A new apprenticeship scholarship programme has launched today, which will give two construction companies the chance to benefit from the placement of an apprentice who will be completely funded to work for them for 12 months.

The initiative is being launched by the construction audit, contract and payroll provider, Hudson Contract, to celebrate its 20th anniversary and also provide opportunities to two young apprentices hoping to take their first steps on the construction career ladder.

Hudson Contract will sponsor the apprentices by covering their salaries for up to a year. To be in with a chance of gaining one of the apprentices, visit www.hudsoncontract.co.uk  and describe in up to 100 words how an apprentice could benefit your company.

The scholarship scheme is designed to help support the future of the construction industry. Latest government figures show that there has been year-on-year growth in apprentice starts across England. A record 18,290 construction apprenticeship programmes started in 2014/2015 compared to 15,890 in the previous year.

Managing director of Hudson Contract, Ian Anfield, comments: “Having worked in the construction industry for 20 years, we’re a business that is passionate about investing in apprenticeships.

“The building trade is one of the biggest apprenticeship employers, and with a serious skills shortage impacting the sector we really wanted to give something back to construction firms of all shapes and sizes. Hopefully it can also provide the perfect platform for two apprentices to kick-start their careers.”

The scholarship offers coincide with Hudson Contract’s ongoing apprentice support. Through its Apprenticeship Scheme, the company has now part-funded over 70 apprentices since 2011.

Ian Anfield added: “The scheme was put in place after discovering construction students were struggling to find companies willing to take on apprentices, particularly small firms that couldn’t afford to do so. We’re now building on this heritage of supporting apprentices by completely removing the financial headache for two more firms through our 20th anniversary scholarship programme.”

The winning apprentices will start their scholarship in Autumn 2016, and will produce a video diary of their experiences throughout the year.

www.hudsoncontract.co.uk

A Bracknell based roofer has been fined for safety failings after a complaint was made to the HSE regarding unsafe roof work.

No-one was injured in the incident at Sabine Gates, Old Bracknell Lane, Bracknell on 27 August 2014, however members of the public were endangered by the potential for falling objects.

Reading Magistrates’ Court heard that Terry Colwell trading as T Colwell Roofing, from Bracknell had been contracted to undertake roof repairs to the property by Grosvenor Court (Bracknell) Management Company Limited (Grosvenor Court).

Terry Colwell chose to carry out the work without a scaffold, working at heights of up to eight metres with no fall protection or falling object protection to protect members of the public.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) established that Terry Colwell undertook the work for £650. The price of a scaffold would have been between £1400 and £1500.

Terry Colwell, trading as T Colwell Roofing, of Hardwell Way, Harmans Water, Bracknell, was fined a total of £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,966 in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

After the hearing HSE Inspector John Caboche said: “This was a serious incident that could have ended in tragedy for Mr Colwell or a member of the public had he fallen or had a loose roof tile been dislodged during the repairs.

“The incident was wholly preventable and could have been avoided had Mr Colwell used a scaffold and not undercut the other roofing company and if the operation been better planned and managed.

“It is essential that roof work is carefully assessed by competent persons, with a plan in place to prevent falls of persons and objects. Roof work remains one of the most dangerous activities in the construction sphere.

“Terry Colwell was fully aware of the dangers of roof work and HSE publishes extensive guidance that is readily-available of how to safely manage this type of work.”

Further information on how to properly manage roof work can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/roofwork.htm

With figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) revealing that almost nine in 10 (88.5%) of the 2,381 vans it weighed last year were overloaded, Venson Automotive Solutions is urging van owners to ensure their vehicles are safe and legally road compliant.

Van operators need to take into consideration how their vehicles are used, including the working environment and the payload of the goods and equipment they are carrying. Crucially, these need to be considered prior to any conversion. Organisations also need to make sure staff know how to operate the vehicle and the on-board equipment.

“When it comes to equipping vehicles, it’s essential to keep in mind the payload quoted by the manufacturer,” explains Operations Director, Gil Kelly at Venson Automotive Solutions. “Fitting crash tested storage equipment, such as racking, and including a bulk head in the vehicle helps improve driver safety.  And whilst equipment can be recycled, where appropriate, it’s important any products being reused should meet current legislation. Fitting telematics can also help with some aspects of driver safety and security, as well as providing businesses with the data they need to improve operational and business efficiency.

