A new dynamic partnership between Waltham Forest Council and Dudley College of Technology will replace the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in National Construction College.
This exciting Leyton combination also sees scaffolding training provider Simian teaming up with both the Dudley establishment and the council, to meet the demands of traditional trades. It will, of course, provide the high-quality tuition required to meet the needs of an evolving industry.
The Council will lead on the digitisation of the Construction sector, as Dudley College delivers virtual reality and modern methods of construction. As the UK’s largest private provider of world-class training, Simian will ensure the East London centre continues to assist the industry to fill crucial skills gaps in the scaffolding sector. At the same time, it will innovatively develop tailor-made solutions for the industry as a whole.
Dudley College of Technology is one of 20 Outstanding FE Colleges in the UK, considered a national leader of training in modern methods of construction delivery. They are one of 16 institutions nationwide to be selected by the Department of Education, to develop a stage two proposal to create one of their flagship Institutes of Technology with a construction focus.
Waltham Forest is one of the NCC training sites, leased by CITB from the Council, to run construction skills training courses in the area. As part of CITB’s programme of reform,
Vision 2020, CITB gave notice on the lease to end its contract and exit the site from July 2018. This was delivered on the understanding both parties would work together on the shared goal to find a new tenant-centre manager, to continue offering high-quality construction skills training.
Simon Hughes, Simian’s Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in the delivery of specialist scaffolding training in partnership with Dudley College, an organisation held in very high regard in the education world. It is our intention to place significant emphasis on the delivery of Scaffolding Apprenticeships at the Waltham Forest site, and to expand the existing training portfolio to include all CISRS scaffolding courses. We are confident this will play a significant part in addressing the construction industry skills shortage and meeting the Mayor of London’s objectives.”
Cllr Simon Miller, Waltham Forest’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and High Streets added: “We were delighted to welcome Dudley College of Technology to Waltham Forest. They presented an exciting programme of activity and transformation to current Centre activity and demonstrated a history of high-quality and innovative training delivery.
“As CITB withdraw from the National Construction Centre model it presents all parties to use this opportunity to create best practice and ensure we continue offering high-quality construction skills training that benefits not just our residents and the local economy, but the industry as a whole.
“It is our ambition for the newly launched Centre to deliver a wide range of training, which provides a complete overview of the Built Environment and Construction process and considers the changing future of work.
“With demand for quality homes across the borough and London increasing, our partnership with Dudley College will deliver a programme of training that tackles current skills shortages in the borough and across London, while providing insight and qualifications on the latest methods of delivery.”
The Centre’s proposed programme of activity aligns with the Mayor’s agenda, in identifying the need for a programme of activity which closes the gap between their ambitious housing targets, and the need for more skilled construction workers in London. The London
Mayor’s Construction Academy (MCA) Scheme, aims to fulfill the Mayor’s pledge.
The Council, in partnership with Transport for London and a number of supporting partners, has submitted a bid to the GLA for Hub status to act as a coordinating function for the construction industry in the capital. This will strengthen the relationships, and improve coordination, between construction skills training providers and construction sector employers across the city.
Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, explained: “This new partnership will benefit learners from across East London. By promoting the use of virtual reality training courses, digital technology and modern methods of construction, the new centre will help realise the Mayor’s ambition to equip Londoners with the up-to-date skills employers need, and create the workforce capable of delivering more homes in the future.”
The Centre Management partnership already comes with MCA Kitemark status, enabling the Council and Dudley College of Technology to work collaboratively with the GLA on their construction training agenda.
Graham McPhail, CITB Head of Education & Training, summed up the plans by saying: “CITB is committed to supporting a robust, high-quality skills and training market.
“By stepping away from direct delivery, we remove any conflict of interest. This enables us to focus on building the right relationships with providers to secure the kind of provision British construction needs.”
The partnership will commence after the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) exit the Centre in January 2019.
A trial version was erected in Bulgaria at a third of the size of the eventual structure in London, so that the obstacle of erecting scaffolding on a floating platform could be tackled. The weight of the scaffolding meant the platform sagged, but this was overcome by implementing a steel grid from which the scaffolding could be erected.
Work then began in London on 23rd April 2018 with a team of over 100. Owing to fixed sizes of the barrels, as well as the 4x3x2 proportions of the structure, tolerances were down to the very last millimetre. The barrels also had to be installed after the scaffolding was erected, and the first line of barrels needed to be supported below the base line of the scaffold in order to achieve the perfect aesthetic for the artist – it was crucial the barrels looked like they were floating on the lake, so the scaffolding could not be visible.
