In today’s news, we will look at Henry Boot Construction has completed the construction of a new innovation area at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) established by the University of Sheffield. This event is being referred to as a “significant milestone” for the aerospace and manufacturing industries in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Wates has been given the responsibility of delivering a significant regeneration project that is anticipated to revitalise an abandoned region of Gresham, which is located in Middlesbrough. In addition, this week, the South Bank Campus of Leeds College of Building hosted a one-of-a-kind training session on concrete safety for construction companies located in the surrounding area.
In addition, new skills hubs that are financed by industry leaders will result in the hiring of thousands of additional apprentice construction workers each year. These individuals will be employed to construct homes and stimulate growth.
AMRC Building Completed by Henry Boot Construction—“significant milestone” for UK Aerospace and Manufacturing
Original Source: Henry Boot Construction completes AMRC building – “significant milestone” for UK’s aerospace and manufacturing sector
New innovation space at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) finished by Henry Boot Construction.
Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) will occupy the 29,700 sq ft research and development facility, which is situated close to the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.
Lighter commercial aircraft are in high demand, and the aviation industry is aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The research programs housed at the open-access facility will help with this goal.
Installed solar photovoltaic panels on the lower and higher roofs, as well as air source heat pumps, contributed to the building’s BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification for sustainability.
Additionally, Veolia was able to incorporate the facility into Sheffield’s district heating network during construction.
The project’s major mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) partner was Elecomm of Sheffield, which was one of many local supply chain partners with whom Henry Boot Construction collaborated.
Managing director Tony Shaw of Henry Boot Construction expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the world-class facility, which was made possible through the collaboration between the University of Sheffield and their area supplier chain. Our dedication to producing groundbreaking projects is on full display in our work on the AMRC, which further deepens our already strong partnership with the institution.
“We are particularly proud to have built a facility that will be used by some of the world’s largest manufacturing brands, helping to drive our economy forward and create more high-quality jobs in the region.”
“This new facility represents a significant milestone in the UK’s aerospace and manufacturing sector, offering a unique opportunity for industry partners to access cutting-edge equipment and expertise,” Emma Hutton, AMRC director of major projects, stated of the facility.
“This is a collaborative R&D environment which will foster innovation and accelerate technological advancements, contributing to the nation’s economic growth and global competitiveness.”
The High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the University of Sheffield, Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, and South Yorkshire have all contributed financially to the new innovation complex. The Aerospace Technology Institute Programme of the United Kingdom Government awarded £29.5 million to build it, and it will hold a plethora of advanced manufacturing equipment.
Global aerospace leader Boeing, in collaboration with AMRC, Loop Technology, and Spirit AeroSystems, is leading the Isothermic High-Rate Sustainable Structures (IHSS) project, the first to be implemented in the new space.
Wates Wins Middlesbrough Urban Renewal
Original Source: Wates lands major Middlesbrough regeneration
In the first phase of the Middlesbrough masterplan, which is worth a total of 120 million pounds, there are more than 230 properties that are built with the intention of being rented out, and there are also residential accommodations for more than 450 students.
As part of the extensive revitalisation project, the international hotel brand Fairfield by Marriott is also in the process of negotiating the opening of a hotel with a capacity of two hundred rooms.
With the assistance of property developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property, the Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC), which is overseen by the mayor, is leading the charge to revitalise the brownfield land that has been abandoned.
A planning application for the initial phase of the project is scheduled to be submitted over the next several weeks.
Building construction might begin as early as the summer of 2025, provided that planning clearance and consent from the MDC board are obtained.
It is the intention of this program to provide “high-quality” housing in order to entice and keep talented individuals in the town, to encourage the expansion of Teesside University, and to initiate preparations to revitalise the central business district of Middlesbrough by attracting a maximum of 4,000 employment.
In a statement, David Wingfield, who is the managing director for construction East at Wates, stated, “The Gresham regeneration will help accelerate this potential even further, bringing a disused area back to life through the creation of a community, and we are extremely proud to be appointed to deliver it.”
With the help of this program, we intend to bring more than fifty million pounds worth of social value to Middlesbrough. This will be in line with our mission to develop vibrant communities and will give us the opportunity to have a long-lasting influence at the centre of the community.
