteries, power banks, painkillers, cold remedies, pastilles, Sudocrem, first aid kits, bandages, antiseptic, sanitary products, soaps, shower gels, shampoos and other hygiene products.
Non-thermal clothes will also be accepted as donations and sold by Yorkshire to Ukraine, with all proceeds going to refugee aid.
ITP Managing Director, Marc van der Voort, said: “We are horrified at the devastation in Ukraine and we wanted to do something to help the people suffering out there. Annie Drew, in our accounts department, has been leading the initiative but the Yorkshire to Ukraine truck is a collective effort, with vital contributions from various organisations. We are grateful to Bryan Yeardley Logistics and to Andy Walker for providing the Yorkshire to Ukraine collection facility. Our truck will be the sixth articulated lorry to take aid from his centre, which has already collected and dispatched 100 tonnes of aid to date.”
Once the truck arrives in Poland, a firm of solicitors coordinates the distribution of donations which are taken on vans to the border. The vans will then enter Ukraine and return with refugees.
Annie Drew said: “ITP are welcoming donations of all sizes from individuals, businesses and community groups. We are asking donors to mark the contents on their cartons as this will help with the distribution of items. The donations will be transported in more than one delivery, with the first load expected to go out within the next two weeks and the second load likely to go out a few weeks later to Poland or Romania. People and businesses in and around Thirsk are also welcome to deliver donations directly to the Yorkshire to Ukraine collection centre, where over 200 volunteers have been giving up their time to sort, label, weigh, manifest and pallet a fantastic amount of donations.”
JR Training Services has submitted ambitious plans to create a state-of-the-art scaffolding training facility in Paisley – tackling the construction industry skills shortage first-hand.
Plans for the purpose-built training centre on Wallneuk Road have been submitted to Renfrewshire Council, including details of the dedicated training rooms, office spaces and break-out areas incorporated into the brand-new building.
Parking for trainees has also been accounted for, and a new scaffold area will ensure attendees can get hands-on with practical training activities.
The facility will act as the home for JR Training Services, which is headed up by Ronnie Charters who has 35 years of construction industry experience, including health and safety advisor, trainer and assessor roles at the National Construction College CITB. He is currently NASC Regional Chair for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Should the plans be given the green light, the team will utilise the accredited training centre to deliver a range of industry-leading, construction industry courses to recruits from the West of Scotland, and beyond.
The planned programme includes specialist CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) courses, such as a five-day scaffolding supervisor course and subsequent two-day refresher.
CITB-accredited health & safety and site management courses and NEBOSH-certified courses will also be delivered via the facility.
Ronnie said: “These ambitious plans could bring a dedicated, state-of-the-art construction training facility to the Renfrewshire area, giving JR Training services an accredited base to deliver some of the industry’s most sought-after qualifications – with facilities that allow classroom-based learning as well as practical skills development.“Having provided services to the construction industry across the UK for more than 25 years, The JR Group has, like myself, experienced first-hand the lack of skilled labour and training facilities in the local area and beyond. This new training facility would give Renfrewshire the opportunity to lead the way in directly tackling the issue of skills shortages, and provide young people in Renfrewshire the opportunity to develop their skills in a rewarding career.“Working with a range of partners including G&A Wilson Safety Consultants we’ll be proud to deliver practical, accredited courses, as well as shining the spotlight on the health and wellbeing of the workers themselves with dedicated courses, including Mental Health First Aid.”
The UK’s largest trade association for the scaffolding industry has met with Minister for Industry, Lee Rowley MP, to discuss labour and skills shortages in the scaffolding and access sector.
The Scaffolding Association (SA) has met with Lee Rowley MP, Minister for Industry at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Rowley has been responsible for the construction industry since his appointment in September of last year. He is also the co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
As previously reported the scaffolding and access sector has a growing labour and skills shortage, and the Association used the opportunity to raise its member’s views as to the causes and possible solutions.
The SA said that ‘a week prior to meeting with the minister, the Association had canvassed industry opinion, during a round of virtual member briefings that are held on a quarterly basis.’
