Pay rise agreed for construction workers

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Pay rise agreed for construction workers

Builders and Unite the union have agreed a 1.5% pay rise for construction workers.

The pay rise has been agreed for the 2021/22 year following successful pay negotiations between the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and Unite the union.

The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) has agreed a one-year deal involving a 1.5% pay rise to come into effect in June 2021.

This follows the successful conclusion of pay negotiations between the FMB, on behalf of small to medium-sized (SME) construction employers, and Unite the Union, on behalf of operatives.

The key information is as follows:

  • BATJIC has agreed a one-year deal involving a 1.5% pay rise over the next year;
  • The adult general operative rate increases to £10.22 per hour;
  • The NVQ3 advanced craft rate increases to £13.37 per hour;
  • The changes will come into effect as of Monday 21 June 2021.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “2020 was an unprecedented and challenging year for small to medium-sized building firms. This agreement seeks to balance the uncertainty that they continue to face with the need to reward the construction workforce who have continued to go to work during the pandemic.

I hope this pay increase sends a positive message to tradespeople, and potential new entrants, that construction is a sustainable and rewarding industry to work in.”

Jerry Swain, the National Officer for Construction at Unite the union, said: “Unite understands these are uncertain times we are currently living through and also recognises that unlike other construction agreements, last year there was an increase in the BATJIC pay rates. While of course Unite would have liked to have seen a larger increase, we are pleased to be able to say; that during this pandemic we have maintained the spending power of our member’s pay under this agreement. This is important if we are to attract and retain workers to our industry at a time when the Government is looking to construction to build back better and provide much-needed jobs.”

Industry facing spiralling materials costs

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Industry facing spiralling materials costs

A leading UK construction trade body has issued a warning over spiralling materials costs as a result of disruptions brought about by the twin impact of coronavirus and Brexit. 

The Builders Merchants Federation, members of which manufacture 76% of building products in the UK, raised the flag late-January after months of travel uncertainty, and ongoing confusion surrounding new import and export rules and border controls following the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU at the start of the year.  The news adds to an increasingly problematic outlook for British construction. Record house prices set in 2020 are expected to falter in the coming months as purchases fail to complete ahead of the tax holiday deadline on March 31, 2021.  Meanwhile, land value in some towns and cities has also fallen as more and more businesses are seriously considering a future in which remote working is often the norm, or at least an option, reducing the pressure for people to live in major urban areas.  Alongside evidence of limited availability of roofing materials, the organisation pointed to an average 20% increase in the price of timber. But while the timing would suggest a sector responding to huge logistical challenges and changes brought about by European and worldwide circumstances in the last year, for some in the industry this is as much about phenomenal demand as it is anything else – with more materials understandably being used when there is high demand for property in general.  “As the biggest manufacture of timber scaffold boards in the UK we would like to think we are getting an extremely good deal on the raw material, but over the last year we have seen our costs spiral to levels never seen before,” said Ollie Appleby, director of Brent Scaffold Boards Ltd. “The cost of timber has been very stable for a number of years, it has only been over the last 18 months we have seen it start to creep up, with huge increases in the last six months,” he continued, before explaining that the only way in which prices might now fall is if the appetite for timber materials and associated products does the same.  “The only way timber prices will reduce is when the globe demand subsides. Brexit has had a small impact to costs but the overall cost is down to high log prices, delivery costs and global demand.” This article was first published in the ScaffMag Magazine Issue 12

NASC to hold free TG20:21 webinar

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NASC to hold free TG20:21 webinar

Scaffolding trade body the NASC is set to hold a free TG20:21 webinar to give users a better understanding of the new and updated guidance.

