Read the October-November 2024 edition of Master Builder magazine.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024 £4.25
THE MAGAZINE OF THE FEDERATION OF MASTER BUILDERS
MODERN HISTORY Quality materials and plenty of room to move make retrofitting heritage homes satisfying work
WHAT’S UP AT WESTMINSTER Assessing the new government’s performance
PICTURE-PERFECT PROJECTS Entries for the 2025 Master Builder Awards open soon
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Contents OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024 Industry update
Features
23 End of a long shift
Alan Shand retires after 50 years at Scottish FMB member Allan Robertson and Son
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24 Know your heritage
Carrying out energy efficiency upgrades in traditional homes is satisfying work
7 Welcome Members continue to deliver quality projects amidst political change 8 News The latest headlines from the industry 14 Viewpoint Issues affecting the sector 15 Word at Westminster Assessing the government’s performance
2
28 Be an empowered employer
CITB’s Employer Networks simplify the process of funding staff training
31 In it to win it
Nominations for the 2025 Master Builder Awards open this autumn with new categories for members to enter
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Your FMB
Spotlight
34 Making the news with BBC and Sky The FMB’s Chief Executive and National President make members’ voices heard 37 Peace of mind All about the FMB Building Work Guarantee 38 Brush up on the BSA Learn more about the Building Safety Act 39 Keen on green Scotland Director Gordon Nelson reports back from the Green Home Festival 40 Member update Welcome to new members that have joined the FMB 43 Member news
16 Built for living
Mack Construction transforms an unremarkable house into a family home
17 Smart about skills
Members tell the government what it should do to solve the skills issue
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Business support
19 New features released
The FMB’s new member app has been updated with powerful features
20 The cost of imprecision
An update from members in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
The consequences of members not abiding by the FMB Code of Conduct
49 Five in five
21 H&S round-up
Rapid-fire Q&A with two members
Keeping you and your team safe on site
Advertising Advertising enquiries
Editorial Editor Bradford Keen bradford.keen@redactive.co.uk Head of Communications Helen Wardley Designer David McCullough Picture editor Jessica Marsh Publishing director Joanna Marsh Production Production manager Aysha Miah-Edwards +44 (0)20 7880 6241 aysha.miah@redactive.co.uk
Master Builder has been carefully prepared but articles are published without responsibility on the part of the publishers or authors for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any view, information or advice included therin. Articles published in Master Builder do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Federation of Master Builders Ltd nor can the Federation of Master Builders Ltd, the publishers or authors accept any responsibility for any claims made by advertisers.
Andrew Matthewson +44 (0)20 7880 6245 masterbuilder@redactive.co.uk @fmbuilders
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/FederationofMasterBuilders
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FMB 2024 National Conference
Welcome BRIAN BERRY
T he new government has made many promises, but questions remain unanswered, particularly about skills development and how small and medium-sized builders are going to play a role in reaching the government’s ambitious housing target. It’s a topic both the FMB National President, Chris Carr, and I having been speaking about with national media including BBC Breakfast and Sky News, highlighting the role the FMB and our members can play in training new recruits and building the quality houses the UK needs. The FMB’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Jeremy Gray, assesses the government’s performance so far on page 15, and FMB members share strategies they believe the government should implement to fix the skills shortage (page 17). As political change takes hold, FMB members continue doing what they do best: deliver projects of exceptional quality – as seen by Mack Construction’s (page 16) conversion of an old Sheffield house into a beautiful four-bedroom, energy efficient, family home. While a significant majority of members uphold the FMB’s high standards, there are occasions when some do not. FMB Director of Membership, Hayley Lorimer, explains on page 20 what the FMB Standards Committee does and why a member was recently expelled. FMB Digital Manager, Liz Porter, reveals new features launched in the FMB member app (page 19), enabling members to showcase their expertise and boost visibility.
“As political change takes hold, FMB members continue doing what they do best: deliver projects of exceptional quality.”
To promote safe practices on construction sites, our health and safety round-up (page 21) looks at the dangers of silicosis, caused by inhaling dust from artificial stone. Creating enticing workplaces is what FMB members do, which is plain to see when reading our interview on page 23 with plasterer Alan Shand, who retires after 50 years of service at Scottish FMB member Allan Robertson and Son. Employers looking to develop their teams will benefit from the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) Employer Networks in England, Wales and Scotland (pages 28-29), which will simplify access to training funds. With retrofit being such a strong potential pipeline of work for our members, it’s marvellous to read about energy efficiency upgrades on heritage homes on pages 24-27. On page 39, FMB Scotland Director Gordon Nelson’s reports back from the popular Green Home Festival, part of the world- famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In exciting news, nominations for the 2025 Master Builder Awards will open this autumn (pages 30-33), featuring a few new awards categories. This means members can increase their opportunities to submit an awards entry, and showcase their fantastic work. Good luck. I am sure they will be excellent.
