Lee Marley apprentices continue training despite COVID challenges

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Lee Marley apprentices continue training despite COVID challenges

Scaffolding and construction company Lee Marley Brickwork has responded to COVID challenges with a revised training plan allowing apprentices to continue their valuable training.

With colleges and training establishments being closed across the country Lee Marley Brickwork (LMB) has been continuing its coaching efforts with scaffolding apprentices on-site so they don’t miss out on their practical training due to Covid restrictions.

“During the first Covid lockdown, it became clear that our apprentices would not receive the same theory and practical training they would have done at college and on-site”, Christian Hatherall-Good, Apprentice Training Manager at LMB told Scaffmag.

“This lockdown, with colleges being closed, we developed a revised training plan, so our apprentices do not miss out on either the theory or practical side of their training.”

Christian Hatherall-Good, Apprentice Training Manager at Lee Marley Brickwork

Christian joined LMB last Summer, since then his role has been to support and teach the apprentices on-site. The restrictions placed in education has meant that students will not be allowed to attend until at least the end of February.

The company has been mindful that their apprentices don’t miss out on very valuable practical time and have responded to the situation.

Christian continues to visit the apprentices on-site in controlled and socially distanced conditions in order to carry out teaching and provide guidance to the apprentices while they work. The apprentices are usually placed in pairs on projects.

Many of the firm’s current apprentices are from Brooklands College where Christian worked as Head of Construction Curriculum and as a bricklaying tutor before he joined LMB last year. He has been working closely with the new tutor at Brooklands College and between both parties a plan for training the apprentices has been developed.

New Training Plan

As part of LMB’s new training plan, a Google classroom group has been set up for each level of apprentice group. Across each classroom, a wide a range of resources has been developed. These consist of ‘how to’ videos that the tutor filmed previously, Workbooks, PowerPoints, scenario assignments, worksheets and revision quizzes.

On the apprentices’ usual college day, they attend at least two, one-and-a-half-hour theory sessions on Google MEET’s group video call with their tutor. All links are placed on their Google classroom with the necessary resources needed the day before.

LMB says Christian has also organised a one-to-one review session for each apprentice on Google MEET’s with their tutor and on-site assessor. The aim being to check on the student’s wellbeing, work progress, targets and to provide advice on any work they needed help with.

The apprentices continue to have remote learning from the College tutor and from the Training Manager on their usual college day.

There’s nothing stopping these construction students!

Scaffold Director Daniel Cooke

Scaffold Director Daniel Cooke added: “Within any industry, the importance of training and helping individuals on their career path from the bottom up is so critical in the everyday running of a business. Our success rate has been fantastic! 

Today we have guys that have completed their apprenticeship and are very happy with continuing a career with us. At present we have 12 scaffolding operatives at various stages of their apprenticeship, and I am very proud of all of them.

One of our apprentices, Conor Carolan, has recently completed his apprenticeship. He has spent a great deal of time working on our Park Royal project and has helped with the scaffold erection and dismantle across multiple phases including the 27-storey high tower that has a white box feature on top taking it to 29 floors in the air.”

Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd currently offers both brickwork and scaffolding apprenticeships in order to bring the next generation of tradesmen into the construction industry.

To find out more about apprenticeship and careers opportunities at LMB please email [email protected]

Firm and boss fined after two workers fall from scaffold tower

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Firm and boss fined after two workers fall from scaffold tower

A north-west roofing supplies firm and its director have been fined after two workers fell from a scaffold, sustaining serious injuries.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how in November 2018, two employees of Rooffabs Direct Ltd had been working with the firms boss Paul McMahon, the sole director of the company, to install signage at retail premises in Prestwich.

The workers used a tower scaffold to carry out the work. During the afternoon, when their boss was no longer on-site, the tower scaffold moved away from the building and the two employees fell approximately two metres, suffering fractures to their legs and ankles.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the tower scaffold had not been erected by someone with suitable training.

There were missing guard rails on the scaffold and no outriggers in place at the time of the incident. The company also failed to report the incident as required by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

Rooffabs Direct Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations 2013. The company was fined £20,000. The firms boss Paul McMahon, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Regulations 2013.

