Bilfinger UK sets five-year apprenticeship commitment to deliver future talent
Engineering and maintenance provider Bilfinger UK, has pledged to hire 400 apprentices over the next five years to deliver future growth and attract and retain more young people across the sector.
The new commitment will see the firm hire 86 new trainees this year across its network in England and Scotland, with the majority of the positions created within its maintenance, modifications and operations (MMO) business.
Bilfinger UK, which is headquartered in Warrington in Cheshire, is one of Britain’s largest tier one contractors with 4,500 employees and 13 locations across the UK’s key industrial hubs.
Each apprentice will undertake either a three or four-year programme of work experience and appropriate off the job training relevant to the discipline being worked towards, which will be certified by a recognised awarding body.
Damian Redmond, HR Director at Bilfinger UK, said: “It is common knowledge that there is a skills shortage in the UK engineering industry and as a major contractor and employer, we recognise the importance of our role in attracting new talent into the sector and providing them with the skills and opportunities to build successful careers.
“This is an exciting time to come into engineering. The sectors we operate in are changing rapidly as the UK accelerates towards the energy transition, from our traditional markets of oil and gas and utilities, through to major renewables in onshore and offshore wind, nuclear, hydrogen and carbon capture.
“Our scheme represents a significant opportunity for those with a curiosity of how we make and maintain the infrastructure that makes the world turn. And it’s this proposition that the industry collectively needs to embrace to attract tomorrow’s generation of engineers.”
Molly Fox from Minehead, Somerset, started her apprenticeship with Bilfinger UK in November 2019, with on-site training at Hinkley Point C, where the company is delivering inspection work and maintenance services for NSSS (Nuclear Steam Supply System), BNI (Balance of Nuclear Island) and BoP (Balance of Plant).
Molly said: “My apprenticeship has been such a valuable experience. Not many people my age will have had the same opportunities that I’ve had: getting hands on experience on one of the UK’s biggest engineering projects of the century.
“I’d really encourage anyone with an interest of science and engineering, who’s uncertain of what career path to take, to see how they could build a bright future as a Bilfinger UK apprentice.”
To apply for the roles, please visit: www.jobs.bilfinger.com
Masons Scaffolding sponsors Millwall FC
Millwall Football Club has announced that Masons Scaffolding has become the club’s back-of-shirt sponsor for the 2022/23 campaign.
The firm’s company logo will adorn the home, away and third kit shirts across the course of the new season. London-based Masons Scaffolding established in 1993 offers a specialist scaffolding and access service across the capital, South East and Home Counties. Masons Scaffolding Managing Director, Grant Mason said, “As a Millwall supporter, I’m delighted to sponsor the shirt, It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do it, but it’s a privilege and I’m proud to do it.“To see your name on the shirt is every supporter’s dream. I’m delighted to get behind the club in any way I can. I’m looking forward to a good season.”
Andrew Stead, Millwall FC’s Hospitality & Partnerships Manager, added, “We’re delighted to be working with Grant and Masons Scaffolding. Grant has supported the club for a number of years now and it’s great to be able to have his logo on the back of the shirt for the upcoming season. I want to thank him for his support.”Site workers to get 5% pay increase
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) have agreed on a below-inflation pay rise for site workers covered by the working rule agreement.
The deal follows months of talks between the CIJC, construction unions and contractors under the CIJC pay framework. The one-year pay deal, will start from Monday 25th July 2022 and includes a 5% pay increase across all rates and a two-stage increase in non-taxable allowances. The CIJC sets minimum wages for more than 500,000 workers. The National Federation of Builders was happy with the outcome of the deal, “This agreement is in line with the mandate given to the NFB’s negotiators by the membership survey, so we are pleased to be achieving the increases members asked for,” it said in a press release.Lighthouse Construction Charity Urges “Talk to Us”
July is Talk to Us month and the Lighthouse Construction industry Charity is raising awareness of the importance of talking about wellbeing issues with friends, colleagues and professionals to prevent situations from spiralling to crisis point.
Working in construction can be extremely rewarding but has its challenges. Over 87% of the workforce are male which means they are less likely to talk about and share their problems. In addition to this, long hours, tight deadlines and lack of job security can contribute significantly to poor mental health. Many contracts mean working away from home without the normal support network of family and friends, so trying to keep everyone happy including family, their boss, the main contractor and the client, can simply be too much.
