New CITB Business Plan Invests £250m in Construction Skills and Training
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has unveiled its Business Plan for 2023-24, announcing an investment of over £250 million to support the construction industry across Britain.
The plan introduces the Industry Impact Fund, which launches today and invites CITB-registered employers to apply for up to £500,000. The fund encourages innovative solutions addressing skills and training challenges in productivity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
CITB’s plan aims to give employers more say on the most effective solutions for tackling significant skills challenges in the industry by focusing on three core priorities. The three priorities outlined are improving construction’s people pipeline, creating defined training pathways, and delivering an efficient training supply.
Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, expressed his enthusiasm for the new Business Plan, stating, “I’m delighted to present our new Business Plan today, which aims to put employers in the driving seat by making the skills system work more efficiently for them. This year we are focusing on three core priorities and have increased investment by nearly £20m to ensure the right initiatives and funding are in place.”
Balcon also highlighted the innovative new Industry Impact Fund, noting, “This fund will help employers in multiple ways but ultimately, it will empower them to have a greater say on construction training.”
In response to the need for nearly 45,000 additional workers annually until 2027, CITB’s plan includes investing an additional £8.2 million in new initiatives for 2023-24. These initiatives aim to enhance existing products like Go Construct and Onsite Experience hubs and simplify the hiring of apprentices through the New Entrant Employer Support Team. The plan also allocates £63 million for Apprenticeship Attendance and Achievement Grants.
To create clearer and more flexible routes into construction, CITB will produce nine qualification and training pathways covering the most in-demand trades. The plan also outlines CITB’s intent to continue researching modern construction methods and developing competence frameworks in accordance with the Building Safety Act.
CITB’s commitment to improving training quality and availability is evident in their plan to invest over £100 million in grants and funding schemes, including doubling the short course grant rates. The organization will also expand its network of recognized training providers and invest nearly £30 million in the National Construction College (NCC) to enhance facilities and training quality.
With the anticipated upturn in the construction industry in 2024, CITB’s new Business Plan and Industry Impact Fund aim to empower employers and foster innovation in skills and training.
Lack of Scaffolding Results in Fatal Rooftop Fall
A North London businessman has been jailed following the tragic death of a worker who fell from the roof of a commercial property in Neasden.
Patrick McCarthy, trading as All Care Home Improvements, received a 14-month custodial sentence after the incident involving Mr Andrei-Ionel Hutanu, who died a week later.
The incident occurred on August 19, 2019, when Mr Hutanu and a co-worker were conducting repairs on the roof of the commercial premises. Mr Hutanu, aged 33, fell approximately 16 feet from a tiled pitched roof onto a concrete alleyway below.
The fall resulted in a fractured neck and severe head injuries. Mr Hutanu was airlifted to St Marys Hospital in Paddington, where he passed away on August 26, 2019.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident, revealing that McCarthy, aged 37, had failed to implement any measures to prevent falls from height, such as scaffolding around the building or flat roof where both men were working.
McCarthy pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and received his 14-month custodial sentence on April 4, 2023.
HSE Inspector Philip Jordan emphasized that the tragedy could have been easily avoided with proper assessment and planning, stating that both the courts and HSE take regulatory failures extremely seriously.
“The custodial sentence imposed on Mr McCarthy should underline to everyone in the construction industry that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to follow the regulations extremely seriously. HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against individuals or companies that fall below the required standards.”
Builders’ Charity Tackles Rising Suicide Rates
A national builders’ charity has stepped up its support for construction workers following a five-year rise in suicide rates within the industry.
According to data from Glasgow Caledonian University’s Built Environment Asset Management Centre, the suicide rate among construction workers increased to 33.82 per 100,000 in 2021, up from 25.52 per 100,000 in 2015.
The Band of Builders (BoB) has launched a free mental health and wellbeing platform made possible by the Big Brew campaign to tackle this mental health crisis. The platform, in partnership with Spectrum.Life, aims to provide support for workers and their families facing mental health challenges.
Peter Cape, Big Brew lead at BoB, said, “The BEAM data is distressing – especially when you compare it to all other professions, where the suicide rate is 9.14 per 100,000. That’s why the Big Brew came about: to raise awareness of the mental health crisis.”
Construction workers can access the service through self-referral on the charity’s website. Confidential counselling is available via freephone, live chat, WhatsApp, SMS, or a callback.
The new platform expands on BoB’s existing counselling service, providing a more comprehensive approach to mental health support. Cape explained, “Since [launching our counselling service], we have looked at ways to improve the service by providing a more holistic approach because it’s important that people are able to get interventions earlier or address some of the issues that are contributing towards their mental health issues.”
