Kier Highways’ gritters hit the road thanks to A1 Training A 20-year partnership between one of the country’s largest highways service providers and a leading Birmingham driver training company has been expanded as part of an ongoing strategy to keep the UK’s roads safe over the winter months. Kier Highways has relied on A1 Training to …

Driver training tips to reduce liability costs and protect your fleet Road traffic accidents occur every day and account for more than 1.2 million deaths annually. Many of these accidents are avoidable and you can help to protect your fleet with the right preventive measures in place. In fleets, these measures span across different areas …

JCB Design Engineer wins Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year award A JCB Design Engineer is the toast of the UK today after winning a national apprentice award. Louise Meredith, 21, scooped the title of Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year at the finals of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Awards in London …

Rio Tinto and EdTech sector to invest in developing the skills of young Australians Rio Tinto will work with leaders in Australia’s education and innovation sectors in a new, disruptive approach designed to tackle a looming skills gap in the nation’s future workforce. The company will invest A$10 million in a four-year national programme, targeted …

Rio Tinto partnership receives accreditation for Australian-first qualification in Remote Operation Current and future workers in the resources industry will be able to gain formal qualifications in remote operations for the first time following a partnership between Rio Tinto, the Western Australian Government and South Metropolitan TAFE. A Certificate IV in Autonomous Control and Remote …

Steady recovery in the construction industry hampered by a shortage of skilled workers In the US, a steady recovery from the recession continues, and more than half the states are now offering an increased number of jobs in construction. Unfortunately, as a consequence of the recession, there is still a shortage of skilled workers, which …

Network Rail offering epic career choice with Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeships Network Rail are recruiting for the next batch of future rail leaders through the Engineering Apprenticeships scheme. Applications are now open for a March 2020 start and will close when all places have been filled. Engineering Apprenticeships at Network rail are designed to provide fantastic …

NEBOSH launches Safety Simplified to shake up workplace safety training NEBOSH, one of the world’s leading providers of health and safety qualifications, has launched Safety Simplified, a brand new approach to health and safety training. The three-day, practical course, which innovatively uses augmented reality to bring safety learning to life, has been introduced to drive …

JCB helps London skills company deliver Electric Digger training The company has provided a JCB 19C-1E electric digger – the world’s first electric mini excavator to go into full production – to the Southwark Construction Skills Centre (SCSC), based on the South London Elephant Park development. The link-up means the training school is the first …

NEBOSH unveils updated new-look General Certificate The most trusted health and safety qualifications in the world – the NEBOSH National and International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety – have been updated with the input of 3,000 of the sectors leading experts and organisations. Listening to what businesses needed their managers to know and …

Association for Project Management supporting Highways England for a golden future Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, has today announced that it is working with the major projects profession team at Highways England to introduce a scheme for developing its talented project professionals that – once completed – will …

Highways England is building bridges with the next generation of repair teams Repair teams at M5 Oldbury swapped scaffolding and concrete repairs for the classroom in a series of special visits to help train the next generation of construction workers in building bridges. M5 Oldbury Viaduct have worked with the Education Business Partnership, through the …

Eurovia UK introduces training programme for graduates and student placement drivers As part of its ongoing commitment to road risk management, Eurovia UK began a review of the experiences of young graduates and student placement drivers who had joined the company in 2018. Recognising that many of this intake had not driven commercial vehicles before, …

VolvoCE Masters Competition is the toughest challenge for Construction Technicians Over the course of three years and many challenges of nerve and knowledge, more than 3,200 technicians from across the globe are whittled down to a team of just three victors. As a test of grit, stamina and teamwork, there is nothing else that compares …

Highways England holding biggest ever emergency exercise on the M62 this weekend One of the biggest ever motorway emergency exercise will take place on the M62 this weekend to help improve responses to major road incidents. Around 100 workers from Greater Manchester and Cheshire’s emergency services will work with Highways England’s traffic officers through the …

NAPA’s latest Practical Guide looks at Procurement and Sustainability The third instalment in the Sustainable Asphalt Pavements: A Practical Guide series, “Procuring and Evaluating Sustainability,” is now available. The 14-page book outlines how public projects are starting to incorporate and reward sustainable construction practices. The book will be formally released this Friday, August 9, during …

Institute of Quarrying honours high-achieving student Geologists Ten high-achieving students studying Geology at universities across the UK have been recognised for their continuous hard work and announced as an Institute of Quarrying (IQ) National Student Award winner. The second-year geologists of the future were nominated by their respective universities for continuous hard work and passion towards …

Competency Management solution launches for the Australian Rail Industry Reference Point, the UK’s leading competency management technology company has announced that the new Rail Industry Worker Program’s (RIW) solution for the Australian Rail Industry has officially launched. The RIW Program provides a single system for Australian rail workers, designed to establish a cohesive, national approach …