Talking can be a way to cope with a problem you’ve been carrying around in your head for a while and just being listened to can help you feel supported. You never know who might be struggling so don’t forget to check up on your friends, family and colleagues to see how they are coping.
Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction industry Charity said: “Last month, we saw a record 300 calls to our 24/7 construction industry helpline, but the positive message is that people are feeling more able to reach out and talk to someone. No problem is too large or too small and if they’re not comfortable with talking on the phone, they can use our text support service to chat. They can even visit one of our Lighthouse Beacons to meet and talk face to face in a safe environment.
Talking can make us feel vulnerable, but it shouldn’t be seen as a sign of weakness. We know that all the work we are doing, together with efforts of the industry is helping to reduce the stigma of talking about feelings and problems.”
One such initiative is the charity’s partnership with National Grid at its interconnector site in Kent. A wellbeing facility encourages a positive wellbeing environment where people can share their issues and signposts workers to information on how to reach out for support.
Nicola Medalova, Managing Director of interconnectors for National Grid said: “We need to ensure that wellbeing initiatives are reaching the most vulnerable and more needs to be done to improve support and services offered within the sector. That is why we have partnered with mental health professionals from the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity to provide support to all of our workers and provide easy access to a huge range of wellbeing support. As well as this, there are lots of informal ways to connect with workers and build relationships, particularly for those who feel intimidated by professional help. Sometimes just talking to a friend or colleague can help”.
The Construction News ‘Mind Matters’ survey published last week identified a significant shift in construction’s mental health journey due to a change in attitudes about talking openly. 53 per cent of survey respondents said that they felt comfortable talking about their mental health with colleagues, compared with 33 per cent in 2019.
Colin Marrs, Editor of Construction News said: “These findings are positive and many companies have their own initiatives to help their employees start a conversation about whatever is troubling them. The industry has a collective moral responsibility to ensure that construction is a safe and healthy place to work, both mentally and physically. There is still much work to be done and we cannot take our eye off the ball, but it is encouraging to see this positive shift in attitudes”.
The charity’s current campaign, ‘Help Inside the Hard Hat’ aims to raise awareness of all the support available to both companies and individuals and highlights the importance of reaching out.
The ‘Help Inside the Hard Hat’ campaign is also visiting construction sites and builders’ trade outlets across the country to meet and talk to the trades and raise awareness of the support available to them. The team are all fully trained mental health first aiders with first hand life experiences in construction, so are able to identify and relate easily with the issues being raised.
Find out more about the charity’s Talk to Us campaign
Read the full findings of the Construction News Mind matters survey
If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can reach out for 25/7 free and confidential support via;
24/7 Construction Industry Helplines; 0345 605 1956, (UK) 1800 939 122 (ROI)
Text HARDHAT to 85258 (UK) 50808 (ROI)
Via their website
Rope Access Training Provider joins Safety & Access in Grimsby
MCL has joined scaffolding training provider Safety & Access in a new state-of-the-art Rope Access training facility at CATCH in Stallingborough.
MCL also based in London was formed in 2008 and is a specialist working at height/rope access and difficult access training provider.
The new facility based at CATCH (Centre for the Assessment of Technical Competence) is situated in the industrially-rich region of the Humber that provides a safe and authentic site environment with full-scale equipment for experiential learning and development.From these world-class training facilities, MCL will deliver practical, onsite-based training to members of the oil, gas and renewable industries, construction, stage and theatre rigging, theme parks and many more.
Classrooms and simulated industrial environments make for the perfect setting in which to undertake their accredited qualifications. Rope access can be applied to so many difficult or unusual scenarios. Martin Castle, Managing Director of MCL said: “With all of the diverse industry sectors which are situated in and around Lincolnshire, the decision was taken to open our new training facility at CATCH, in Grimsby.
Not only do we offer the internationally accredited IRATA rope access courses, our highly skilled and knowledgable team also deliver a range of Height Safety oriented courses such as Work at Height, Rescue, Harness & Lanyard Use, Fixed Ladder Inspection, Anchor Bolt Installation & Testing courses are also offered as well PFPE (Personal Fall Protection Equipment) Inspection courses which will be a great service for those in this area.”
More information can be found on the MCL website www.mcl-uk.com
International Scaffolding Expo to be held next year
The 7th International Scaffolding, Formwork, Moving Platforms and Industrial Building Technologies Exhibition (Scafform Expo) will be held in 2023.