He was ordered to complete 100 hours community service, pay compensation orders of £500 each for the two injured persons and was ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Norton said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and severe injuries in this country. The risks associated with work at height are well known. “This incident could so easily have been avoided by having a suitably trained person put up the tower scaffold and ensuring that the required guardrails and outriggers were in place.”

Young people receive 100s of new starts in scaffolding

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Young people receive 100s of new starts in scaffolding

Members of the NASC are providing more than 290+ 18-24-year-olds across the UK with scaffolding industry experience through the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, which officially launches today.

A total of 50 NASC scaffolding contractors and suppliers have signed up to the Kickstart Scheme through the UK  scaffolding trade body. Each company has committed to providing six-month work placements to out of work young people. The NASC says the vast majority of these firms will take on more than one candidate under the Scheme, with a handful providing 20+ positions, helping to push the combined total of vacancies to 294.  Henry Annafi, NASC Training Officer, who successfully co-ordinated the NASC’s gateway organisation bid and will support the 50 NASC members through the Scheme, said: “I am absolutely delighted but not surprised by the fantastic interest and take-up of the Scheme by NASC members.  “These members are as committed to training and recruitment as the NASC is as the UK trade body for the scaffolding industry and I’d like to applaud each and every one of them for their effort and enthusiasm to date. “Through my conversations with these members it’s become clear that they’re all intending to go well beyond the parameters of the Scheme and will look to place all successful participants on apprenticeships or full employment once the six-month placement ends.  “There’s a long-term commitment being made and that’s because the members aren’t just keen to provide young people with short-term jobs, they want to give them a career.”   The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new job placements for young people on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
Henry Annafi, NASC Training Officer
Henry Annafi, NASC Training Officer
Kickstart Scheme applications originally had to be for a minimum of 30 job placements. If a single employer was unable to provide this many placements, they could apply for a smaller number through a Kickstart gateway. Henry Annafi added: “The NASC has for many years led the way in the promotion of the industry to potential job seekers. This took a huge step forward in 2020 through the launch of our dedicated careers website, aimed at encouraging would-be employees of all ages and backgrounds to take up a position in the scaffolding industry. “Our Kickstart Scheme efforts – supported so admirably by our members – is another huge step forward. We can’t wait to get started.”

HAKI slashes CISRS training costs

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HAKI slashes CISRS training costs

HAKI is offering a substantial discount on its CISRS BASE courses in January and February.

System scaffolding firm HAKI is offering 15% off its 5-day CISRS BASE that will teach participants how to erect, alter and dismantle simple scaffold structures up to 6m high. The course aligns itself with the organisation’s mission to open up career opportunities, improve skills in the industry and assure safety. The company is offering 15% off the course for any delegate who signs up for a February or March 2021 programme in January and February 2021. Usually valued at £585 (ex. VAT) the discount means participants will pay only £497.25 – a saving of nearly £100! Over the 5-day programme, delegates will learn about HAKI’s products. They will also learn how to safely construct simple structures through a series of theory and practical assessments. After completing an end-of-course theory test participants will receive a CISRS BASE certificate, where HAKI will apply on their behalf for a CISRS BASE card. This card permits non-scaffolders to construct HAKI structures up to a maximum height of 6m, providing they are not in an environment with a general public interface. Chris Partridge from HAKI Training Centre says: “Our BASE course is ideal for small housebuilders, roofing and double-glazing companies who often lose money due to the delay in waiting for the scaffolders to return to base out or erect the next lift. This qualification allows professionals to erect the HAKI universal system scaffold themselves to suit the progress.” HAKI can be hired or purchased from Enigma. The first 5-day course launches on 1st February 2021. It is currently live and available for booking. Details are found at: https://www.haki.com/services/training/booking/. Delegates can quote ‘janbase21’ when booking to receive the discount. According to HAKI, February 28th 2021 is the final date to use the 15% discount on one HAKI BASE course in either February or March 2021. It is one discount per HAKI BASE course. There is limited availability on each course, with only a maximum of six places available. No proof of purchase requirements. Only the discount code will be used. There are no further restrictions to its normal T&Cs.

