Teal Scaffolding, a leading firm in the North West of England, has announced that it will continue its Social Impact Initiative into 2023. The initiative will feature a range of community-focused events and activities aimed at giving back to local communities, businesses, and charities.Dan McGregor, Head of Operations at Teal Scaffolding, spoke about the company’s commitment to making a difference: “At Teal Scaffolding, we are passionate about giving back to our local community, businesses, and charities. We take our responsibility to offer support and contribute to the success of others very seriously. That’s why we annually prioritise monetary and time-based donations to various non-profit organisations and initiatives.”In addition to providing financial support, Teal Scaffold is also committed to raising awareness for the causes it supports. “We want to make a real difference in the communities in which we operate, and we believe that by spreading awareness for these causes, we can help non-profit organisations reach their goals,” said McGregor.Teal Scaffold has strongly supported men’s suicide prevention charity, ANDYSMANCLUB, the Testicular Cancer Network, and the local community-based environmental group Taking Roots. The company has also partnered with His Church Charity to spread Christmas cheer to the Blackpool-based community hub, The Grange.“We are a scaffolding firm that truly cares about going the extra mile for our clients and their communities,” said McGregor. With its commitment to communities and focus on making a positive impact, Teal Scaffold remains one of many industry leaders.
Starting today, Scaffolders and other trades at the GSK plant in Irvine employed by contractor Kaefer Limited will go on strike for a week in a dispute over bonus payments. Around 40 workers, who are members of Unite and work in engineering construction roles, are seeking a bonus payment of £2.37 per hour, the maximum allowed under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry. The strike is the second round of industrial action taken by the workers, who have also instituted an ongoing discontinuous overtime ban. The strike will involve electricians, scaffolders, cable pullers, and labourers and will impact the plant’s maintenance.“Unite stands fully behind our members taking a further round of strike action at the GSK-operated plant in Irvine,” said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham. “Kaefer is still refusing to award our members what they are entitled to under a UK-wide agreement.”“The new round of strike action, which will last for a week, reflects the anger and disappointment our members feel at how they are being treated,” added Unite Industrial Officer Paul Bennett. “We are only asking for what our members are entitled to, yet Kaefer seems determined to prolong this dispute rather than work with us to resolve it.”The disagreement over the bonus payments remains unresolved. Unite has not ruled out further strikes as the workers continue to fight for their rights.
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.