BRIAN BERRY, Chief Executive Federation of Master Builders
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To read the report, visit nacsba.org.uk/policy/ csb-report-2023-24/ News
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NEWS
Boost in builders’ output
M aster builders have reported stability in the building industry, with workloads up by seven per cent and enquiries up by three per cent in the three months April to June this year. The figures come from the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey Q2 2024 . Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said the results showed continued stability but noted “substantial room for improvement”. While increasing workloads are a positive sign industry is growing, Berry said: “It’s worrying to see a significant rise in the number of businesses reporting lower than expected profits this quarter – 55 per cent, up from 44 per cent in Q1
Key stats from the State of Trade Survey for Q2 2024 :
2024 – which shows the challenges the UK continues to face. “The new government has used its early weeks in office to announce promising plans to boost housebuilding rates and reform the planning system, which may result in a much-needed economic stimulus. However, the UK is currently experiencing a construction skills crisis, and concerns remain about viability without the workforce in place to deliver new homes.” Berry concluded: “The Prime Minister’s speech laying the groundwork for Skills England was hopeful but lacked detail. We need to see a long-term skills plan to deliver the government’s ambitions for growth.”
Market conditions
7% net increase in workloads
3% increase in reported enquiries
-2% net change in employment improvements
Skills
43% report a
54% report no changes in employment levels in Q2 2024 compared with Q1 41% struggle to hire carpenters (up from 31% in Q1)
shortage of skilled tradespeople resulting in job delays (up from 36% in Q1) 8% report cancellations (down from 9% in Q1)
29% struggle to hire bricklayers (up from 25% in Q1)
Prices and costs
64% report a rise in material costs (down from 69% in Q1)
52% report their business is on track to make a loss or fall below expected margins, (up from 44% in Q1) 67% have increased their prices due to rising outgoings
10% report staff redundancies and
contract terminations due to cost pressures (up from 9% in Q1)
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NEWS IN NUMBERS
15% Percentage by which building costs will increase over the next five years. Source: Building Cost Information Service
Assessing the impact of Skills England
apprenticeship levy to be redirected into other forms of training don’t result in a fall in the number of construction apprenticeships available.” Berry said the amalgamation of the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education into Skills England must ensure the focus remains on maintaining current skill levels, and increasing numbers further. “It raises a question about what role the CITB will play in this new system,” Berry said. We’re still awaiting publication of the Mark Framer performance review of CITB, which may provide clarity. The Secretary of State for Education should publish the report as soon as possible to ensure the industry has stability on its future training needs.” Next steps for Skills England ● Set up the organisation in shadow form within the Department for Education, and assess future skills needs while building relationships with employers, and appointing a permanent board, Chair and CEO. ● Transfer IfATE’s functions to Skills England, with IfATE continuing its work while the transition is finalised. ● Maintain a list of levy-eligible training to ensure value for money, and that government-funded training aligns with the skills needs. ● Bring forward a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education.
The new government has created a new public body, Skills England, to unite key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the skills system “a mess”, stressing the need for a fresh approach. The new body, Starmer said, will help the government to stimulate the economy by connecting young people with employment opportunities. The Skills England Bill will transfer functions from the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE) to Skills England. The FMB’s Chief Executive, Brian Berry, said the aims of Skills England sounded promising but he wanted to know what its existence would mean for the future of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). “The new government has set out ambitious plans to get Britain building again, but this can only be achieved if the skills crisis is tackled,” Berry said. “There is a serious shortage of all trades in the construction industry, with the result that we need an additional 240,000 workers over the next four years. “The Prime Minister’s announcement to set up Skills England recognises the seriousness of the problem, but details about how Skills England will operate remain light. It will be vital that future delivery focuses on a long-term skills plan being put in place, and that plans to allow up to 50 per cent of the
1% How much of the current green belt would be needed to build 738,000 homes. Source: Lettings and rental agent, Lamond
3m The UK needs to install
three million heat pumps in people’s homes over the next five years to meet 2030 net zero targets. Source: Climate Change Committee
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INDUSTRY UPDATE NEWS
CLC to stay
The new Labour government has opted to keep the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in existence, despite being set up in 2013 by the coalition government and trimmed down by the previous Conservative government. New Construction Minister, Croydon MP Sarah Jones, said of her responsibilities with the CLC: “The construction sector is vital to our economy, supporting thousands of jobs in every part of the UK, and will be at the heart of our mission to deliver growth and get Britain building again. “I look forward to working closely with the Construction Leadership Council to champion the sector as it builds the infrastructure we need, and ensure its net zero ambitions deliver for both the workforce and our economy.” Industry-side Co-chair, Mark Reynolds of Mace Group, said the construction industry will play an important role in helping the Government to realise its ambitious targets for infrastructure delivery and growth. Reynolds added: “The CLC, working in partnership with Government, provides crucial leadership to the sector. We’ve already had some productive and insightful conversations with the minister and I look forward to working closely with her over the coming years.”
