Amid rising rates of suicide and mental health issues1 during the COVID-19 pandemic, many large construction firms have stepped up to boost mental health support for their employees. Paul Reeve, Director of CSR at electrotechnical trade body ECA, highlighted the magnitude of the problem faced by the industry: “On average, two construction workers take their…
A leading utilities training provider has pledged to play a full and active part in helping increase diversity in the industry during 2021 after it delivered the first free training days of a ground-breaking programme set up to help women take the next step in their careers. Derby-based Develop Training, which is part of the…
Selco Builders Warehouse today confirmed it will adopt a strict ‘no face covering, no entry’ policy at its 69 branches across the UK. The leading builders merchants became the first trade retailer to announce the hardened stance. Chief executive Howard Luft said: “In line with government guidance, face coverings have been mandatory in our branches…
Over two-thirds (69 per cent) of British consumers believe the government could be doing more to increase energy efficiency in the home, according to a new study by Schneider Electric. However, only 9 per cent of consumers are aware of ongoing government initiatives, suggesting there is room for greater sustainable home improvements. The study of 2,000 UK consumers…
LCL Awards has launched a new qualification designed to ensure electrical safety in rented properties – in both social and private sector housing. The Level 2 Award in Electrical Safety Awareness in Social Housing and Residential Dwellings, is ideal for landlords, estate agents and maintenance teams. Since 1st June 2020, landlords in England have been…
Mike Andrews, Chief Executive of NAPIT, reflects on 2020 and looks ahead to what 2021 may have in store for the Construction, Repair, Maintenance and Improvement sectors There is no doubt that 2020 will be remembered for decades. The impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions imposed nationwide would have been unimaginable to…
A new online training academy designed exclusively for the trades and construction sector will launch on Tuesday 26 January. In a first for the industry, the Build and Grow Academy is set to be the go-to place for business owners to get the skills and knowledge to transform their business and get ahead of their…
SELECT, Scotland’s largest construction trade association, has once again joined forces with more than 40 contractor and trade association members in writing to the UK Government demanding the withdrawal of proposed Reverse Charge VAT legislation. It is the second time the influential trade bodies have felt the need to press the case for a rethink…
What a year 2020 was, no one was ready for the unprecedented times that we encountered. However, our commitment to raising electrical standards and promoting technical excellence did not stop, and the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) continued to consider various ways to improve Electrical Safety in the Home, in the Workplace and in the Social…
2020 saw a sharp contraction in the electronic security market size, though the focus on replacement sales has to some extent sheltered the market from the even steeper fall in new construction output. Covid-19 has even created a surge of interest in pandemic-related products such as thermal imaging to measure body temperature and analytics to…