The live online event that takes place on Tuesday 27th April at 10am follows the launch of the updated and expanded scaffolding compliance software TG20:21. People can register to attend the free webinar here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tg2021-the-nascs-upgraded-and-expanded-scaffolding-compliance-software-registration-151207966097 Users of the new TG20:21 eGuide can produce a wide range of standard scaffolding structures, without the need for bespoke design. The latest version builds upon the groundbreaking TG20:13. TG20:21 has retained its user-friendly look and feel, but includes a number of revisions to make the process of producing compliant scaffolding – in accordance with the European standard BS EN 12811 – even simpler, and incorporates a wider range of scaffolding types. Additions include exterior birdcages, tube and fitting mobile towers, tube and fitting loading bays without beams, and tied independent scaffolds with three inside boards. Also, TG20 compliance sheets are now double-sided, with an illustration and principal compliance criteria on the front, and detailed compliance criteria listed on the reverse. TG20:21 is available on an annual subscription basis, costing £300 + VAT per login per year, which is discounted to £75 for NASC full members. To ensure the transition from TG20:13 to TG20:21 is as fair as possible, there is a period of free use of the new software for existing users, which can be accessed using the TG20:13 serial number.

Contract awards return to above average levels since September

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Contract awards return to above average levels since September

Contract awards have returned to above historical average levels for the first time since September 2020.

In March 2021, contract awards increased by 22% compared to February to £5.8 billion, according to industry analysts Barbour ABI. The experts say the main change in activity was a very large increase in the hotel and leisure sector. The latest edition of their Economic & Construction Market Review, highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain. Sector analysis shows that Residential contract awards remained stable in March at historical average levels, after picking up in February. Activity was £2.0 billion in the month, compared to £1.9 billion in February and £1.6 billion in January. Over 2020, residential contract awards averaged £1.7 billion. The hotel and leisure sector contract awards value reached £1.0 billion in March as the planning approvals activity converted to contract awards. Commenting on the figures, Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI and AMA Research said, “After a weak recovery over the second half of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, March saw a definite improvement across the planning environment. Importantly increases were seen in the commercially sensitive sectors of hotel and leisure in contract awards, and residential and commercial in planning approvals. However, this is only one month of improvement and the planning environment is notoriously volatile. The catch-up of “lost” contract awards since the start of the pandemic amounts to some £15bn of projects, or around 20-25% of the annual contract award value. We would therefore expect a significant amount of catch up over the next couple of months as the economy reopens to strengthen a currently weak construction pipeline. All things equal this is some much-needed positive news for the sector after an exceptionally challenging 12 months.” Download the full report here.