PLANTWORX Primary Engineer STEM event an inspirational success On the final day of Plantworx Construction Exhibition, (13th June East of England Arena, Peterborough), nine Primary schools from the local Peterborough area took part in the Primary Engineer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) challenge – hosted by Plantworx and supported by the CEA (Construction Equipment …

John Deere launches US Apprenticeship Program to address service technician shortage John Deere has received approval from the U.S. Department of Labor for its new Registered Apprenticeship Program and is making it available to its Agriculture & Turf and Construction & Forestry dealers. The program will help address a widespread shortage of service technician people, …

John Deere Construction and Forestry build new training facility in Illinois John Deere recently completed the construction of a 7,500 square foot facility in Coal Valley, Illinois to better meet internal training demands of their John Deere Construction and Forestry divisions, along with supporting customer visits and events. The building is part of the Construction …

Osborne to rollout Mabey Hire’s STEM Education Programme Mabey Hire secures further industry support for its STEM Education Programme, which launched earlier this year Mabey Hire is delighted to announce that leading construction and solutions provider Osborne has rolled out The Mabey STEM Education Programme in a secondary school in Southampton. The immersive 16-week course …

IQ Leadership Webinar 27 June – Understanding Coaching and mentoring skills Understanding the importance of coaching and mentoring to enhance employees’ skills is the focus of this month’s ‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar from the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) Academy. Julian Smallshaw is Head of Education and Standards at IQ and presents the online webinar on …

Technology training for construction contractors addresses the need for sharp workers The scene: A busy mid-size construction contractors office where owner-operator Bill plops into his desk chair while thinking that he and his incredible crew need relief…need help. “I’m gonna close my eyes for a minute,” he promises, and dozes into a familiar dream where …

Plantworx Construction Exhibition throws open the gates to keen students Pupils, students, and graduates are invited to attend Plantworx on the last day of the event (Thursday 13 June). Parents, grandparents, and guardians are also welcome to bring their children along to experience a working construction show first-hand. There is no minimum age limit on …

PLANTWORX featuring the Get SET (Skills, Employment and Training) Zone New for Plantworx 2019 (11-13 June East of England Arena Peterborough) is the Get SET Zone, located in the indoor arena, which is designed to help visitors and exhibitors explore job openings, training courses, apprenticeships, and get support and advice about skills education, employment and …

Brokk expands demolition machine business with new demo and Service Centre Brokk, the world’s leading manufacturer of the remote-controlled demolition machine, has opened the doors to its new Demonstration and Service Centre in St. Joseph, Missouri, expanding its North American coverage and bringing the number of Brokk locations to three. Randy Glidewell and Mike Brott …

Four ways operator training can lower total cost of ownership Operators have a huge influence on total cost of ownership (TCO). Customers who invest in their people will reap enormous financial rewards in the long term as they help them to bring out the best in their machines. Here are the four main ways operator …

Institute of Quarrying webinar focuses on Team Performance Improving team performance and supporting self-motivation at work will be the focus of this month’s Lunch and Learn webinar delivered by the Institute of Quarrying (IQ). Taking place on Thursday 30th May from 12:30 – 13:00, the webinar will be delivered by University of Derby senior lecturer, …

New Motorway Services in Leeds explores world of work with primary children Primary School students from East Leeds have benefitted from a skills initiative delivered by the team behind a nearby £60m major project to build a new Motorway Services Area (MSA) on the M1. Project Developers of Leeds Skelton Lake Services, Extra MSA Group, …

SMIE Crane Simulator wowed audiences at Bauma SMIE is yet again innovating in the world of crane productivity and safety. As those attending Bauma this year will have seen, the booth is full of new technologies and products. What can’t be missed is the five screen simulator, which is drawing wide acclaim. Simulators are not …

GSSI launches Ground Penetrating Radar video training series Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc (GSSI) a world leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment has, launched a new video series as part of their GPR training academy. The video series features short and informative videos focusing on individual product lines to help users through frequently asked …

Next IQ Webinar to focuses on ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety The new standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, is the focus of this month’s ‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar from the Institute of Quarrying (IQ). Wayne Darwin MIQ, a health, safety and environment expert at …

Annual salary survey reveals Project Management is a positive and weather-proof career choice The findings of the latest annual ‘Salary and Market Trends Survey’ from the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered professional body for the project profession, suggests that the future of project management is bright – with nearly eight out of ten …

FMB survey finds we would rather our children did an apprenticeship than a degree More parents in the UK want to see their child undertake an apprenticeship than a university degree, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders. To mark National Apprenticeship Week in England and Wales, which ran from 4th to …