The Volunteer Assistance Programme supports individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, relationship issues, and financial problems. Services include counselling, legal and financial information, career guidance, and life coaching.
Cape emphasised the importance of addressing mental health issues early, stating, “It’s best summed up by the old tradesperson’s van analogy: if the van is serviced on a regular basis, then it will be reliable and go on for miles, but if it’s not serviced, then the chances of it breaking down increase.”
To access the new platform service, visit https://bandofbuilders.org/pages/wellbeing-support and click on the Wellbeing Service for more information and a self-referral form.
NASC Inspires Youth at Glasgow Leavers Show
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) is celebrating the success of its recent exhibition at the National School and College Leavers Show in Glasgow, held on March 27th and 28th.
The NASC aims to proactively encourage young people to pursue careers in the Scaffolding and Access industry through apprenticeships and the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) training program. The exhibition featured engaging activities and informative displays designed to capture attendees’ interest.
The NASC stand was handled by Steve Kearny and Henry Annafi, along with support from various industry professionals. Over the two-day event, the stand saw more than 450 visitors, many of whom were eager to learn more about career and training opportunities in the scaffolding sector.
The Working at Heights virtual reality (VR) headset experience, which simulated a scaffolding inspection, was a particular hit among attendees.
Over 260 business cards were taken by young people and teachers, and several schools, colleges, and charities have requested further engagement with NASC members.
This presents an excellent opportunity for Scottish NASC members to capitalize on the event’s success. Henry Annafi, speaking on behalf of the NASC, said, “This event was a tremendous success for us. We were thrilled to meet so many enthusiastic young people and teachers interested in careers in our industry. We are grateful to our members for their support and are delighted that so many attendees left our stand eager to find out more about apprenticeships and CISRS training.”
The attending members found the event valuable and are keen to build on its success. Additionally, they expressed interest in participating in the Returning Citizens scheme, providing an unforeseen benefit.
The NASC is committed to continuing its efforts to encourage young people into the Scaffolding and Access industry across Scotland and is excited to build on the success of its recent exhibition at the National School and College Leavers Show.
Over 260 business cards were taken by young people and teachers, and several schools, colleges, and charities have requested further engagement with NASC members.
This presents an excellent opportunity for Scottish NASC members to capitalize on the event’s success. Henry Annafi, speaking on behalf of the NASC, said, “This event was a tremendous success for us. We were thrilled to meet so many enthusiastic young people and teachers interested in careers in our industry. We are grateful to our members for their support and are delighted that so many attendees left our stand eager to find out more about apprenticeships and CISRS training.”
The attending members found the event valuable and are keen to build on its success. Additionally, they expressed interest in participating in the Returning Citizens scheme, providing an unforeseen benefit.
The NASC is committed to continuing its efforts to encourage young people into the Scaffolding and Access industry across Scotland and is excited to build on the success of its recent exhibition at the National School and College Leavers Show. Blackpool Scaffold Collapse Leaves Two Workers Seriously Injured
A scaffold collapse in the Lytham Road area of Blackpool on Monday, 3rd April, has left two workers with serious injuries.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred while the workers were carrying out building works on a solicitor’s office.
The exact circumstances leading to the collapse of one elevation of the scaffold remain unclear, but the aftermath has been devastating for the two injured workers. One has sustained multiple injuries, including a broken hip, fractured neck, two broken wrists, and a small bleed on the brain. The other worker is suffering from rib injuries.
Sean Ryan, a 47-year-old local radio presenter, witnessed the incident and, along with another passer-by, helped the injured workers to safety. Ryan told the Blackpool Gazette that the men “are lucky to be alive” following the accident.
Fire and ambulance crews worked at the scene outside the office of personal injury lawyers Barker Booth & Eastwood, with Lytham Road blocked off during the response. Two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, and a senior clinician were dispatched to attend to the injured workers.
A fire service spokesperson reported that firefighters used trauma packs to treat the casualties before handing them over to the care of North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) paramedics. The crews were on the scene for two hours.
The cause of the scaffold collapse is yet to be determined. Dallas Cooper, Scaffolding Health & Safety Advisor for SIMIAN, said, “It’s too early to establish the cause of this incident, but generally, collapses can be prevented by sound planning of access provision and consideration of the works that will be carried out.”
Cooper also extended his wishes for a speedy recovery to both injured workers. As the HSE investigation continues, the construction industry and local community await further information on the cause of this tragic incident, hoping that future accidents can be prevented through proper safety measures and planning.
