2023 Energy Job Opportunities on Display at AIS Survivex Career Events

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
2023 Energy Job Opportunities on Display at AIS Survivex Career Events
The energy sector is set to see a flurry of activity as 20 of the industry’s most prominent employers head to AIS Survivex’s annual Energy Career Events.  The events aim to match potential candidates with recruiters for both current vacancies and upcoming 2023 projects. This year’s event is expected to be the largest yet, with companies such as Bilfinger, Wood, Stork, AGR, Atlas Professionals, and Hydrasun among those in attendance. There will be a wide range of job opportunities at the events, including green hand positions for newcomers to the offshore industry and experienced roles in offshore construction, such as rigging, pipefitting, and mechanical and electrical jobs. Senior HSEQ Advisor at Atlas Professionals, Mark McDonald, stated that they have a number of upcoming projects and are looking to attract both experienced and inexperienced talent. He added: “As well as our ongoing recruitment contracts, we have at least four rigs coming into work in the North Sea and will be looking for crews to support these.” The free events will be held on Wednesday, February 15th in Aberdeen and Thursday, February 16th in Newcastle and are open to anyone.  In addition to offering the opportunity to meet potential employers and recruiters face-to-face, attendees will also gain valuable insight into upcoming projects and opportunities in 2023. According to Linzi Ryan, Head of Marketing at AIS Survivex, the global energy sector is bustling and expected to continue throughout 2023.  She urged anyone looking for information about opportunities in the oil and gas or wind sector to sign up for the event. With 20 companies already signed up, this year’s Energy Career Event is expected to be the biggest yet. It offers a unique opportunity for job seekers to meet with recruiters and gain valuable industry insight.  To register for the event, please follow the link: https://bit.ly/3XE8y19

CISRS and NASC set for nationwide tour

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
CISRS and NASC set for nationwide tour
Both CISRS and the NASC are embarking on a nationwide tour in support of National Apprentice Week (#NAW2023), taking place from February 6 to February 9, 2023. The theme for this year’s event is “Skills for Life”, and it is aimed at highlighting the positive impact of apprenticeships on individuals, businesses, and the broader economy. The tour begins with Dave Mosley, NASC’s Acting Managing Director and CISRS Managing Director, visiting apprentices at the NETA Training facility in Stockton and the AIS-Survivex in North Shields. And will also include David Anderson of Allen and Foxworthy, who will visit apprentices in Swindon, CISRS Compliance Manager Tony Barry in Birmingham, and NASC Training Officer Henry Annafi in London. Ronnie Charters of RDA Scaffolding Ltd Glasgow will attend an apprentice open day in Scotland, and Dave Mosley will be the guest of honour at one of Europe’s largest construction sites in Manchester at Lyndon SGB’s Our Town Hall project. The tour will end with a visit to Total People in Wythenshawe, who deliver scaffolding apprenticeships. Overall the tour aims to promote scaffolding as a safe and rewarding career choice and to meet the next generation of scaffolders and instructors. In a statement, Mosley said that he is looking forward to hearing from the apprentices about their scaffolding journey and hopes to learn a lot from them. He also thanked NASC members, the wider industry, CISRS training providers, and apprentices for supporting the apprenticeship programme. “I am very pleased to see NASC and CISRS getting out and about to meet the next generation of scaffolders during National Apprenticeship Week. The industry has always supported the apprenticeship programme but doesn’t often get the opportunity to drop into the centres and actually meet the instructors and the apprentices,” he said. The scaffolding industry, trade press, and media, including Scaffmag and Construction News, will be covering the event, highlighting the importance of apprenticeships and scaffolding.