Industry growth projections are down
T he construction industry’s performance is not as strong as expected, according to forecasts by the Construction Products Association (CPA). The CPA has downgraded the industry’s near-term growth prospects, forecasting a 2.9 per cent contraction in output. Previous forecasts expected contractions of: ● 2.2% (three months before this forecast) ● 2.1% at the start of the year The increased percentage has been affected by slow recovery in private housing, new builds and repair, maintenance and improvement, due to higher interest rates and decreased consumer confidence. Uncertainty in supply chain responsibilities brought about by the Building Safety Act might also delay some larger, high-rise projects, CPA economists said. The CPA’s Summer Forecasts for 2025 and 2026 remain unchanged,
with growth of 2.0 per cent forecast for next year and 3.6 per cent the year after, but that is from a lower base point than previously imagined because 2024 will see a bigger fall than had been anticipated. Head of Construction Research at CPA, Rebecca Larkin, said “Interest rate cuts and a pick-up in sentiment are expected to start in the second half of this year but, realistically, it will take until 2025 for the recovery to be felt more strongly. “Off the back of the election, there have been clear signs of intent from the new government, particularly around potential changes to planning policy to improve housing and infrastructure delivery. However, with little detail at this stage, it is difficult to see any near-term uplift, whilst long- running concerns over skills shortages and the loss of construction workers, which has worsened dramatically in recent years, present the biggest risk to longer-term growth.”
Construction Minister Sarah Jones
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T he government has said housebuilding is good for the natural environment, in a bid to win over nature conservation groups. Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, have written to conservation groups asking them to back housebuilding developments. “Environmental assessments and case-by-case negotiations of mitigation and compensation measures often slow down the delivery of much-need housing and Government asks eco groups for cool heads
NEWS IN NUMBERS
Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing,
Communities and Local Government
infrastructure,” the ministers wrote in their letter. “Meanwhile, the condition of our environment, and even our most important habitats and species, has declined over a sustained period. This is a lose-lose situation, for our economy, the public and for the natural environment. “We are determined to transform the system to ensure a win-win for housebuilding and nature… We recognise that we are only likely to get the right answer by working closely with you – organisations with longstanding experience of what it takes to improve environmental outcomes on the ground.”
2.4m Total charitable support from the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity to workers and their families in the industry from January to June 2024. Source: Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity
26 The number of months since construction activity has increased at this pace – 55.3 on the index in July, up from 52.2 in June. Source: S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index
Construction fatalities surge by 70%
C onstruction worker fatalities in the UK have surged by 70 per cent since before the Covid pandemic, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In the year ending 31 March 2024, there were 51 construction worker deaths, representing 37 per cent of all industry fatalities and a significant increase relative to the 2018/19 figures, which was the last full pre- pandemic year. The construction sector’s fatalities are notably higher compared with pre- pandemic levels. In 2023/24, fatalities more than doubled those in agriculture, forestry, and mining, which had 23 deaths, and exceeded the five-year average of 42. Falls from height continue to be a major concern, with 50 deaths
recorded across all industries, up from 41 the previous year. Fatal falls from height are 35 per cent above the five-year average, according to the Access Industry Forum.
Safety Plus Contact the FMB Membership
Team to include Safety Plus in your membership and gain access to health and safety resources including risk assessments, method statements
42 The number of days a year the construction industry loses in productivity due to absences and presenteeism. Source: Health insurer Vitality
and training. Call 0330 333 7777 or email membership@ fmb.org.uk. Scan the QR code for the latest HSE fi gures.
