Monday, September 8, 2025
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Women’s Workwear – Dickies Launches Performance Range

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James Whitaker, Marketing Director at Dickies Workwear, unveils a brand new range of clothing designed to provide tradeswomen with all-day warmth, comfort and unrestricted growth.

“According to the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), women make up around 14% of construction industry professionals and there has been much talk in the sector about encouraging more women to pursue careers in the trades, hopefully boosting this figure a lot further in years to come.

A big part of feeling supported in any chosen career is to have access to the tools needed to do your job well, including clothing and footwear that’s practical, durable and fits with the image you want to create as a professional.

Dickies Softshell Women's Workwear
Dickies Softshell Women’s Workwear

And this is just as important for women who aren’t trades professionals, but who spend a good deal of their spare time working on DIY projects or other practical activities where they need the right clothing to support them.

For many years, men have been able to pick and choose workwear across a range of brands to find the options that work best for them, but there’s no denying that the scope of clothing and footwear specifically designed for tradeswomen has been pretty narrow.

We know that, as a major workwear provider, we need to do more to give women access to clothing and footwear that’s created for them.

Dickies Womens Performance Waterproof Jacket
Dickies Womens Performance Waterproof Jacket

Simply having to adjust items that are primarily designed for men isn’t good enough, especially for tasks that involve a lot of bending, stretching and movement, where ill-fitting clothing is likely to be uncomfortable and impractical.

We’re keen to do our bit to address this and have just launched a new range of performance clothing that offers women in the trades high quality, durable items that will support them no matter how hard, cold or dirty the work.

Initially launching with eight new products for Winter 2020-21, our collection includes the Dickies Women’s Performance Jacket, a stylish work jacket designed to withstand even the most extreme elements.

Dickies Womens Universal FLEX Trouser
Dickies Universal FLEX Trouser

Well insulated, as well as waterproof and breathable, the attached contoured hood adds to the sleek nature of this style.

Also launching this winter is the Dickies Women’s Softshell Jacket, which features a water repellent finish and a drawcord adjustable hood for extra protection in rain or poor weather conditions.

Both jacket styles benefit from practical details such as multiple pockets and reflective detailing to ensure the wearer stands out in low light conditions.

Dickies Womens Performance Zip Through Sweat
Dickies Womens Performance Zip Through Sweat

New trouser styles include the Dickies Women’s Universal FLEX Trousers – a version of the brand’s popular Universal FLEX Trouser designed specifically for women.

Incorporating Dickies’ FLEX fabric, the trouser also benefits from Cordura reinforcement in high wear areas for added durability.”

Browse the Dickies Performance Womenswear range at: www.dickiesworkwear.com.

See more from Dickies with Skill Builder.

FEIN Multimaster 700 ~ Multi Tools #8

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Multi Tool Showdown episode 8 features the FEIN Multimaster 700 oscillating multitool.

🛒 FEIN Multimaster 700 (body only): https://bit.ly/2VVIIHP

🛒 FEIN Multimaster 700 Kit: https://bit.ly/33TYg3e

Essential Ear Defenders:

🛒 ProCase SNR 34dB Ear Defenders: https://amzn.to/2IalHNE

🛒 Mpow 044 Ear Defenders: https://amzn.to/2IdhYiA

🛒 3M Peltor Optime III Earmuffs: https://amzn.to/35a4SeW

🛒 Clas Ohlson Bluetooth Ear Defenders: https://amzn.to/3pfc7KD

See more power tool reviews on Skill Builder:

🎬 Cordless Drill Head to Head – https://youtu.be/Y4BkB9Q52LU

🎬 Impact Driver Showdown – https://youtu.be/pvqar-4ZelA

🎬 Plunge Saw Showdown – https://youtu.be/F0MWlxPtBHY

Bladeless Pallet Strap Removal ~ 2-Minute Tip

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James has a quick method for removing pallet straps without using a knife or any sharp edges.

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#2MinTip #DIYTips #DIYHacks

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Best Ways to Ensure your Personal Data Remains Safe Online

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In today’s data-driven, mobile-first world, keeping one’s personal information private and safe is more critical than ever.

This is because your personal data landing in the wrong hands could not only cause you a financial loss but personal damage as well.

With technology, you are not only worried about the government watching you but also Google searches, your cameras, fitness trackers, Alexa voice assistant, your kid’s toys, and so on. Basically, everyone has access to some of your information.

75% of UK residents are still concerned about the privacy of the personal data shared with companies, even after the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) approval.

