Weekly News Bulletin – 16th March 2018

This week we shared exciting news from Express & Star that JCB will create 600 new jobs in the next three months. Due to global demand, JCB are recruiting for 200 people immediately, in roles such as welders, paint sprayers and assemblers. Click below to find out more.

The National reported that there are calls for more young people to join apprenticeship schemes after an apprentice shared his view on how valuable his two-year modern apprenticeship has been to his career development. With the ever-growing concern over the skills shortage, here at Metsec we encourage and support our apprentices because we recognise the importance of investing in future construction professionals, and value the energy and passion that they bring to the business.

We also saw news from Construction Enquirer that construction output is continuing to slide after a weak end to 2017. Whilst 2017 saw the highest new construction orders since 2008, 2018 is continuing its slow output since the beginning of the year. However, in more positive news, The Business Desk has reported that UK manufacturers are lifting business output in the past month from 99.63 DEP to 99.78. What are your thoughts?

The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce revealed news of a £100m housing boost for the West Midlands. Coming from the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, a deal has been agreed for the West Midlands Combined Authority to receive £100m from the Land Remediation Fund towards the build of 215,000 homes per year. This is based on the view that to attract skill to the area, it must be a desirable place to live.

The Construction Enquirer reported that more than 60 construction trade bodies are now united in their support for the Aldous Bill to reform retentions. Following on from the collapse of Carillion, this reform proposes that cash retentions owed to the supply chain are held in a trust so they cannot be lost. What are your opinions? Do you support the Aldous Bill? MP Peter Aldous will see his bill receive its second reading next month so we will keep you updated.

Finally, we shared a thought leadership piece from PCB Today surrounding the benefits, risk and future of blockchain and smart contracts in the industry. Seen as a key part of the industry 4.0, blockchain is considered a method to increase the efficiency of BIM and other digitalisation efforts in the construction industry. We would recommend reading this piece if you are interested in the benefits of blockchain evaluated against the risks, for example cost and security.

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JCB to create hundreds of jobs

Digger giant, JCB, will create 600 new jobs in the next three months due to global demand.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/business/2018/03/09/jcb-to-create-hundreds-of-jobs/#cbhgAgbtVATr5iWG.99

Call for more young people to join apprenticeship schemes

A 19-year-old Scot has described his apprenticeship as “life changing” and is urging other young people to apply for the scheme.

http://www.thenational.scot/news/16084106.Call_for_more_young_people_to_join_apprenticeship_schemes/

Construction output slide continues into 2018

Construction got off to a poor start to 2018 with output continuing to slide after a weak end to 2017.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/03/09/construction-output-falls-for-9th-quarter-in-a-row/

Spring Statement: Chamber welcomes £100m housing boost

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham have welcomed news of a £100m housing boost for the West Midlands in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2018/3/13/spring-statement-chamber-welcomes-100m-housing-boost/

Manufacturing lifts UK business output

UK manufacturers are lifting overall UK business output, according to the latest Business Trends Report by BDO. BDO’s Output Index, which tracks GDP growth in the past month, increased to 99.78 from 99.63.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2015509-manufacturing-lifts-uk-business-output?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WestMidlands_13th_Mar_2018_Daily

Trade contractors unite in retentions fight

More than 60 construction trade bodies are now united in their support for the Aldous Bill to reform retentions.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/03/12/trade-contractors-unite-in-retentions-fight/

Blockchain and smart contracts: Binary solutions in a non-binary industry?

Legal expert and BIM specialist May Winfield examines the benefits, risk and future development of blockchain and smart contracts in construction

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/bim-news/blockchain-and-smart-contracts-binary-solutions-in-a-non-binary-industry/39349/