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INDUSTRY UPDATE NEWS
Grenfell shows need for industry competence
T he damning final report of the Grenfell Inquiry has shown a need for competence, but there is still a great deal of work to do, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “While the nation’s local builders are, for the most part, far removed from work that has been investigated as part of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, it does not mean that they are precluded from improving industry standards. “Domestic builders do not have minimum competence levels; they do not belong to a protected profession like plumbers or electricians. If the industry and the government are serious about delivering competence, then introducing minimum standards for entry into domestic building work is a must – this is competence from the ground up”. The new government, Berry argued, needs to adopt a more responsible culture in which regulations are
not cut and building safety is not compromised. Key to this shift is the licensing of domestic builders, which Berry said would drive up building standards. “Why should homeowners not share in the safety net implemented after Grenfell?” Berry asks. “Without minimum standards, unregulated or ‘dodgy’ building work will continue, and the industry will not shake off its poor reputation, which is driven by rogue operators plying their trade free from consequence. “However, where the government has tried to regulate domestic builders, through the Building Safety Act, mostly for work involving building control, they have only outlined high-level requirements without any underpinning competence. This has left builders confused and worried about committing to work they feel they may no longer be competent to do. The new government must address this immediately to give the industry clear guidance.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to ban the firms named and shamed in the Grenfell Inquiry report from winning any future government contracts. The 1,700-page report detailed a decade of negligence from both the government and the private sector in failing to stop the spread of combustible cladding. The Grenfell fire in 2017 killed 72 people, with the cladding being the “principal” cause for the speed at which the fire spread. Full accountability The Prime Minister stressed the need for “full accountability” and promised the government would respond within six months. Starmer said: “This government will write to all companies found by the inquiry to have been part of these horrific failings as the first step to stopping them being awarded government contracts. “There are still buildings today with unsafe cladding – and the speed at which this is being addressed is far, far too slow. “We will take the necessary steps to speed this up. We will also reform the construction products industry that made this fatal cladding so homes are made of safe materials.” Starmer bans Grenfell firms
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INDUSTRY UPDATE VIEWPOINT
Viewpoint
opportunity for SMEs to grow,” Gray said.
“Construction is a positive, lucrative and entrepreneurial career path. Apprentices enter into work debt-free compared to students. Many construction roles, such as a skilled bricklayer, will pay more than a lot of graduate jobs. If we make training more accessible and provide opportunities for young people, this will help to reach what is an ambitious target.” Energy efficient homes While skills are desperately needed to make the industry prosper, FMB research shows 91 per cent of surveyed members with more than 25 employees are confident they can deliver important energy efficiency retrofit work. The trouble is, 40 per cent of members are rarely or never asked by consumers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Just five per cent were asked by homeowners to incorporate low-carbon technologies during renovation work. The absence of post- election commitment to the retrofit agenda is exacerbating a weak market. Ambitious plans to build 1.5 million new homes in the next five years have overshadowed the lack of clarity and commitment to upgrading old, draughty housing stock. Berry said: “Labour has an opportunity to deliver a national retrofit plan to upgrade homes, which would reduce carbon emissions, cut consumers’ energy bills and help improve public health. All we need is the political will.”
The FMB gives its viewpoint on the headlines affecting the construction sector
Cautiously optimistic
A career of choice As noted above, skilling the next generation of construction workers is going to be essential to the industry’s long-term success. Key to this is breaking the stigma around vocational training and presenting construction as an enticing career of choice. Jeremy Gray, Head of Policy at the FMB, said: “As a profession, construction is more than people think. With a wide range of jobs from bricklayers, site managers, planners and surveyors – it can be quite a lucrative and rewarding career. “If more young people joined the industry, it would not only address our skills shortage and provide succession planning with an ageing workforce, but also offer great local employment opportunities for school leavers.” Gray pointed out that the new body, Skills England, will need to work alongside existing bodies such as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to help builders hire new starters. “With the government’s ambitious target to build 370,000 homes a year, a figure not reached for 50 years, we should see this as a fantastic
Positively, builders’ output is recovering, albeit slowly. FMB members are reporting signs of stability in the industry, noting an uptick in workloads of seven per cent and enquiries by three per cent over the second quarter of this year. The data, which comes from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey Q2 2024 , offers hope for the future. However as FMB Chief Executive Brian Berry notes, there is “substantial room for improvement”, particularly when it comes to developing skills and boosting profits, with 55 per cent of businesses reporting lower than expected profits this quarter. Berry said: “The new government has announced promising plans to boost housebuilding rates and reform the planning system, which may result in a much needed economic stimulus. “However, the UK is experiencing a construction skills crisis, and concerns remain about viability without a workforce to deliver new homes. The Prime Minister’s speech laying the groundwork for Skills England was hopeful but lacked detail. We need to see a long-term skills plan to deliver the government’s ambitions for growth.