The high-profile personal data losses, coupled with a perceived lack of consumer control over private data, fuel these feelings of concern. Still, we are generating more data about ourselves and making it more readily available than ever before.

Since most of our daily lives revolve around technology, we need to follow specific steps to ensure the range of information we share with organizations is reduced.

Best Ways to Keep Your Data Private

Keep your Software Up-to-date

Outdated software with familiar security loopholes is among the easiest ways for cybercriminals to enter your system. While many people find them boring and time-consuming, software updates are critical if you want to keep cybercriminals out of your system.

Other than improving your device’s functionality, software updates offer you security patches, bug fixes, and other crucial features. So, make a point of updating your software as soon as the pop-up appears. You can also install them manually by going to system settings.

Use a VPN when Connecting to Public Wi-Fi

While most home Wi-Fi networks are encrypted, the same can’t be said for public Wi-Fi connections. You risk being monitored when you use public Wi-Fi. Also, malware from another person’s device can spread to your device.

Avoid free public Wi-Fi at all costs if you want to keep your data private. But, if you have to use it, ensure you use a VPN for data privacy. A VPN will help to mask your personal data from prying eyes that may be lurking on public Wi-Fi networks.

Use Strong Passwords for All Your Online Accounts

Many internet users make the mistake of creating weak passwords and using the same password for all the accounts requiring logins, including credit card accounts, PayPal, bank accounts, and more.

A password such as “123456” may be easy to remember but it is also effortless to crack. A cybercriminal won’t use much effort or energy to break such a password and gain access to your funds, data, and more.

Creating strong and unique passwords are paramount to keeping your data private and secure. Luckily, there are many software applications and programs that you can use to create strong passwords that are long, difficult to break, and use different characters, including numbers, letters, and other special symbols like # and @.

Disable Bluetooth and Other Apps when Not in Use

It is essential to disable Bluetooth and any other app when not in use as vulnerabilities in such services may be the doorway to your device system, including the data and files on it.

Browse in “Incognito Mode”

When you browse in private or incognito mode, your browsing activity won’t be recorded, and also, you won’t get tracked by your browser cookies.

Therefore, you will manage to keep your online activities private, protect yourself from cyberattacks, and prevent organizations from learning more about you and customizing their ads based on your preferences.

A cybercriminal who gains access to your personal data may cause financial havoc and personal damage as well.

By using the above steps, you’ll be able to keep your data private and secure and avoid many problems in the future.

Guest post by Julie Hughes @TurnOnVPN

TradeMachines – 5 Steps to a Successful Sale!

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There are many possibilities to sell (used) machinery online. TradeMachines, a search engine designed especially for used machinery, is a sensible alternative to the major, well-known search engines.

The focus on used machinery guarantees you a higher quality of potential buyers at comparatively cheaper rates plus a lot more!

TradeMachines

TradeMachines will, upon your approval, take all (or only some) of your offers from your website and display them as a bundle.

There is no further effort on your part, as the offer is automatically updated every 12 hours, so all your machines will always be directed to the website.

With more than 500,000 interested parties worldwide, they provide you, as an ideal advertising platform, with the right advertising and a high reach for your machinery and your success.

By redirecting the potential buyer directly to your website, you and your offers get a higher national and international visibility, which rapidly increases your brand awareness. And the good thing is that you are only a few clicks away from it.

There is no catch!

There is no risk for you as a seller, just as there is no commission for TradeMachines. There are no liabilities, as you can stop or reconfigure the service at any time.

TradeMachines merely redirects potential buyers to the machinery offer on your website, nothing more. They do not interfere in the purchase process, that is entirely up to you.

The data of your buyers and prospective buyers are therefore available to you only. You also decide how much this is worth to you and how you want to pay. Many things can be agreed upon.

As TradeMachines strives to keep everything transparent, you will receive an individual dashboard and a weekly report so that you always have a complete overview (example dashboard of a customer).

TradeMachines - 5 Steps to a Successful Sale

TradeMachines in numbers

More than 500,000 people visit the TradeMachines website every month.

These meet over 450,000 sales offers from 59 countries, which are divided into 9 main industries: constructionmetal, agriculture, wood, forklifts, commercial vehicles, process engineering, food and plastic.

TradeMachines links not only machines at fixed prices but also daily changing auctions where used machines of all kinds are sold at particularly favourable conditions. As new used machines are added daily, the TradeMachines team looks forward to a never-ending flood of work. Users can also be happy since they can get a bargain every day.

Search a little, find a lot at www.trademachines.com

See more on finding used machinery with Skill Builder.

