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East Midlands Regional Awards 2009
The EMCBE is delighted to announce the second East Midlands Regional Construction Awards. With the support of the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the EMCBE aims to recognise and reward innovation, skills and training and sustainability in construction, across the region.
The winners from within each region will go forward to a national final that will take place in November 2009.
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Free Expert Help and Advice
The No –Nonsense Guide to Finance for High Growth and Innovative Businesses from Business Link presents clear, succinct and jargon-free advice about the financing options for technologically innovative and high growth businesses.
Directed primarily at small and medium-sized enterprises, this guide will help your search for the right funds by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of:
- How to assess your specific funding needs
- Where and how to get the right advice
- Various funding options available
- The best ways to go about securing funding
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New Guide could help Builders Cut Waste Costs by as much as 40%
Small builders working in challenging economic conditions could unlock valuable cost benefits by using a new waste-saving guide from sustainable business experts Envirowise.
The free guide outlines a step-by-step review process which can help businesses identify the main causes of waste around their site and save as much as 40% on waste disposal costs.
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East Midlands construction partnership launched with £275m mission
A £275m partnership which will build top quality schools, sports centres and other public buildings across the East Midlands, while giving taxpayers, local councils and other public sector bodies best value for money, was launched in the region this week. (At Strelley Hall, near Nottingham, on Wednesday, June 17).
The East Midlands Property Alliance, backed by 25 local councils within the region, used competitive tendering to select three of the country’s leading construction firms – Kier, Wates and Willmott Dixon – to work together to deliver new build and refurbishment projects in the region, each valued at between £2m and £7.5m.
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£50,000 Grants on Offer to WARMNET Visitors
East Midlands construction companies wanting to benefit from grants worth up to £50,000 should make their way to the sixth annual WARMNET conference on 30 June at the University of Nottingham Jubilee campus.
The event is aimed at professionals working in the private and public sectors who have a waste problem or just want to find out more about how they can reduce their waste bills. Delegates will learn from case studies on novel energy from waste projects, effluent treatment with hydrogen production and will be given presentations on recent policy developments and legislation updates.
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LEO Trading Village
Greenborough Management Limited have successfully secured the contract, through competitive tender, to undertake the Feasibility Study and Business Plan for a proposed new Enterprise Centre in Shirebrook.
Working for Ashfield, Mansfield and Bolsover District Councils on a project to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an “enterprise village” focused on the construction sector (building and allied trades). The concept is to offer business space, business support and access to shared services (tendering, appointment management, administration etc) and purchasing (collective), as well as low cost access to specialist plant and machinery, at a multi-occupancy centre. The centre would also offer brokered access to training, trainees and apprentices.
A brief on-line survey has been created to canvass views of businesses in this sector (builders, plumbers, electricians, tilers, plasterers etc.). It is vital that the design is a representation for which there is a real need, and which will add value to the businesses operating in this space.
To take part the survey can be accessed here - LEO Trading Village Survey
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Knowledge Transfer of EPSRC Research
The ISSUES (Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Urban Environment Systems) project facilitates knowledge transfer on behalf of the EPSRC Sustainable Urban Environment (SUE) programme. ISSUES work to ensure that the findings from SUE consortia research is understood and used by policy makers, practitioners and other end-users. Information is circulated in the form of brief articles that give an overview of the research, key findings, contacts for further information and weblinks.
Copies of these articles across a range of research areas are available on the MBE KTN website.
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Don’t Let The Recession Go To Waste!
Dr. Christine Pasquire is a Senior Lecturer in Commercial Management & Quantity Surveying at Loughborough University, and a passionate believer in the benefits of ‘Lean Thinking’ as a basis for continuous improvement in commercial organisations and businesses. Christine is a Director of the Lean Construction Institute UK (LCI.UK).
LCI.UK’s purpose is to reform the management of processes for production in construction.
“The real challenge of lean manufacturing is how to progress beyond eliminating waste in ‘broken processes’ by creating ‘brilliant processes’.”
Dan Jones
“Brilliant process management is our strategy. We get brilliant results from average people managing brilliant processes”.
Toyota
‘Lean Thinking’ is a total quality management concept that is based on value. If the customer is willing to pay for it, and competition doesn’t come into it, then it’s value. If not, then it’s waste.
‘Lean Thinking’ focuses on minimising or eliminating the steps between and necessary to linking “brilliant processes” that do not add value.
‘Lean Construction’ at a project delivery level is just one product of the adoption of a ‘Lean Thinking’ philosophy and driver within a successful, competitive construction sector business.
This is true in all economic times and conditions, but even more so now when we wrestle with the challenge of getting through these difficult trading circumstances, i.e. surviving the downturn, and being ready for the upturn.
So, come along to one of the FREE workshops on the basis that you have got absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.
During the scheduled 4 hours, Christine will introduce thought provoking ideas and concepts to you which should lead you wanting to learn more and change “broken processes” into “brilliant processes”.
Register Here »
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The State of the Nation: Defending Critical Infrastructure
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has published The State of the Nation: Defending Critical Infrastructure report. Compiled by a panel drawn from the various fields of expertise across ICE’s membership. The report assesses the critical issues that must be addressed by central government, local authorities, utilities companies, planners and developers.
