Does gender play a big part in the construction industry?

According to research, one in five construction companies across Britain have no women in senior positions. With some industry professionals believing that ‘there is a definite prejudice against women’ in the construction industry, there appears to still be an inequality of opportunity for women.

Construction News reported that half of all construction companies have not had a woman lead the business, which is astonishing when gender equality is as at the forefront of our minds. What is even more striking is that, when asking the women who did work within the industry, 48% claimed they had experienced gender discrimination in the workplace, with the most common example of this (28%) being inappropriate comments or behaviour from male colleagues. These are figures that prove that the industry still needs to enforce more regulations to change attitudes towards women in the industry and encourage equality.

Not only that, but the gender pay gap is something that is presenting itself forward in the sector. Nearly half of construction companies (42%) do not monitor equal pay between gender in the business and 68% were not aware of any initiatives to support women transitioning into senior roles. Furthermore, according to Randstad, 79% of men believe they earn the same as their female colleagues in the same position. However, 41% of women disagree — highlighting the need for better pay transparency within the industry to dispel perceptions that men are earning more.

With a clear gender divide within the construction industry, Niftylift, work platform provider, explores how the industry can close the gender gap and improve diversity among construction roles. What does the future look like for women in construction?

The direction of the construction industry

Looking at the number of onsite workers, it was found that 99% of positions were accounted by men. Another figure that highlights the lack of gender diversity within the industry. Despite the figures, 93% of construction workers believe having a female boss would not affect their jobs, or would in fact have a positive effect by improving the working environment.

Randstad have said that by 2020, women will make up over 25% of the construction workforce here in the UK. If the industry intends on closing the skills gap, women could potentially hold the key. With the industry raising concerns that it is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, 82% of people working in construction agree that there is a serious skills shortage. If demand is expected to require an additional million extra workers by 2020, women could account for a significant portion of that — especially in senior roles, which have previously been bias towards their male colleagues.

Although, there has been some progress in the last few years which have witnessed more women take senior leadership roles. Back in 2005, there were just 6% of women in senior roles within the UK’s construction industry. However, fast forward to 2015, and this number had risen to 16% and is expected to continue to rise as we approach 2020.

It’s been found that similar progression is visible when it comes to women and promotions. Back in 2005, an unfortunate 79% of women in the industry were dissatisfied with the progression of their careers. However, fast forward again to 2015, and this number more than halved to just 29%, with some of this progression likely to be attributed to the fact that almost half of women in the industry (49%) believe their employer to be very supportive of women in construction.

Although the figures above are promising, there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to achieving gender equality. Ranstad also reports that there remains a tendency within the industry to exclude women from male conversations or social events, with 46% of females experiencing being sidelined. A further 28% said they had been offered a less important role and 25% reported being passed over for promotion.

There is no denying that progress is being made to help aid gender inequality, with 76% of women saying that would recommend a job in the industry to their female friend, daughter or niece. There was also a 60% increase in the average annual salary for women in the industry in the past decade from £24,500 in 2005 to £39,200 in 2015 But we still have a long way to go. Hopefully, by 2020, we can report further progress in the industry, making roles more attractive to females, and improving the gender diversity which could consequently prove to be a solution to the lack of skilled workers for the industry right now.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2018/05/31/does-gender-play-a-big-part-in-the-construction-industry/

Site workers secure 6% pay rise

FINANCIAL PLANNER WILLSON GRANGE RELOCATES TO LIVERPOOL WATERS

Chartered financial planners Willson Grange Limited will be relocating its headquarters from Hoylake on the Wirral to a new space on Liverpool’s waterfront.

The wealth management company has signed a 10-year lease of 10,500 sq. ft at No. 12 Princes Dock, Liverpool Waters.

The firm will be occupying space on both the third and fourth floor of the Grade A office building on Princes Dock, alongside neighbours including the international manufacturer Cargill, shipping group CMA CGM and global insurance broker Griffiths & Armour.

