CSCS Industry Placement Card Launches for New Academic Year
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has launched a new Industry Placement Card and a number of other partner schemes, in time for the new academic year.
Initially announced back in June, the card is for learners aged sixteen or above on qualification or training programmes requiring a minimum of 30 days’ work placement, which is intended to ultimately lead to a job in construction and the built environment. The card is designed to support learners transitioning from the classroom to the workplace and mirrors changes to educational policy in the UK, which have seen an increased focus on vocational education. This includes the introduction of the Traineeship Skills Development Programme and T Level qualifications, with these new pathways into construction involving a mixture of classroom learning and extensive on-the-job experience. Initially, the following four-card schemes will make the card available from September 1st, 2021:- The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
- The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS)
- The Engineering Services SKILLcard
- JIB Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services (JIB PMES)
NASC publish new and updated guidance
Scaffolding trade body the NASC has today published two new guidance notes and updated another.
The new guidance titles published today are CG21:21 An Employer’s Guide to Right to Work Checks and TG25:21 Scaffold Tube Storage Racks. The NASC has also published updated guidance for TG16:21 Anchoring to the Ground. Their full members will receive free hard copies of the titles shortly. Guidance can also be downloaded for free via the Guidance page of the NASC website. Non-members of the NASC can also purchase the new and updated guidance via the NASC shop. CG21:21 gives contractors help and assistance when taking on new operatives and reflects the latest rules and regulations following Brexit changes which came into force on July 1 2021. Scaffold tube storage racks are a common feature of every scaffolding contractor’s yard and many long-term live sites. Whilst tube racks are usually constructed as basic birdcage-like structures, they generally support many tonnes of equipment, so their design needs special consideration. TG25:21 guidance note considers the design, use and maintenance of scaffold tube storage racks. Many free-standing scaffolding structures, such as access towers, major signboards, fences and enclosures, need to be anchored to the ground, primarily to resist wind forces. Whilst all structures requiring restraint via anchoring to the ground should be subject to a bespoke design produced by a competent engineer, TG16:21 considers different types of anchors available and typical indicative holding capacities, the possibility of disturbing underground services, the use of guys and scaffold tube restraint.Altrad eyes acquisition of French industrial maintenance firm Endel
Altrad has entered into exclusive negotiations with the Engie group for the acquisition of Endel, the French leader in industrial maintenance and services to the nuclear sector
Endel is a specialist in industrial maintenance and services for the energy sector. Endel’s know-how in mechanical engineering and metallurgy, the group’s strong network in France and its strategic positioning across the entire value chain enable it to offer unique services to its customers. Endel’s activities generated revenues of approximately €550 million in 2020 in energy and industrial services. The transaction is expected to close by early 2022, subject to regulatory approval and the customary suspensive conditions, and after consultation with employee representative bodies. This acquisition will enable Altrad to open a new page in its development in France, by strengthening and diversifying its industrial offering in engineering and mechanics, the company said. Altrad’s acquisition of Endel is part of a long term industrial project that will create value for Endel’s employees and customers. Mohed Altrad, President of the Altrad Group, said of the transaction: “With its considerable industrial expertise, Altrad wishes to participate in Endel’s development and give all its teams the means to implement a structured and viable strategic plan. We have every confidence in Endel’s ability to develop and prosper, with Altrad’s support, and have the deepest respect for Endel’s skilled and qualified employees. Welcoming our new colleagues is a very important step for us in the evolution of Altrad as a whole. A new page in our history is being written.” Ran Oren, Altrad’s co-CEO, added: “Within Altrad, Endel will remain an independent organisation, in line with the Group’s organisational and management philosophy. Altrad is also committed to protecting the jobs and rights of all Endel employees. In this respect, we will engage in constructive discussions with the staff representative bodies and the trade unions, to explain our common industrial project in the best possible way.”Update: Two Die in DIY Scaffold Tower Fall
The two pensioners that died in a scaffolding incident in Scotland fell from a “DIY scaffold tower”, PASMA says.
As previously reported the two men both aged 77 fell from the toppled tower at a church in Peterhead, Scotland on 18th August. George Forbes died at the scene and Alistair Buchan died in hospital five days later. According to reports, the men were painting the building as volunteers when the incident happened. Although the exact cause or circumstances of the accident is still unknown, photos from the scene show a toppled “DIY scaffolding tower” that PASMA says is a type of tower that is not safe to use, ever, in any situation. In a blog post on the PASMA website, the association say they are deeply saddened, shocked about the incident but also angered that non-compliant ‘DIY towers’ are still being sold and hired in the UK. “They’re sometimes sold as ‘DIY towers’, a term that misleads unsuspecting members of the public into believing it’s a recommended product for a quick bit of painting or maintenance,” says PASMA. “The truth is, these are flimsy, dangerous towers that are not recommended by anyone, for any purpose – at least, not by anyone who cares about the safety of the people using them. Irresponsible manufacturers, importers and suppliers choose to cut costs by offering a tower that doesn’t comply with any recognised standard, so they can leave out essential components and basic safety features that prevent towers toppling or people falling.” “Calling it a ‘DIY tower’ is a ruse to convince buyers they’re getting a ‘no frills’ bargain. But stabilisers, guardrails, secure platforms and a safe means of access are essential safeguards, not optional extras. Stripping them out means the tower is cheap to buy, but could cost you your life.” “And it’s not just home DIYers who get caught out. These towers are finding their way into workplaces too, putting even more people at enormous risk.” PASMA have put together some general guidance on how to choose safe towers to work from that can be found here.Richter opens new Polish office
Temporary works engineering firm Richter has announced it has established a new overseas office in Krakow, Poland.