Construction output set to rise 14% this year

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Construction output set to rise 14% this year

Industry experts are predicting a 14% rise in construction output in 2021 and a 4.9% increase in 2022.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has announced that construction will see a ‘W’-shaped economic recession and recovery. Their assumption takes into account the new lockdown restrictions overwinter 2020/21 before a sustained recovery from 2021 Q2 as vaccines are rolled out and the services-based economy can reopen again. The CPA say, while some sectors of construction are dependent on consumer and business confidence returning, construction activity has largely been able to bounce back quicker than the overall economy. “With the government making it clear that the construction and manufacturing sectors should continue to operate despite Covid-19 restrictions, output has been able to rise and recover relatively rapidly.” The 14.0% rise in 2021 follows an estimated contraction of 14.3% overall in 2020 caused by the sharp fall in the first half of last year. However, the CPA warned that output is only expected to recover to pre-Covid levels in 2022. There is also the risk that once the furlough and self-employment support schemes end in April, there may be a sharp rise in unemployment that could potentially dampen this recovery. the CPA’s Economics Director, Noble Francis, said: “The spectre of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit that would have badly affected the UK economy and construction in the short term has been avoided but questions over the long term impact of Covid-19 on the structure of the economy still remain. This continues to leave questions about the fortunes of certain construction sectors. This is most notable in the commercial sector, where there is still lots of uncertainty about the future of retail and office space. It will be crucial to observe how businesses change their operations as the vaccine is rolled out in the coming months and to what extent there is a ‘return to the office’. “While the fortunes of some sectors have been tied to Covid restrictions and associated business and consumer confidence in the wider economy, infrastructure has largely escaped such uncertainty. Projects have been able to effectively enact safe operating procedures given the sector’s large construction sites that have fewer different trades mixing than in most sectors. As such, infrastructure has been least-affected by Covid restrictions and output is expected to lift the whole industry over 2021 and 2022. Main works on HS2, Europe’s largest construction project, along with offshore wind and nuclear projects are expected to be the main drivers of activity.”  

Scaffolders take strike action over pay

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Scaffolders take strike action over pay

The British Steel site in Scunthorpe faces disruption next week as scaffolders at the plant begin strike action in a dispute over pay.

The 50 plus scaffolders employed by Brand Energy, who are members of the construction union Unite, are responsible for the maintenance of over 500 scaffolding structures at the Scunthorpe site. The dispute is over pay that began in 2019. The scaffolders are seeking to be paid in line with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI). There is a difference of £2.00 an hour between their current pay rates and the established NAECI pay rates. According to Unite since 2019, Brand Energy has refused to engage with the union over the pay dispute, leaving them with no option but to ballot for strike action. The scaffolders involved delivered a resounding 100 per cent yes vote in favour of strike action. Unite has called a total of six days of strikes over the coming weeks, with the first 48 hour strike beginning on Monday 25 January at 05:30. Strikes will also take place on Monday 1 February until Wednesday 3 February and Monday 8 February until Wednesday 10 February.

Socially distanced picket lines

The scaffolders will be maintaining a strictly socially distanced picket line at the site, which is likely to cause disruption to the overall operation at British Steel, Unite said. The dispute is made more complex as Brand Energy will lose the scaffolding contract on 15 February when it will transfer to Activo. If the matter is not resolved before the contract is transferred, Unite will begin balloting for fresh industrial action with Activo, once the contract transfers. Unite regional officer John McIntyre said: “Our members have been left with no choice but to take strike action due to the refusal of Brand Energy to even engage with Unite on the pay issue.  “There are clear pay rates established for this type of highly skilled work and Brand Energy are deliberately undermining them.  “Our members play a crucial role maintaining safety on the British Steel site and deserve to be paid the correct rate for the job.  “Strike action will inevitably cause considerable disruption across the site but this dispute is solely of Brand Energy’s making and even at this late stage strike action can be avoided, if Brand Energy agree to pay the correct rate.  “If this matter is not resolved by the time Brand Energy loses the contract then it is only right and fair to inform the new contractor Activo that preparations for renewed industrial action will begin when they inherit the contract.”