Infrastructure is the backbone of the nation. It is our energy, transport, waste and water systems, and increasing numbers of individual assets are critical to the functioning of wider national networks. Infrastructure provides everything from power and clean water to motorways and airports. Without it our daily lives would be unrecognisable.
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Beyond Brokerage
Despite the economic downturn more and more companies involved in construction are looking to up-skill their workforce to a higher level.
Growing demand for sustainable construction techniques, the CSCS card system and greater accreditation across the industry, are fuelling demand for higher level skills.
Beyond Brokerage is a new advice service for companies within the construction sector who want to find out more about training and qualifications beyond level 3.
Funded by (East Midlands Development Agency) emda, this is a free service available to all employers in the construction sector who are based in the East Midlands and have 250 staff or less.
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Apprenticeship Matching Service
The ConstructionSkills Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS) has been set up in response to the current economic climate. Its prime objective is to match displaced apprentices with employers enabling them to complete their apprenticeship. In all cases, the trainee remains with their existing training provider and the AMS is a completely impartial service to the Industry. The AMS is working with apprentices that are already on an apprenticeship but who have unfortunately have lost their jobs due to current conditions in the Industry. Some of these apprentices have already been training and working in Construction for over a year and are a great asset as they already have many proven skills and are “work ready”. Where a contractor is on site for a shorter time period than 2-3 years then taking on a displaced apprentice who already has some skills is a real possibility. The displaced apprentices need supporting with work evidence opportunities through employment to enable them to complete their qualification.
As an industry it is vital that we ensure that the skills base is maintained and expanded in preparation for the upturn. As the industry keeps training it will be well placed for future contracts and work.
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Department for Business Innovation and Skills
To compete in a global economy and create the jobs of the future, Britain requires a regulatory environment that encourages enterprise, skilled people, innovation, and world-class science and research. The merger of BERR and DIUS brings together the parts of the government with key expertise in these areas.
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Revised HSE Asbestos Guidance
The revised HSE asbestos guidance, due out in the summer, aims to provide prospective clients with much more information about how to ensure they’re employing an experienced, qualified person.
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Help for Industries making Redundancies
Funded by East Midlands Development Agency and delivered by the NE Group, Career Chain has widened its focus from engineering to include the construction industry.
The purpose of Career Chain is to support the retention and development of engineering and construction skills and people across the East Midlands. It comprises a range of services including career guidance, job search support and interview techniques, together with identifying specific training and development opportunities.
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Sustainable Construction iNET Awards its First Grant in Leicestershire
Seamless Sensing is the first business in Leicestershire to receive funding through the Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet).
Seamless Sensing has developed a wireless smart energy management system that allows businesses to monitor energy consumption and reduce energy costs. The system itself uses individual sensor modules so that the energy consumption of individual pieces of equipment can be monitored second-by-second – even light bulbs – without the need for any technical or dedicated expertise or personnel. The modules, which are a little larger than a mobile phone, transfer live information to an online web account. Reports can then be sent email, text or viewed online so that organisations can see where they are losing money through inefficient or energy intensive equipment.
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Road Designers Sign up to the ‘Halving Waste to Landfill Commitment’
Driven by the Government’s ‘Strategy for Sustainable Construction’, the commitment, set up by WRAP, allows organisations across the construction supply chain to demonstrate their intention to halve waste to landfill by 2012. Over 100 organisations have signed up, including a number of major contractors who, as a result, will be expecting their consultancies to help them deliver against it.
Read more:
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NHBC Foundation Publications
Since its launch, the NHBC Foundation has developed a programme of research projects to address key issues within the industry. By developing pragmatic and relevant research for the industry, the NHBC Foundation seeks to address the challenges of the Code for Sustainable Homes and the drive towards zero carbon, whilst considering broader environmental issues.
A list of published projects can be found by following the line
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CompeteFor
Latest Opportunities
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Sustainability ‘Speak’
F- Gases
- An F-Gas is a fluorinated ‘greenhouse gas’ (FGG), and the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of F-Gases is high.
- Stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems are the largest single source of F-Gas emissions through poor containment, representing nearly 27% of the 2005 total (the most recent figures available) – DEFRA.
- The Kyoto Protocol commits the UK (and other industrialised nations) to cut their overall emissions of 6 ‘greenhouse gases’ by 5.2% below 1990 recorded levels over the period 2008-2012.
- F-Gases contribute to 3 of the 6 ‘greenhouse gases’.
- Legislation aimed at continuing, preventing and reducing F-Gas emissions was updated in 2008, to put greater emphasis on certification and leakage testing.
- The FGG Regulations 2009 came into force on 9 March 2009.
- By 4 July 2009, businesses (at least 5,000) that carry out installation, servicing and/or maintenance of stationery refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems and equipment will be required by law to be registered with Refcom, the register of companies competent to handle refrigerants.
- Refcom will be the only government-approved body through which businesses can legally demonstrate competent, safe handling of fluorinated gases and comply with Regulations.
- Businesses have until 4 July to achieve at least interim certification (valid for 2 years) and until July 2011 to achieve full certification.