Labour and skills shortages are widespread throughout the construction sector which estimates over 200,000 new workers will be required in the next 5 years to meet demand.
Robert Candy
Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, said: “Government can support with resolving labour and skills shortages. However, industry and others have a part to play too. We are grateful to the Minister for listening to our concerns and for showing interest in helping to find solutions. We look forward to working more closely with the minister and officials from across government on this and many other issues of member importance.”
Scaffolding training providers SIMIAN is offering FREE career progression for scaffolders and trainees that live or work in the Greater Manchester area.
If you live or work in a Greater Manchester Combined Authority Postcode, you could be eligible to take the next step on your career progression ladder by securing a place on a fully-funded CISRS Scaffolding training course.
SIMIAN say they have secured a limited amount of skills training funding for those who either live, work or are employed in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area, and it can be used for CISRS Part One, Part Two and Advanced Scaffolder Training.
The funding, secured via North West Skills Academy Limited (NWSA) and GMCA, will be used to upskill Greater Manchester’s workforce, and the application process is open to any individual who has a current CISRS card, ranging from CISRS COTS to Part 2.
NWSA was awarded the funding by Greater Manchester Combined Authority as part of its three-year Skills for Growth programme. Skills for Growth is funded through the European Social Fund and aims to plug the skills gaps in priority sectors across Greater Manchester as outlined in the Combined Authority’s Local Industrial Strategy. For more info on the fund, search #SkillsForGrowthGM.
Speaking of the initiative, Natalie Hadfield, Apprenticeship Manager at SIMIAN, said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to tap into this upskilling fund, as it gives GMCA residents and workers the opportunity to progress, with the potential of having increased earning capability. It’s a small piece of good news in what has generally been a very challenging couple of years for almost everybody.”
Sam Riley, CEO of NWSA, said: “We’re excited at the opportunity of expanding our offering into scaffolding, which is a new initiative for us. SIMIAN is the largest and most renowned provider of CISRS training in the region and we’re delighted that working with them will give NWSA the opportunity to bring direct skills benefits to the employers and residents of the GMCA area.”
SIMIAN stress that the funding is strictly limited to those living, working or employing in the following Greater Manchester postcode areas:
BL1, BL2, BL3, BL4, BL5, BL6, BL8, BL9
M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M11, M12, M13, M14, M15, M16, M17, M18, M19, M20, M21, M22, M23, M24, M25, M26, M27, M28, M29, M30, M31, M32, M33, M34, M35, M38, M40, M41, M43, M44, M45, M46, M50, M90
OL1, OL2, OL3, OL4, OL5, OL6, OL7, OL8, OL9, OL10, OL11, OL15, OL16
SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SK5, SK6, SK7, SK8, SK9, SK14, SK15, SK16
WA14, WA15
WN1, WN2, WN3, WN4, WN5, WN7
If you would like to take up the offer of fully-funded training apply via the SIMIAN website by clicking here.
About the European Social Fund
This project receives funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.
The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk.
AT-PAC Ringlock scaffolding system has received one of the world’s most recognized approvals for scaffolding – the DIBt.
The Ringlock brand has become the world’s first non-European scaffold system with the DIBt approval.
In autumn 2020, AT-PAC and Doka entered into a global strategic partnership. This combined AT-PAC’s many years of scaffolding experience with Doka’s global presence. AT-PAC’s Ringlock system has been adopted and implemented by Doka as their own Scaffolding System to provide customers ‘more than formwork’.
The DIBt (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik) is a leading technical authority responsible for granting national approvals for construction products in Germany. It is one of the most recognized and regulated approvals for scaffolding worldwide.
AT-PAC say its proprietary quality assurance program and rigorous quality checks and expert scaffold knowledge have been proven to be successful by securing the DIBt approval and guarantees customers a supply of high-quality scaffolding system with globally recognized approvals and certifications.