TRAD UK launches new website

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TRAD UK launches new website

The new site allows TRAD UK customers to raise quotes online and see all its products in one place.

TRAD UK, the new brand for the combined TRAD Hire & Sales and TRAD Safety Systems companies, has launched its new website for the trade – now with the full and extensive range of products and services available to customers across the UK.

Bringing all of the company’s products under one roof, the new website makes it easy for customers to view all the safety and scaffolding products for sale or hire and includes a new quoting service that allows customers to raise a quote online.

The quote then feeds directly into the relevant Super Depots that TRAD UK now operates around the UK, helping to deliver the great customer service that the TRAD Group prides itself on.

Customers will also have direct access to all depot managers and sales representative contacts across the company’s six depots.

“Having merged the two companies earlier in the year, this is a fantastic new site that showcases our vast range of products available for hire or sale,” commented Des Moore, TRAD Group CEO and NASC President 2017-19. “It also gives customers the opportunity to see how our services compare to other providers, demonstrating our significant capability across all scaffolding and access requirements for both the housebuilding and wider commercial construction industries.”

In addition to the online ordering portal, customers will be able to take advantage of a new information section, where all product user manuals and data sheets can be freely downloaded, and the site will also include health & safety guidance, and links to industry-standard advice and guidance. This makes the site a fantastic resource for everyone in the industry.

“It is fantastic to have our new website up and running,” said Colin Dobson, Managing Director at TRAD UK. “This new site is a clear and practical way for our customers to find exactly the equipment and products they need, and to get a quote for hire or sale, as well as accessing key resources to help them work safely and efficiently. Working closely with our depots around the country, the website will help us to operate a smooth search and sales operation for our customers, allowing them to avoid gimmicks and get on with the job efficiently and cost-effectively.”

You can visit the new website now at www.traduk.co.uk

Altrad reaches 11-years without a lost-time injury

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Altrad reaches 11-years without a lost-time injury

Altrad has reached the landmark milestone of 11 years without a lost-time injury on a chemical site in Carrington, near Manchester.

The firms teams have been providing multiple discipline services on the site for its client LyondellBasell for over 20 years.

Altrad provides a range of services for LyondellBasell including scaffolding, insulation, painting, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and civil. Altrad said their service offering at the Carrington site has evolved over a 20-year period providing reduced interfaces and enhanced value for their client.

Jean Gadbois, LyondellBasell’s SVP Manufacturing Europe, Asia, International said: “Congratulations for this milestone – it is a significant achievement.”

Steve Finnegan, LyondellBasell’s Manager at the Carrington Site added, “At LyondellBasell, we have an intense global focus on the safety of all personnel working on our sites. This achievement of 11 years without a lost-time injury from our largest partner at the Carrington site is a truly remarkable achievement, particularly in light of the nature of work carried out. We will share this as an example of sustained Goal Zero operation to other LyondellBasell sites around the world.”

This impressive safety milestone reflects the dedication and commitment of our site teams, Altrad said.

New scaffolding training facility provides boost for North Wales

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New scaffolding training facility provides boost for North Wales

Ambitious plans for the construction industry in North Wales have taken a step forward with the opening of an accredited training facility for scaffolders.