According to Leigh Cresswell, director of iMpeC, “This development has the potential to serve as the impetus for extensive public and private investment that will result in the transformation of the central business district of Middlesbrough.”
Additionally, it will assist the town’s digital community, which is the most rapidly expanding tech cluster in the United Kingdom, as well as the flourishing advanced manufacturing and professional services industries in their efforts to recruit and keep talented individuals.
Leeds Workshop Addresses Concrete Safety in Construction
Original Source: Leeds Employer Workshop?Tackles Concrete Safety in Construction
This week, at its South Bank Campus, Leeds College of Building held a one-of-a-kind concrete safety training for regional construction businesses.
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was the topic of the well-attended event hosted by Curtins for the Yorkshire Branch of IStructE. Hundreds of schools were closed last year due to safety concerns involving this lightweight construction material, which made headlines.
From the 1950s through the 1990s, flat roofs, walls, and floors were constructed using this less expensive variant of regular concrete. However, its aerated and bubbly characteristics cause it to be less durable, and its lifespan is only approximately 30 years.
Experts in the field gave lectures and gave advise on how to deal with RAAC’s presence in buildings during the practical session, which educated industry professionals, college personnel and current and past students about its qualities.Subsequently, RAAC’s superior strength and stiffness compared to conventional concrete were shown by live testing conducted in a campus workshop.
Speaking on behalf of Leeds College of Building, Rob Smith, Head of Partnerships & Skills, stated:
The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREIIF) Leeds Expo was the first time we hosted a RAAC event in May in response to a request from Curtins and Robertson Group. It was only natural for Leeds College of Building to lend a hand with RAAC management education, considering the material’s extensive usage in construction in bygone days.
Due to the tremendous demand for the event, Curtins contacted us again following its success. We can further establish our presence in the construction business, take the lead on emerging trends, and network with additional local, state, and federal employers at this subsequent session.
“As the sole UK institution dedicated to general further education in the construction industry, it is fulfilling to be able to contribute our facilities to the industry’s efforts in educating both current and future professionals.”
Employers were able to gain a better understanding of the performance of concrete materials at the specialised training, which included interactive exhibits, a brief presentation by seasoned Curtins structural engineers, and networking opportunities.
Over the last six months, the built environment consultant Curtins has surveyed more than a hundred different buildings, including schools, universities, hospitals, and other public and private institutions, making it one of the top engineering firms in the UK working on RAAC. In addition to working with the BRE, Loughborough University, and Aintree and Airedale Hospitals on joint research projects, their knowledge was crucial in developing IStructE recommendations.
According to Oliver Organ, an associate at Curtins,
The RAAC event that Curtins hosted at Leeds College of Building earlier this year was a huge success, so the company was happy to work with the college again. The event has given the industry a chance to learn more about the performance of RAAC compared to regular concrete.
Thanks to the College’s facilities, we were able to host an interactive workshop, live load testing, and a brief presentation by specialists from Curtins and AGH Solutions. The presentation highlighted the groundbreaking work being done at Airedale General Hospital, headed by Richard Burgin. Leeds College of Building deserves a lot of the credit for the event’s success; it was an honour to host industry leaders in Leeds and raise attention to vital building safety initiatives.
At the RAAC event, an employer’s visitor also mentioned:
“What a fantastic evening. Very illuminating, and I learnt a lot about the issues with RAAC concrete by watching the demonstration. It was a great idea to host the event at [Leeds College of Building] because it showed how the venue relates to the subject matter and how the subject matter relates to the industry. I am eagerly anticipating my return visit.
New Skills Hubs Help Britain Build
Original Source: New skills hubs launched to get Britain building
Industry heavyweights are funding new skills hubs, which will increase annual hiring of apprentice construction workers by the thousands to build homes and spur growth.
In order to get Britain building again, the sector is investing £140 million, which will increase the number of construction apprenticeship spots available each year by 5,000.
The government’s growth ambition is set to be advanced with the help of 32 innovative new Homebuilding Skills Hubs, which will provide fast-track training to communities in need of additional housing and equip apprentices with key skills to increase housebuilding in the UK.
