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Careers under the spotlight at UK Construction Week

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As students across the country get stuck into the new academic year, UK Construction Week is celebrating education and training of all kinds – highlighting that there is more than one way to build a successful and rewarding career in construction.

Key to this is the UK Construction Week Career Centre, a dedicated area within the Build Show where house builders, construction firms and other industry experts will be on hand to offer construction specific careers advice to visitors. Covering apprenticeships, on-going training and professional development, the centre will cater for all levels – from seasoned professionals scoping out their next move, to new starters looking for their first break into the construction sector.

Supported by a host of industry bodies, the Career Centre will give visitors a useful insight into a variety of career paths in building, civil engineering, integrated technology installation and other crucial construction trades. Key partners include the Home Builders Federation, the Institute of Civil Engineering and the Women’s Engineering Society, as well as construction skills and apprentices network K10 and major UK house builder Cala Homes.

Visitors will also be able to gain inspiration by hearing the stories of other people who have built a career for themselves in the industry. For example, Heidi Perry, a generator engineer at building machinery supplier Finning, will be sharing her experiences as a female apprenticeship in a male-dominated industry.

Heidi, who took up an apprenticeship after sixth form college, commented: “Finding an apprenticeship wasn’t easy so I applied to Finning to work in the parts department. It wasn’t my ideal job but it was a foot in the door. Luckily, at my interview they asked if I’d prefer to work on the machines and I landed an apprenticeship working on diesel standby generators.

“Now I travel across the country fault-finding, servicing, working on the electrical control systems or fixing broken parts. Apprenticeships are a great way to learn. If you’re thinking of making the move into construction, do it. It’s brilliant fun and you won’t regret it.”

Nathan Garnett, show director commented: “Employing more than 2.2 million people, the construction industry has been the major force behind the UK’s economic recovery – and with £125 billion of public sector and infrastructure projects in the pipeline, the demand for skilled workforce is set to create even more employment opportunities in the years to come. The Career Centre at UK Construction Week will be a really useful source of information for visitors looking to take advantage of this booming work market.”

Bringing together nine shows under one roof, UK Construction Week will be the biggest construction trade event the UK has seen in years. Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 – 11 October (with the trade only days from 6 – 8 October) the event will unite 1,000 exhibitors with an expected audience of 55,000 visitors.

Visitors will be able to attend the Build Show (incorporating Civils Expo), Timber Expo, the Surface and Materials Show, Energy 2015, Kitchens & Bathrooms Live, Plant & Machinery Live, HVAC 2015, Smart Buildings 2015 and Grand Designs Live.

For more information please visit www.ukconstructionweek.com or follow @UK_CW on Twitter.

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Industry calls for real steps towards Northern powerhouse

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The extension of devolution deals to Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and the Midlands announced by Chancellor George Osborne have been given a mixed reception by industry figures, according to UK Construction Week.

Reacting to the plans to extend the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ concept, which includes the creation of a new Greater Manchester Land Commission, several industry commentators have welcomed the increased power over planning this will bring, while others have pointed to challenges in transport infrastructure that must be addressed.

Mark Clare, CEO of Barratt Developments and member of the UK Construction Week advisory panel, commented: “Although the details are still to be released, the appointment of a new land commission for Greater Manchester certainly seems to be a positive development that should provide a significant boost for construction companies in the area. It seems that the commission will be tasked with identifying publicly-owned and brownfield land that can be developed for housing – which is an important step towards tackling the estimated 10,000 new homes a year needed to support Greater Manchester’s growing economy and communities.”

Andi Hodgson, Marketing Director at UK Construction Week Exhibitor Hope Construction Materials, commented: “Operating and servicing a national customer base and network of operational sites, over 100 of which are located in central and northern England, the news of greater devolution to extend the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ is welcome. On the surface the move seems as though it should provide a significant boost to construction in those regions, however the greater activity – particularly that of moving bulk and heavy-side building materials like concrete, aggregate and cement – will put a strain on existing transport infrastructure if it’s not improved.”

Andrew Orriss, Head Of Business Development at UK Construction Week exhibitor SIG Insulation, whose national head office is based in Sheffield, commented: “It’s an exciting time for construction in the north of England and Sheffield in particular is booming, with planned developments across the region and the recent announcement of a £480 million plan to develop the city centre. The extra boost this investment will bring to the area cannot be understated but it needs to be supported by a similar level of investment in transport and infrastructure, to ensure maximum benefits are felt.”

This sentiment echoes warnings from some commentators that without a major overhaul of transport infrastructure the economic benefits in the north will be lessened. In particular, Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester’s interim mayor, has called for transparency on planned rail improvements that are “key to the delivery of northern economic growth.”

