INDUSTRY UPDATE NEWS
Asthma and other respiratory conditions are increasing due to high levels of damp and mould in UK homes, which makes moisture management a top priority for refurbishment and retrofit projects, said the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). The respiratory risks could be mitigated by improving ventilation and heating and developing training and competence schemes for ventilation installers and maintainers, BESA added. Research by University College London (UCL) shows more than 25% of UK homes are damp and mouldy, due to a combination of more extreme weather conditions, building defects Damp and mould in UK homes
Lighthouse Charity supports ex-offenders
T he FMB’s charity partner, the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, has launched a new programme to integrate leaving prisoners into the workforce to bridge the construction sector’s skills gap. The pilot project at Cardiff Prison, supported by the Lighthouse Charity, GLA Group and Central Group, offers specialist skills training, soft skills development, and a pathway into the roofing industry. The aim is to equip prisoners with the skills they need to join the workforce upon release, whilst supporting the construction industry. Sarah Bolton, Chief Operating Officer of the Lighthouse Charity, said: “In our pursuit to bridge the skills gap within the industry, we’re supporting a fully inclusive environment and engaging with individuals who may never have considered a career in construction before. “Through this holistic partnership, we are able to deliver not just the essential vocational skills, we’re also ensuring easy access to vital soft skills training. Many ex- offenders could face societal prejudice and difficulties finding work. This programme will enhance their employability and empower
individuals entering the sector to embark on a sustainable career, with the skills to overcome the daily challenges of life.” How the programme works The Lighthouse Charity: delivers flexible, self-paced e-learning modules to prisoners on a range of wellbeing topics such as banter vs bullying, resolving conflict, managing stress, and understanding anxiety. The GLA Group provides prisoners with mentoring and training on pitched and flat roofing. The Central Group, a roofing and cladding contractor, offers those who complete the training an opportunity to work in construction once released from prison. Louise Morgan, Head of Education Skills and Work at Cardiff Prison, said: “This is an example of working together at its best. By working with partners, we can enhance our curriculum offering to provide the men in our care with the best education, skills and work opportunities to be successful in their goals and ambitions when they leave custody.”
and human behaviour driven by fuel poverty.
For BESA’s new guidance titled ‘Mould and Damp
Prevention in new and existing Homes, visit: www.thebesa.com
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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