Jeff Davis – CEO of AT-PAC said: “This marks a major milestone in the scaffolding strategy of AT-PAC Doka.”“The DIBt certification marks a significant milestone in our company’s history and realizes our vision over the past 10+ years to invest in the development of our products to build the basis for international growth and be recognized as one of the major scaffolding players in the market.”
The new app is designed to give its employees instant access to H&S, wellbeing and company information.TRAD Group has launched a dedicated app to help its workforce access critical services and information and to help make sure communications reach everyone. The app offers employees a range of services to help keep them in constant touch with the business.
“We felt that we needed to bring some innovation to our internal communications,” says TRAD’s Group HR Director, Ros Howe. “Our email communications often didn’t reach our whole workforce and some employees were missing out on crucial information. The app is designed to make sure that everyone can access news, updates and our wellbeing services instantly wherever they are.”
The app has sections dedicated to health and safety, wellbeing, news and the company’s Personal Engagement Programme. There’s also a space for employee suggestions and for the Group’s charity and CSR focus – this year, it is aiming to raise £22,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust in memory of former TRAD director, John Paterson.
“TRAD is recognised as an innovative company,” says Des Moore, CEO. “This doesn’t just apply to our products, but to the way we run our business, and the new app is a great example of this. Our culture is all about including our people at every stage and making sure that everyone feels they are ‘at home’ when they work for us. I’m really looking forward to seeing the impact that the app will have across the Group.”
Scaffolding trade body the NASC now has a full complement of regional Vice Chairs through the appointment of Mark Skinner in Scotland & Northern Ireland.
Mark, Technical Director and co-founder at City Access Scaffolding Ltd, brings more than 20 years of scaffolding industry experience to the role, having served his time as a scaffolding apprentice working on the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, and subsequently holding trade, supervisory and management roles on a variety of high-profile projects in the industrial/offshore sector.
Speaking about his position as NASC Vice Chair, he said: “I’m really looking forward to working alongside the Regional Chair, Ronnie Charters, to deliver the best for members across Scotland & Northern Ireland.“I hope to bring a fresh set of eyes with a background from old school and new school scaffolding to help the NASC keep bettering the industry and looking after other scaffolding companies out there.”
Ronnie Charters added: “I’m pleased to have Mark as Vice Chair. He’s someone I know really well, so I know he’ll be a real asset to the region.”
Mark’s appointment means that all five NASC regions now have Chairs and Vice Chairs in place.
NASC Managing Director Robin James said: “It’s great to have a full set of Vice Chairs as this ensures that the members across the UK have two contacts within their region to approach with any questions or suggestions, and also helps with succession planning.”
Tributes have been paid to a well-known scaffolder described as a ‘beautiful soul’ who died suddenly after falling ill whilst working offshore.
Glasgow scaffolder and dad-of-three Alan Carr became unwell whilst working offshore last week and died a few days later on March 31 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Alan’s sister Siobhan Byrne told the Daily Record her brother was a ‘beautiful soul’.
She added: “Alan had such a beautiful soul, who touched so many lives. It has been incredible to see how much he meant to everyone.”
Following Alan’s tragic passing his friend Robert Nicholson set up a Go Fund Me page to help pay for funeral costs.
In just three days he has raised over £8,000.
Posting on the fundraising page and speaking about his friend Robert said: “For anyone that new Alan knows he’s one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He was always happy smiling away, everyone that ever worked with Alan instantly liked him as he had a heart of gold and had time for everyone. He was so well-loved in the construction industry all over the UK.”
“let’s give Alan’s family the love and support they need at this terrible, tragic time.
“Rest in peace AL.”
Friends and family have also left messages of tribute to Alan on the fundraising page.
Ryan Mckenzie said: “See you up in the great gig in the Sky for that game of switch you promised me Alan Double or Quits!! I will miss you pal.”
Michael Sinclair said: “Shared a room with Alan, as people have already said he had a heart of gold and nobody had a bad word to say about him ever, rest easy mate.”