No. 12 Princes Dock is one of the most striking office buildings located at the waterfront based Liverpool Waters, and boasts stunning panoramic views of the River Mersey and a rooftop terrace. With some recent high profile moves, the five storey Grade A office space is now 93% let.

The news of Willson Grange’s move to Princes Dock is one many exciting announcements and developments at Liverpool Waters. This year is set to be the busiest yet for the £5 billion regeneration project, which recently broke ground on the £21 million residential building Plaza 1821 and announced plans for a brand-new heritage trial visitor centre at Collingwood Dock.

Stuart Willson, chief executive officer at Willson Grange, said:

“Relocating our headquarters to Princes Dock will signal a new and exciting phase in Willson Grange’s development. Occupying a space in the city centre of Liverpool will not only make us much more accessible to many of our clients but will also allow us to reach a much wider recruitment pool of the very best financial talent the city has to offer.

“We are delighted to be joining the many prestigious neighbours who already occupy many office buildings on the Princes Dock, and of course we are excited to witness the upcoming developments of the Liverpool Waters scheme, which will be happening right on our doorstep.”

Liza Marco, asset manager at Liverpool Waters, said:

“It is fantastic to see yet another successful and thriving local business choosing to relocate to Princes Dock. Businesses are seeing the advantages of being located in the city centre and the benefits that it brings in terms of welcoming new clients and team members. We’re encouraged to see so much interest in our number of office spaces across Liverpool Waters, and as we enter our next phase of development, we’re looking forward to seeing many more organisations join us on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.”

To learn more about the Liverpool Waters Development project led by Peel Land and Property (Ports) Limited, please visit www.liverpoolwaters.co.uk.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2018/05/29/financial-planner-willson-grange-relocates-to-liverpool-waters/

Tradespeople need to do more to keep up with smart home technology

Tradespeople need to do more to keep up with smart home technology

 

84% of tradespeople said they had never undertaken any training in smart home technology, according to a recent poll carried out by the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, IronmongeryDirect.

Conducted in the lead up to Smart Home Week (21- 27 May) the poll revealed that despite the rise in popularity of smart home products, many tradespeople are still unprepared for the increasing customer demand.

Nearly 30% of UK homeowners now own at least one smart home product[1]. This increase is reaffirmed by IronmongeryDirect expecting sales of smart technology to more than double this year.  This is in addition to previous national research carried out by the leading online ironmongery supplier, which showed that almost 90% of tradespeople are not confident when advising customers on smart products.

Only one in ten tradespeople said they felt “very confident” when it comes to offering guidance on smart products, including products such as smart cameras, smart alarms and locks which can be connected to smartphones.

Now in its second year, Smart Home Week aims to raise the profile of smart home technology and to inform, educate and reassure consumers about the benefits and opportunities of living in a smart, connected way.

Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect, said: “Smart products are redefining the way that a property functions, and there is a clear need for tradespeople to keep abreast of the developments involving smart technology. With basic burglar alarms now enhanced to monitor, control and interact with a home or business premises from a smartphone or tablet, we are just at the beginning of this smart tech revolution.

“There is still a demand for traditional products, but these new smart alternatives should not be ignored. There are some fantastic products on the market, whether you want to specialise in security, lighting, heating or household appliances.”

Training organisations around the UK offer courses in smart technology, including the AWE Smart Home Academy in Surrey, which equips tradespeople with the skills and confidence they need to advise customers on the technology. For instance, its Foundation Workshop is aimed at the less experienced residential smart technology installer and focuses on the fundamentals of custom installation.

IronmongeryDirect stocks a variety of products including the The Yale® Easy Fit Telecommunicating Alarm, a top-of-the-range house alarm, the Yale® Smart HD1080 4 Camera CCTV Kit a durable and hard-wearing product that can monitor a property with its high definition video quality camera and the Yale® Conexis L1 Multipoint Smart Lock.