Celebrating A Female Scaffolders Success

Grahame Anderson
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Celebrating A Female Scaffolders Success
As the world slowly emerged from lockdown the scaffolding industry had real cause to celebrate female success in what is still largely a male-dominated world. It proved to be a fitting tribute not just to International Women’s Day but to both diversity and inclusion in the workplace as Scaffmag discovered. Meeting new and progressive industry needs to deliver training in an equal and inclusive society must be the aim of any forward-thinking company. The world is changing rapidly, and with many former practices rejected in favour of a much more positive 21st-century approach, bringing something fresh to the workplace is simply priceless. UK based Enigma Industrial Services, a long-term customer of Safety & Access Ltd, have worked together to deliver a compelling and uplifting example of first-class inclusion. And rightly so, as the scaffolding and associated construction trades can now boast having one of the top female scaffolders in the trade. In doing so they’ve sent out a clear message to all females considering a career in this highly skilled field of work. Safety & Access were delighted to host Anne Marie at their Humberside Training Facility for her Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme or CISRS Part Two Scaffolders Course and Level Two NVQ recently. Safety & Access Celebrating A Female Scaffolders Success Safety & Access are one of the UK’s leading scaffolding and access training and H&S consultancy providers, offering a wide range of professional support services to a broad range of industry sectors. Their training portfolio includes courses for both management and operatives – all delivered by experienced staff – either on-site or at one of several purpose-built training centres, located in Humberside, the East Midlands, the Middle East, Far East and beyond. Anne Marie has already attended her one-day new entrant course and her 10-day CISRS Part One Scaffolders Course prior to attending the final course, enabling her to register as a fully qualified and competent scaffolder. In terms of investment, £1.3K pales into insignificance when anyone looks at the skills and drive Anne Marie will be giving to the industry as she moves into the future. It means this talented lady can look forward to a progressive career in a historically male-dominated environment, with a clear commitment from Enigma Industrial Services within equality and diversity. In fact, this is both a compelling and uplifting example to all females considering a career in any of the associated construction trades. She’s been spending time as a scaffolder working on the Syngenta Huddersfield Site in West Yorkshire working within a scaffolding team and erecting and dismantling access scaffolds for plant maintenance works at the prestigious site. Rick Statham, at Safety & Access, commented: “We are delighted to have Anne Marie with us for her CISRS Training and it’s fantastic to see females moving into these traditionally male roles in construction.  “Anne Marie sets a great example to all women considering a trade in the construction industry and as the sector is very buoyant in the UK it can provide very attractive salary opportunities for all and a long-term future in the industry with plenty of opportunities to progress.” Roy Rogers QSHE & Energy Director Enigma Industrial Services Ltd, added: “The company are proud to witness Anne Marie’s progress in her chosen career and seeing the development from yard staff to now progressing on to her CISRS Part 2 Scaffolder Course at Safety & Access.   “Anne-Marie, demonstrates that diversity in the scaffolding industry is slowly gaining momentum managing the demands of her job at Syngenta Huddersfield and continuous development.” The success of Anne Marie certainly proved to be an appropriate way to highlight International Women’s Day back in March. And after the events of the past 18 months, it’s great to be able to celebrate a scaffolders success.

International AFIX Group acquires UK hire and sales firm

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International AFIX Group acquires UK hire and sales firm

International scaffolding manufacturer AFIX Group has acquired London based scaffolding hire and sales firm Grand Construction Products Ltd.

Headquartered in Belgium the AFIX Group are not afraid of challenges. In the midst of the Brexit period, the Group acquired the majority of the shares of Grand Construction Products Ltd, a London based wholesale distributor of traditional scaffolding components. The company said it is continuing its international expansion and now gained a foothold in the UK. AFIX Group is a fast expanding Belgian scaffolding manufacturer with over 15 years of manufacturing experience in multi-directional system scaffolding. As a vertically integrated steel processing company, it is responsible for the design and production as well as the rental, sales and financing of system scaffolding in more than 20 countries. Since 2004, the firm has been producing professional top-quality scaffolding systems for contractors and scaffolders working in the construction, industry (energy, oil & gas), infrastructure, shipyard and events sectors. AFIX Group is very active, even in the economically less favourable pandemic period. The group, with seven international locations and headquarters in Belgium, wants to face the future with a strengthened global team. AFIX Group is continuously expanding its markets, within Europe, Germany and the UK, which is the market with the greatest potential. Currently, traditional tube and fitting scaffolding is still very popular “But the transition to the use of the more efficient multi-directional system scaffolding, is well underway,” says AFIX Group CEO Chris Fleurbaey. As a manufacturer and specialist in these system scaffolds, AFIX Group wants to breakthrough in the UK. In the midst of the Brexit crisis, Grand Construction Products Ltd was acquired, a developing business located in the southeast. Grand Construction Products was founded eight years ago and is responsible for the sale and hire of all scaffolding equipment. The Group said the acquisition of Grand, strengthens the position of AFIX Group Holdings as an allrounder in traditional and smart scaffolding systems. Grand Construction Products Ltd was transformed into AFIX Group UK Ltd and is now a fully-fledged AFIX Group subsidiary. This takeover now adds the complete AFIX product range. AFIX FAST is the “one-system fits all” system scaffold produced in top quality steel S355. In addition to the expansion in the product range, AFIX Group UK Ltd can now also add services such as engineering and scaffolding finance. Chris Viney, Managing Director of AFIX Group UK Ltd clarified, “We are ambitious and want to continue our growth story. Our target is to expand our business in the UK scaffolding supply market, and continue to support and maintain our personal services to customers.”