- Installers have to achieve new qualifications by 4 January 2011.
- City & Guilds 2079 or CITB J11: Safe Handling of Refrigerants.
- F-Gases are important in creating air-conditioning systems that are energy efficient, and if containment can be assured (no leakage) through product innovation coupled with quality installation then F-Gases can help cut CO2 emissions.
- Inefficient air-conditioning systems with high energy demand can do more damage to the environment than efficient systems that use F-Gases.
- Failure to register with Refcom by the deadlines will result in local authority enforcement measures and fines.
- The British Refrigeration Association are working with the ‘supply chain’ to put the onus firmly on the air-conditioning and refrigeration contractors, by insisting only registered workers are used.
- The prospect is that ‘below standard’ engineers will be banned from site and otherwise lose work opportunities, in addition to falling foul of Refcom.
- Once the details of the agreement between DEFRA and Refcom have been finalised and signed-off, then a registration website www.refcom.org.uk will be activated.
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Help for employers to prepare for the upturn in East Midlands
A new service providing employers with easy access to free advice and support has been launched as part of the Government’s commitment to provide ‘real help now’ for business.
As part of the Government’s Solutions for Business initiative, the Train to Gain skills brokerage service has come together with Business Link to provide a comprehensive information, diagnostic and brokerage service, making Business Link the main route to all government support for business.
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Companies can save around 30% on their water and effluent bills by joining the Rippleffect.
The Rippleffect is a free initiative from Envirowise to help businesses of all sizes in England reduce water use and save business money.
Every workplace can reduce its water consumption to some degree, and there are always improvements to be made! Whether your business is an office, hotel or restaurant, with washrooms and kitchen facilities, or a factory with processing lines, the Rippleffect is here to save your business money.
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Sustainable Development in Northamptonshire
iCon
The market town of Daventry was chosen to be the home of the new multi-million pound national centre of excellence for businesses working in innovative green technologies.
The iCon building is the innovation Hub (iHub) for the now operational Sustainable Construction innovation Network (iNet) which encourages innovation in the sector. A landmark, multi-use centre, it also offers first class conference and community facilities for residents and businesses in Daventry, at the heart of the East Midlands region.
When fully operational at the end of 2010, iCon’s 60 business start-up offices will bring exciting new employment opportunities into the emerging market of sustainable construction. Located on the southern gateway into Daventry town centre, the building is an outstanding example of energy efficiency and high quality design, and will complement the wider regeneration of the town. With the Government’s planned housing growth it is a well placed project to advance green technologies and inform future development in the UK.
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Riding out the Recession
Small businesses face a challenging and tough trading environment. Whilst for some 'staying in the game' is an immediate priority, for all 'raising the game' is more important than ever.
Business Link, in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, are hosting a series of seven, free half day events across Nottinghamshire during July, featuring experts from the cash flow management, employment law, public sector procurement, sales and marketing world.
They will share their advice and tips on what measures businesses can take to weather the storm and potentially gain a competitive edge.
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First Steps to a Comprehensive East Midlands Heritage ConstructionSkills Training Offer
East Midlands Heritage Skills Training Group (EMRHSTG) held a very successful workshop event on the 11th June 2009 for organisations interested in the development of Heritage Construction Training provision across the East Midlands. Thirty-six delegates representing 17 colleges and independent training providers and 10 other organisations interested in this agenda attended the workshop at Derby University with the support of LeapAhead. They listened to four presentations outlining the importance of heritage construction skills in the renovation and maintenance of the historic built environment, current heritage training provision, NVQ qualifications, routes to obtaining the Heritage CSCS Card and the potential for the future development of a foundation degree in heritage skills.
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Estate agents confirm benefits of Conservation Areas
A nationwide survey of estate agents shows that home owners, buyers and sellers value Conservation Areas (CA), thanks to their special character and appearance. The survey, commissioned by English Heritage, reveals that 75 per cent of estate agents believe that a well maintained CA adds to the value of the properties within it, and that buyers are prepared to pay higher prices for properties in well-kept CAs.
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IHBC Welcomes Mainstream Construction to ‘Care and Repair through Fair VAT’
Seán O’Reilly, IHBC director, welcomed a widening push for reduced VAT for building renovation and repair, represented by calls from mainstream construction sector interests for VAT regime sympathetic to repair. Dr O’Reilly observed that ‘Given the political, economic and environmental turmoil we face today, reducing VAT to promote the care and repair of our buildings is one of the few easy wins for government. It responds to recession by creating jobs; to global warming, by reducing carbon emissions, and to political disillusionment, by demonstrating leadership’.
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Heritage Form
Have your say! This new forum is for anyone interested in our built heritage – from contractors, craftspeople & conservationists to volunteers, homeowners, architects, and planners. Not just a place to talk about the great churches, castles and stately homes that enrich the UK's built environment, but also the more humble traditional dwellings and industrial buildings that provide the distinctive character of our villages, towns and cities. If you have an opinion or something you want to share with likeminded people then post your thoughts by logging onto the Heritage Forum:
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Newslink
Localised News, articles and information on events for existing businesses:
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