The customer service team are available from 7am-8pm 7 days a week and can help with any questions or queries you may have about smart home technology.

IronmongeryDirect has over 16,500 products available and in stock. Orders can be placed as late as 8pm for next day delivery from Sunday through to Friday and by 4pm on Saturdays. Free, no quibble returns are available on all products.

For more information, visit IronmongeryDirect.com or call their team of specialist advisors on 0800 168 28 28.

[1] https://www.smarthomeweek.co.uk/about/

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2018/05/22/tradespeople-need-to-do-more-to-keep-up-with-smart-home-technology/

The sky’s the limit — Edinburgh Airport’s construction history

Edinburgh Airport started life as a small Royal Flying Corps aerodrome named Turnhouse in 1915 —the first commercial services weren’t launched until 1947.

But by the end of 2014 it exceeded the 10 million passenger mark — the busiest year ever for a Scottish airport.

And the hub’s transformation over the course of a century involved some fascinating civil engineering projects.

So it’s worth reviewing a few highlights from its construction history.

Control tower

Edinburgh’s stylish air traffic control tower opened in 2005 after taking a year to complete.

The 57-metre-high structure cost £10 million to complete and was designed by Reid Architecture, with Laing O’Rourke as principle construction partner.

Advocates of aesthetic design appreciate the award-winning tower’s sleek, stretched pepper-grinder silhouette.

But it’s also innovative — featuring a seven-metre diameter concrete circular core with service riser and stairs clad in diamond-shaped aluminium shingles.

A slide-out drawer in the first floor for removing and replacing technical equipment adds a final ingenious flourish.

Parking facilities

Edinburgh has also displayed innovation in terms of its parking facilities.

In 2004, owners BAA opened a new five-storey car park opposite the terminal building with a terminal walkway and 2000 additional spaces — rapidly reducing the time taken to enter and exit the main building.

The design has a one-way search to all floors, independent vertical circulation and payment areas kept separate from vehicle thoroughfares to protect pedestrians — features that helped it win Best New Car Park at the British Car Parking Awards in 2005.

Private firms also provide excellent secure parking options near Edinburgh Airport that further enhance its provision and offer drivers a range of long- and short-term options.

Terminal expansion

Over the past 10 years, Edinburgh has undertaken a comprehensive terminal expansion project aimed at increasing its capacity and making facilities more efficient and comfortable for customers.

The first stage of the project was completed in 2010 and involved the construction of a new departure lounge with a wider choice of bars, restaurants and retail outlets than previously available.

An initial £25 million terminal expansion plan was announced in 2013, which added 6000 square metres of additional space for passengers, shops and a security area — this was opened in 2015.

Finally, work on the new three-storey terminal building at Edinburgh began in early 2017, with BAM Construction awarded the contract for its first phase.

This latest addition is part of a wider £80 million investment that will futureproof the airport to cope with a significant projected rise in passenger numbers.

It’s also attempting to address environmental concerns by committing to a carbon trading system that lowers emissions in a sustainable way in the long-term.

Edinburgh Airport’s evolution closely shadows that of aviation itself — it’s moved from housing some of the first reconnaissance and fighter planes to gargantuan commercial models that carry passengers to far-flung destinations daily.

If it continues as an agile business, the sky’s the limit in terms of where it’s flights might carry passengers in another 100 years.

What’s your favourite airport construction project? Share your opinions in the comments section.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2018/05/21/the-skys-the-limit-edinburgh-airports-construction-history/

Jones Bros wins retendered £14.5m Wigan Link road

New national research suggests 1 in 10 suspect illegal drug use by workplace colleagues

New national research suggests 1 in 10 suspect illegal drug use by workplace colleagues

• One in five don’t take any action if they suspect a friend, family member or colleague of using illegal drugs
• Regional variations show that almost twice as many Londoners suspect colleagues of drug use compared to national average
• Would simple drug tests in the workplace help? New technology enables employers to screen employees using a simple fingerprint sweat test

New research released today suggests that more than one in ten workers across the UK have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs. This figure rises to 24% in London – almost twice the national average, while at 6% those surveyed in the North-East appeared to be far less suspicious of their colleagues.