“Too many businesses cut corners when it comes to equipping their vehicles, or don’t recognise the impact an inferior product could have on vehicle or driver safety. The worst offenders include overloaded vehicles, poorly secured equipment and a lack of pedestrian warning systems.”

Gill Kelly concludes, “Getting the vehicle specification correct at the outset can save businesses time and money but more importantly improve staff safety. We work closely with clients and using years of experience are able to fit out all sorts of vehicles for all kinds of industries. Our purpose built workshop in Yorkshire is a destination centre for all the main vehicle manufacturers, which means cars and vans can de delivered direct to us for conversion/fitting out, ready then for onward delivery to the client and into active service.”

Venson offers SMEs top tips on best practice to ensure vehicles are safe and legally road compliant.

Vehicle Loading Safety Tips 

• Know the weight and weight limits of your vehicle. Maximum permitted axle weight and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) can be found in your driver handbook or sometimes on a plate located by the bulk head or by the driver or passenger door.
• Be careful not to mix up the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) with the Gross Train Weight (GTW). The GVW is the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle (plus any load it is carrying), while the GTW is the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle plus any trailer being towed (plus any load being carried in the vehicle and trailer)
• Ensure the load is distributed evenly. After any drop-offs, re-check the distribution of the remaining load and that it is secured safely – heavy items on the bottom, lighter items on the top.
• Ensure the GVW is checked before setting out using your own weigh pads or use a public weigh-bridge. Alternatively consider having your vehicle fitted with on-board weighing systems.
• Never automatically trust declared weights, invoices or delivery notes given to you by customers. Remember that you and your employer hold the responsibility for not overloading, not the customer.
• Loads should be secured to make sure they do not slide around during transport. In vehicle storage solutions may help.
• Carry out health & safety assessment for loading and unloading the vehicle, both internal items and external items such as ladders, materials etc.
• Consider alternative storage solutions. What was once carried on the roof/side of vehicle is now not necessarily required.
• Is everything that is being carried in the vehicle required? Consider alternative solutions such as onsite delivery from suppliers.

Growth in apprenticeship numbers in Scotland could be scuppered unless the Scottish Government commits to ring-fencing the new UK-wide Apprenticeship Levy for training according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Building Lives, the award-winning construction training charity, is to close at the end of the month due to a lack of sustainable funding.

Building Lives was started by Lakehouse founder Steve Rawlings in 2010 and has taken those furthest from the workforce and trained them for successful careers in construction.

The charity’s closure comes at a time when skills shortages in construction are undermining the Government’s aim of building a million new homes in five years.

Building Lives said: “Given the skills crisis in London, it is incredibly disappointing that we are unable to continue with our model, especially as it provides huge value for money for the tax payer.

“To put a young person through a Building Lives traineeship costs just £4,000. On average 8 out of 10 people on our Careership training programmes go into work or apprenticeships. This contrasts with the cost of a young person being out of work to the UK economy of £165,000. Last year, the Further Education (Skills Funding Agency) budget in England alone was £7.5bn. At the same time, the construction Industry Training Board raised £120m from across the construction sector to tackle the skills shortage.”

Building Lives Managing Director Sian Workman said: “In order to continue operating for another year, Building Lives needed £900,000 to deliver 380 Careerships across four Training Academies based in the heart of London Council Estates. That’s a drop in the ocean compared to how much money is spent for no guaranteed job outcomes. The bottom line is, although a Careership may not have fitted with existing government funding criteria, it led to real construction jobs, helping reduce unemployment and the skills shortage – ultimately, benefiting us all.

“I am deeply disappointed we have failed in our attempts to secure the financial support needed from government and the construction sector to continue. However, I am also incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished since Building Lives first opened its doors. Proud that we dared to be different and in the process supported more then a thousand people into construction careers. Proud that we genuinely tried to make a real difference to our society. And no matter what, that is something we will hold on to.

“We hope the legacy and learning left behind, will assist other organisations to support people into construction careers.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all partners, stakeholders and friends for their support and commitment over the years. Together we have built many lives across London.”

Training academies will be handed back to Building Lives’ partners to determine their future purpose from 30 June 2016.