NASC pens letter urging government not to axe Working at Height Regs

Daniel Norton
-
0
NASC pens letter urging government not to axe Working at Height Regs
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has written a letter to the UK government in response to the proposed scrapping of the Working at Height Regulations.  The letter expresses ‘grave’ concerns over the potential consequences of removing these regulations and their impact on the safety of workers who work at height. As previously reported, the government is proposing to axe the Working at Height regulations if a Bill, The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform Bill), is passed. The Bill seeks to remove approximately 2400 EU-derived laws currently remaining in the UK statute book following the UK leaving the EU. The NASC, a scaffolding trade association representing many UK scaffolding and access companies, including some of the largest, has long been a strong advocate for maintaining the Working at Height Regulations. In the letter addressed to the Secretary of State, Grant Shapps MP, the NASC stresses the importance of these regulations in ensuring the safety of workers who are at risk of falling from heights.  The regulations were introduced in 2005 and have since been updated to reflect the changing nature of work at height. The NASC points out in the letter that: ‘the year before the Work at Height Regulations 2005 were introduced, 67 fatalities occurred due to falls from height. Last year the number of fatalities was reduced to 29’, the letter reads. Overall the NASC argues that the scrapping of the regulations could significantly increase the number of accidents and fatalities caused by falls from height. They point out that workers exposed to these risks need to be protected by appropriate safety measures, including adequate training and equipment.  The NASC also highlights the importance of ensuring that the regulations are fit for purpose and are updated to reflect the changing nature of work at height. In conclusion, the NASC strongly advocates for the retention of the Working at Height regulations, and they have called on the government to reconsider their proposal to scrap these important safety measures.  The NASC believes these regulations are essential to ensure the safety of workers who work at height and that any changes to the regulations should be made with caution to ensure that the risks to workers are reduced and not increased.  The NASC’s letter, along with others from the Scaffolding Association, is a clear message to the UK government that the safety of workers must come first and that the removal of the Working at Height Regulations 2005 would be a severe mistake.

Industry firms failing to support workers through cost-of-living crisis

Daniel Norton
-
0
Industry firms failing to support workers through cost-of-living crisis
According to a recent YouGov poll, construction industry workers in the UK are being failed by their employers, who offer some of the lowest levels of mental health and wellbeing support to employees across all industries. The survey of 3,000 companies and employees showed that 37% of construction businesses regarded improving staff morale as their responsibility, with the majority of businesses prioritising attracting and retaining talent and improving productivity over employee support.  In addition, 10% of construction businesses said they spent nothing on mental health and wellbeing support for employees, with 18% spending £100 or less per employee per year.  The poll commissioned by Frog Systems revealed that construction workers received some of the lowest levels of support across various areas, such as access to employee assistance programs and life insurance.  Only 19% of employees had access to an EAP compared to 42% in IT and telecoms, and only 13% were offered employer-supported volunteering compared to 35% in IT and telecoms.  The survey highlights the need for employers to provide more support to employees facing financial difficulties, such as flexible working hours, secure shifts, and access to specialist support. 
Frog CEO Phil Worms
Phil Worms, CEO of Frog Systems, says the report highlights the lack of trust in the workplace around wellbeing support and the need for companies to understand and listen to employee needs to create more empathetic and productive work environments. “Whilst many employers seem to understand the emotional and physical challenges being faced by their employees, they don’t appear to be able to provide the right wellbeing tools and information to support them. “Solutions which are reactive, standalone, ‘tick box,’ not trusted, or do not provide sufficient insight will not enable the deployment of early intervention and support strategies,” he said. “By listening to and understanding what employees need, companies can build stronger, more empathetic and productive work environments. Access to wellbeing support should not be a lottery or a privilege.” 

Subbies now earning a grand a week

Daniel Norton
-
0
Subbies now earning a grand a week
The largest payroll in the UK construction industry has reported a historical high in weekly earnings for skilled tradespeople.  During December 2022, the average pay increased by 1% to reach £1,002, breaking the £1,000 barrier. The average pay packet in the £2 billion payroll was £945 per week, which is a 4.5% increase compared to 2021. The managing director of Hudson Contract, Ian Anfield, said, “These figures showcase the remarkable earning potential for individuals who invest their time and effort into learning a skilled trade.”  “At last, we can say that Britain’s skilled tradespeople are worth more than a bag of sand,” he remarked. According to the payroll company, the rise in earnings can be attributed to several factors, including the labour market feeling the effects of former Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s coronavirus support schemes, new phases of significant infrastructure projects like Hinkley Point and HS2, and increased spending on home improvement projects due to savings built up during lockdowns.  The supply of skilled tradespeople from Europe has also decreased, leading to an increase in labour rates. Subcontractors in equipment and operator hire, general construction, joinery and surfacing all reported all-time high earnings last month. 
Credit: Hudson Contract
Anfield added, “These forces are creating ample opportunities for self-employed individuals to earn a good living as the labour market’s most productive and flexible part.” This news highlights the growing demand for skilled tradespeople in the UK construction industry and its positive impact on their earnings. With the construction sector continuing to grow, it is an exciting time for those considering a career in a skilled trade.