Inventor Behind Scaffolder’s Level Fights Industrial Abuse with Innovative Fund and Platform Launch
Serial inventor Paul A Sparrow, known for creating the ProView Firefly Scaffolder’s Level and for conceptualising modern-day crowdfunding, is fighting back against industrial abuse and plagiarism by launching the world’s first dedicated ‘Innovation Support Fund’ and a new crowd-commerce platform.
The British inventor, who claims on his Youtube channel to have had multiple ideas stolen over the years, including those behind popular TV shows still running today, aims to provide financial support to inventors who struggle to secure funding through conventional means.
His new Innovation Support Fund, dubbed BizKit-Tin, will be crowdfunded and sponsored, with up to one-third of the fee revenues coming from Paul’s new u-Reka Club project.
u-Reka Club is the world’s first ‘c-Commerce’ (Crowd-Commerce) platform. It introduces a new evolution of crowdfunding called ‘Crowd-Distribution’, allowing supporters to share in the rewards of the projects they back.
Paul aims to raise money for the BizKit-Tin Core Fund through donations and sponsorships. “If we can raise £30 million per week for charities via the National Lottery, I am sure we can do something similar for inventors too! Even if it was only for just one week! Inventors can change the future – but ‘WE’ can change the world!” he said.
“For example, a million people donating £1 each creates a new fund with £1,000,000 available to lend in exchange for equity. Meaning donations come back in dividends to be recycled perpetually.”
Having experienced plagiarism first-hand, Paul is determined to provide the global inventor sector with the support and resources they need. He urges the public to join u-Reka Club and contribute to various campaigns on the BizKit-Tin platform or donate anonymously to the core fund.
Paul added, “Having been subjected to plagiarism myself on several projects over 30 years. And having seen so many other Inventors suffer the same fate along the way. And seeing so many different people across the board looking for alternative ways to earn a few extra coins.
It became clear to me that we need to look to each other and not the establishment, as the only real way we can make something happen is to join forces and do it ourselves. I tried to do it in the 90’s, but the technology wasn’t there at the time. Now it is, and we CAN make it happen if we choose to!”
For more information, visit the BizKit-Tin Anonymous website at https://bizkit-tin.com and the BizKit-Tin Catalogue and u-Reka Club website at https://u-reka.club.
Paul added, “Having been subjected to plagiarism myself on several projects over 30 years. And having seen so many other Inventors suffer the same fate along the way. And seeing so many different people across the board looking for alternative ways to earn a few extra coins.
It became clear to me that we need to look to each other and not the establishment, as the only real way we can make something happen is to join forces and do it ourselves. I tried to do it in the 90’s, but the technology wasn’t there at the time. Now it is, and we CAN make it happen if we choose to!”
For more information, visit the BizKit-Tin Anonymous website at https://bizkit-tin.com and the BizKit-Tin Catalogue and u-Reka Club website at https://u-reka.club. Scaffolders Join 300 Construction Workers in Strike Action
More than 300 construction workers, including scaffolders, at Dundee City Council have initiated strike action today amid a dispute over outsourcing claims and tracking of workers.
The industrial action is set to last for three weeks, with plans for further daily strikes until the end of June.
The Council’s Construction Services workforce, which consists of joiners, plumbers, electricians, labourers, and scaffolders, is demanding assurances from Dundee City Council that no services will be outsourced to private contractors.
Bob Macgregor, Unite industrial officer, expressed the workers’ concerns, stating, “We need cast-iron guarantees that there are no proposals by Dundee City Council to outsource any services to private contractors.”
He also criticised the council management for failing to address the workforce’s apprehensions, including what they believe is the inappropriate monitoring of council vehicles. “Unite will fight for our members every step of the way,” Macgregor added.
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council responded by saying that they remain in dialogue with trade union representatives to resolve the issues raised, believing that a resolution can be reached without the need for strike action.
The spokesperson added that the Council is committed to investing in and modernising the Construction Services to provide the service the public expects.
The spokesperson also addressed the outsourcing issue, stating that subcontractors were temporarily brought in to deal with the significant backlog of repairs accumulated during the Covid-19 restrictions. They emphasised that there are no plans to outsource these roles permanently.
Regarding the vehicle tracking policy, the spokesperson mentioned that it has been in place for several years across all council services, aiming to safeguard staff, manage the fleet efficiently, and ensure the best value for service delivery to Dundee’s residents.
Workplaces Unite to Tackle Stress During Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month kicks off this April, with the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Working Minds campaign partnering with twenty-two organisations across Great Britain to help workplaces tackle work-related stress and bolster mental health.
