Weekly News Bulletin – 26th January 2018

This week we shared news that work has restarted on the £700 million Paradise Birmingham scheme, a week after the collapse of Carillion brought construction to a standstill. Whilst described as a complex situation, the developer is said to be keen to retain all sub-contractors currently working on the project, which is positive news for one of the region’s biggest regeneration developments.

Construction Enquirer reported calls to abolish retentions in construction. Backed by both contractors and clients, Build UK, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association and the Construction Products Association have all submitted their opinions on implementing zero cash retention in the industry to ongoing government consultation. What are your views? Are these calls for reform long overdue or simply a knee-jerk reaction to Carillion’s collapse?

We also saw news from Insider Media Limited that the skills shortage still remains a primary concern despite growth in the manufacturing sector increasing through both domestic and overseas orders. The survey, conducted by CBI, revealed that 27 percent of companies were optimistic about business conditions and revealed that employment is growing at its fastest pace since July 2014. Is the skills shortage affecting your business?

On a similar topic, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce revealed plans for an upcoming debate around the skills shortage in the UK. Scheduled for the 12th February, The Lunar Society asks if there really is a skills crisis and if so, what can we do to respond and combat it quickly and effectively. Will you be attending?

Following the collapse of Carillion, The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is offering all 1,400 former Carillion apprentices a face-to-face session with CITB apprenticeships to provide support on how they can continue their training. The Carillion apprentices were taking courses that focused on high demand key skills, such as bricklaying, carpentry and joinery and the CITB hopes to start placing these apprentices with new employers from next week.

Finally, this week we shared a thought leadership piece from our sales director for Framing, on the importance of site visits. If you want to understand more about the important role site visits play in a successful build and why we not only encourage site visits but also assistance and training, then we recommend reading it!

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Work restarts at Paradise Birmingham after Carillion hiatus

Work has restarted on the £700 million Paradise Birmingham scheme – one of the region’s biggest regeneration developments – a week after the collapse of Carillion brought construction to a halt.

www.expressandstar.com/news/business/2018/01/24/work-restarts-at-paradise-birmingham-after-carillion-hiatus/#7Y8tSm89W2hXa9Mg.99

Main contractors call for end to retentions

Main contractors and clients are backing the campaign to end retentions in construction.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/01/24/main-contractors-call-for-end-to-retentions/

Manufacturing sector bullish, but skill shortage remains an issue – CBI

Growth in the manufacturing sector accelerated in the past three months, although the skills shortage remains a concern, a new survey by the CBI has revealed.

https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/national/manufacturing-sector-bullish-but-skill-shortage-remains-an-issue-cbi

Skills challenge comes under scrutiny

Britain’s “biggest challenge” – the need to increase the UK’s skill base – is to be scrutinised in a debate in Birmingham, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, former chief executive of Birmingham City Council and chair of the BBC Trust.

https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2018/1/23/skills-challenge-comes-under-scrutiny/

CITB rallying call for Carillion apprentices

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is calling on all construction employers to rally round and take on the former Carillion apprentices.

http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/citb-rallying-call-for-carillion-apprentices

The Importance of Site Visits

While training and development are hailed as important foundations for a smooth-running project, there are other factors to consider that play a critical role in the success of an installation.

https://www.metsec.com/blog/the-importance-of-site-visits/