SME Property Developers Boost Construction Output

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SME PROPERTY DEVELOPERS HELP TO DELIVER PRIVATE HOME CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS

  • Following a drop in output during the first lockdown, quarter 3 private housing investment bounced back by 84.4%
  • In September, private housing was back to pre-lockdown levels at £2.9bn
  • 20% of construction companies are SMEs providing work for self-employed workers
  • Leading development finance specialist applauds SME owner’s efforts during 2020

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has released its construction output statistics up to September 2020 earlier this month.

Evidence within the report shows the construction industry saw an impressive bounce back in quarter 3. The figures were significantly bolstered by private home construction, which bounced back at an impressive 84.4% compared to quarter 2.

In 2019, figures released by Bizdaq showed there are now over 1 million SME construction firms in the UK, making up 20% of all UK businesses – with nearly a quarter of a million (246,840) in the private housing sector.

SME Property Developers Boost

The ONS figures show a £2.9bn investment in private homes in September – the same output as February (pre-lockdown). A leading development finance specialist is keen to shine praise on those SME developers who weathered the storm of the pandemic.

“When Boris Johnson signalled ‘build…build…build’ to revitalise the economy after lockdown, many scoffed that it was ‘just words’, and believed that action might take time to ignite and make a difference.

But the sceptics have been proven wrong, as the ONS figures have shown. To bring the quarter 3 figures even close, let alone to match them, in the space of a quarter of a year is impressive.” comments Peter Owen, Head of Property Development at Saffron Building Society.

“Many have praise large construction companies for this; however, over a million private home developers are small businesses who were brave enough to weather the pandemic and keep their small businesses operating.

In a time where self-employed workers have been subject to limited financial support by the government, many of these small developers – creating affordable homes in towns and cities across the country – had continued, and even started, projects and employed skilled tradesmen – as well as young labourers – in very uncertain times.

I think we should be applauding the bravery of these business owners.”

After the announcement of Boris Johnson’s new ten-point plan for the environment, the construction industry’s focus, even with local SME developers, will be greener builds.

New techniques will need to be introduced to reduce the carbon footprint of homes – whether considering how to heat the homes or incorporating new greener technologies into the homes’ construction.

Peter feels this is something SME developers can react to much quicker than their larger counterparts.

“If there is one thing that a smaller developer has over larger construction companies is flexibility. Whilst working on a development project of 2-5 homes, applying greener initiatives is much simpler by scale.

To apply this to construction firms, building thousands of homes per project is costly and a slow, drawn-out process. In my opinion, the green revolution in homes is going to begin with our smaller developers.

So, to all developers planning their next project, now is the time to get educated and think green to lead the way towards our carbon neutral goal.”

If you are a property developer and would like to discuss a new project, you can visit the website www.saffronbs.co.uk, and follow the development finance links.

What Are SME Property Developers?

SME developers are privately-owned small and mid-sized professional property developers and construction companies. Although

See more on SME Property Developers with Skill Builder.

HiKOKI CV18DBL ~ Multi Tools #7

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Multi Tool Showdown episode 7 features the HiKOKI CV 18DBL oscillating multitool.

🛒 HiKOKI CV 18DBL (body only): https://bit.ly/36xFZdv

🛒 HiKOKI CV 18DBL Kit: https://bit.ly/33Bc4j2

Essential Ear Defenders:

🛒 ProCase SNR 34dB Ear Defenders: https://amzn.to/2IalHNE

🛒 Mpow 044 Ear Defenders: https://amzn.to/2IdhYiA

🛒 3M Peltor Optime III Earmuffs: https://amzn.to/35a4SeW

🛒 Clas Ohlson Bluetooth Ear Defenders: https://amzn.to/3pfc7KD

See more power tool reviews on Skill Builder:

🎬 Cordless Drill Head to Head – https://youtu.be/Y4BkB9Q52LU

🎬 Impact Driver Showdown – https://youtu.be/pvqar-4ZelA

🎬 Plunge Saw Showdown – https://youtu.be/F0MWlxPtBHY

The Build to Rent Sector Set for Growth

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Purpose-built Build to Rent housing is only a recent concept, with just over 51,000 dwellings completed across the UK as of Q3 2020. This equates to only around 1% of total Private Residential Sector stock.

Build to Rent Timeline

In Q1 2020, a large number of schemes completed, driving up the volume of operating units by 42% on Q1 2019, equating to an additional 13,000 homes.

In Q2 2020, the impact of the first Covid-19 lockdown was sudden, with only three funding deals, worth £96m and with just 1,800 starts across a dozen sites.