For example, further clarity is required on the proposed electrification of the TransPennine Express railway line linking Manchester, Leeds and York, which was put on hold with no expected completion date back in June 2015. What’s more, the Chancellor’s proposed “Oyster style ticketing” across bus, tram, metro and rail services throughout the region has been met with derision from many quarters, with the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) claiming that actual investment in the Northern Powerhouse rail infrastructure sits closer to £3 billion than the £13 billion claimed in the budget.

Amidst the calls for improvements to existing rail networks, the proposed HS3 line connecting Liverpool and Hull via Manchester and Leeds, remains a shadowy prospect – particularly given that the north east seems to have been excluded from the Chancellor’s devolution plans.

George Clarke, architect, TV-personality and UK Construction Week advisory panel member, himself originally from Sunderland, commented: “It’s disappointing that the north east is not yet being given the same opportunities for self determination as some other northern areas. There is huge potential for economic and construction growth if the main urban hubs in the north are properly connected. If we really are to create a true Northern Powerhouse this needs to be addressed as a priority and the crucial transport links from east to west need to be greatly improved.”

Veering away from the London-centric focus that has dominated the construction industry for many years, UK Construction Week – held at the Birmingham NEC in October – is placing a strong emphasis on driving construction growth throughout the UK. In the main seminar theatre, devolution is under the spotlight on the first day, with a dedicated session asking whether it is the key to stimulating public and private infrastructure developments. Transport will also be under scrutiny, as the keynote session in the Infrastructure Hub takes a look at the future of rail – asking whether, with HS2 well underway, the focus should now shift to HS3 and the powerhouse cities of the north.

Bringing together nine shows under one roof, UK Construction Week will be the biggest construction trade event the UK has seen in years. Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 – 11 October (with the trade only days from 6 – 8 October) the event will unite 1,000 exhibitors with an expected audience of 55,000 visitors.

Visitors will be able to attend Grand Designs Live, the Build Show (incorporating Civils Expo), Timber Expo, the Surface and Materials Show, Energy 2015, Kitchens & Bathroom Live, Plant & Machinery Live, HVAC 2015 and Smart Buildings 2015.

For more information please visit www.ukconstructionweek.com or follow @UK_CW on Twitter.

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HVAC 2015 unveils impressive seminar schedule

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Preparations are gaining momentum for the strongest trade event the building and construction industry has ever seen as Media 10, the UK’s biggest design and build event company, announces its comprehensive seminar programme for HVAC 2015, part of UK Construction Week.UKCON0615-BS-ARTICLE

Spanning the first three days of UK Construction Week, 6 – 8 October, HVAC 2015’s seminar schedule is packed with debates, workshops and panel discussions that focus on the key issues facing the HVAC industry today. With participation from some of the leading innovators, training providers and manufacturers, as well as the opportunity for visitors to join in, HVAC 2015 provides a valuable platform to engage with and learn from professionals at all levels.

The first day kicks off with an introductory guide to under-floor heating systems designed to help those looking to capitalise on the current increase in demand for more efficient heating solutions. The focus then moves to the future of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps, as experts share their opinion on the direction technology and the industry as a whole is heading. The first day will also include a discussion about energy reduction strategies for commercial buildings.

Day two of HVAC 2015 will feature a detailed look at the best high-efficiency boilers available in the UK, as well as a practical session on how to future proof HVAC design. A more technical session will follow on the properties of air and how it can be influenced to obtain specific environment requirements.

The third and final day of seminar content will tackle the diversifying field of HVAC controls, with experts sharing tips on how to get the most out of control systems and what is set to become possible with controls in the near future. Energy efficiency in central heating systems will also be on the agenda.

Each of the three days will be concluded with a Meet the Installer networking session, designed to link main contractors and manufacturers with installers. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity to generate new business and long-term partnerships, offering visitors maximum return on the time they invest attending the show.

Richard Morey, Group Events Director at Media 10, said: “We have worked really hard with our event partners to develop the seminar content for this year’s UK Construction Week and I’m confident that what we have come up with will meet the needs of today’s construction professionals.”

Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 – 11 October (with the trade only days from 6 – 8 October), UK Construction Week will be the biggest construction trade event the UK has seen in years. Bringing together nine shows under one roof, the event will unite 1,000 exhibitors with more than 55,000 visitors.

Visitors will be able to attend Grand Designs Live, the Build Show, Timber Expo, the Surface and Materials Show, Energy 2015, Kitchens & Bathroom Live, Plant & Machinery Live and Smart Buildings 2015, in addition to HVAC 2015.

For more information please visit www.ukconstructionweek.com or follow @UK_CW on Twitter.

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UK Construction Week unveils heavyweight main stage seminar programme

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Placing a firm emphasis on knowledge sharing, discussion and debate, UK Construction Week has revealed the seminar programme for the main stage of the event, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC in October.