Scaffolder banned for 11 years over Covid-19 loan

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Scaffolder banned for 11 years over Covid-19 loan
A Birmingham scaffolder has been prevented from running a business for 11 years after he was abusing the government’s Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan scheme. MC-Dalt Scaffolding Services boss, David McGuinness, 41, has been found to have claimed a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan by inflating his company’s turnover and transferring the funds for personal use. According to the Insolvency Service, McGuinness received a Bounce Back Loan of £50,000 on behalf of the company in May 2020. The scaffolder then applied to dissolve the business two months later, which led to the Insolvency Service opening an investigation. Investigators found that McGuinness had stated the company’s turnover as nearly £300,000 when its accounts for 2019 showed a turnover of less than £20,000. The company would have only qualified for a Bounce Back Loan of around £4,000. Also, instead of using the Bounce Back Loan money for proper company use, the day after receiving the funds, he transferred nearly £15,000 out of the company’s account, with the bank reference ‘Dave’. In addition, £35,000 was transferred to a variety of third parties. When applying to dissolve the company, McGuinness was legally required to notify interested parties and creditors, such as a bank with an outstanding loan, within seven days and that a failure to do so could result in criminal prosecution. He did not follow this advice however. On 13 December 2022, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted a disqualification undertaking from David McGuinness after he did not dispute he had abused the Bounce Back Loan scheme by claiming money to which his business was not entitled. His ban will last for 11 years and began on 3 January 2023.  The disqualification prevents him from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company without the court’s permission. Peter Smith, Deputy Head of Insolvent Investigations at the Insolvency Service, said: “The Bounce Back Loan scheme was set up to support businesses in genuine need during the pandemic, and David McGuinness clearly abused it by making false declarations to his company’s bank. This lengthy disqualification is a sign that we take such abuse extremely seriously and will act to tackle wrongdoing by these directors.”

Band of Builders unveils new clothing range

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
Band of Builders unveils new clothing range
National construction charity Band of Builders’ collection of branded workwear and fashion clothing has just got bigger. It unveiled a range of new workwear developed by Regatta Professional to help tradespeople wear their charity support on their sleeves.  Regatta Professional launched the first phase of Band of Builders workwear last summer and has quickly followed this up with the second phase of clothing to introduce more fashion workwear lines. The clothing has been specially designed to be worn both on-site and as casual wear. The new workwear will also help boost the charity’s funds, as Regatta Professional will donate based on all items sold. The new collection can be ordered directly at www.regatta.com/collections/band-of-builders/ and Regatta Professional is working with its network of stockists to promote the range.  It is also in talks with some leading builders’ merchant chains about adding the new range to their branches, stores and online. The theme of the impressive new collection heroes the distinctive Band of Builders branding, and the clothing features t-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, shorts, builders’ trousers, holster trousers, body warmers, softshell jackets, waterproof jackets and insulated jackets.  The colour scheme focuses on black, dark khaki or ash clothing. Regatta Professional’s Managing Director, Anthony Haber, said that the new clothing line is an excellent opportunity for people to show their support for the charity. “The whole team continue to be deeply impressed and moved by the incredible work undertaken by Band of Builders. The collection is a great way for everyone connected with them to get high-quality, durable clothing that plays its own role in raising awareness of the charity,” he said. “A sense of corporate responsibility and giving back to the community also pervades our DNA at Regatta Professional; therefore, we felt a natural synergy with Band of Builders and are proud to be their official workwear supplier.” Band of Builders CEO Gavin Crane is full of praise for the new collection and thanked Regatta Professional for being the driving force in developing a clothing range that appeals not just to tradespeople but also to the wider public to help them show their support for the charity. “Workwear has always been incredibly popular with our supporters, and having a dedicated workwear range that is from a quality brand and allows them to show their support literally on their sleeves is a wonderful addition to our own ranges of project-focused merchandise,” said Gavin. He added: “Band of Builders is a great place to be right now, as we are gaining momentum across several fronts – such as delivering practical projects, providing wellbeing services to support mental health and even offering financial assistance to tradespeople who are battling illness or injury, making a life-changing difference to them and their families.  Our tie-up with Regatta Professional allows us to continue developing the buy-in and loyalty for our Band of Builders community – and beyond!”