Alex Blagden, Senior Researcher at AMA Research and Editor of the Build to Rent Market Report comments “Since 2016 cumulative BTR completions are forecast to have quadrupled by 2021 to over 60,000.

Build to Rent future

Quarterly data for Q3 2020 indicates circa 37,000 units are under construction and approximately 84,000 are in planning. However, several additional proposals were announced in October and November which suggest over 90,000 are expected to be in planning by the end of 2020”.

The build to rent sector has seen an influx of institutional investors enter the market in recent years as the focus for investment propositions moves away from the High Street retail and into developments that are likely to provide a higher return.

Build to Rent Need

Population growth, a younger mobile workforce, increasing house prices, tighter mortgage requirements by lenders – and declining levels of social rent housing – have led to a worsening shortage of affordable build-to-sell housing, particularly for first-time buyers in the 25-34 age group.

Several larger housing associations have also diversified into the PRS. Due to budget cuts to housing, they have had to find other income sources e.g. through developing housing for sale and private rent.

A final comment from Senior Researcher Alex Blagden states “A key factor contributing towards forecast growth has been important changes in the planning system.

Now BTR is formerly defined as an asset class in its own right in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and is entitled to specific land allocation rather than having to compete with build-to-sell developers in the open market”.

More on build to rent with Skill Builder.

Snickers Workwear’s NEWEST Work Gloves For Healthy Hands

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There’s one thing that Professional Tradesmen and Women can’t do without if they want to get their jobs done properly – Healthy Hands!

So take good care of your most important tools and choose a pair that’s right for your work to ensure the ultimate in dexterity, durability, comfort and protection.

The Newest designs offer high ‘cut protection’ plus wind and waterproof styles.

With advanced designs, features and material combinations, there’s something to suit a wide variety of trades, and workplaces, weather conditions and hazardous environments.

Added to which the advanced ergonomic designs ensure strong, secure grips while sophisticated patterns, vents and ribs combined with durable materials combine comfort and protection, ventilation and waterproofing, insulation and wind protection, even features so you can use your mobile phone.

What’s more, for specialist use where health and safety standards are key requirements, the ProtecWork Gloves are EN certified for performance and protection in hazardous environments.

Getting more information on the Snickers Workwear Gloves Range is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out www.snickersworkwear.co.uk and download a digital catalogue or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk

See more from Snickers with Skill Builder.

Rainscreen Wall Cladding Fastest-growing Product in the Wall Cladding Sector

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The UK rainscreen wall cladding market has been affected by reduced demand from key end-use sectors since 2017, recording only modest growth of 13% in total installed area between 2015 and 2019.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the market with site closures in early spring 2020 leading to project delays and product shortages in some instances as contractors and manufacturers adapted to safer production and working practices.

Looking to a positive, rainscreen cladding has benefitted from increased retrofitting on offices and apartment blocks as the need to protect structures from extreme weather and water ingress has increased.

Jane Tarver, editor of the Wall Cladding Market Report at AMA Research states “Rainscreen cladding systems have been a fast-growing product sector in recent years, estimated to have quadrupled in terms of area installed from 2013 levels.

Proteus - designer and manufacturer of rainscreen cladding systems
Proteus – designer and manufacturer of rainscreen cladding systems

The main area of application has been offices, although there has also been strong demand for use on residential towers, demand further boosted by the requirement to replace unsafe ACM cladding on a number of high-rise residential buildings in the wake of the Hackitt Review into the Grenfell Tower disaster.

As a result of the ban on use of ACM cladding with a polyethylene core on high rise residential developments, the market share of these types of products and systems will be impacted while others will gain market share from changes in product specification”.

Grenfell and the Hackitt review continues to influence the market. With a ban on the use of ACM cladding this has led to an increased demand for products with the highest level of fire safety classifications such as stone, glass wool, concrete and fibre cement.

Following decline of around 13% for installed cladding area (million m2) in 2020, the market is forecast to return to growth in 2021 thereafter seeing annual increases of around 4-5% to reach around 48 million m2 by 2024.

Rainscreen Wall Cladding Suppliers

AGS – Design, test and manufacture rainscreen cladding support systems.
agssystem.co.uk

Bailey – Leading total building envelope manufacturer since the 1970s.
www.bailey-uk.com

Proteus – Designer and manufacturer specialising in optically flat Honeycomb Bonded Rainscreens.
proteusfacades.com

Valcan – Manufacturer and distributor of rainscreen cladding systems.
valcan.co.uk


Find out more about AMA Research: www.amaresearch.co.uk

See more on wall cladding with Skill Builder.

Trade Trick for Setting Falls ~ 2-Minute Tip

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Setting falls can be tricky so this short tip will help calculate drainage pipe falls quickly and easily with this 1 in 40 drainage gradient tip from James.

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WorldGBC & Global Leaders Call for Historic Built Environment Day at COP26

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The World Green Building Council joins nine international organisations to sign a letter to COP26 President, Alok Sharma, requesting a Built Environment Day at the climate summit in November 2021.

The day at COP26 would be dedicated to the action pathways to accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment, and it will demonstrate how business and governments are catalysing solutions to the climate crisis.

This comes a few days after WorldGBC took part in the UN’s Race To Zero Dialogues, discussing how policy, finance and industry leadership can accelerate decarbonisation and ensure the resilience of built environment assets.

Built Environment Day
Built Environment Day

World Green Building Council

Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council:

“It is essential to have a full day to recognise the building and construction industry at COP26. The sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy and process-related emissions, up to 10% of global employment and around 50% of global wealth. Despite this, our sector often remains a blind spot in global climate negotiations.

WorldGBC has signed a letter to COP26 President, Alok Sharma, together with nine fellow international organisations which are working to decarbonise and make more sustainable the built environment across the world. We look forward to his reply and discussing how we can work together to make COP26 the success it needs to be.”

The letter argues that a Built Environment Day at COP26 would spotlight the sector’s unique capability to deliver powerful zero-carbon solutions and serve as a rallying point for the sector’s diverse stakeholders.

Built Environment Day Support

The day would allow the sector to collaborate with governments and policymakers and catalyse action towards ambitious targets for 2030 and beyond.

List of signatories:

  • Martina Otto, Head of Secretariat, Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction
  • Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40 Cities
  • Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group
  • Andrew Higham, Chief Executive, MISSION 2020
  • Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council
  • Peter Bakker, CEO, World Business Council Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
  • Maria Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business
  • Andrew Steer, President and CEO, World Resources Institute
  • Julie Hirigoyen, CEO, UK Green Building Council
  • Marco Caffi, Executive Director, Green Building Council Italia

The letter urges the COP26 organisers to recognise the central role the buildings and construction sector can play in overcoming the key societal challenges we face:

  • The sector can offer solutions to the climate and economic crisis caused by COVID-19 by driving a green recovery and support a climate-resilient future.
  • It can deliver short-term jobs and growth by improving and retrofitting existing built assets, as well as ensuring new ones do not contribute high levels of greenhouse gasses.

Read the full letter.

See more on green building with Skill Builder.

Sales of Sound Insulation Boom During Coronavirus Lockdown

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  • West Midlands manufacturer see’s 240% increase in sound insulation foam sales
  • Noisy neighbours, Zoom calls and home office setups said to be the cause
  • Manchester, Birmingham & London identified as the top cities leading the trend
  • Manufacturer claims there is ‘no evidence that the trend won’t continue’

West Midlands, UK – Coronavirus has drastically changed the way we conduct our lives, with millions of us now remote-working from home, quarantined between the same four walls day in day out.

The knock-on effect of this has caused a dramatic rise in noise pollution within our communities and an all-time high in the sale of sound-insulating materials.

“Foam manufacturer see’s 240% boom in sound insulating products”

Acoustic floor Sound Insulation

“It won’t come as a shock that the number of people purchasing sound-insulating foam has hit an all-time high, driven mainly by residents installing products to dampen the sound of noisy neighbours.

In fact, so far this year our sales of foam have increased by 240 percent”, explains Charlie Barrett from eFoam.co.uk, a custom foam manufacturer based in the West Midlands.

“Pre-pandemic, our acoustic foam was being purchased mainly by recording studios and musicians such as drummers, who were converting garages or spare rooms into practice studios to help insulate the noise.

But now we are receiving enquiries from people saying they need something to insulate their home from noisy neighbours, as they haven’t slept properly in weeks. There’s no evidence the trend won’t continue as the work from home culture benefits many industries.”

Sound Insulation Foam

Our acoustic foam can greatly assist in reducing reverberation, reflections and flutter echoes in recording studios, home theatres, music rooms, workshops, cinemas, etc.. and now home offices.

We can customise our foam to meet any household requirements. We prepare and cut our foam in the heart of the West Midlands from our own factory.

“We have a lot of clients”, reports Charlie Barrett “who need to set up a dedicated meeting room at home for taking Zoom & Skype calls.

This year, meetings have become one of the standout features of remote working, so it’s unsurprising to see this when our company assists with the problems associated with sound prospering.”

We have found it interesting to see where our customers are based and which cities required the most soundproofing and insulation products.