Institute of Quarrying UK Study Tour to focus on the North West This year’s Institute of Quarrying (IQ) study tour for students from the University of Derby’s Centre for Mineral Products runs from 18-22 March 2019 and takes in a number of different mineral extraction and processing sites located across the North West of England. …

The Screwfix Trade Apprentice Competition 2019 is now open for entries! The wait is over! This year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition opened for entries on Monday 4th March. Every year, Screwfix searches for the best up-and-coming trade talent. Are you an apprentice who thinks you have what it takes to stand out from the crowd? …

McCann continues investing in the next generation of civil and electrical engineering talent Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm McCann is continuing to invest in the next generation of industry experts after recruiting electrical apprentice Silas Reasbeck as part of its growing UK-wide team. Silas recently joined McCann as a Trainee Electrical Installation Engineer, operating …

Get your career on track with the Network Rail apprenticeship scheme This National Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March), Network Rail Wales and Borders is calling for people to join its award-winning apprenticeship scheme, as it embarks on its £2bn five-year funding plan to improve journeys for passengers. Bill Kelly, route managing director for Network Rail in …

Move over Lord Sugar, Network Rail is looking for engine-eous apprentices Are you excited about engineering, passionate about learning and want to work as part of a team to transform Britain’s rail network? If so, an apprenticeship at Network Rail Anglia could be for you. As part of National Apprenticeship Week (running 4-8 March), Network …

MPQC are revolutionising Apprenticeships in Extractives MPQC are not only apprenticeship experts in the Mineral Extractives industry but the organisation also uses apprenticeships itself to recruit new talent. We hear from the two latest MPQC Apprenticeship graduates on why they took this route into a career. MPQC have apprenticeships at its core with each department …

Clearview will be installing knowledge with free CPD training courses Roadside engineers tasked with installing wireless vehicle detection can now benefit from free CPD-accredited training. Clearview Intelligence is offering the new half-day courses on selected dates in March and May at its headquarters in Milton Keynes. The course, delivered by Clearview’s Product Specialist Alastair King …

Excavator licenses! Do machine operators need training? Yes, not only does driver training make sense, it is also required by law. Although different rules apply across Europe, it is good practice for all employers to ensure their machine drivers are trained. A good option for doing this is the earth-moving machinery or crane operator’s license …

The case for machine operator training to achieve improved productivity and accountability Building landfills have become more complex and technologically sophisticated. Gone are the days when a smart owner could manage a site by pushing dirt over collected refuse. Back then, measurements were close approximations and quality was achieved through the skills and experience of …

Minerals Matter brings the latest VR technology to Wainwright & Co’s Outreach Programme When HR Director at John Wainwright & Co, Lisa Saunders realised that her company’s outreach to young people needed a boost, Minerals Matter, an initiative tasked with encouraging people into the sector, knew just who, and what, to send. MP Futures’ Dr …

IQ Webinar focuses on workforce engagement Bringing a fresh perspective on workforce engagement to this month’s Institute of Quarrying (IQ) Academy ‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar is Viv Russell, Managing Director of Longcliffe Group Limited, the UK’s leading independent supplier of pure limestone powder, granules and aggregates. The webinar will take place on Thursday 28 February …

New research shows Construction Industry failing to attract young people Less than one in ten young people would consider a career in construction, even though more than half are interested in subjects that qualify them for the industry, new research by L&Q has revealed. L&Q, one of the UK’s largest housing associations and developers, surveyed …

Operam launch Online Learning to support adoption of new ISO 19650 Standards In December 2018, ISO published two international standards, the first to be published within the new ISO 19650 series, which defines the business processes for the effective management of asset-related information during the delivery and operational phase of built assets. Based upon the …

Fast growing Bristol business on the lookout for more apprentices The ETM Group / ETM Recycling, a Bristol highways maintenance and recycling company, is on the lookout for more apprentices as it looks to continue its rapid rise in the South West, which will include a new £4million recycling plant opening in April. Since Britain …

Liebherr explores e-learning to train mobile crane operators Liebherr will present a new product for digital mobile crane operator training in 2019 at its Bauma exhibition stand. It is a joint product from e-learning production company Krassmann Produktion GmbH, lawyer Dr. Rudolf Saller and Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH. The new tool was unveiled for the first …

Heathrow launches shared Apprenticeship Scheme to create a strong skills base Commitments welcomed by the Chair of the Heathrow Skills Taskforce Lord Blunkett, Baroness Sugg, trade union representatives and local students at launch event Heathrow has launched Britain’s first airport-owned shared Apprenticeship Scheme in construction that will help build a stronger base of UK skills …

Students in Architecture, Building and Planning have Fallen 19% in the last decade According to the report Patterns and Trends in UK Higher Education (Universities UK), in 2016-17 there were 1,012,425 entrants to higher education institutions in the UK; 56,400 fewer than in 2007-08. This total does however fluctuate over the period across different types …