3t Energy Group appoints industry expert to head up new consultancy division

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3t Energy Group appoints industry expert to head up new consultancy division

3t Energy Group is leveraging its extensive expertise in the global energy sector by establishing a new consultancy division headed up by industry professional, Alan Sharp.

The new division called, ‘3t Training Solutions,’ will provide a wide selection of specialist consultancy services ranging from helping companies gain new industry accreditations to instructor training, guidance on facility expansion and embedding digital booking and management systems. Alan Sharp is well equipped to lead 3t Training Solutions having previously run his own consultancy offering support and guidance on achieving industry accreditation with global training bodies such as OPITO, GWO, IADC and IRATA. Prior to this, Alan worked for OPITO as UK and Europe approvals manager. Before OPITO, Alan was centre manager for a fully accredited training business in the Middle East for a number of years, responsible for setting up and growing the centre from scratch to delivering courses to hundreds of delegates every month. 3t Training Solutions is a proven concept for 3t Energy Group. Its training business, AIS Training has already helped several global training businesses to expand and grow with new facilities and training accreditations. The most recent of these is U.S. based ARCON – a leading provider of welding and metal fabrication training at its facility in Salisbury, Maryland. ARCON was keen to tap into the fast-growing U.S. offshore wind market but didn’t have any experience in the sector. ARCON partnered with AIS Training to develop the first mid-Atlantic GWO-accredited offshore wind training centre. As well as helping with the design of the new centre, AIS Training lead on obtaining GWO wind industry accreditation, course portfolio development, instructor training and ongoing operational support and business development. 3t Training Solutions will build on AIS Training’s consultancy success. Alan Sharp said: “Having industry-recognised training accreditations provides instant access to new global training markets and thousands of potential new delegates and is an attractive option for many training businesses looking to grow. But achieving gold-standard training accreditations can be time-consuming and complex and 3t Training Solutions aims to help guide businesses through the entire process efficiently while ensuring high quality product and service. “We’ll be continuing the fantastic consultancy work of AIS Training with 3t Training Solutions as a stand-alone business. With two successful training companies, AIS Training and Survivex, we have unrivalled expertise and a rich heritage in successfully delivering fully accredited, industry-leading training for over a decade. We’ll be utilising this extensive expertise to help other training businesses achieve their goals. I’m very much looking forward to putting 3t Training Solutions at the forefront of consultancy services for the global training market.”

Self-employed pay back to pre-Covid levels

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Self-employed pay back to pre-Covid levels

Self-employed trades have enjoyed their best month for earnings since the start of the pandemic, according to industry experts.

According to construction payroll services provider Hudson Contract, average weekly pay rose by 3.7% in March 2021 to £920, the highest figure since February 2020. This is 57% higher than the median weekly pay for full-time employees, which according to the latest official statistics is £586. Data from Hudson Contract showed earnings reached all-time highs in the East of England reaching £1,016 (a 5% increase on February’s average). All regions except Wales had month-on-month earnings growth. Hudson Contract Managing Director Ian Anfield said: “Our latest figures show that self-employed tradespeople are reaping the rewards for their enterprise and efforts. Many have carried on during lockdowns to deliver the housing and infrastructure that Britain relies on.” “Self-employment in construction offers financial freedom and flexibility for highly skilled individuals and enables projects to be completed safely, on time and on budget.

We continue to see strong demand for skilled labour on building sites and many of our clients are reporting full order books.”

“The housing market is booming due to the stamp duty holiday and government is committed to infrastructure spending across the UK.”

TRAD’s recent contract wins will create more jobs in London & South East

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TRAD’s recent contract wins will create more jobs in London & South East

Major scaffold contractor TRAD Scaffolding tells Scaffmag its set to create more jobs in London and the South East after a flurry of large scale contract wins.