In an effort to curb work-related stress and promote good mental health, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and its twenty-two partner organisations across Great Britain are urging workplaces to take action during Stress Awareness Month this April.
Through its Working Minds campaign, launched in November 2021, HSE has compiled a comprehensive list of resources to help employers and workers manage stress.
The campaign has grown from nine to twenty-two partners, with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and See Me – Scotland’s national programme to end mental health stigma, joining this month.
As part of the campaign, HSE reminds businesses of their legal obligation to assess and address work-related stress risks.
Liz Goodwill, Head of the Work-Related Stress and Mental Health Policy Team at HSE, emphasised the importance of establishing a workplace culture that openly discusses stress and mental health. She identified six key areas that can lead to work-related stress if not properly managed: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change.
Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Club, highlighted the construction industry’s struggle with anxiety and depression, which account for 20% of all recorded workplace absences. Andrew Berrie, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, and Francoise Woolley, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Acas, both echoed the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace and creating supportive environments.
The law mandates that all employers, regardless of size, assess and act upon work-related stress risks to protect their workers. Failure to do so can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, loss of valued team members, and potential litigation costs.
The complete list of resources from the Working Minds campaign can be accessed [here].
KEWAZO Named Main Sponsor for Scaffolding Championship 2023
The organisers of this year’s Scaffolding Championships have named leading construction robotics company KEWAZO as its main sponsor for the upcoming international event.
The now-renamed KEWAZO ScaffChamp 23 scaffolding event takes place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on May 26-27th, 2023. Teams of scaffolders from around the world, including the UK and Australia, are set to compete in the championships.
This new partnership marks the second consecutive year that the German company has sponsored the event, solidifying a powerful and mutually beneficial collaboration between the two organisations.
Founded in 2018, KEWAZO has quickly become a leader in the construction robotics sector, focusing on automating and digitising on-site material flow through robotics and data analytics.
The company’s flagship product, LIFTBOT, is a lifting robot for scaffolding that addresses labour shortages, saves up to 70% of labour costs, and improves working conditions in the industry.
Since 2021, LIFTBOT has been used on some of Europe’s most iconic construction sites and industrial plants operated by leading industrial service providers.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with KEWAZO, and we believe their cutting-edge technology will significantly impact the industry,” said a representative from ScaffChamp.
The partnership enables ScaffChamp to provide a platform for industry leaders and experts to learn about the latest developments in construction robotics and digital transformation, emphasising the importance of innovation in the field.
Both ScaffChamp and KEWAZO share a common vision of revolutionising the construction industry through technology, and this partnership reaffirms their commitment to this goal.
“We are confident that the event will yield even greater success than last year, and our renewed partnership with KEWAZO is a significant step in that direction,” added the ScaffChamp representative.
NASC Celebrates Inspiring Young Builders at House of Lords Reception
The NASC sponsored the YouthBuild UK Young Builder of the Year award reception at the House of Lords, celebrating young talents in construction who have overcome significant challenges.
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) proudly sponsored the YouthBuild UK Young Builder of the Year award reception at the House of Lords yesterday, with a spectacular event to honour the exceptional young talent in the construction industry.
The reception provided an opportunity for sponsors to meet and celebrate the winners of the 2022 Young Builder of the Year awards in the presence of industry leaders, parliamentarians, friends, family, and supporting organisations. Finalists were introduced to rousing applause from the audience.
The event was hosted by YouthBuild UK’s President, Sir John Hayes, and Chairman Ian Davis, who acted as Master of Ceremonies. Reiss Doherty of Barratt Developments was the winner in the 19-25 category, while Kye Belmond, apprenticing with Lee Marley Brickwork and Brooklands College, won the 14-18 category. Lola Fannon, training in plastering at Preston Vocation College, was announced as the runner-up in the 14-18 category.
All nominees overcame significant challenges and barriers in their lives to be nominated for the prestigious award. An independent panel of judges led by Alasdair Reisner, Chief Executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, selected the winners.
David Brown, NASC President, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and the promising young builders: “As sponsors of YouthBuild UK, we are thrilled to be here today to celebrate the achievements of Reiss, Kye, Lola, and all the Young Builders of the year nominees.
Supporting and inspiring the next generation of contractors is at the heart of our values here at NASC, and we work closely with our members to connect young people with career nurturing initiatives like these. We wish all the participants the best in their careers and look forward to what they hold for the industry.”
YouthBuild UK and its sponsors awarded all finalists who were Highly Commended, Runners-up, or Winners with a cash prize, of up to £250, as a token of recognition for their outstanding achievements in the field of construction.