IQ Academy’s Lunch and Learn Webinar focuses on Health and Safety The 2019 series of Institute of Quarrying  – IQ Academy ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinars commence this month focusing on health and safety in the workplace. Taking place on Thursday 31 January 2019, from 12:30-13:00, the webinar will be presented by Colin Nottage of Influential …

Ritchie Bros webinar on Asset Solutions will help you manage your fleet with data analytics Launched in 2018, RB Asset Solutions is an end-to-end asset management and disposition system Ritchie Bros. has been an industry leader for more than 60 years, and its latest solution for the market, RB Asset Solutions, is designed to make …

Clipper Logistics tackles labour shortages and diversity with a Fresh Start Campaign Two ongoing talking points within the logistics industry as a whole are labour shortage and diversity; how the industry will combat any labour issues as a result of Brexit and how to diversify a traditional industry. National logistics specialist, Clipper Logistics has found …

First Cohort complete Institute of Quarrying Level 3 SHE Certificate Six employees at Salop Sand & Gravel Supply Co. Ltd are celebrating becoming the first cohort of delegates to complete the Level 3 SHE certificate run by the Institute of Quarrying (IQ). Sam Howells, Russell Collier, Nigel Baugh, Matthew Mclean, Glen Parke and Andrew Hart …

McCann invests in future success with the next wave of industry experts Investment in the next generation of civil and electrical engineering specialists is vital for Nottingham-based McCann in order for the company to remain at the forefront of the industry. The business has recently placed significant investment in two of its youngest employees, after …

IQ Webinar brings a market perspective to the Aggregates Industry Andy Sales of BDS Marketing Research joins the IQ Academy Lunch and Learn IQ Webinar session later this week, which concludes their 2018 webinar series. The webinar will be 12:30 – 13:00 GMT on 20th December 2018. The aggregates industry plays a pivotal and fundamental …

New Holland launches technical training programme in Ethiopia New Holland has launched a new course to train technicians for agricultural equipment and engines in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The course is part of the TechPro2 vocational programme launched by CNH Industrial with the aim to involve local communities in advanced training specifically tailored for young people …

IQ Academy Webinar – The Aggregates Industry, A Market Perspective – 20 Dec The final 2018 Institute of Quarrying (IQ) Academy ‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar aims to provide a market-based view of the aggregate industry. Hosted by Andy Sales, director of specialist market research consultancy BDS Marketing Research, the webinar takes place on Thursday 20th …

McCann boosts investment in their Electrical Training organisation to meet industry demand Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm McCann has committed significant additional investment in its approved training organisation, after an increase in demand for its range of industry-wide courses. McCann has received requests for further training to be added to its portfolio from a …

Tarmac and SkillForce partner to help students into professional employment Tarmac, the UK’s leading construction solutions business has launched a ground-breaking educational programme with SkillForce to help students prepare for the world of work, becoming the first company to partner with the pioneering national educational charity. The jointly designed, bespoke one-year programme will support students …

IQ webinar by British Geological Survey focuses on the Digital Revolution An industrial minerals specialist from the world-leading British Geological Survey will present this month’s ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar from IQ Academy. Expert geologist, Clive Mitchell is the Communications Team Leader at the British Geological Survey. He will present the 30-minute webinar on Thursday 29th November …

UK recognition for MVIS Apprenticeship Scheme An apprenticeship programme “above and beyond expectation” has earned intelligent transport system (ITS) solution provider, Mobile Visual Information Systems (MVIS), a place on the shortlist for a national apprenticeship award. The Derbyshire firm has been running its apprenticeship scheme for five years, and has been shortlisted by national provider …

Highways England goes back to school to inspire engineers of the future Highways England is building bridges to inspire the next generation of engineers through a variety of educational activities across the South West. Ongoing and planned engagement with schools and colleges in Wiltshire, Somerset and Cornwall is helping to highlight numerous engineering opportunities within …

Plantworx Simulation Zone to feature high-tech training Simulation technology as a training tool is a proven concept in various professional fields – for example F1 drivers, pilots and astronauts have already benefited from simulation-based training for many years. It’s only recently that immersive technology has seen rapid growth within the construction sector. Advanced simulator development for …

Institute of Quarrying Student Awards presented at the Tower of London Winners of the 2018 Institute of Quarrying (IQ) Student Awards were presented with their awards at this year’s Fellows Lunch against the impressive backdrop of the Tower of London. The eight students from the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products received their awards …

MP Futures develop Product Sampling and Testing Operator specific apprenticeships MP Futures is proud to announce the new Mineral and Construction Product Sampling and Testing Operator Apprenticeship in England, a versatile apprenticeship for sampling and testing the range of high-quality products produced in the mineral products sector, with a £9,000 funding band this apprenticeship provides …