The research, commissioned by Intelligent Fingerprinting to determine UK attitudes to drug screening in the workplace, also shows that one in five employees took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use. This, despite the fact that 43% of people worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe. Similarly, just under a quarter (22%) have suspected a friend of taking illegal drugs, but again those one in five did nothing about it.

Dr Paul Yates of Intelligent Fingerprinting commented: “drug misuse has always been a concern when it comes to health & safety in the workplace, however this latest research suggests the issue could be even more widespread than previously thought. It is clear that drug usage not only puts the safety of individual employees at risk, but also contributes to the cumulative workplace accidents that cost the UK some £4 billion every year^[1]. It’s particularly an issue in those sectors where drug misuse takes place in safety-critical working environments such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, public transport networks and utilities.”

“What is notable from the research is that colleagues are reluctant to act – perhaps because they do not have the ability to provide proof or evidence that drug usage has actually taken place,” adds Paul Yates. “Employers who do implement a drug and alcohol policy are often frustrated by the practical challenges within their specific workplaces. Operating a traditional drug screening service using urine tests on a construction site, for example, is rather inconvenient. It’s perhaps no surprise that our new fingerprint-based drug screening test – thanks to its portability, ease-of-use and non-invasive approach – is already generating interest from those health & safety managers and occupational health professionals who are responsible for safety in the workplace. It takes only a few seconds to collect a fingerprint sweat sample and screens for multiple drugs of abuse – amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine and opiates – in a single test, delivering results in under eight minutes. It’s an ideal platform for spontaneous workplace drug screening and we know that regular random drug screening, combined with an effective drug and alcohol policy, acts as a strong deterrent to drug use in the workplace.”

Interviews are available with Dr Paul Yates, a Director at Intelligent Fingerprinting and Abigail Morakinyo of Health in Check – to find out more information about the research.

Facts and figures from the research and regional breakdown

The research for Intelligent Fingerprinting was carried out online by Opinion Matters between 27/04/2018 and 30/04/2018 amongst a panel resulting in 1,200 respondents. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act (1998).

National
13%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
43% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
20% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

East of England
11%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
46% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
17% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

London
24%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
37% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
21% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

East Midlands
11%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
42% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
18% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

West Midlands
12%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
42% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
13% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

North East
6%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
44% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
11% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

North West
12%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
42% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
29% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

Northern Ireland
15%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
50% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
40% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

Scotland
13%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
49% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
22% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

South East
13%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
42% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
22% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

South West
12%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
45% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
23% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

Wales
15%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
39% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
11% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

Yorkshire and the Humber
11%have suspected a colleague of taking illegal drugs while at work
45% worry that working alongside someone under the influence of drugs makes their workplace unsafe
21% took no action to help or confront the colleague they suspected of drug use

The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System consists of a four-panel test cartridge and the portable Intelligent Fingerprinting Reader 1000 analysis instrument. Together these have the potential to be used almost anywhere, any time to support a range of applications including drug rehabilitation programmes, tackling drug use as part of offender management, police initiatives such as roadside testing for drug driving, coroner services, as well as establishing fitness for duty in safety-critical workplaces such as the transport and construction industries.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2018/05/14/new-national-research-suggests-1-in-10-suspect-illegal-drug-use-by-workplace-colleagues/

FIRST LOOK AT LIVERPOOL WATERS’ VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Incredible new visuals for the £5 billion Liverpool Waters project, which will transform Liverpool’s Waterfront, have been released to show how the 60-hectare development will look once completed.

The new CGI’s bring to life Liverpool Waters’ vision to completely restore the city’s northern docks, regenerating the 2 million sqm site to create a world-class, mixed-use waterfront quarter in Liverpool.