The new £2.1m training facility at Busnes@LlandrilloMenai’s Centre for Infrastructure, Skills and Technology (CIST) at Llangefni, Anglesey is supported by the Welsh Government Energy Island funding and enables the CIST Centre Llangefni to expand its portfolio of industry accredited commercial courses available in North Wales. Previously those wishing to access accredited scaffolding training would have to travel to centres in the North of England or West Midlands, though now students learning the skill will begin their studies in North Wales for the first time in March. The new CISRS accredited training provision at the CIST facility is a commercial partnership with scaffolding specialists Simian Risk Management Ltd and means employees can now stay in Wales for their training. Dr Paul Bevan, Executive Director for Commercial Development, said: “The accreditation of the scaffolding centre at CIST is just the latest addition to an expanding portfolio of accredited training for the building and engineering industries. “As well industry training in scaffolding Busnes@LlandrilloMenai also has partnerships with ARC Academy Holdings Ltd, Delyn Safety, Leica Geosystems Ltd and others to deliver a comprehensive range of accredited courses that includes on-site safety, heavy plant training, site management and more.” The completion of the new scaffolding centre follows the recent signing and publication of the North Wales Growth Deal. The deal includes plans for 14 transformational projects in the region that would create over 5,000 jobs, including the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub, the Holyhead Gateway, developments at Trawsfynydd and Regional Land and Property Developments including Denbigh Hospital Site, Parc Bryn Cegin at Bangor and Bodelwyddan Strategic Site. CITB and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai work closely together at the CIST Centre and to help meet skill shortages in the industry. CITB is currently funding many students completing scaffolding training at CIST to help meet those industry needs. Steve Radley, Director of Strategy and Policy at CITB, said: “This investment will see a boost in construction in North Wales, and CITB will be supporting those who want to move into the industry so that it can meet the ambitious projects and the challenges ahead. With the amount of construction and development work in the pipeline, this centre will help to meet the increasing demand for skilled scaffolders. “We’re confident that training centres like this one, coupled with our plans for further investment in Wales, will contribute to a thriving construction sector in the country.” This new scaffolding training centre will allow the CIST Centre along with partners Simian Risk Management Ltd and CITB to support the development of local skills that will support the realisation of these large infrastructure projects. The plans called for in the growth deal would see new opportunities for scaffolding companies within North Wales, and more skilled workers needed to meet that demand. The first batch of future scaffolders to study at CIST start on Monday 1 March, with a group of nine setting off on the first step of their new career.

Fascinating facts about Self Assessment

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Fascinating facts about Self Assessment

HMRC has shared some little-known facts about Self Assessment ahead of the 31 January 2021 deadline.

Did you know almost 100,000 people filed their tax returns on 6 April 2020, which is the first day of the tax year? With the 31 January 2021 deadline fast approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shares some little-known facts about Self Assessment tax returns. The April ‘early birds’ are not the only ones to make HMRC’s list of Self Assessment facts; it is also 20 years since the tax authority introduced online tax returns. In 2001, 38,000 online tax returns were filed and this year, HMRC estimates around 11 million online tax returns – quite the increase and in line with the digitisation of the tax system. HMRC’s 7 Self Assessment facts are:
  • 96,519 people filed their tax return on 6 April 2020 (first day of the tax year)
  • it’s the 20th anniversary of Self Assessment internet filing, the service began on 3 July 2000 – with 38,000 individuals successfully sending their digital tax return by 31 January 2001
  • in January 2011, 3.4 million taxpayers completed a Self Assessment tax return online – this has increased to an estimated 5 million in January 2021
  • this year’s deadline (31 January 2021) is on a Sunday. The last time the deadline was on a Sunday was in 2016
  • last year, the busiest filing day was 31 January with 702,171 returns completed
  • the peak hour for filing last year was between 16:00 to 16:59 on 31 January when 56,969 customers filed
  • HMRC has increased the self-serve Time to Pay threshold to £30,000 to help Self Assessment customers spread the cost of their tax bill
Karl Khan, HMRC’s Interim Director General for Customer Services, said: “It’s 20 years since Self Assessment online was introduced and it’s how the vast majority of customers complete their tax return these days. Fewer and fewer people are doing it on paper each year.

There’s still time for customers to complete their tax return before the deadline, and help and support is available on GOV.UK.“

HMRC expects more than 12.1 million people to complete a Self Assessment tax return. Figures released earlier this month revealed that 55% of customers have already filed their returns, with more than 6.2 million choosing to submit online (93% of all returns filed). Once customers have completed their tax return, and know how much tax is owed, they can set up their own payment plan to help spread the cost of their tax liabilities. They can use the self-serve Time to Pay facility to set up monthly direct debits online. This year, in light of the additional pressures caused by COVID-19, HMRC has increased the self-serve Time to Pay threshold to £30,000 to help Self Assessment customers spread the cost of their tax bill. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balance from 1 February 2021. To see if they’re eligible, customers can visit GOV.UK to find out more about paying through instalments.
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