John Cain added: “Had the pleasure in working with Alan and also out with work as a friend. Always had a story, and they were brilliant to listen to. Too many good things to say about the man !. If you knew him then you know where I am coming from. REST IN PEACE ALAN KEEP THE FAITH!”To donate to the fundraiser click here
Ronnie said: “These ambitious plans could bring a dedicated, state-of-the-art construction training facility to the Renfrewshire area, giving JR Training services an accredited base to deliver some of the industry’s most sought-after qualifications – with facilities that allow classroom-based learning as well as practical skills development.
“Having provided services to the construction industry across the UK for more than 25 years, The JR Group has, like myself, experienced first-hand the lack of skilled labour and training facilities in the local area and beyond. This new training facility would give Renfrewshire the opportunity to lead the way in directly tackling the issue of skills shortages, and provide young people in Renfrewshire the opportunity to develop their skills in a rewarding career.
“Working with a range of partners including G&A Wilson Safety Consultants we’ll be proud to deliver practical, accredited courses, as well as shining the spotlight on the health and wellbeing of the workers themselves with dedicated courses, including Mental Health First Aid.” 
Ronnie said: “These ambitious plans could bring a dedicated, state-of-the-art construction training facility to the Renfrewshire area, giving JR Training services an accredited base to deliver some of the industry’s most sought-after qualifications – with facilities that allow classroom-based learning as well as practical skills development.
“Having provided services to the construction industry across the UK for more than 25 years, The JR Group has, like myself, experienced first-hand the lack of skilled labour and training facilities in the local area and beyond. This new training facility would give Renfrewshire the opportunity to lead the way in directly tackling the issue of skills shortages, and provide young people in Renfrewshire the opportunity to develop their skills in a rewarding career.
“Working with a range of partners including G&A Wilson Safety Consultants we’ll be proud to deliver practical, accredited courses, as well as shining the spotlight on the health and wellbeing of the workers themselves with dedicated courses, including Mental Health First Aid.” 
TRAD Group has launched a dedicated app to help its workforce access critical services and information and to help make sure communications reach everyone. The app offers employees a range of services to help keep them in constant touch with the business.
“We felt that we needed to bring some innovation to our internal communications,” says TRAD’s Group HR Director, Ros Howe. “Our email communications often didn’t reach our whole workforce and some employees were missing out on crucial information.
The app is designed to make sure that everyone can access news, updates and our wellbeing services instantly wherever they are.”
The app has sections dedicated to health and safety, wellbeing, news and the company’s Personal Engagement Programme. There’s also a space for employee suggestions and for the Group’s charity and CSR focus – this year, it is aiming to raise £22,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust in memory of former TRAD director, John Paterson.
“TRAD is recognised as an innovative company,” says Des Moore, CEO. “This doesn’t just apply to our products, but to the way we run our business, and the new app is a great example of this.
Our culture is all about including our people at every stage and making sure that everyone feels they are ‘at home’ when they work for us. I’m really looking forward to seeing the impact that the app will have across the Group.” 
TRAD Group has launched a dedicated app to help its workforce access critical services and information and to help make sure communications reach everyone. The app offers employees a range of services to help keep them in constant touch with the business.
“We felt that we needed to bring some innovation to our internal communications,” says TRAD’s Group HR Director, Ros Howe. “Our email communications often didn’t reach our whole workforce and some employees were missing out on crucial information.
The app is designed to make sure that everyone can access news, updates and our wellbeing services instantly wherever they are.”
The app has sections dedicated to health and safety, wellbeing, news and the company’s Personal Engagement Programme. There’s also a space for employee suggestions and for the Group’s charity and CSR focus – this year, it is aiming to raise £22,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust in memory of former TRAD director, John Paterson.
“TRAD is recognised as an innovative company,” says Des Moore, CEO. “This doesn’t just apply to our products, but to the way we run our business, and the new app is a great example of this.
Our culture is all about including our people at every stage and making sure that everyone feels they are ‘at home’ when they work for us. I’m really looking forward to seeing the impact that the app will have across the Group.” 