Here are the top 20 cities:

  1. London
  2. Birmingham
  3. Manchester
  4. Glasgow
  5. Sheffield
  6. Edinburgh
  7. Liverpool
  8. Bristol
  9. Nottingham
  10. Milton Keynes
  11. Cardiff
  12. Leeds
  13. Coventry
  14. Bradford
  15. Belfast
  16. Newcastle upon Tyne
  17. Plymouth
  18. Leicester
  19. Wolverhampton

About:

eFoam is the UK’s largest online foam supplier.

Trading since 2000, the company’s purpose-built facility in Bilston, West Midlands continues to supply a wide range of foam products made from polyurethane, polyethylene and other foam materials. These are available in both pre-made and bespoke solutions.

eFoam supply a diverse cohort of clients – everyone from soundproofing, master upholsterers, yoga practitioners to furniture manufacturers, business owners for packaging solutions, small-time crafters and everything in between.

See more on sound insulation with Skill Builder.

Encourage Workers to Apply for ‘Settled Status’ Now to Ensure Business Continuity, Urges Chas

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CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is calling on construction companies to encourage eligible EU workers to apply for ‘settled status’ to ensure they can continue to work legally in the UK once the Brexit transition period is complete.

The British government has indicated that anyone settled in the UK for more than five years as of exit day (31, January, 2020) – will likely to be able to gain ‘settled status’ which will grant them the same rights as British citizens.

Those who do not meet the five-year criteria may still be able to gain pre-settled status which will allow them a grant of limited leave to remain for five years.

EU workers to apply for settled status
EU workers to apply for ‘settled status’

Eligible EU nationals have until 30 June 2021 to submit an application – after which if they haven’t done so and they continue to work in the UK they will be doing so illegally.

However, there are concerns that language barriers and a lack of awareness of the requirement may prevent some workers from completing the application potentially driving them into the illegitimate labour market.

Settled Status Solution

Employers can help by spreading awareness of the need to apply for ‘settled status’ and offering assistance where required – such as access to computers to complete the application.

It is free to apply and a step-by-step application guide is available in 26 European languages. The application can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status

Employers may also wish to consider whether as an employer they are eligible to become a sponsor which could help them to recruit from the EU in the future.

See more from CHAS with Skill Builder.

U-Turn on Gas Boiler Ban in 2023 Welcome Say Gas Users

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Government U-turn on gas boiler ban in new homes welcome but further clarity needed to protect consumers, says Gas Users Organisation, which speaks for the 24 million households who use gas for their central heating.

In a remarkable last-minute change, the government last week seemed to drop plans to ban gas boilers in new properties from 2023, according to reports from the BBC. See below notes to editors for the details.

In 2019, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, announced in his spring statement that there should be a ban on new fossil fuel central heating systems from 2025.

According to the BBC, on Wednesday 18th November, the 10 Downing Street website announced a pledge to bring that ban forward by two years to 2023, as part of the pre-publication announcement of the government’s “Ten point plan for a green industrial revolution”.

However, the published version of the document had no mention of a 2023 target, and weakened the commitment so that new systems only need to be “zero carbon” ready.

Gas Boiler Ban

Gas Boiler Ban

Andrew Newman, Technical Director, of the Gas Users Organisation explains:

“The ban on new connections to the gas grid was always foolish. There are positive commitments in the 10 point plan towards future use of hydrogen as a green gas, and we need more clarity from the Westminster government that hydrogen ready gas boilers are considered to be a “zero carbon ready” option, as they should be, and therefore permissible in new builds after 2025.

“Gas central heating is incredibly popular with customers, because it is clean, convenient and relatively cheap. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation that shows that homes that lack a connection to the gas grid, and more likely to be in fuel poverty.

“The Westminster government’s own poverty reduction target includes a plan to increase connection to the gas grid, to take families out of poverty. So it has always been bizarre that they have a simultaneous plan to isolate homes from the grid for new properties.

“The best plan for reducing carbon emissions from domestic heating is to keep the gas grid, but to move to green gas. Earlier this year, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hydrogen, recommended that the government should mandate the installation of hydrogen ready boilers from 2025, replacing the government prohibition on new gas connections in new-builds from that date.

“What is welcome about the 10 Point plan, is that it makes explicit commitments to green gas. The Prime Minister’s introduction even refers to people cooking their breakfast using hydrogen, which presupposes a domestic gas supply.

It also promises to leave “open the choice as to whether we ultimately pursue hydrogen heating, an electrified heating system, or a mixture of both, whilst we continue to pilot the options“. The best option for consumers is a green gas system, based on hydrogen.