The event organised by Demos Fairs will be held in Istanbul, Turkey at the Yenikapi Exhibition Center between 18-22 March 2023.
Thousands of visitors from around the world are expected to attend the event with a wide selection of international previous exhibitors including Doka, Peri, Layher, Altrad, MJ Gerust plus many other international scaffolding brands attending.
Many scaffolding systems and accessories will be on show but visitors can also view formwork systems and accessories, plywood products, construction work and worker safety equipment, telescopic erecting poles and platforms, as well as towers, cranes and risers.
Event organisers said: “The Scaffolding and Formwork Istanbul Expo has found an important place in the rapidly developing construction sector that brings together the companies engaged in project design, production, sales and leasing, and the professional target audience, which is in restructuring abroad, on a commercial platform.
The venue city – Istanbul also draws attention since it is accepted as one of the best trade fair locations in the world with direct flights from over 120 countries and 300 destinations.”
The fair can be visited between 10.30 and 18.00 hours for 5 days.
For more information, visit http://scafformexpoistanbul.com/en/home/
Mace Group Chairman and CEO chosen as new CLC Co-Chair
One of UK construction’s most recognised executives has been chosen to succeed Andy Mitchell as the new Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council.
Following an open recruitment process, an independent panel comprising industry, members of the CLC’s Senior Advisors Group and Government officials have recommended Mark Reynolds (Mace Group Chairman and CEO) to lead the CLC in partnership with Lee Rowley MP (BEIS Minister for Industry).
Mr Reynolds who took on the role yesterday (23 June) will be building on the four CLC priorities.
Mr Reynolds commented: “I am delighted to take on this exciting co-chair role following the great work by Andy over the last four years. During that time, I have seen first-hand how the CLC can make a real difference for companies across the whole of the industry”.
“We have faced – and continue to face – challenges that no one organisation can tackle on its own, such as the cost of inflation and impact of rising energy prices; global supply chain pressures and ensuring our collective progression to Net Zero. I am also very pleased to be working with Richard Robinson, CEO for Atkins UK and Europe, on this agenda; who will strengthen our collective leadership and capacity in his role as Deputy Co-Chair.”
“The CLC, working in partnership with Government, provides crucial leadership to the sector. We do this most effectively where we speak to, and for, all parts of industry. Whilst I will continue the CLC’s focus on its four priorities, I would like to engage and listen to the wider industry over the summer to ensure we continue to deliver on the issues that matter most to us as a sector. I want to take this opportunity to encourage organisations across construction to get involved with the CLC’s work.”
Commenting on the appointment, Construction Minister Lee Rowley MP said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Mark as the new chair of the CLC. He’s been a key part of the Council in recent years, helping coordinate the industry’s Covid response, as well as supporting job creation in his role with the Construction Skills Delivery Group.
Mark will play a vital role in the months and years ahead as we work to decarbonise the industry through Construct Zero, support it through the Building Safety Act’s introduction, and deliver the first sector-wide skills plan for construction. I would also like to pay tribute to Andy Mitchell for his outstanding leadership to date, which puts the CLC in a strong position to keep delivering for the sector.”
Outgoing chair Andy Mitchell said: “The CLC is in a great position to lead industry transformation, working together to overcome any issues that may affect companies nationwide. I am delighted that Mark will be driving forward the Council’s agenda, and look forward to seeing the outputs of its work in the future”.
Scaffolder hits back over ‘woke builders’ story
Hinkley Point C scaffolder Jamie Busby has launched a hard-hitting attack at the Daily Mail after the newspaper ran a story branding today’s construction workers as ‘woke’.
The article posted by the Daily Mail online carried the headline ‘UK builders go WOKE’ in a story about them discussing their feelings with colleagues.
The workers are described by the paper as being ‘sensitive souls’ who shun unhealthy foods and take an active interest in yoga and meditation.
Scaffolder Jamie Busby was so shocked and annoyed at reading the article that he filmed himself firing back at the newspaper, telling them to ‘give your heads a wobble’.
In a video, which was shot by the GMB Union, he explained that talking to colleagues on-site could save lives, and it was not a laughing matter.
