Volume 53 | Issue 3 | March 2015
UK skills shortage said to be the worst for 30 years
Laser tools competition Five chances to
WIN!
Recent reports suggest that the country is facing its biggest skills crisis for a generation, leading to fears that it could start to derail the economy and force some companies to turn work away. A number of construction companies and unions have voiced concerns about a rising skills crisis that could see an increasing number of companies having to turn down work. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has warned that up to 27,000 building projects could be threatened over the next five years because of problems recruiting skilled labour. Mark Cahill, MD of recruitment consultants Manpower, says: “In London, we have seen the extraordinary statistic that one in three of the largest construction companies are having to turn down bidding opportunities.” The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) blames the shortage on a 30 year failure to train apprentices. In 2013 just 7280 apprentices completed their training across all trades, but it is estimated that the industry needs 35,000 new entrants just to stand still. The union claims that the number of construction apprentices being recruited has been falling for decades. “Skills shortages are a direct result of the industry failing to invest in the future,” says UCATT General Secretary Steve Murphy. “The entire mindset of the construction industry is focused
on maximising short-term profits. The industry goes to great lengths not to employ workers directly and in that environment it is unsurprising that companies are not prepared to invest in apprentices.” Gail Cartmail, Assistant General Secretary for Unite union, speaking at the recent launch of JTL's Ambassadors programme for young women, says: “There is an ageing workforce in our sector, with many looking to retire in the near future. A cliff-edge of skills is coming, and we need to have a skilled workforce in place to replenish the ranks. One way to address this problem is to do away with stereotypical attitudes towards job roles in heating, plumbing and electrical work and encourage more women into trade apprenticeships.”
A report by the Construction Industry Training Board suggests that an industry skills shortage could be further exacerbated because 35% of careers advisers believe that construction is an unattractive prospect for young people. The organisation is calling for perceptions of the construction industry to change in order to attract the fresh talent it needs to grow sustainably. The problem is particularly acute in London and the South East, where a number of plumbing companies are having to recruit further afield in order to attract sufficient candidates. Swale Heating, one of the area's largest independent heating companies, has launched a recruitment drive as it looks to expand its business in response to record levels of demand. Pimlico Plumbers has also reported record sales levels, but says that it has been a challenge to find experienced engineers. Charlie Mullins, Chief Executive of Pimlico Plumbers, says: “The growth in the economy and the returning spending confidence of businesses and consumers has seen demand for our services soar, but the availability of skilled engineers is heading in the opposite direction.”
Heating database verifies efficiency claims The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has launched EST Online to help tradespeople choose products for their customers that come with the organisation’s stamp of approval. The database is an online product register which the EST will build upon in conjunction with consumers and manufacturers with the aim of providing a trusted source of energy efficiency claims. Tom Lock, Energy Efficiency Certification Manager at the Energy Saving Trust,
comments: “We have launched EST Online for tradespeople because we believe that when customers are provided with independent and trusted information about a product, they will want to make an informed purchase. We are committed to making sure all products not only meet higher standard requirements but are also independently verified.” According to the latest EST consumer attitudes poll, UK:Pulse, 73% of householders
say they are worried about the cost of energy bills, and many say they would choose to install energy saving upgrades to reduce expenditure. More than twothirds said their home energy use was out of control, and 40% said they found it difficult to adequately heat their home. EST Online features all Energy Saving Trust endorsed, listed and verified products and can be accessed at www.energysavingtrust. org.uk/businesses/est-online
See page 54 for more details
Zoo goes wild for biomass
Parakeets in the newly opened Australian Rainbow aviary are just a few of the animals at Colchester Zoo that are benefitting from biomass heat, thanks to a new 199kW Hargassner Green Heat Module from Wood Energy. Installed by Bentley Fire Shop, the fully containerised unit was pre-packaged off-site and is supported with a warranty covering the coating, structure, insulation and boiler for the entire 20 year payout period of the Renewable Heat Incentive. Once on site, installers were able to quickly fit the Green Heat Module to the distribution system via a single flow and return connection.
Market Leading Heat Interface Units Dirtmag dirt and air separation WiCal® heating controls
For further details go to: www.altecnic.co.uk or email sales@altecnic.co.uk Altecnic Limited Mustang Drive, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 1GW United Kingdom +44(0)1785 218200
3rd - 5th March 2015 Stand N3140 ENQUIRY
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