“We also seek clarity from the government that the pledge for 600000 heat pump installations by 2028 is targeted towards the 4 million properties that are not on the gas grid, where heat pumps may be a very sensible alternative to expensive oil-fired heating, or LPG. There is a danger that this pledge towards heat pumps can undermine investor confidence in the future of gas.

“What is clear from the 10 Point Plan, is that it will be several decades before all renewable electricity would be available, and in the absence of sufficient renewable electricity to drive them, any switch to heat pumps would therefore be premature.”

More on gas and boilers with Skill Builder.

Green Homes Grant Extended for Extra Year

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Homeowners across England will have until the end of March 2022 to have energy efficiency upgrades to their homes completed through the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme.

  • Prime Minister announces the Green Homes Grant will continue until the end of March 2022
  • extension to the £2 billion scheme will help more households and tradespeople benefit, as Britain builds back greener from coronavirus
  • energy efficiency scheme will create new work for accredited tradespeople in green construction, supporting 100,000 jobs across the UK

Homeowners across England will have until the end of March 2022 to have energy efficiency upgrades to their homes completed through the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, helping up to 600,000 households save up to £600 on their energy bills.

The scheme funds up to 2 thirds of the cost of green home improvements up to £5,000, or 100% of the cost for homeowners on low incomes, up to £10,000. Measures covered include insulation of walls, floors and roofs, double or triple glazing when replacing single glazing, and low-carbon heating like heat pumps.

The Prime Minister announced the extension of both the Green Homes Grant and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme in his 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, designed to help the country build back greener and help reach the UK’s key target for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

£1 billion will be available next year into making new and existing homes and public buildings more efficient, including through the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Minister for Climate Change Lord Callanan said:

The Green Homes Grant scheme gives homeowners and landlords right across the country a cheaper way to make their homes more energy efficient and cut their bills – all while making their contribution to tackling climate change. Today’s announcement means an extra year to take advantage of this new scheme, helping households and tradespeople who can plan their workload and create new jobs in their communities. I would urge anyone to visit the Green Homes Grants website and see how they could benefit.

As part of his ambitious green recovery plan, Prime Minister Boris Johnson today announced funding for the drive to make homes, and public buildings like schools and hospitals more energy-efficient would continue until the end of the next financial year.

People have been able to apply for vouchers through the Green Homes Grant Scheme since September this year. Although restrictions are in place to help tackle the spread of coronavirus, government guidance is clear that homeowners can still have work done as long as installers follow the COVID-secure guidance.

Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, Brian Berry, said:

The extension of the Green Homes Grant for another year is very positive news, and shows that builders’ concerns have been listened to. This will give the reassurance needed to the building industry to invest in the scheme. Our existing homes contribute 20% of all our carbon emissions and consume 35% of our energy.

Chief Executive of TrustMark, Simon Ayers, said:

Consumer confidence is not only essential to the recovery of the UK’s economy, but also to the protection and creation of key jobs that will support the long-term delivery of quality green home improvements.We urge any tradespeople who want to be a part of the Green Homes Grant scheme to apply for TrustMark registration and Microgeneration Certification Scheme or Publicly Accessible Standards certification as soon as possible.

See more on green homes with Skill Builder.

Milwaukee M12 Multi Tool ~ Multi Tools #6

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Multi Tool Showdown episode 6 features the Milwaukee M12 FMT oscillating multitool.

🛒 Milwaukee M12 FMT-422X Kit: amzn.to/46DaC0L

Milwaukee M12 Multi Tool
Milwaukee M12 Multi Tool

Milwaukee M12 Multi Tool Features

Versatile cordless solution for cutting and removal applications.

REDLINK™ overload protection electronics in tool and battery pack deliver best in class system durability.

Variable speed (5000 – 20,000 rpm) and 1.5° left/right oscillation movement allows quick completion of professional applications into materials such as metal, wood and plastic.

Will accept competitor accessories.

Individual battery cell monitoring optimises tool run time and ensures long term pack durability.

Fuel gauge displays remaining charge.

REDLITHIUM™ battery pack provides superior pack construction, electronics and fade-free performance to deliver more run time and more work over pack life.

Flexible battery system: works with all MILWAUKEE® M12™ batteries.

Supplied with an adapter, plunge cut blade OSC 112, sanding backing pad, 5 x sanding sheets.