The Seminar Theatre will deliver high-level insight into the key issues affecting the industry, during the three trade days (6 – 8 October) of the weeklong exhibition. Each seminar session will consist of an hour-long panel discussion, covering key topics such as house building, government policy and BIM.

The full programme has been announced on UK Construction Week’s newly updated website, which features in-depth sections for each of the nine shows that come under the event’s umbrella, as well as a host of visitor information, exhibitor details and the latest news from each of the shows.

Kicking proceedings off on the Tuesday morning, the keynote presentation will feature the newly appointed minister for construction, who will set out parliamentary plans and policies for the construction industry over the next electoral period – giving the incoming government an opportunity to clarify how it intends to support construction while in power.

The economy will also be under fire on day one, with sessions on protecting construction from economic weakness and improving the industry’s image among investors and policy makers. The sessions will feature high-level speakers from Glenigan, the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists and the Federation of Master Builders.

Skills will be the focus of the second day, with Marie-Clade Hemming from the Civil Engineering Contractors Association asking how construction can attract and retain the best talent, while Rupert Scott from TRADA will lead a thought provoking discussion on facing up to the construction industry skills shortage.

The final day will look at procurement and the supply chain, asking how different construction disciplines can work smarter together. Paul Bogle from the National Federation of Builders will also explore how contractors can make the most of the public procurement platform, as well as giving useful insight into the 2014 EU Directive regarding procurement models for public projects.

Rounding off the final day will be a dedicated session on the outlook for BIM in construction, which includes an update on the UK BIM Task Group, its progress in supporting BIM adoption and what the next steps will be – as well as useful advice on how SMEs can make the most of BIM.

Richard Morey, Group Events Director at Media 10, the event company producing UK Construction Week, commented: “From day one we have set out to create an informative and insightful programme of content, as we recognise that this is a key attraction for visitors and exhibitors alike. I think we’ve put together a line-up that reflects the needs and concerns of the industry today, which I hope will challenge and inspire participants in equal measure.”

Bringing together nine shows under one roof, UK Construction Week will be the biggest construction trade event the UK has seen in years. Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 – 11 October (with the trade only days from 6 – 8 October) the event will unite 1,000 exhibitors with an expected audience of 55,000 visitors.

Visitors will be able to attend Grand Designs Live, the Build Show, Timber Expo, the Surface and Materials Show, Energy 2015, Kitchens & Bathroom Live, Plant & Machinery Live, HVAC 2015 and Smart Buildings 2015.

For more information please visit www.ukconstructionweek.com or follow @UK_CW on Twitter.

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BRE joins UK Construction Week as content partner

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Welcoming one of the industry’s most well respected names, UK Construction Week is pleased to announce that BRE has joined as official content partner for the event.

Drawing on its significant expertise in every aspect of the built environment and associated industries, BRE (Building Research Establishment) is the leading voice for impartial research, testing and training within the construction industry. Its focus is on helping clients create better, safer and more sustainable products, buildings, communities and businesses, as well as supporting the innovation needed to achieve this.

In its role as content partner, BRE will provide invaluable support in shaping the direction of UK Construction Week, sharing its unique perspectives to develop an informative and highly insightful programme of seminar content.

With a strong emphasis on innovation, training and future construction trends, the seminar programme will provide a vital platform for sharing knowledge and exploring the key issues facing the industry. BRE’s wealth of specialist expertise will add real value to the conversation, with expert speakers joining a number of the debates, workshops and panel discussions.

In particular, BRE will take the lead in representing BIM content, including the most comprehensive BIM education programme ever seen in the UK plus seminar content across the whole event.

Miles Watkins, BRE’s Group Business Development Director commented: “Our key focus at BRE is on helping industry and government meet the challenges of the built environment. UK Construction Week is set to provide a unique chance to interact with professionals from all sectors, giving us a fantastic opportunity to engage, share best practice and help move the industry forward.”

Bringing together nine shows under one roof, UK Construction Week will be the biggest construction trade event the UK has seen in years. Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 – 11 October (with the trade only days from 6 – 8 October) the event will unite 1,000 exhibitors with an expected audience of 55,000 visitors.

Visitors will be able to attend Grand Designs Live, the Build Show, Timber Expo, the Surface and Materials Show, Energy 2015, Kitchens & Bathroom Live, Plant & Machinery Live, HVAC 2015 and Smart Buildings 2015.

Richard Morey, Group Events Director at Media 10, the event company producing UK Construction Week, commented: “BRE’s ability to generate new knowledge plays a vital role in driving innovation within the built environment as well as helping government shape construction industry policy, so the considerable value and insight this will bring to our seminar programme cannot be overstated. We are delighted to welcome BRE on board as content partner for the show.”

For more information please visit www.ukconstructionweek.com or follow @UK_CW on Twitter.

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