The company has established a foothold in Europe in line with the company business strategy to provide world-class engineering design service to the construction industry. Michal Wodynski CEng MIStructE is the new Director in charge of its new office and brings with him 16 years of temporary works and structural engineering experience that has been gained across the UK and his native Poland. Maciej Adamczyk and Filip Trzeciak, both Senior Design Engineers will be working with Michal delivering various items of temporary works, but drawing upon their strengths in formwork/falsework and scaffolding. In addition, and joining the team in Poland is Mateusz Kotlarski, Senior Design Engineer and BIM specialist who will be representing the 48.3 Scaffold Design Limited, part of the Richter Group. Roger Tice CEng FICE, Group Managing Director welcomes the new team members and said: “The engineers comprising the team in Poland where all known to Richter and each team member has been following our organisation on a number of projects we have both been involved in. By contrast, we have been impressed with the solutions they have undertaken for schemes that we had CAT3 checking responsibility for and over the last 18 months during COVID19 pandemic and home working, we have found it possible to work seamlessly via remote means and that output can still be maintained to ensure construction programme milestones were met. The distance between them and our UK offices was simply not a barrier to productivity and maintaining engineering standards, so when a discussion was had about the potential opening of an office in Poland with these talented individuals, and securing the direct services of them was a very easy decision to make. Having met the team and set up the new office, we quickly established a working relationship across all of our offices that is the envy of organisations who have people sat next to each other. Our clients have responded well to remote working and you simply wouldn’t know you are dealing with a business that is outside of the UK. I wish them all well in their new roles and I know they will be a great addition to our existing business.” “All of Richter’s engineers build with integrity and as the ‘Richter Way’ creates waves in Poland, our business will continue to be at the forefront of sustainable construction, by engineering value with our clients and building a better world that we all want to live in.”CITB to host SkillBuild finals at National Construction College
The UK’s top construction trainees will battle it out 16-18 November at CITB’s SkillBuild National
SkillBuild, the largest multi-trade construction competition in the country, will see more than 50 finalists from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compete in their specialist skills.
The competitors will be set an 18-hour project to complete across the three days of the competition, which is set to take place at the National Construction College in Bircham Newton, Norfolk.
A series of remotely-delivered qualifiers ran across the UK during May and June, with nearly 100 colleges and training facilities supporting 250 competitors in their respective skills – bricklaying, carpentry, Foundation Skills: woodworking, furniture and cabinetmaking, joinery, painting and decorating, plastering, plastering and drywall systems, stonemasonry and wall and floor tiling.
In addition to their physical tasks, competitors were set a new online assessment, which tested their understanding of employability aspects such as Health & Safety.
Those competitors who will progress through to the SkillBuild 2021 National Finals will be announced, by WorldSkills UK, in mid-September.
Sarah Beale, CITB Chief Executive, said:?“SkillBuild is a terrific opportunity for young talent in the construction industry to shine, and I wish all participants the very best of luck. We’re delighted to be hosting the National Finals at Bircham Newton, it’s great that even with so much uncertainty during the past ye
Long-term sponsors of SkillBuild who will be involved again in November include BAL, British Gypsum and Crown, with Michelmersh joining to support bricklaying competitions.
The Stone Federation GB is also supporting the event. CITB is extremely grateful to all organisations and agencies helping to showcase the quality and potential of the next generation of tradespeople.
Find out more about ?SkillBuild, and how to take part in next year’s competitions.
JECS bags Seagreen offshore wind farm contract
JECS Offshore Services has been selected to assist with the export cable pull-in, routing, termination and testing work on the Seagreen offshore wind farm.
Nexans Norway has selected JECS Offshore Services to supply its offshore access equipment along with its teams of scaffolding and rigging operatives. Set to become Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, Seagreen is located 27 kilometres off the coast of Angus in the North Sea Firth. The offshore wind project, owned by TotalEnergies and SSE Renewables, will feature 114 Vestas 10 MW turbines expected to be operational in 2022/2023.. Last year, Nexans secured the contract to supply and install three 65-kilometre offshore export cables and three 20-kilometre onshore export cables for the 1,075 MW project. The company will use its newbuild DP3 cable laying vessel (CLV) Nexans Aurora for the offshore installation.Scaffolder’s bankruptcy restrictions extended for 10 years
A Sunderland scaffolder is in trouble after it was found he applied for a government-backed £50,000 Bounce Back Loan he wasn’t entitled to.
The 34-year-old scaffolder was trading as LTH Scaffolding until December 2019 he started working with a separate company. But this did not stop him from applying for a government-backed Bounce Back Loan of £50,000 in the name of LTH Scaffolding which he received on 12 May 2020. The money was then used to repay third parties rather than to meet ongoing business costs. The scaffolder was declared bankrupt on 26 October 2020. But due to his improper application for the Bounce Back Loan and the risk he posed to other creditors, the Official Receiver sought to extend his bankruptcy restrictions further. The man’s bankruptcy undertaking extends his restrictions for 10 years, which means he is limited to what credit he can access, as well as not being able to act as a company director without the permission of the court. Richard Gill, the Official Receiver, said: “Mr Hobson was not entitled to the loan as he had already stopped trading having taken up employment. This money was not used for the purpose it was intended. Bounce Back loans are intended to enable businesses to survive the COVID-19 lockdowns and to be used to provide economic benefit for a business.It is hoped that this Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking will act as a deterrent to others who may wish to abuse the government’s COVID-19 relief schemes.”
Two pensioners die in scaffold fall
