Professional Builder

In this month’s edition of the Professional Builder podcast we talk to two commendable organisations who are each championing the wellbeing of construction workers.

Falls from height remains the biggest cause of fatalities in construction. The Ladder Association’s avowed ambition is for everyone who climbs a ladder to come back down safely and represents an invaluable source of training, information and guidance on the issue. We talk to Executive Director, Peter Bennett, OBE, about what the not-for-profit industry body is doing to promote the safe use of portable ladders.  

To view some of the resources the Ladder Association makes available visit Home - The Ladder Association

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is on a mission to ensure that no construction worker – or their family – is alone in a crisis. Sarah Bolton, the new CEO of the organisation, explains what this worthy cause is already doing to support the trades – and its plans for the future. 

The charity offers a whole range of resources to support the sector and you can visit www.lighthouseclub.org

Energy efficiency is one of the hottest topics in the UK construction industry. The cost-of-living crisis, high energy prices, the upcoming Future Homes Standard and government Net Zero aspirations are all contributing.

In the last episode we spoke to Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Laboratories at the University of Salford about the Energy House 2.0 project. This initiative has been measuring the energy efficiency of two detached houses built inside an environmentally controlled chamber. 

In this episode we’re speaking to Tom Cox, Construction Solutions Director at Saint-Gobain, who, along with Barratt Developments, are responsible for one of these houses – the eHome2. Tom tells us all about the exciting construction solutions, like weberwall brick, used in eHome2 and how they demonstrate that the Future Homes Standard is achievable. 

For more information on Saint Gobain Weber visit: WEBER | Saint-Gobain

Bosch Professional Accessories

In addition, Paul Stevenson, Key Account Director at Bosch Professional Accessories talks us through the features and benefits of the company’s X-Lock. Described as the ultimate changing system for angle grinders, it allows safe and tool-free disc changing in seconds.

For further information on the Bosch Professional Accessories X-Lock system visit: X-LOCK. The ultimate changing system for angle grinders. | Bosch Professional (bosch-professional.com)

Energy efficiency is one of the hottest topics in the UK Construction Industry at the moment. The cost-of-living crisis, high energy prices, upcoming Future Homes Standard and government Net Zero aspirations are all contributing to this. 

Professional Builder’s Edward Kelly interviews Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Laboratories at the University of Salford. This department is responsible for Energy House 2.0 - a massive building with two environmental chambers inside, each able to accommodate two detached houses and under temperature-controlled conditions. Professor Swan tells us what this project has taught us about energy efficiency in UK homes and whether the Future Homes Standard is actually achievable.

The Federation of Master Builders is the construction sector’s largest trade association and is run by its members for its members. Its strategic direction is, however, determined by the Board of Directors, the chair of which is the National President. Elected for a period of two years the current incumbent is Chris Carr. In post since November of last year, we asked the MD and founder of Cleethorpes-based housebuilder, Carr & Carr what his priorities will be for his term of office?

It’s estimated that just 5-6% of tradespeople in the UK are women. When gardeners and landscapers are removed from the equation, this figure could be as low as 2%. While this figure is on the rise, the UK Construction Industry is still in the midst of a skills shortage, with an ageing workforce and a demand for tradespeople far outweighing supply.

With all of that in mind, Professional Builder’s Edward Kelly speaks to Mica May, Head of Development at Stopcocks, the national franchise of women plumbers, to get the story behind the organisation and find out how it is supporting tradeswomen across the country. 

There has been concerns raised amongst builders’ merchants – and the SME tradespeople who are their customers – that the recent Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion will make Greater London a significantly more difficult area in which to operate.

As a result of the zone’s boundary changes there is a £12.50 daily charge on non-compliant vehicles across all London boroughs. This means that anyone using a diesel van registered before September 2016, or petrol van registered before January 2006, is now charged to travel almost anywhere within the M25.   

There is a significant proportion of small business owners in the sector who rely on non-compliant vehicles, and who are already battling materials price increases, expensive parking fees, and elevated labour costs. It is argued that many will choose not to undertake work in London and, as a consequence, homeowners will find it harder to have improvement works completed on their properties. This, in turn, will hinder government efforts to upgrade our existing housing stock.

Professional Builder’s Lee Jones and Paul Davies, Editor of Professional Builders Merchant, speak to Brett Amphlett, Policy & Public Affairs Manager at the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) about the impact of the mayoral clean air initiative on the industry. 

The heat pump is a renewable energy technology that has long been identified as having real potential in decarbonising our housing stock. At the same time – with the right skillset – installers can capitalise on an increased public appetite with what is set to become a growing and lucrative business opportunity. We talk to Grant UK Technical Design Manager, Stuart McWhinnie about what the air source heat pump manufacturer is doing to help tradespeople get involved. Stuart provides an overview of the systems themselves, the training on offer and the Grant UK range.

For further information on Grant UK visit https://www.grantuk.com/

Tool theft and vehicle crime is on the rise and, if a builder falls victim to unscrupulous thieves, the impact can be devastating. Van Watch is a worthy initiative that has ambitions to reduce the number of offences perpetrated against hard working tradespeople. This industry coalition is supported by some of the sector’s biggest names, and is offering practical help and advice, as well as lobbying government to take the issue more seriously. We talk to Van Watch Chair, Ray Stafford about the campaign, whilst we also hear from ordinary builders about their all-too familiar experiences of tool theft and vehicle break-ins.

For further information on Van Watch visit www.vanwatch.org.uk

The Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG) prides itself on being close to its customers and that makes the business uniquely placed to identify the challenges that tradespeople face.

In this episode of Professional Builder’s podcast we talk to IBMG CEO, Martin Stables about current trends in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector and what local builders are doing to maintain a healthy pipeline of projects. The organisation has also undertaken some fascinating research on workloads and the types of jobs that small and medium sized construction companies are taking on.

For further information on the Independent Builders’ Merchant Group (IBMG) visit Independent Builders Merchant Group – IBMG (independentbm.com)

In addition, this episode previews the July/August edition of Professional Builder magazine, which is available from the trade counters of over 2,500 builders’ merchant outlets nationwide, online at www.probuildermag.co.uk and via email.

Many tradespeople may well be thinking of taking on an apprentice – or would like to. There is, however, a perception that the process is time consuming and complicated, especially for a small business owner.

We speak to Ruth Scarrott, NFRC Head of Careers, who offers some useful help and advice on taking on and retaining apprentices.

If you’re an employer that’s looking for further support, the following links would be useful.

National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) https://www.nfrc.co.uk/careers/employers/recruiting

CITB New Entrant Team - [email protected] 

CITB Apprentice Support - https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/citb-apprenticeships/take-on-an-apprentice/ 

Gov.UK Apprenticeship Guidance - https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers