Summer/Autumn 2016
ICE Local The newsletter of the Institution of Civil Engineers in Yorkshire and Humber
Brexit
Women in Engineering Day
What does it mean for engineers?
Building bridges with students in Leeds
BTEC Awards
Security Mindedness for Engineers
National successes for outstanding student members in Yorkshire and Humber
BIM and Protective Security Advances for Infrastructure
ICE Yorkshire and Humber Regional Support Team
# this is civil engineering
Chair's update
Design Create Solve Innovate – civil engineers shaping the world ICE registered charity number 210252. Registered in Scotland number SC038629.
Regional Director Penny Marshall Regional Coordinator Derryn Potter Marketing Communications Executive Stephanie Thomas Membership Team Membership Manager North Gillian Elvy Membership Development Officers Robin Bailey Elizabeth Thompson Membership Coordinator Lorraine Green Index of groups G&S Graduates and Students' Committee HCN Humber Civils Network NPP Northern Powerhouse Panel RAB Regional Advisory Board RICE Retired Members' Group TG Transportation Group YGG Yorkshire Geotechnical Group YHIA Yorkshire & Humber Infrastructure Alliance
Join the conversation to help promote civil engineering and its role in society.
#ThisIsCivilEngineering Instagram Photo Challenge Did you know ICE holds a global Instagram photo challenge, with a different theme each month and prizes to be won?
Latest
While there are lots of fantastic examples of civil engineering in Yorkshire and Humber, our region is not being represented in the competition! All you need to do is: 1. Take a photograph on this month's theme (see: www.ice.org.uk/photochallenge) 2. Upload your photo to your Instagram account 3. Tag your photo with #ThisIsCivilEngineering That's it. Happy snapping!
There are lots of ways to keep in touch with ICE Yorkshire and Humber Twitter: @ICEYorksHumber LinkedIn: ICE Yorkshire and Humber Region G&S Facebook: www.facebook.com/ICEGSYH Instagram: iceyorkshumber e: iceyandh@ice.org.uk t: +44 (0)114 232 5044 Front cover image: BTEC Award winner Liam Archer with his trophy, surrounded by partner, family and Leeds Beckett University tutors.
"Exercises such as the National Needs Assessment and ICE's State of the Nation report rely on input from our members."
ICE Local | Summer/Autumn 2016
news from Yorkshire and Humber of organisations, contributed to defining what infrastructure the UK needs – both locally and nationally – up to 2050. Along with the output from a number of similar events held in Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and London, our contribution will be reflected in the final document, which is due to be published later in the year.
Nick Chamberlain CEng MICE Yorkshire and Humber Chair 2015-16 Since the last issue of ICE Local , the UK has voted to leave the European Union (EU). Shortly before the referendum, we held a debate on the potential implications of its outcome on the construction industry. Speakers on both sides gave impassioned arguments to an audience of ICE members, members of other institutions and members of the public. At both the start and end of the debate, there was a clear majority voting in favour of remaining in the EU – a position which was clearly not shared by the wider public.
Exercises such as the National Needs Assessment and ICE's State of the Nation report rely on input from our members. One of the key groups we draw upon is our Regional Advisory Board – our panel of experts in a range of engineering disciplines, who provide expert advice on matters of regional interest. We are keen to fill vacancies on the panel for currently unrepresented areas of expertise. Furthermore, we would like to identify members who may be interested in joining in the future, when vacancies arise and as current members of the board reach the end of their term. If you feel you could contribute your experience to the work of the board, please do get in touch.
Regional Advisory Board Sectors of expertise Buildings and structures C oastal, maritime and offshore engineering Development, planning and urban engineering Energy G eology, geotechnical and ground engineering Professional practice Transportation W ater engineering and wastewater management
In this edition of ICE Local David Hirst, who argued in favour of remaining in the EU, sets out some of the potential implications that our industry may face over the coming years as we exit Europe. We recently contributed to the evidence gathering for the ICEled National Needs Assessment, with a workshop held in Leeds. ICE members and invited decision-makers, from a range
3
Left: ICE Director General Nick Baveystock with BTEC Award winner Liam Archer. Centre: BTEC Award winner Sam O'Sullivan via videolink. Right: ICE Regional Education Coordinator Josie Rothera with students on National Women in Engineering Day
BTEC Awards successes ICE student member Liam Archer and technician member Samuel O'Sullivan, both students at Leeds College of Building, have won the BTEC Award for Outstanding Higher National Student of the Year and Outstanding BTEC Apprentice of the Year (19+) respectively. The presentation ceremony was held on 7 July 2016 at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London and the winners were invited to attend a parliamentary reception beforehand at the House of Commons. Student member Liam started on a BTEC First before progressing through BTEC Levels 3 and 4. He plans to complete his BTEC HND in Construction and the Built Environment (Civil Engineering) at Leeds College of Building this year. Liam has worked for BWB Consulting since February 2015 and continues with his college attendance one day a week, sponsored by BWB. Sam, a professionally qualified technician member with the ICE, has worked as a Technician with Pell Frischmann in Wakefield while completing his BTEC Advanced Technical Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering with Leeds College of Building. Many congratulations to Liam and Sam for their outstanding achievements.
4
Building Bridges for National Women in Engineering Day Budding female engineers from schools across Yorkshire have taken part in a day of activities to mark National Women in Engineering Day. Earlier in the summer, groups from schools across the region gathered at Leeds Beckett University to spend a day with ICE volunteers who explained the benefits of being a woman in engineering, and led the girls in a practical engineering exercise. The engineers from the ICE drew on their own experience studying and working in the civil engineering profession, which is responsible for planning, designing, building and maintaining the nation's infrastructure.
ICE Regional Director for Yorkshire and Humber, Penny Marshall, said: "Thanks to National Women in Engineering Day, many girls will have a better understanding of what civil engineers do, and may consider civil engineering as a career for the first time. By looking at the example of the role models leading today's event, they can enter the profession confident in the knowledge that it offers a diverse and challenging choice of careers.
The highlight of the day was a bridge building exercise, which showed the girls how strong different materials can be when subjected to different forces. The event was one of many held in this region and across the UK by the ICE, other professional bodies and engineering businesses.
"Over the last few years there has been a significant increase in the number of women in civil engineering, but there is still work to be done. This could be helped by parents encouraging their daughters to look at it as a career choice, whether through the apprenticeship route or a degree."
Student Prizes ICE awards prizes annually to the best civil engineering student at each university offering relevant, recognised qualifications. Congratulations to the following: University of Bradford Shamraiz Ashfaq (unfortunately Shamraiz was unable to attend the presentation) and Tomas Jokubauskas (left) Leeds Beckett University Shafakat Bashir (centre) and Stavroula Giagkou (right)
The impact of Brexit in Yorkshire and Humber Managing our exit from the European Union and defining our future In the debate leading up to the European Union (EU) referendum there was discussion about the value of experts, and the accuracy of figures. And, despite the widely held economic consensus in favour of remaining, the UK voted 52/48 to leave the EU. Our region, Yorkshire and Humber, voted even more decisively, 58/42 to exit. There continues to be much misunderstanding about what the internal market, trade and what leaving
the EU actually means. In a recent postBrexit survey by the bank, Santander, the public were asked what the UK’s biggest food and drink exports were. The replies came back - somewhat predictably as whisky and salmon (perhaps influenced by Salmond, Sturgeon and the Scottish referendum debate?). However, our main food and drink export is chocolate (£257m). Whisky does not make the top five. Perhaps, as the current home of Kit Kats and 2,000 Nestle employees, and
previously home to Rowntree’s and Terry’s, (and where Mr Cadbury learnt his trade), is perhaps why the residents of York voted 58/42 to remain. This was exactly the opposite proportion to the rest of the region. However in accepting that, despite regional and social differences, the UK voted for the door, we, as professional engineers, need to make this change work for us; our society, our infrastructure and our economy.
Exiting the European Union The EU that the UK is leaving consists of treaties, formal institutions and a legal framework. The constitution of the EU is laid out in the 2007 Lisbon (originally the 'Reform') treaty. The legal framework is driven by 'directives' which direct national government to implement through national legislation, and 'regulations' which are applicable directly in EU member states. The four main institutions that balance the books, and develop and implement EU legislation are: 1.
2.
T he European Parliament – made up of 751 directly elected members (including six from Yorkshire and the Humber) who approve ('co-decision' with The Council) budgets and legislation The European Commission – is the Executive of the EU (the EU civil service), and promotes its interests through departments known as Directorate-Generals
3. 4.
(DGs), and are responsible for proposing and implementing legislation The Council of the EU is where National Government Ministers meet to approve ('co-decision' with The Parliament) budgets and legislation The European Council where the European Heads of State meet to decide EU political strategy
Unpicking and replacing 43 years of customs union, internal market rules, health and safety, and environmental legislation will impact on the work of engineers. And, as the third largest population, second largest economy by GDP, and major trading partner with Europe, the impact of separation will be significant on all industries including construction. It will require a lot of careful thought when replacing with new treaties, legislation, and budgetary regimes.
5
The Impact of Brexit
Construction Goods and Services The outcome of the EU referendum vote has already created waves in the construction sector, which employs around 176,000 in the region - supporting the region's infrastructure and buildings, the very fabric of our society, and critical enabler of economic activity. However, according to the recent Purchasing Managers’ Index “activity in the UK’s struggling construction industry deteriorated further in July after Britain’s vote to leave Europe...” (FT, 2nd Aug 2016). This is reflecting investors' lack of confidence and understanding of the effects of the vote, and is seen in decisions on new projects being delayed. National statistics are reinforced locally by the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce report that export sales and orders had fallen in Q2 across all sectors. Confidence is key - and at the moment that confidence is lacking.
The current level of dependency on EU markets for construction products is pretty staggering. Whilst in 2015 the UK nationally exported nearly £6bn worth of building materials and components, we imported £13.9bn, 60% of which from the EU 'internal market', evidenced by the common sight of CE markings. This left a trade deficit of £7.9bn, of which £4.9bn was with the EU. The CE marking is the symbol of free marketability in the European Economic Area (the wider European internal market) and evidence of compliance with the relevant EU legislation. The consequence of the referendum vote will have a big impact as tariffs and non-tariff barriers such as product standards and regulations - will all be up for renegotiation. The outcome of these will have a major impact on cost and ease of imports, and ultimately the cost of finished buildings.
Whilst the region’s industry is diverse and the supply chain feeds many different sectors, it includes major exporters of construction products, and the potential of increased construction costs relative to our near EU neighbours could be a disincentive to future investment. The main issue in the region is how the national economy reacts to the Brexit vote and how the subsequent negotiations shape up. It still remains speculative to suggest that all trade with the EU will continue, as tariffs and non-tariff barriers - such as product standards and regulations. There may be longer term opportunities for local manufacturers and service providers, but only if we as professionals are sufficiently engaged to influence how tariffs and the non-tariff barriers take shape – or hopefully – not.
Strategic Regional Infrastructure Within the region we have a high concentration of nationally significant infrastructure. We sit on strategic north-south and east-west transport links, essential parts of the vital gas and electricity transmission networks, and significant onshore and offshore energy assets. However, this infrastructure needs funding to maintain, renew and expand its capacity. We have historically benefited from EU funding including the £1.6bn provided from the EU between the 1990’s and 2009 into South Yorkshire. However, more recently infrastructure projects in the region have had little or no direct funding from Europe. One consequence of the Brexit vote was that the 'Northern Powerhouse' lost
a powerful advocate in the Chancellor. And as the economic consequences of the vote seep through into Government spending, we now have the head of the National Audit Office suggesting that the prime minister may need to “rein in” big infrastructure projects. So unless we can make a clear political, economic and engineering case for strategic infrastructure, then HS3 and its ilk will be less likely to go ahead. The opportunity for Yorkshire and the Humber, recognising that the Trans-European Networks (TEN –) in Transport, Energy and Communications largely bypassed the region, is to help make the new prime minister’s broader support for northern cities and towns into real sectoral and regional strategies and meaningful infrastructure projects.
The Impact of Brexit
Education Sector Yorkshire Universities (YU), representing 12 higher education institutions in Yorkshire and the Humber, make a significant contribution in the region. With nearly 165,000 full time students there has been a massive programme of expansion on campuses and growth of privately developed dedicated student accommodation across the region. Much of this growth has been based on attracting foreign students, who typically pay twice as much as domestic students. However, EU students represent only 3.5% of the total numbers in the region - who are mainly postgraduates or Erasmus students, compared to 14.2% of students from outside the EU. Significant from the EU perspective
is the proportion of staff from the EU. Surprisingly, this is only 6%, and considering the high level of EU funded Research and Development (R&D) in the region this is not a particularly high proportion. This EU funded R&D has included the ability to attract €35m of EU Horizon 2020 funding, where YU institutions are either participants or the lead partners. This is driven by the high quality of R&D in the region. More than a third of the research in the Leeds City Region universities is deemed “world-class”, and a further 10% classed as “world leading”. The University of Sheffield has also established the pioneering Sheffield-Siemens Wind Power Research Centre.
The issue for Yorkshire and the Humber’s academic institutions will be maintaining the attractiveness to non-EU students, but, most at risk with the Brexit vote, is maintaining funding to support their world class reputations for research and development.
Conclusions Regardless of Brexit, key areas for the region remain prioritising and designing the infrastructure to serve the regional economy, but now perhaps with greater emphasis on supporting international trade. As we look at the arguments over how to exit the EU we, as engineers and professionals, need to engage with the process and the renegotiation of free trade and tariff-free access areas. Our contribution should be to help ensure that decisions are taken on a reflective basis, but address what are difficult and complex issues from a construction industry and infrastructure perspective. One of the first challenges is whether we should remain part of the “customs union”, as distinct from having access to the internal market. Professional engineers have typically stood back from these
debates. But to support a strong and diverse regional economy the impact of that infrastructure will need to have been thoroughly and professionally considered from an independent and non-partisan perspective. Brexit represents a significant change for the region and for construction. What is particularly important is that the period leading up to and during renegotiations, both with the EU and other nations and trade bodies, is a unique opportunity for engineers to influence the wider economic and infrastructure debate. With this opportunity there is responsibility. We have to ensure the right strategy for regional infrastructure, that it is coherent and planned, developed and maintained effectively. There will always be
constraints on budgets so our efforts can be most effective in ensuring the right priorities will deliver the best results – at local, regional and national level. We need a strong voice and a voice that represents the best of our collective knowledge and experience to ensure we are able to promote the right strategies and infrastructure projects for the region. And the best way ICE members can do this is to engage with the work of the Regional Advisory Board. Crucial infrastructure decisions remain to be made and better transport between and within city regions gives access to jobs in cities. EurIng David M Hirst CEng FICE FEI
7
Security-Mindedness for Engineers and Digital Built Environments
To book for an event please visit: www.ice.org.uk/events Green Port, Hull A joint event with PIANC UK 26 September 2016, 16.30 for 17.00, Hull Professional Review Preparation Course Essential preparation for your Professional Review 11 October 2016, 09.00-17.00, York Meet, Greet & Eat with the Regional Education Team Find out more about ICE's schools activities and join the team 27 October 2016, 18.30, York Geotechnical Challenges of HS2 Speaker: Nick Sartain, Lead Geotechnical Engineer, HS2 Ltd 8 November 2016, 18.30, Leeds
e1. Environmental
Thursday 6 October 2016, Leeds A talk on BIM and Protective Security Advances for Infrastructure – by a UK Government Security Advisor This presentation will illustrate a range of protective security challenges for engineers particularly those emanating from malicious threats including terrorism. It will cover the new Engineering Council guidance on security for all engineers and how security-mindedness can be applied to the infrastructure design process without stifling innovation or reducing the collaboration benefits of BIM. A joint event with CIHT and IStructE. Photo ID required on entry to this event.
g1. Geotechnical
>
We provide Site Investigation Solutions and Consultancy Services to the construction, property development and insurance industries.
g2. Geological
GEOTECHNICAL >
Check out our combined online calendar for full details: www.cc-events-yorkshirehumber.org.uk
re qu Pho to ired to th o ID is n ev en en try t
Events highlights
>
ENVIRONMENTAL >
ICE Local | Summer/Autumn 2016
Telephone 0843 50 666 87 Fax 0843 51 599 30 Email enquiries@rogersgeotech.co.uk www.rogersgeotech.co.uk