TRAD Scaffolding has been very busy since the turn of the year working alongside its many clients and helping to develop several schemes, small, medium and large. Their Business Development and Contracts teams’ experience and expertise in value engineering, coupled with the TRAD Group’s ability to support its team’s ideas & innovations with material resources, remain second to none in the difficult UK and worldwide market, the company said. As a consequence, this has led to a very successful order intake over the last few months. Two of their latest large project wins from February & March this year include: McLaren Group RIU Hotel, a large hotel refurb project in busy Victoria Station approach with a project value of over £1.2m over 18months, which has now commenced. Two Large new build residential blocks for Barratt Homes West Hendon. Having worked on previous phases Trad have been successful in securing phase 4 with a project value of approximately £1m, which is due to start in late spring over a 2-year period. TRAD Scaffolding which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year will be looking to increase the number of scaffold operatives over the coming weeks and months, and will be offering very good competitive rates in a wide range of locations throughout London and the South-east market. TRAD Scaffolding Managing Director, Peter McShane, says “we have always promoted a real gender diverse culture and we welcome applications from all walks of life to join us on our new & existing projects as we navigate ourselves out of the pandemic and into the new ‘normal’ ” You can look out for further project win announcements over the coming weeks across all of their platforms!

Distributor Deal Opens up Irish Market for G-Deck

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Distributor Deal Opens up Irish Market for G-Deck

Decking manufacturer G-Deck is set to boost safety and speed of installation in Ireland in the same way it has in the UK thanks to the company’s new distributor deal with Devine Scaffolding in Strabane, County Tyrone.

A successful scaffolding company with clients across Ireland, Devine Scaffolding recommended a switch to decking to a construction client. Having heard about G-Deck and bought some to see what it was like, managing director, Kiernan Devine, approached G-Deck about becoming the distributor for Ireland. Kiernan explains: “There is nothing like the G-Deck system available in Ireland. It not only goes up quickly and easily, but it’s robust and really strong – which also means it’s safer. The standard system has a loading capacity of 600kg/m2, so materials can be loaded straight onto the deck, and it provides effective fall arrest protection, as well as a working platform. “We saw an opportunity straight away, both to improve safety for construction teams and to diversify our own business. And, because the system costs more than 25% less than the plastic alternatives commonly available in Ireland, we expect to see a big uptake really quickly.” Devine Scaffolding will be the exclusive G-Deck distributor in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The company will sell all three decking systems; the standard G-Deck 3-in-one metal system; the G-Deck Dual hybrid system, which combines metal decks with birdcage tubing; and G-Deck Lite, which combines metal decks with plastic-encased metal supports. It will also offer G-Deck’s wider portfolio of site safety products, including the company’s Access Hatch and Lift Shaft Gate. Ty Wilson, Sales Director at G-Deck comments: “While we have been selling into the Irish construction and scaffolding sectors for some time, this partnership with Devine Scaffolding will enable us to scale up our activity in Ireland very quickly. The combination of our industry-leading products, attractive pricing and Devine Scaffolding’s industry contacts will help us establish a strong presence and we are confident that the more companies use our system, the more it will become the system of choice. “It’s an ideal scenario, not only for G-Deck and Devine Scaffolding but for the Irish construction and housebuilding sectors, which will benefit from improved safety and reduced costs.” Devine Scaffolding has applied for an InterTradeIreland grant to support the new  distribution venture, established a G-Deck Ireland Facebook page and invested in a new G-Deck branded vehicle. The company will provide training alongside product supply and customer service for the Irish market. Kiernan adds: “We can see opportunities across the construction, housebuilding, scaffolding and site safety sectors in Ireland with G-Deck systems that are proven to work and tested for quality. We’re looking forward to talking to our contacts and showcasing the benefits of the systems.”
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