Essential Ear Defenders

🛒 3M Peltor Optime III Earmuffs: https://amzn.to/35a4SeW

🛒 Bluetooth Ear Defenders: amzn.to/3GRMj4T

See more power tool reviews on Skill Builder:

🎬 Cordless Drill Head to Head – https://youtu.be/Y4BkB9Q52LU

🎬 Impact Driver Showdown – https://youtu.be/pvqar-4ZelA

🎬 Plunge Saw Showdown – https://youtu.be/F0MWlxPtBHY

See more multi tools with Skill Builder.

Check out the Milwaukee website for more Milwaukee M12 Multi Tool info.

65% Increase in Demand for Rural Homes Due to Pandemic

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Multidisciplinary architecture and planning firm Urbanist Architecture has reported a surge in enquiries for homes in the countryside, a trend seen as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis, with the practice seeing a 65 per cent increase compared to Q4 of 2019.

Escape to the Country

The London-based practice is renowned for helping its clients achieve remarkable extensions, conversions and new build homes in the capital, and specialises in handling projects on constrained urban sites, listed buildings or those set within the green belt.

Rural Homes

But with the UK population confined to their homes for the majority of 2020, lockdown has caused an increasing number of city dwellers to rethink their current surroundings and yearn for greener pastures and open spaces.

This is having a knock-on effect on the property market, and firms such as Urbanist Architecture, which have a proven track record of securing green belt planning permissions and delivering exceptional countryside homes, are witnessing the effects first-hand.

Ufuk Bahar, Managing Director at Urbanist Architecture, comments:

“Prior to COVID-19, around two-thirds of our projects were focused in highly desirable London boroughs such as Westminster, Islington, Camden and Greenwich, with work ranging from extensions to new build homes and flat conversions. Those working in London wanted to build a life in the city and its sought-after Zone 2/3 suburbs, and a fast commute into Zone 1 was, more often than not, a deciding factor when our clients were deciding where to live. Although our team has strong experience in delivering countryside and green belt projects, we could have never predicted the demand we’re seeing now. More and more clients are coming to us looking for large plots of land in truly rural locations, with many deciding to ditch city life and the daily commute for good in the wake of the pandemic.”

Demand for Rural Homes High

Urbanist Architecture also attributes increased demand to its historical ability to successfully leverage Paragraph 79, a section of the National Planning Policy Framework that relates to sustainable new build homes in the open countryside, which are notoriously difficult to get planning permission for.

One of the team’s most recent success stories was obtaining planning permission to build two-family dwellings on green belt land in Amersham – approved due to its high-quality design which was sympathetic to the surrounding landscape.

Mark Morris, Planning Consultant at Urbanist Architecture, comments:

“The fact that we’ve received so many commissions for Paragraph 79 homes is testament to our world-class team and our ongoing commitment to designing exceptional schemes for clients. With enquiries for rural dwellings up 42 per cent in Q2 of this year and then increasing to 65 per cent as we enter Q4, we expect more and more people to be asking for this kind of planning application – which offers them the chance to build their dream home in the country.”

To find out more about Urbanist Architecture and its projects, visit https://urbanistarchitecture.co.uk/

See more on housing in the UK with Skill Builder.

Dulux Trade Paint Dispute – Final Showdown!

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The third part of our ‘Dulux Trade Paint vs Dulux Retail Paint’ saga where we visit the Dulux Academy for a ‘clear the air’ meeting.

We give AkzoNobel the chance to give you their thoughts and show you the difference between Dulux trade paint and Dulux retail paint in a real-world test.

Let us know what you think of this in the comments section.

See Parts 1 and 2 in our Dulux Decorator Centre Series.

Trade Paint vs Retail – Are You Being Ripped Off?
🎬 https://youtu.be/xQBPdUn6-VE

Dulux Dispute ~ The Surprising Response
🎬 https://youtu.be/X44nmj57rmA

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Stay Safe with the New ProtecWork Garments from Snickers

Snickers Workwear’s Protective Wear for men and women working in high-risk environments.

Long working days and cheap uncomfortable clothing make the new ProtecWork lightweight protective wear from Snickers the ideal alternative when working in high-risk environments and inclement weather.

They combine maximum practicality with the highest protection levels against a variety of hazards, with ergonomic designs for both men and women to keep them working safely and efficiently all day, every day.

The new range also includes lightweight, insulated GORE-Tex Work Jackets that provide protection and high-visibility in low-light, high-risk environments.

There’s also waterproof shell Work Trousers, accessories including flame-retardant kneepads, plus headwear, mid and base-layer clothing to provide maximum, certified protection whatever the hazards and risks.

See the complete range of Snickers Workwear at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk.

See more from Snickers with Skill Builder.