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THE WORD AT WESTMINSTER
WHAT’S UP AT WESTMINSTER?
The new government is in power, but how is it stacking up? Jeremy Gray, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the FMB, shares his thoughts
Framework (NPPF) consultation for clarifying what it meant. Labour has set up a commission to look into building a new town, another lofty ambition, which we’ve made clear must include smaller housebuilders. So, does this mean housing is done and dusted? Far from it. The UK has become reliant on a small number of volume housebuilders to deliver new homes, while SME output numbers have crashed. The government’s plans involve large scale strategic housebuilding that will, in theory, reduce house prices and result in more housing. However this is very different from the business models that volume developers follow, which also pushes aside the organic, sustainable growth of towns and villages that our members excel at. The market is fundamentally flawed and needs more SMEs to build, but only time will tell if the proposed plans will bring this about. Get Britain building A topic that has been at the top of the political agenda is skills, although it is lacking the same gusto given to the push for more housing. The industry desperately needs builders to deliver new homes, but with apprenticeship numbers falling short and high dropout rates, will the industry be ready to ramp up? It’s unlikely, but Labour has set up Skills England to boost vocational training and encourage school leavers to see the true value of a role in the construction industry. We also await the impending review of Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to see what the future looks like for training new builders.
T he new Labour government building agenda in the King’s Speech and a raft of changes to try to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years. The FMB has been in the thick of it, meeting with the Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook, MPs and government officials to ensure the voices of smaller housebuilders don’t get lost in the drive to deliver new homes. barely had a chance to settle in before big news for builders came from the party’s top brass – a pro- Is 370,000 new homes too bold? News making the headlines is the government’s plan to increase housing targets to an ambitious 370,000 new homes a year – a figure not seen since 1969 (when Neil Amstrong made “one giant leap for mankind”). To help the government achieve the target, the FMB met with the Housing Minister, and provided evidence to the Greater London Authority (GLA) on boosting output with small housebuilders. Building 1.5 million new homes in five years is an ambitious goal, but plans to reform the planning system should make it easier to build them. Labour’s announcement to increase direct government funding for planning officers is good to see, however, the amount is a drop in the ocean compared with what is needed to support planning teams that are losing staff to lucrative private sector pay packets.
Jeremy Gray, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the FM
The government has also made brownfield sites a focus of its plans. This could be a bonus for SME housebuilders who tend to prefer smaller brownfield sites, but with targets of 50 per cent affordable housing, will the numbers stack up? The much-spoken about ‘grey belt’ – which caused a scramble to understand what it means – is defined as previously- developed-upon green belt land. Thanks to the National Planning Policy
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SPOTLIGHT MACK CONSTRUCTION
BUILT FOR LIVING
W orking closely with HEM Architects, Mack Construction transformed a client’s cramped two-bedroom house in Sheffield’s Nether Edge into a comfortable, four-bedroom, energy-efficient family home. The original house lacked flow, with a: ● staircase placed awkwardly in the middle of the home ● poor connection to the garden ● a living room that became a passageway to the kitchen. Mack Construction built space into the new design, adding a triple-storey side extension, inviting in lots of natural light. Double-storey and single- storey rear extensions house two new bedrooms, and an open plan kitchen and dining area with sliding doors to the garden for expansive living. Power and performance Using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) – a planning tool for energy efficiency – the home has a low heating demand. With greater-than- normal insulation levels in the extensions and modelled insulation in the existing building fabric, space heating demand is 84kWh/m2.a – better than most new homes.
A growing family needed a bigger home with a strong focus on sustainability, which is precisely what Mack Construction delivered
to the cavity wall to provide a flat wall with timber tie beams at half landing level and to ensure the new building was stable. ● Hiring a specialist material movement contractor – the home is on a narrow residential street, with an access path no wider than a wheelbarrow. With many supplies required, including a rear patio door weighing 400 kilograms, and not being able to use a crane to access the site, the team employed a specialist material movement contractor to transport the patio door into position. Tips for success ● Building relationships – Mack Construction was brought in to the project during the technical design process, laying the foundation for a positive working relationship with the client and architect. ● Transparency – the team was clear on pricing their schedule of works and interim valuation applications. ● The right contract – works were covered by a RIBA domestic building contract. ● Collaboration – working closely with the planners, architect and client led to a successful renovation in a conservation area.