RSTA technical course outlines how to Surface Dress a Road A two-day courses providing detailed technical introduction to the theory and practice of surface dressing will be held by the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) on 29-30th November 2018 at the Ridgeway Centre, Milton Keynes and on 4-5th December 2018 at the South Gloucestershire CC …

RSTA offers technical introduction course on Slurry Surfacing A one day course providing a detailed technical introduction to the theory and practice of slurry surfacing is to be held by the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) on 20th November 2018 at Grantham. Slurry seal surfacing is a thin bituminous surface course incorporating bitumen emulsion, graded …

Rise in women enrolling on professional UAV Drone pilot courses More women are reaching for the stars in 2018 than ever before as the UK’s leading drone pilot training experts reveal a dramatic increase in women enrolling on its courses. RUSTA, which offers Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved National Qualified Entity (NQE) training courses covering …

Balfour Beatty sets out recommendations to evolve the Apprenticeship Levy Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that Government is set to reform the Apprenticeship Levy, Balfour Beatty today publishes its latest paper “Building the future: Reshaping the Apprenticeship Levy”. With a looming skills shortage, coupled with a growing pipeline of critical infrastructure projects, it is vital …

Wellbeing at work highlighted in webinar from IQ Academy The importance of wellbeing at work and its relationship to safety, leadership and engagement will be the focus of this month’s ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar from IQ Academy. Dr Carolyn Yeoman, Operations Director of OCAID Wellbeing, will present the 30-minute ‘Creating Wellbeing’ webinar from 12.30-13.00 on …

Britpave offers new Concrete Road Pavements Course A new course ‘Concrete Road Pavements: a technical introduction’ is to be held by Britpave, the British Cementitious Paving Association on Wednesday 26th September 2018 at the Holiday Inn Rugby-Northampton, M1 Junction 18. The half-day course will provide a practical and technical introduction to the design, specification and …

Weighing in to support the industry with apprenticeships MP Skills are proud to launch the new Weighbridge Operator apprenticeship, a versatile apprenticeship which is applicable to all levels of business and which is delivered through high quality training and assessment. The apprenticeship has a funding cap of £6,000. Often a traditional entry route to starting …

How Artificial Intelligence can impact your Civil Engineering career Artificial intelligence has made an impact in almost every industrial sector, and civil engineering is now joining the bandwagon as well. According to a report by McKinsey, the civil construction sector has a net worth of more than $10 trillion a year, and while it has …

Volvo Construction Equipment Road Institute 2018/2019 courses announced Registration is now open for Volvo’s 2018-2019 Road Institute, the paving industry’s premier training program. Offering a mix of classroom and hands-on training on a variety of operations and maintenance topics, sessions start in late October 2018 and continue through May 2019. “We encourage people to register …

BAM Nuttall delivers UK training for Sierra Leone Water Rehabilitation Project Leading construction and engineering company BAM Nuttall has brought seven local operatives, from its Freetown Water Rehabilitation project in Sierra Leone, to the CITB’s National Construction College (NCC) to complete excavator and lifting operations training. With the project being undertaken on behalf of the …

Quarrying Industry First for University of Derby Minerals Course A student at the University of Derby’s Centre for Mineral Products has become the first person in the mineral extractives and quarrying industry to achieve a first class honours degree on a course developed in partnership with the Institute of Quarrying (IQ). Robin Gillespie is Hanson …

IQ Academy Webinar: Explore the Basis of Plant Design with Nick Peatling, NIRAC The popular IQ Academy ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar series returns this month with engineering professional, Nick Peatling, Director of NIRAC Design Engineering, sharing his in-depth knowledge of quarry plant design, plant installation and materials handling. ‘The Basis of Plant Design with Nick …

Construction Equipment Association promotes Engineering Apprenticeship Standards Apprenticeships continue to rise in the consciousness of the nation and are widely regarded as crucial to redressing the engineering skills gap. For many young people they are a great way into work and offer a fantastic career without the worry of a student loan and debt. More …

From the military to the M1 motorway Nick Robinson, a former Artificer Telecommunications Engineer with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) (including a spell with the US Army as part of his three decades in the armed forces) and spent much of his working life travelling the world fixing telecommunications in the field is …

NM Group launches ex-offender construction training initiative In a new initiative to address the industry’s skills gap, national construction and engineering firm NM Group (North Midland Construction Plc) has launched a training programme for ex-offenders. Providing the skills and opportunities needed for people to turn their lives around, NM Group has helped develop a training …

Next IQ Academy Webinar is on how to inspire the next generation in Mineral Extractives Future-proofing the mineral extractives industry’s workforce is an imperative that is being addressed as a priority. It will form the hot topic of discussion at this month’s IQ Academy ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar. Taking place from 12.30-13.00 on Thursday 21 …