Plettac Metrix was the perfect partner to this complex project. The system’s simplicity, which is enhanced by its unique divisibility, allowed the demanding two month timeframe to be easily achieved. TRAD Hire & Sales were very proud to supply the scaffold on such a unique and impressive structure, and congratulate Coventry Scaffolding on their successful win at the NASC Annual Ball & Awards Ceremony.
Plettac Metrix® System Scaffold is exclusive to TRAD Hire & Sales and is offered on both a Hire and Sale basis. TRAD Hire & Sales offer an unrivalled commitment to service, including extensive User Guides, Nationwide Training, Engineering and Design Support, Estimating Software, and a full on-site support service – their UK-wide network of depots have the resources and capabilities to meet every demand. 
Other speakers at the NASC AGM, held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, included Des Moore, NASC President and TRAD Group CEO and Gerry Cooper, NASC President 2010-2011, who gave an overview of entries shortlisted for the NASC 2018 Awards, which were due to be held at the same venue later that night.
TV presenter and former international gymnast Gabby Logan gave the keynote speech.
Des Moore said: “The AGM was incredibly well attended by our members, which demonstrates how much they value membership.
“It was a great opportunity to take stock of what the NASC has achieved in the past year and from a personal point of view, how much progress we have made against the four objectives I announced at the beginning of my tenure as President.
“I am immensely proud of our successes in 2018 and believe we’re on the right track to delivering even greater results in the year ahead.” 
Following on from the introduction of the new User Guide and Component Capacity Manual for their revolutionary PLETTAC METRIX® System Scaffold, TRAD Hire & Sales are proud to announce the launch of the new User Guide for their ALTRIX® Temporary Roof System.
ALTRIX® is an all-aluminium modular temporary roofing and weather protection system, which utilises the slide sheet keder model. Using the proven sliding button system to retain the sheet tracking, this allows the roof sheets to be installed in complete safety from the supporting structure below.
Although ALTRIX® is designed to work particularly efficiently with PLETTAC METRIX® System Scaffold, it is not limited to this application. ALTRIX® can be used in conjunction with almost any scaffold type – systems or traditional tube & fittings.
ALTRIX® uses a heavy-duty 790mm deep structural beam ideal for demanding applications. The chords and vertical posts of the beams are manufactured from 48.3mm diameter alloy tube and, as they do not require special fittings, the beams are suitable for use in many normal scaffold applications, such as bridge sections.
ALTRIX® is more than just a roof, the 3.0m, 2.5m, 2.0m and 1.5m bay sizes, along with 2.0m brace frame centres, means that PLETTAC METRIX® steel decking can integrate seamlessly within an ALTRIX® structure.
This setup is ideal for creating large flushed deck birdcages and gantries while also allowing for temporary walkways to be created from eaves to ridge, aiding the safe erection and dismantling processes of a roof structure.
ALTRIX® is a complete solution, designed for practical application. Not only is ALTRIX® a temporary roof used by scaffolders, it is a scaffolders’ temporary roof.
ALTRIX® Temporary Roof System is exclusive to TRAD Hire & Sales, and is offered on both a Hire and Sale basis. They offer an unrivalled commitment to service, including extensive User Guides, Nationwide Training, Engineering and Design Support, Estimating Software, and a full on-site support service – their UK-wide network of depots have the resources and capabilities to meet every demand.
“As always, customer feedback drives us to improve our products and make sure they work for everyone. That’s why in addition to AR Scaffold Designer now offers complete control of scaffolds for circular tanks. With our simple, flexible, and effective work-flow clients can take key requirements and automatically generate a circular scaffold to exact specifications.
“Also, structural components such as Slabs and Beams can now be identified and detailed, allowing complex work environments to be modeled with ease. Whether hanging a scaffold from a pipe rack or under a bridge, you can clearly communicate the proposed scaffold to your customers and crews, without needing an entire drawing package from an engineer.”
This all means anyone can visualise scaffold projects within minutes of hitting the screen. In essence, it’s preparing for any job the easy way. All you need do is import a plan, then drag and drop scaffolds wherever you want them. Scaffold Designer automatically creates a 3D model and a list of materials. From here all you have to do is build it.
The company maintains you don’t have to be a whiz kid or technically brilliant to use this cutting-edge software. And with their easy to understand guidance, it’s amazing what can be achieved in a short space of time. Taking your scaffolding drawings to new heights has never been easier.
The clear message from Avontus is why not Bring your vision into the real world with the newest update to Scaffold Designer? Raising the bar with the latest technology is set to revolutionise the whole industry.
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