Key construction tradespeople, such as bricklayers, roofers, plasterers, scaffolders, electricians, carpenters, and more, will be able to train in a realistic setting at the purpose-built hubs.
They will be launched by the government in collaboration with the National House-Building Council (NHBC) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
This will guarantee that companies and employers in England have access to top-notch apprenticeship training, which will stimulate economic growth and provide new employment opportunities by collaborating with Skills England to determine which regions have the most demand for construction workers.
In comparison to the standard 24-to 30-month construction apprenticeship, the fast-track apprenticeships provided by the hubs can be finished in as little as 12 to 18 months. More individuals may be trained for high-skilled positions in the construction industry, which boosts the economy.
“According to Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills:”
While repairing our broken skills system and committing to the construction of 1.5 million houses over this parliament, this government is also working to remove obstacles to opportunity.
Meeting this lofty goal and repairing our economy’s underpinnings will require a trained workforce, therefore we must provide more opportunities for apprentices to advance in their careers.
I am glad that this program will provide apprentices with the abilities to grab opportunities, since it is essential to our mission-driven government to increase our country’s skill level.
Jacqui Smith, the Minister for Skills, recently convened a roundtable meeting with Matthew Pennycook, the Housing Minister of MHCLG, Sarah Jones, the Minister for Industry of DBT, and Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability from the DWP, to explore ways in which government agencies and businesses can collaborate to achieve our common objective of increasing the construction of high-quality homes.
The Skills Minister will be visiting Oldham College students today to learn more about the impact of these centres on skill development.
According to Matthew Pennycook, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning:
In order to build 1.5 million new houses in this parliament, we need a construction sector that is both competent and efficient.
In order to meet the government’s housebuilding target, this additional cash will be useful in expanding, training, and diversifying the housing workforce.
According to Roger Morton, who is in charge of business change and the training hubs at NHBC,:
Our £100 million investment in 12 NHBC Multi-Skills Training Hubs throughout the country will educate future home builders and prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow. First and foremost, our state-of-the-art facilities will revolutionise the industry by teaching vital trades like bricklaying, groundwork, and site carpentry.
Local housing demands and legislative changes can be accommodated by the adaptability of NHBC’s hubs. Faster, more capable craftsmen will emerge from our intensive training program, ready to contribute right away. Every apprentice must satisfy our high requirements if NHBC is to fulfil its purpose of providing the United Kingdom with the high-quality new houses that are much needed.
I would urge builders and contractors to invest in apprentices now more than ever before because of the Apprenticeship Levy and other significant grants. It’s a chance to attract and retain top talent in this vital sector while expanding your workforce.
According to Tim Balcon, CEO of CITB:
We obviously need to be far more nimble in our approach and reconsider our methods of worker training.
In close collaboration with the government and the homebuilding sector, we have designed a program to teach people the skills they need to be efficient workers on the job site. We are thrilled with this method because it is truly collaborative.
With the funding to develop 32 Homebuilding Skills Hubs, the nation will be able to accomplish its homebuilding goals and reduce demand for construction skills related to homebuilding.
Each of the 32 training hubs that will be established by 2028 will be located in a different part of the nation that has the highest demand for homebuilding.
Summary of today’s construction news
Overall, we discussed this 29,700 square foot R&D facility is located in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District, next to the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050, and it will be home to Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS). Approximately 230 rental buildings and 450 student housing units make up the first phase of the 120 million pound Middlesbrough project. The worldwide hotel chain Fairfield by Marriott is also discussing the opening of a 200-room hotel as part of the massive revitalisation project. Also, concrete safety in building is addressed in the Leeds employer workshop. Curtins held a successful event for the IStructE Yorkshire Branch on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Concerns over the safety of this lightweight construction material made headlines last year and led to the closure of hundreds of schools. Additionally, the industry is investing £140 million to boost the number of construction apprenticeship spaces available each year by 5,000, in an effort to get Britain building again. The government’s ambitious expansion plans are about to get a boost thanks to 32 brand new Homebuilding Skills Hubs. These hubs will train apprentices quickly and give communities that are short on housing the tools they need to build more homes.