Speaking on camera Jamie Busby said: “I’m a GMB Union Rep currently in construction at HPC (Hinkley Point C), Europe’s largest construction site and I’ve got a message for the Mail newspaper about your story calling us all ‘woke’. “We work long hours in a manual job for long stretches away from our family and friends. “We have the highest suicide rate among male occupations. It’s not easy being away from your home and family but I guess you wouldn’t understand that. “So if you think it’s a laugh to take the mick out of us about yoga and meditation and other things, like our feelings, speaking to each other about our mental health, you need to give your head a wobble and get in the real world. “Mental health is massive and people need to speak to each other. Talking to each other saves lives. “Forget your divisive culture wars and your ‘woke’ narratives and we’ll carry on looking after each other here and our mental health at HPC and we’ll carry on reading a proper newspaper as well. “And we absolutely love a breakfast, so get your facts right!”FAO: @DailyMailUK This is what our construction workers at Hinkley Point think about your “woke” builders story ? pic.twitter.com/ui6TUDAi0l
— GMB Union (@GMB_union) June 20, 2022
HAKI owners acquire French height safety company
Midway Holdings – owners of system scaffolding manufacturer HAKI have signed an agreement to acquire all of the shares in the French company Novakorp Systems SARL, with effect from 1 July 2022.
Novakorp Systems develops, sells, and markets safety products for work at height in France which is the largest market, where Paris dominates, and the main focus is new construction.
Novakorp Systems perfectly complements the Safe Access Solutions business area with solutions for safe work at height.
HAKI says that in addition to the geographical expansion, the acquisition also provides opportunities for synergies with Safe Access Solutions’ supply chain.
Novakorp Systems was founded in 2010 and today has 11 employees. The company’s headquarters are in Bordeaux with warehousing and logistics operations in Lyon.
Novakorp Systems’ operations are similar to Vertemax, which HAKI acquired in 2021.
Thomas Schuller CEO of HAKI said: “Novakorp Systems has a strong product portfolio for safe work at height and is thus an excellent complement to our existing operations within Safe Access Solutions.
We see good synergies, mainly through opportunities for a joint supply chain with Vertemax and HAKI.
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Novakorp’s employees to the HAKI family.”
Novakorp’s founder and CEO Georges Simioni added: We look forward to being a part of Midway and are confident that this will enable us to create even more value for our customers. With our joint product portfolio, we create a good platform for continued growth.
G&M Group launches next generation Safe Deck Hybrid system
The G&M Group has launched its G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system that’s designed to dovetail with traditional scaffolding.
The all-new working G&M platform hybrid connector has been designed to allow the standard system to be used with industry-standard 48.3mm steel tube and fitting scaffolding or key clamp fittings with G&M’s Safe Deck panels fitting on top as the working platform.
The fast, safe and innovative G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is one of the first systems of its kind to be brought to the UK construction sector that offers maximum versatility, ease of use and productivity on-site.
The G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is fully compatible with scaffold jacks or base plates. This enables a wide variety of bay configurations to suit project sizes and, like G&M Safe Deck itself, it is also another freestanding system solution allowing the mix of steel or plastic legs to be utilised, for maximum ease of use.
Fully compatible with existing base/head units and tested to load Class 4 to BS EN 12811-1, the G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is available for nationwide hire or purchase from the UK-wide G&M Group depots.
G&M Group Managing Director, Mark Pickles said: “The G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is the next generation of our market-leading, highly cost-effective working platform system that’s taken the UK construction scene by storm. It offers quick and simple superior protection of site personnel whilst working at height and the ability to be able to dovetail with existing scaffold temporary works, safely and compliantly.
“Along with G&M Safe Deck freestanding and our Modular Access Platform (MAP) system, this new hybrid system is the third major product launch since the pandemic and showcases the prolific safety innovation we offer our housebuilding, timber frame, scaffolding and other construction clients right across the country. It’s cost effective, quick and easy to use we are excited to launch it to our nationwide clients.”
The all-new G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is available for hire and sale nationwide now.
G&M Group Managing Director, Mark Pickles said: “The G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is the next generation of our market-leading, highly cost-effective working platform system that’s taken the UK construction scene by storm. It offers quick and simple superior protection of site personnel whilst working at height and the ability to be able to dovetail with existing scaffold temporary works, safely and compliantly.
“Along with G&M Safe Deck freestanding and our Modular Access Platform (MAP) system, this new hybrid system is the third major product launch since the pandemic and showcases the prolific safety innovation we offer our housebuilding, timber frame, scaffolding and other construction clients right across the country. It’s cost effective, quick and easy to use we are excited to launch it to our nationwide clients.”
The all-new G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is available for hire and sale nationwide now. 