intervention. So they underpinned the wall in small ‘hit and miss’ sections to improve stability. A party wall surveyor was called in to lead discussions with neighbours. ● Integrating steel wind posts with masonry panels – the side gable of the extension is three storeys, with a full height staircase, which proved challenging to provide lateral structural support to the large masonry panels. The team attached structural steel wind posts and tie beams
The stone frontage and red brick side and rear walls replicate the original house, and have a deep cavity for higher insulation levels. Additional wood-fibre internal wall insulation was installed in the existing solid masonry walls. The team reused slate on the front elevation to match the retained roof and aesthetics of the conservation area. They replaced single-glazed timber casement windows on the front elevation with Green Building Store triple- glazed ‘mock’ sash windows to maintain the home’s traditional appearance required in a conservation area while improving energy performance. Overcoming challenges ● Remediating the boundary wall – one of the extensions is built close to a side boundary stone retaining wall. When excavated, the team saw the boundary wall was likely to collapse if work proceeded without
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SPOTLIGHT MEMBER VOICES
E very new government announces bold plans construction industry be about Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s party plugging the skills gap? Annie Summun, Director of Public Affairs at Kisiel Group in London and Surrey, says not very when they take control, but how optimistic can the UK optimistic at all. Citing figures from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), she notes that 225,000 new workers are needed by 2027 to meet projected building targets. “We are already more than halfway through 2024,” she points out. “So, I am not optimistic we will achieve the skills we need, but we may begin the journey.” Skills England, the new body proposed by the government to meet the skills needs for the next decade, will take anything from nine to 12 months to set up. Summun asks: “Will the body be supporting the construction skills needed in the rest of the UK?”
● promoting construction careers to young people and their parents so construction is not a last choice ● encouraging women and people of colour, who are under- represented on building sites, to consider a career in construction ● favouring practical over theoretical teaching in the early phases of construction courses at colleges to keep students engaged ● reconsidering apprenticeship requirements of maths and English to enable more students to progress above a Level 2 qualification ● creating a pathway for those leaving the armed forces to enter the construction industry. Shifting perspective Sustainable change takes time to achieve, but there are steps the government can take immediately to improve the skills shortage. “Allow tradespeople from overseas as an interim measure while we train more apprentices, which will not happen overnight,” Summun advises. “It is like learning to drive – you learn the basics to pass your test and then the more you drive the better experienced you become. “A two-year apprenticeship teaches the basics and experience is built up through working on a site. It can take five years before you have a fully skilled tradesperson.” Additionally, Summun wants the government to consult with construction SMEs before setting up training systems to meet skill needs and to think outside the box by embracing new initiatives. An example, Summun says, is what FMB London is doing with a local college to develop a course to provide skills specific to construction SMEs. The government would need to find ways to fund such a scheme at colleges around the country.
SMART ABOUT SKILLS
FMB members share their perspective on what the new government needs to do to solve the skills conundrum
Not radical enough Anthony Ellard, Managing
Director of A&E Construction Limited in Warwickshire, is also lacking optimism. He says: “Yes, the government is focusing on upskilling the workforce but they’re not introducing a more radical forward-thinking plan to get youngsters into construction.” What concerns Ellard is the “bureaucracy and red tape” builders have to navigate, regardless of which political party is in power. “Put people in charge who understand the industry inside out,” he advises. Having read the government’s manifesto, Ellard is not impressed. “It’s incredibly weak – it has no structure to help the construction
industry.” He struggles to understand how the new government will achieve its target to build one and a half million new homes in five years. “This is impossible; it would be double the amount that was produced last year in 2022-23.” How to attract new recruits Nevertheless, both Ellard and Summun have ideas on how the government should attract workers to the construction industry, such as: ● educating school teachers about construction to signpost students to the many career opportunities
Annie Summun
Anthony Ellard
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ADVERTORIAL NEXT TECH
C onstruction projects comprise a number of processes across multiple levels – from physical labour on the ground to drawing up plans in the office, and many third parties working around each other. Enter project managers – the people who sort through all the noise and impose consistency from delivery to execution. They typically have years of experience and a penchant for keeping all parties on the same page, but what if you could arm them with a tool that would allow your business to scale?
THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE RIGHT JOB
Project oversight The first step in any construction project is to establish key contacts, responsibilities, budget, deadlines and other such details. The dashboard of
each project in Next Project displays this information so all stakeholders know who’s involved, what they’re doing, and how to contact them. While seemingly obvious, we believe the road to a successful project begins with getting everybody on the same page. Documentation records Once work starts, it’s important to know who did what and when, what the state of the work was at various points, and what checks have been carried out. It’s useful, then, to have documents stored in one repository, where all stakeholders can store information and retrieve it as needed. This can save time, eliminating hours of backtracking through texts, email chains and paper files. Another way the software saves time is through work orders. If a worker is assigned a task without context then the desired result may not happen.
Project management software can boost efficiency, doing the heavy lifting so your teams can focus on getting the job done
demanding progress updates and explanations for setbacks. Next Project allows clients to gain visibility of the project so they can see how much progress has been made and what is left to do. This frees construction professionals to focus on the job at hand. Time is money The sooner a project can be completed, the less costly it is, and the happier the client. Every project manager’s goal is to run a smooth operation, keeping misunderstandings, frustrating setbacks, scheduling errors and sub-par work to a minimum. Next Project makes such goals easier to reach.
Having the ability to log in and instantly decipher how well the project is going can enable decision-makers to identify bottlenecks and address them. Less negativity from clients Clients can get nervous when they feel that they aren’t in the loop. They consequently barrage project managers with emails, voicemails and texts
By providing documentation that details what needs doing and why, such as meeting compliance or client specifications, you minimise the likelihood that the job will need doing a second time. Deadline and budget forecasting Workers can log into Next Project via their smartphone or tablet and record what they have done and how many hours they have worked. The platform automatically factors in how much money was spent in hours worked and building materials consumed and adds information to the deadline and budget forecasting modules.
Looking for further guidance? See Next Project in action by booking a demo of the project management software, at
next-tech.com/en/book-a-demo-of-next-project-fmb . FMB members benefit from preferential rates on our services.
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
BUSINESS SUPPORT FMB MEMBER APP
NEW FEATURES RELEASED IN FMB APP
The FMB’s new member app has been updated with powerful features to help you build your business and community
T he FMB is committed to empowering members with tools and resources to succeed. The new member app is at the forefront of this commitment, providing a platform for builders to connect with others, grow their business and thrive in the industry. More than 20 per cent of FMB members are already reaping the benefits of using the app, and it is clear the app is making a significant impact on their business. In light of positive feedback, the FMB will continue to develop the app to maximise its use for members, and has rolled out key new features. Exciting new features New features on the FMB member app are designed to help you update your online profile to attract more clients. These include tools to: ● Showcase your expertise – highlight your skills and expertise by uploading stunning images of your latest projects while on the go
Refer a friend and save money The FMB’s new member
● Build trust – request customer reviews to demonstrate clients’ satisfaction and build trust with future customers ● Increase visibility – easily update your availability and areas of operation to ensure you are visible to clients in your target market. Build your brand When growing your business it is vital to build a strong brand, which is why the FMB has made it possible to use the app to download your personalised FMB membership certificate and leaflet, helping you to promote your business.
member app offers a range of benefits to help you run your business efficiently. From accessing essential documents to finding exclusive member discounts, the app puts everything at your fingertips.
referral scheme enables you to invite quality builders to join the FMB. Not only will you be helping to strengthen the construction industry, but you’ll also receive 25 per cent off your FMB subscription fee when the builder you refer joins the FMB.
Are you already enjoying the app?
If you’re one of the many members who have already downloaded the app, the FMB encourages you to explore its features and take advantage of the benefits it offers. From job lead notifications to industry news, the app is packed with valuable information to help you succeed. By leveraging the power of the FMB member app, you can enhance your business, expand your network, and stay ahead of the competition. Download the app today and start building a brighter future.
