Weekly News Bulletin – 19th October 2018

This week, Construction Enquirer announced a new skills hub, opening as part of Staffordshire University. The hub will house apprenticeships, digital skills resources, a new library, various social learning spaces, a restaurant, and a café. It is set to open its doors in the summer of 2020 and is expected to be the base for 6,500 new apprenticeships by 2030. We’ll keep you updated as we know more.

On a similar note, University of Wolverhampton is also set to start work on a new facility, which will be the new School of Architecture and the Built Environment. The building will accommodate social learning spaces, design studios, various labs, and workshops, and will open in spring-summer 2020.

Property Week discussed construction courses and the need for emphasis on more practical and on-site experience. Construction courses are thought to be focusing too much on academic achievement rather than practical skills. The Government has allocated £22m to practical construction training to help resolve the issue and accommodate the needs of the industry. Do you think that current construction courses have too much emphasis on academic achievement?

We also saw a piece from PBC Today about new technology such as 3D printing and the positive impact it is having on the construction industry. It is thought that 3D printing is a key catalyst for the industry’s technological revolution and Advantage gives us top three innovative uses of this technology. 3D printing has the potential to change the ways the industry works and interacts with the environment. We recommend reading the article below to find out more about the different uses of 3D printing, from disaster relief to quicker home-building.

The Construction Index shared news on the importance of adopting digital skills in the construction industry. A new report by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) shows that equipping staff with the right digital skills is essential for the industry to be more profitable, productive and attractive for new workers. To address this, CITB has announced it is committing to a support programme to help meet the skills challenge and support the digitalisation of the sector.

Finally, PBC Today focused on the important subject of mental health and the risks within the construction industry. With increasing mental health problems among workers, there is a need for extra awareness and actions. Fostering an understanding and safe culture at work can help with encouraging workers to share issues and ask for help. The piece below gives a good overview of possible causes of mental health issues and what companies can do to help their employees and look after their wellbeing.

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Staffordshire Uni submits plan for £40m skills hub
Staffordshire University has submitted plans for its £40m Catalyst building as prequals have been returned by contractors.
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/10/16/staffordshire-uni-submits-plan-for-40m/

Work set to start on university’s new school of architecture
Work is set to start this month on a flagship facility at the University of Wolverhampton’s £100m Springfield Campus.

https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2018/10/17/work-set-to-start-on-university-s-new-school-of-architecture/

Construction courses must build skills by offering onsite experience
The huge skills gap in the UK construction industry is having a direct effect on many aspects of the sector, from rising labour costs to low housebuilding levels. https://www.propertyweek.com/professional/construction-courses-must-build-skills-by-offering-onsite-experience-/5099313.article

Three innovative uses of 3D printing in construction

Technology is impacting the construction sector in myriad positive ways and a key catalyst for the industry’s technological revolution has been 3D printing.
https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/3d-printing-in-construction/48022/

CITB commits to helping construction adopt digital skills
Construction needs to be equipped with the right skills and knowledge if it is to grasp the potential offed by digital technology and attract the best recruits, according to a new study by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/citb-commits-to-helping-construction-adopt-digital-skills

Trimble discusses the mental health issues in construction

When you think about job site hazards, physical risks probably top the list. But what about the dangers you can’t see?

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/mental-health-issues-trimble/47911/