Northern Ireland-based scaffolding company K2 Scaffolding has announced its partnership with supplier PERI, investing over £400k in PERI’s scaffolding range. The partnership marks the first time PERI and K2 Scaffolding have worked together.According to K2 Scaffolding, the addition of the PERI UP scaffolding system to its product portfolio will aid in its growth plans and allow the company to take on larger construction projects. The family-run business has already put its investment to use, with its first PERI UP project underway at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast.PERI expressed excitement about its long-term partnership with K2 Scaffolding, with a commitment to supporting the scaffolding contractor’s expansion into new sectors with its products. Charles Stratford, Business Development Manager at PERI UP, commented on the partnership, saying, “Continuity is vital for any contractor in this industry. By working directly with PERI as their manufacturer, engineer and rental partner of scaffolding solutions, K2 Scaffolding can benefit from a shorter supply chain and more flexibility around their project requirements. With the support of our logistics network across the UK, we can directly support K2 Scaffolding with its plans to scale up and diversify its project portfolio in any sector and region. Additionally, a versatile product like the PERI UP system makes those transitions between sectors more seamless. K2 Scaffolding is already a well-established brand in Northern Ireland and we are looking forward to helping the team develop the business around other parts of the UK.”Tara Johnston, Financial Controller at K2 Scaffolding, said, “We believe the system’s simplicity, speed, and flexibility will enable us to take on more ambitious projects and support our growth plans.” The partnership between K2 Scaffolding and PERI is expected to bring significant growth opportunities for the scaffolding company.
Wigan-based 3B Training, a leading multi-accredited health and safety training company, has launched its new IPAF and PASMA training facilities in Doncaster. The approved training provider for both IPAF and PASMA, 3B Training, aims to broaden access to suitable training for the construction industry in the area.3B Training’s Doncaster venue boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), scaffold towers and scaffold set-ups for IPAF courses and mobile access towers for PASMA training. The IPAF and PASMA courses provide delegates with practical training to operate safely in a construction environment. With falling from height being a common cause of fatalities in the industry, 3B Training’s courses aim to reduce the number of casualties.“Expanding the training facilities is part of 3B Training’s aim to be a world-class training provider of choice,” says 3B Training’s Managing Director, Matt Bewley. The company has expanded its delivery team by doubling the number of trainers over the past year, bringing in more construction sector experience to improve delegate outcomes. With over 12 years of experience, 3B Training delivers health and safety, first aid, plant, eLearning and NVQ training to over 30,000 people annually.Bewley added: “The addition of these facilities at our Doncaster venue is a testament to our commitment to providing the best possible training to the construction industry. We are proud to be a Build UK member and hold gold NEBOSH status.”For more information about the IPAF and PASMA courses at 3B Training’s Blackburn and Doncaster venues, please visit 3btraining.com.
Doka, a leading global supplier of formwork based in Amstetten, Austria, has fully acquired AT-PAC, a US-based scaffolding manufacturer.
This acquisition positions Doka as a one-stop-shop for formwork and scaffolding solutions in the construction industry, as it enhances the company’s new global business segment, “Industrial Scaffolding”. AT-PAC, on the other hand, gains full access to a global market through this acquisition.
The potential for cooperation between Doka and AT-PAC was demonstrated at the Bauma 2022 trade fair in Munich, where the two companies impressed visitors with a dual-branded stand that generated significant interest. The 30-meter high Ringlock scaffolding tower, climbed by 7,000 visitors, was a highlight of the event. The tower offered stunning views of the trade fair grounds from its 20-meter viewing platform.
Doka CEO, Robert Hauser, expressed his excitement about the acquisition, saying, “I am very enthusiastic about the opportunities that will be offered to existing and future customers, providing them with a wealth of knowledge, integrated products, and turnkey solutions for formwork, shoring, and scaffolding from a single source.”
Josh Dundon, previously the COO of AT-PAC, has been announced as the company’s new CEO. In a statement, Dundon said, “It is an exciting milestone for AT-PAC to become 100% part of the Doka and thus the Umdasch Group family. It further strengthens and demonstrates the success of our partnership since its inception 3 years ago.”
He added, “The combination of Doka’s industry-leading formwork solutions and extensive global sales network with AT-PAC’s high-quality products, services, and talent will create incredible value for our customers and opportunities for our employees worldwide.”
The acquisition of AT-PAC by Doka is expected to bring many benefits to the construction industry. Customers can now enjoy comprehensive global site solutions from a single source, while employees of both companies will have access to a wealth of knowledge, skills, and resources.
The combination of Doka’s expertise in formwork and AT-PAC’s experience in scaffolding is expected to drive growth and innovation in the industry.
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
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.
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.
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 WormsPhil 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.”
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 ContractAnfield 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.
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.”
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!”
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
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!” 
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!” 