Stay connected, stay informed
Building community and using its power to further your own professional development is a core aspect of being a successful builder. The FMB community is a valuable resource for builders of all levels. Whether you need advice on a specific project, are eager to share best practices, or simply want to connect with fellow professionals, the app’s community feature has you covered. Maximise your membership In addition to these exciting new features, the FMB
App Store Google Play Store
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
FMB STANDARDS COMMITTEE BUSINESS SUPPORT
THE COST OF IMPRECISION
T he FMB vets every membership application to ensure consumers and the building industry can trust FMB members. Every member agrees to abide by the FMB Code of Conduct and, if they breach it, the FMB Standards Committee needs to intervene. The committee can warn a business or expel them from the FMB. With members from across the UK and independent members from Trading Standards and the legal profession, the committee’s processes are robust and fair. An expulsion story Recently, a member – let’s call it XYZ for privacy – appeared before the committee. Employing three people and trading for 20 years, XYZ had been an FMB member for two years. It passed all vetting and checks when joining the FMB. The dispute: XYZ’s client complained to the FMB about defects in the £100,000 extension they commissioned, including a new roof. The client had an independent surveyor’s report showing the defects. Working separately with both parties, the FMB Dispute
Resolution Team began mediation to reach a solution. However the client-builder relationship had broken down so badly, common ground could not be found. XYZ refused to complete When members fail to adhere to the FMB’s high standards, action needs to be taken. Hayley Lorimer, FMB Director of Membership, explains
Appearing at the Standards Committee: The member attended the committee meeting, with the same information the committee had, including inspection reports, photographs and videos. The member said the client had been difficult, which was the root cause of their dispute. XYZ maintained there were no problems with its work, but the job was incomplete. Rushed to start the job by the client, XYZ reported not having time to plan the job or assess the drawings. After discussion with XYZ and opportunities for questions and answers, the committee made its decision. The decision: XYZ was expelled from the FMB due to: ● clear defects with XYZ’s work, which it did not take responsibility for ● XYZ not having systems in place to manage its work ● there being no written contracts in place – a key requirement of the FMB Code of Conduct ● XYZ’s ongoing membership likely bringing the FMB into disrepute. Insights to be gained Firstly, every contractor should ensure they have enough
Membership benefi ts Your FMB membership provides you with many benefits including mediation with the FMB Dispute Resolution Team and access to a variety of template contracts. All benefits can be found in the FMB Member App or on the website. preparation time for a job. Secondly, they should always have a written contract signed by the client, and record all changes in writing. The Building Safety Act requires all FMB members ensure their workers and subcontractors have the necessary competence to carry out work. If in doubt, seek expert advice. Problems between client and contractor can arise in any job. The Standards Committee expelled XYZ because it refused to take responsibility for poor work. Important note: Only a small number of members appear before the committee. Most uphold the highest standards, which is why we take action when any member does not.
the work because of the relationship breakdown.
The FMB sent an inspector to site, which is not a routine part of the service, to verify claims about workmanship. The inspector saw clear problems with the structure of the roof and movement in the staircase, which did not comply with building regulations. Additionally, there was no written contract in place or agreements in writing to confirm changes to the work.
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
BUSINESS SUPPORT HEALTH & SAFETY
The latest news and updates on health and safety in construction to keep you and your workforce safe on site HEALTH SAFETY &
Support your staff this Stoptober The East Guildford Primary Care Network (PCN) is gearing up for Stoptober, a national campaign during October to help people quit smoking. Your company can support staff who are looking to kick the habit. The Stoptober campaign offers resources and tools to make quitting smoking easier. Participants are encouraged to go tobacco-free for 28 days, as this significantly increases the chances of quitting for good. Why support the campaign? Smoking is a major health risk, impacting personal wellbeing and productivity. By encouraging your team to participate in Stoptober, you can contribute to a healthier workforce and potentially reduce absenteeism due to smoking- related illnesses. How can you help? ● Raise awareness – share information about Stoptober with your employees on notice boards and in company communications. ● Offer support – tell employees you support their efforts to quit smoking and consider flexible work arrangements during the quitting period.
A new study has linked a potentially fatal lung disease, silicosis, to the cutting of artificial stone for kitchens, but the government has said it will not ban the material. Breathing in the fine dust produced by cutting the artificial stone is what increases the risk of contracting silicosis, which is similar to asbestosis. The study, which was published in Thorax medical journal, analysed eight cases of silicosis in people in the UK, all of whom were younger than 34. Of the eight, one person died and two might need lung transplants. Medical researchers studying the topic have warned that silicosis cases are likely to increase due to the rising use of engineered stone. Similar health concerns led to Australia banning the artificial stone in July, but the UK Government has said it will not take similar action after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advised that a total ban is not required. Reduce your risk An HSE spokesperson told inews , the online publication for The Independent : “We continue to work with industry to raise awareness of managing the risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica and we are considering options for future interventions to ensure workers are protected.” Deadly lung disease on the rise
To lower your risk of contracting silicosis, you should try to decrease your exposure to silica dust by: ● Limiting time spent working with artificial stone ● Working in a way that reduces the generation of airborne dust ● Swapping materials that contains silica for other non-silica types ● Wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators to protect you from inhaling silica and coveralls to keep the dust off the clothes you wear home ● Washing your hands and face before you eat ● Not eating or drinking near silica dust.
Scan the QR code for Stoptober resources.
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Master Builder
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