Aquajet Systems introduces specialized Training Academy to North America Aquajet Systems AB, a global leader in hydrodemolition machine manufacturing, provides North American operators advanced training through its new Aquajet Academy. The Academy’s Six Steps of Education training program includes six courses which cover all aspects of hydrodemolition, from streamlining work to cutting-edge techniques, allowing operators …

Institute of Quarrying Academy webinar focuses on Landscape and Restoration With 500 attendees to date, the fifth in the Institute of Quarrying’s IQ Academy series of popular 30 minute ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinars shines the spotlight on landscape and restoration considerations for mineral operators. Taking place from 12.30-13.00 on Thursday 31 May 2018, ‘Landscape and Restoration’ …

Highways England offers specialist motorway training for commercial drivers Hauliers up and down the country are being urged to get ‘smart’ with Highways England’s specialist motorway training. In a pioneering move, the government company responsible for the country’s motorways and major A roads has joined forces with the Freight Transport Association (FTA) to offer bespoke …

Highways England student challenge turns into Wacky Races A team of Highways England staff is supporting the Brimsham Green School students as part of a programme focused on turning the students’ fundraising ideas into a reality while completing personal challenges to develop their confidence, teamwork and resilience. The students challenged staff to select a theme …

UK HSE urges employers to avoid off-the-shelf manual handling training Off-the-shelf manual handling training should become a thing of the past, according to new advice released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). New musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) advice has been issued by HSE to help employers to decide what type of help they need to …

Highways England encourages young people into engineering Highways England is giving young people a fun taste of engineering as it builds on its ambition to recruit road builders of the future. The company is using its presence at the Big Bang Fair 2018 to encourage young people to take up three challenges to test their …

Is your Construction Site safe for older workers? It’s widely recognised that older workers are crucial to curbing the construction industry skills gap, as reported by CIOB, but an ageing workforce can add pressure in other areas – such as health and safety on the Construction Site. This highlights key issues for employers who need …

See behind Highways England’s roadwork projects with Open Doors Do you ever wonder what it’s like to work on the biggest road building sites or are you considering a career in construction? Highways England is taking part in Open Doors and giving members of the public a unique chance to go behind the scenes of five …

New opportunities to join Network Rail apprenticeship scheme across Wales and Borders Network Rail is seeking to recruit seven engineers of the future from Wales and Borders to join its hugely successful apprentice scheme from September this year. Places are available in Hereford, Llandrindod and Machynlleth for the three-year Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme, which is …

NM Group builds on apprenticeship success with half million pound investment National construction and engineering firm NM Group (North Midland Construction Plc) is set to invest £500,000 in training and development over the next 12 months – building on the success of its apprenticeship programme. The company has a long-standing heritage with British apprenticeships. It …

Ringway Hounslow Highways helps local school pupils develop the skills to succeed Ringway Hounslow Highways has given local school students a taste of the workplace by teaming up with an award-winning social enterprise that aims to give pupils the skills and aspiration to succeed. Staff at the highways service provider have worked with Enabling Enterprise …

Tarmac kicks off National Apprenticeship Week with 2018 apprenticeship campaign At the start of National Apprenticeship Week, Tarmac is set to offer 100 new apprenticeships as part of its 2018 programme. The pledge is part of a major corporate commitment to helping UK construction develop a talented, diverse and highly-skilled workforce. The company will recruit …

Balfour Beatty engages with over 22,000 students through Scape framework Balfour Beatty is continuing its efforts to bridge the industry’s skills shortage through its collaboration with Scape Group, the public sector owned built environment specialist. Over the last three years, through the Scape National Civil Engineering and Infrastructure framework, Balfour Beatty has engaged with over …

IQ Academy webinar focuses on Mineral Planning Threats Planning issues concerning the safeguarding of surface and underground mineral resources will be explored in the second in a series of 30 minute ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinars from IQ Academy. Running from 12.30-13.00 on 22nd February 2018, ‘Mineral Planning – Current Threats’ is presented by Spencer Warren, …

CEA renews partnership with Primary Engineer to educate future Engineers The CEA (Construction Equipment Association) has for a second year teamed up with educational organisation Primary Engineer to work with primary and secondary schools in the Leicestershire area. The catchment area has been widened this year to include schools in Coventry – the schools will …

Learn to grow your business at the World of Asphalt and AGG1 Academy Aggregates and asphalt industry professionals can take advantage of more than 120 learning opportunities at the 2018 World of Asphalt and AGG1 Academy & Expo to explore industry trends, technologies, solutions and best practices. The co-located AGG1 Academy & Expo and World …