G-DECK celebrates 10 years of business

Daniel Norton
-
0
G-DECK celebrates 10 years of business
Safety decking company, G-DECK has reached a significant milestone of ten successful years in business. G-DECK, a Leicester-based firm that manufactures and supplies safety deck systems for the UK construction industry, is celebrating after an entire decade in business. With a large factory in both the UK and Poland that helped increase capacity, the company has become one of the UK’s leading firms in safety decking due to its continued development of new safety systems for the industry.  The company has grown year after year with its three core safety decking systems, G-DECK Standard, Lite, and Dual. G-DECK also offers a range of solid hatches and gates for various construction applications. “The last ten years have been nothing short of incredible for G-DECK,” its Director, Ty Wilson, told Scaffmag. “We’ve always known that our products push boundaries through innovation, but customer response has been humbling and thrilling all at once. Having experienced good growth year after year spurred us to push ourselves further than we ever expected when launching our first platform in 2013.” We’ve since released countless updates, tweaks, and brand-new features on all our systems and access products, all with one ultimate goal: to ensure users feel safe while using our platforms,” Wilson said.  “G-DECKs journey over the last decade hasn’t just been about developing cutting-edge technology – it’s also been about providing a sense of security that comes with it.” Now, the company is focusing on the next phase in its history, as Wilson explained: “We continually are researching, exploring, and developing new upgrades and innovations as well as new products, which we will continue to release on our future roadmap.”

StepUp expands with Columbian factory

Scaffmag Newsdesk
-
0
StepUp expands with Columbian factory
A new manufacturing facility has been opened by StepUp Scaffold in Columbia. According to reports, the factory boasts a state-of-the-art welding system with multi-bay robotic machinery as well as the potential for expansion, which some sources claim. StepUp’s new manufacturing plant is scheduled to open its doors on Friday. In comments made to the media, the company’s Managing Director Knud Hljland has revealed that the company’s first shipments have already left the plant, heading for the east coast and gulf coast regions in the United States. With a subsidiary in the UK, StepUp Scaffold is a division of Sunshine Enterprises established in Memphis in 1998. In addition to frame and brace scaffolds and ringlock scaffolds, it also manufactures cuplock scaffolds, shoring products, and other access equipment for the North American market.

NASC to visit more prisons

Daniel Norton
-
0
NASC to visit more prisons
As part of a campaign to turn former inmates into scaffolders, the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) is set to make presentations at four prisons over the next two weeks. The NASC’s Returning Citizens campaign which aims to bring more workers into the scaffolding industry has gained more interest and attention from HMP institutions across the country. NASC’s Training Officer, Henry Annafi along with special guests are set to visit and deliver presentations at HMP North Sea Camp, HMP Stocken, HMP Wormwood Scrubs and again visit the Category-A and high-profile HMP Belmarsh. As part of the series of presentations, inmates will be given the opportunity to use VR headsets to allow them to experience what scaffolding is like in an immersive environment. PHD’s Site Manager Lukasz Rozpiorski who is a former Returning Citizen himself and mentors prisoners in his spare time will also attend the prison visits with Henry. He will be sharing his experiences of being a former prisoner and how scaffolding had been the vehicle for him to change his life. “I’m so blessed to be able to share my experience with these lads,” Rozpiorski said at a previous visit at HMP Blemarsh. “I can’t wait to do more of this work and I’m incredibly grateful to PHD for allowing me this opportunity to change people’s lives,”  NASC’s acting Managing Director, Dave Mosley said: “NASC and Henry in particular, have put a huge amount of effort into getting this initiative off the ground. “He has formed excellent working partnerships with Prisons, the Ministry of Justice, Training Providers and very importantly the NASC membership, who have proven very willing to offer people a chance for a new and rewarding career in Scaffolding.”  
1...868788...338Page 87 of 338