Within this vision are five unique and dynamic neighbourhoods, running from the edge of the already established Princes Dock, nearly 2km north along the waterfront until it reaches Bramley Moore Dock, the proposed site for the new Everton football stadium.

 

As well as aerial views of the entire project, the CGI’s also offer a glimpse of some of Central Dock’s most impressive features, including Clarence Square, Central Park and a new cultural hub. The 185,860 sqm neighbourhood will also be home to family housing with private gardens as well as residential and office buildings that will offer views of Central Park and the River Mersey.

 

These CGI’s have been created to accompany a refreshed masterplan for the project which encompasses all five unique neighbourhoods. The masterplan has been updated to maximise the project’s potential and ensure it is future-proofed for generations to come.

 

One of the biggest changes in the plan is the relocation of Central Park, with the intention to move it closer to the River Mersey. Covering almost two hectares, Central Park will be one of the many jewels in Liverpool Waters’ crown and will perfectly encapsulate the distinctive mix of culture and community to be found at the Central Dock neighbourhood.

 

Other changes in the plan include a re-imagined Clarence Square at Central Dock, which is set to be one of the most distinctive and interesting public spaces on Liverpool’s waterfront. The masterplan also showcases many changes to the layout of various pedestrian areas to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists and ensure that views of the River Mersey are maximised and highlighted where possible.

 

Managed by Peel Land and Property (Ports) Limited, this year Liverpool Waters has already moved forward with a number of developments including breaking ground on the sixteen-storey residential tower Plaza 1821, which when finished will house 105 one and two bedroom apartments as well as offering commercial space on the ground floor.

 

Darran Lawless, development director at Liverpool Waters, said:

 

“This really is a landmark time for the Liverpool Waters project. Following a decade of meticulous planning, we are now firmly in the delivery phase of this project, and I am excited to see these plans take shape. The aim of the Liverpool Waters project is an ambitious one, but one that will expand the city centre as well as creating jobs and bringing economic benefits to not only North Liverpool, but the region as a whole.”

 

Ian Pollitt, assistant project director at Liverpool Waters, said:

 

“For over 10 years we have developed this project from an initial idea into the biggest single regeneration project in the history of Liverpool and one of the biggest of its kind anywhere in the world. It’s the comprehensive re-imagining and subsequent restoration of this derelict dockland which will reinstate the area back to its former glory. With these new CGI’s and our updated masterplan, we are demonstrating that Liverpool Waters will truly be a waterfront to the world.”

 

To learn more about the Liverpool Waters Development project led by Peel Land and Property (Ports) Limited, please visit http://www.liverpoolwaters.co.uk.

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2018/05/10/first-look-at-liverpool-waters-vision-for-the-future/

Retentions Bill second reading pushed back to June

Sainsbury’s-Asda merger heralds £600m refit and IT spend

Construction activity falls 3.3% in first quarter

Construction activity slid by 3.3% in the first three months of 2018, impacted by Carillion’s collapse and bad weather.

The fall contritubed a 0.2% fall to UK GDP, which grew by jus t0.1% during the first quarter.

It is the first preliminary estimate of GDP by the ONS and incorporates 45% of total data for the quarter, so be subject to further revisions.

The ONS published its preliminary estimate for GDP in the first quarter of 2018.

Rebecca Larkin, Senior Economist at the Construction Products Association, said: “This preliminary estimate gives the first full indication of how construction was affected by the liquidation of Carillion in January and the adverse weather at the end of February and beginning of March.

“The quarterly decline of 3.3% was the worst since 2012 Q2 and implies a £1.3bn loss of output in the opening months of 2018.

“Some degree of catch-up is expected throughout Spring and Summer, but on the CPA’s forecasts, amid continued economic uncertainty and weakness in commercial construction, output for the year is still expected to be flat at best.”

 

from The UK Construction Blog http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk/2018/05/01/construction-activity-falls-3-3-in-first-quarter/