Tarmac partners with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards to develop youth skills Tarmac has launched a new partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh Awards (DofE), the UK’s leading youth charity, to enable more young people to better their life prospects and achieve their DofE Award. The new charity partnership will see under-23s from across Tarmac’s …

Balfour Beatty is driving Britain’s highways skills agenda forward Following on from discussing the challenges and solutions in building a sustainable skills base in the nuclear sector, Balfour Beatty today presents fourteen key points in tackling the highways skills shortage in the Highways sector in its latest Public Policy paper, “The Road to Growth: Skills …

Energising the nuclear workforce of the future Today, Balfour Beatty launches the latest of its Public Policy papers, Building Nuclear Skills : A workforce for the future, focusing on the challenges in building the civil nuclear skills base and presenting solutions for both Government and Contractor alike. The UK Government has committed to the biggest …

MGS Training School gears up with State of the Art VolvoCE Equipment MGS Training Ltd, with its headquarters located at Bargeddie in Glasgow and its 40-acre training centre at Heartlands just off the M80 between Glasgow and Edinburgh, has invested in three new pieces of Volvo Construction Equipment for its twenty year-old, CPCS accredited training …

Life-saving training for Highways England Traffic Officers More than 950 Highways England Traffic Officers are being trained in life saving first aid, giving them enhanced skills which may be used to help casualties in need of urgent medical attention. The traffic officers, who patrol England’s motorways and major A-roads 24 hours a day, are often …

Taking control of the Future brings success Training and access to resources are key The construction industry is dynamic — ever changing and evolving through technology. The way contractors work today is clearly much different than 50 years ago — or 20 years — or even five years ago. The big difference is due to …

McCann commits to ‘Earn and Learn’ by joining The 5% Club Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm McCann has showcased its commitment to developing future talent by joining The 5% Club, an UK industry led initiative focussed on driving momentum into the recruitment of apprentices, graduates and sponsored students. The 5% Club, initiated by Leo …

RSTA seminar explains how asset management is an opportunity, rather than a threat The UK Department for Transport’s funding allocation requirements now call for local highway authorities to have a fully developed and implemented asset management plan. The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) will hold a seminar explaining how asset management is actually an opportunity, …

Starting Out Safely program leading the way in children’s road safety in Australia Victoria, Australia, is leading the way in road safety with more than 75,000 children benefiting from an Australian-first “Starting Out Safely”, road safety education program delivered through early learning centres. The Andrews Labour Government has invested $1.51 million over three years to …

Balfour Beatty research supports the need for increased skills and technology Balfour Beatty revealed the results of recent research into the views of its UK supply chain partners in the company’s latest paper – “Chain Reactions: A View from Balfour Beatty’s Key Suppliers”. Speaking at the Company’s first annual supply chain partner event in London …

Inspiring the next generation through formwork and construction Doka to promote its #ShapeOurWorld campaign, including full sponsorship of this year’s Concrete Construction Competition, at the 44th WorldSkills Competition, hosted in Abu Dhabi in October 2017. As a long-standing name in the formwork sector, Doka will once again be supporting the Concrete Construction Work competition at …

Pessimistic construction workers think Brexit will hit infrastructure projects A new study suggests that more than 80% of construction workers believe Brexit will damage the UK’s industry and prevent high-profile government infrastructure projects from being delivered. Researchers at Birmingham City University have been examining the views of people working in the sector to see how …

Volvo keeps their staff on their toes – helping construction with exercise Working in the construction industry can be tough, strenuous and at times, stressful. It’s a manual industry where injury and ill health are not uncommon, which is why Volvo CE promotes exercise at work, good health and well-being among all its employees. Last …

Construction INNOVATION FACTORY to be launched in Scotland with industry event Construction Scotland Innovation Centre’s pioneering Innovation Factory will be officially launched at an industry event on Monday 11 September 2017 with keynote speakers include Crossrail Chief Executive, Andrew Wolstenholme OBE and Urban Splash Development Director, Chris Shaw. The £3m centre, located at Hamilton International …

Volvo CE fuels workforce development in North America From donating equipment to Pennsylvania College of Technology to participating in national skills competitions in North America, Volvo CE is helping students start a career in the construction industry. Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is continuing its support for the construction industry and helping to address the …

Insufficient careers advice in the UK puts £90bn GDP at risk Almost three quarters (74%) of parents feel that careers advice in schools is too focused on academia. Over half (57%) say tuition fees put them off encouraging their child to go to university. Lack of knowledge of the many different entry points to the …

JCB £7.5m Young Talent Investment creates almost 170 jobs JCB today announced the recruitment of almost 170 apprentices and graduates as the company steps up investment in its Young Talent programme to record levels. This year, the Staffordshire-based company is ploughing £7.5 million into recruiting young people into the business to help meet future growth …

Highways England supports training exercise in Birmingham Highways England joined together with the emergency services including West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance service for a special training exercise in Birmingham. The event took place on Friday night on a closed section of the A38(M) in Birmingham for a ‘real-time’ incident involving a HGV, …

Taking articulated dump truck safety levels to zero Leading contractor Chepstow Plant International, like many contractors, takes health and safety very seriously. They have increased their focus on Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) safety and operator training to ensure that their quarry operatives are maintaining the best possible levels of safe working practice on site. Their …

School Ecology Workshops boost engagement for developers The Ecology Consultancy, a leading UK based ecological consultancy, have recently launched an initiative of School Ecology Workshops to assist the construction industry in engaging with local communities and aiding them in their corporate social responsibility activities. The programme of ecology based educational workshops are offered to schools …

Volvo CE announces 2017-2018 Road Institute® courses Entering its 52nd season, the paving industry’s premier training program offers a mix of classroom and hands-on training on a variety of operations and maintenance topics benefiting newcomers and industry veterans alike. Road Institute will offer training sessions, ranging from two to five days, beginning in late October …

Max Fordham Environmental Design Prize awarded to stunning Viking Longhouse project ‘Light and Dark in the Land of Fire and Ice’ The winner of this year’s Max Fordham Environmental Design Prize has reimagined a traditional Viking long-house as a contemporary town hall and performance space. Amani Radeef’s fifth-year Masters of Architecture project for UCL Bartlett …

JCB’s Louise crowned Apprentice of the Year Teenager Louise Meredith is the toast of JCB after she was named Young Employee / Apprentice of the Year at a regional business awards. Higher Apprentice Louise, 19, who works at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester scooped the title at the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Business Awards held …

First of its kind Machine Simulator Training at Hinkley Point C UK Plant Operators LTD have teamed up with Leica Geosystems and Kier Bam to test run a state of the art simulator based familiarisation course for Leica machine control and guidance at one of the largest construction projects in the UK. Hinkley Point C …

University Minerals Students study processing at Haver & Boecker Continuing to build on a successful relationship, Haver & Boecker recently hosted University of Toronto’s minerals students. The manufacturer, a leading provider of aggregates and mining processing systems, gave 22 students a first hand look at the industry. Haver & Boecker engineers presented on various aspects …

Guide dogs learn to cross the road with a little help from AGD Systems Guide dogs in training at Guide Dogs Cymru, Cardiff, are finding it a little easier to get to grips with pelican crossings, thanks to a donation from AGD Systems – the people who make the familiar ‘boxes’ that we press for …

The new Construction Simulator Deluxe edition for PC and Mac is out now! Astragon Entertainment and the weltenbauer developer team are going all out to delight construction simulation fans with the release of the Construction Simulator Deluxe Edition as well as the Construction Simulator 2015: Liebherr A 918 DLC. Simulation fans who do not yet …

8 Free Geographic Information System (GIS) Readers The construction industry has been using Geographic information Systems for many years and in many countries is mandatory on Government projects. GIS are basically data about a project’s location, combined with and including features such as buildings, roads, railways, population density, height and flooding data. Geographic Information can …

Mabey achieves BIM Level 2 Certification for Design and Construction Leading bridge and engineering services specialist Mabey today announces that its UK Hire business has achieved BIM Level 2 certification for Design and Construction. This certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI) is earned by companies which embrace new digital technologies to constantly refine ways …

JCB Apprentices ecstatic at reaching finals for Apprentice Team of the Year A group of young JCB employees are jumping for joy after securing a place in the national finals of a competition to find the apprentice team of the year. The contest – called the Brathay Apprentice Challenge – set 75 teams across the …

Delft Road Safety Course in Ghana highlights the challenges to improving road safety in Africa By Samuel Obeng Asiamah, Course Co-ordinator Delft Road Safety Courses are a joint initiative of the Delft University of Technology, the Foundation of Postgraduate Education at Delft University, SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research and Road Safety for All. These Dutch based …

Road Safety Courses at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands 11 to 22 September 2017 Delft Road Safety Courses is a co-operation between the Delft University of Technology, SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research, Delft Post Graduate Education and Road Safety for All. The objective of the Delft Road Safety Courses are designed to create road …

Virtual Reality is revolutionising Construction Operator Training Finding and keeping trained, skilled heavy equipment operators is one of the greatest challenges facing the construction industry. With tight schedules and increased project risk there is less and less room for human error and poor performance at crucial phases like site preparation. Immersive Technologies, the global leader …

John Deere delivers revolutionary hi-tech simulator operator training John Deere has a long history of manufacturing high quality machinery, with 175 years of experience starting as a blacksmith making simple farming tools to a hi-tech machinery manufacturer delivering innovative engineering solutions. Renowned for their farming equipment, John Deere’s heritage also includes heavy construction machinery, which …