construction – Page 2 – The NEN

Trams to Newhaven project ‘on track’

The majority of track has been laid to take the tram to Newhaven as the scheme enters the final phase of construction works.

More than 3km of track – 70% of the total to be laid – is now in the ground as part of the Trams to Newhaven project, which remains on schedule to begin revenue services in spring 2023, delivered within the £207.3m budget.

The main construction work on three of the eight new tram stops is also complete, while over 3km of drainage (66% of the total) and almost 4km of communications ducting (82% of the total) serving the tram and wider area has been installed.

Construction is ‘largely finished’ on several key sections of the route, other than some localised works, including Constitution Street, between Constitution Place and Queen Charlotte Street, and Ocean Terminal to Rennie’s Isle.

Next week, operational tram stops on Princes Street and St Andrew Square will reopen following their temporary closure. These were closed to allow for the removal of the York Place tram stop and installation of new infrastructure there connecting the existing line to the new one.

As we enter the final year of major civil work ahead of testing and commissioning this winter, a review of the specific completion dates for remaining sections has been carried out.

This has resulted in some changes affecting certain sections due to various unavoidable factors such as complex utilities diversions, archaeological finds and an industry wide shortage of materials, though this is not expected to affect the final completion date.

Full details of the updated programme are available on the Trams to Newhaven website.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It’s clear that the Trams to Newhaven project is well on its way to completion, as these figures show, and before long we’ll be testing trams on the streets of Leith.

“Next week, we’ll also see the return of the existing service to the city centre, which I’m sure will be great news for many.

“Of course, while this project will bring significant benefits to the area, we know that its construction has impacted all those who live and work nearby, and I’d like to thank them for their patience during the last two years.

“As we enter the final year of work to deliver the tram line, we’ve had to make some changes to the programme due to issues outwith our control.

“I want to assure communities along the route that we’re doing everything we can to mitigate the impacts of this, and that we’re still on track to begin providing the service by spring next year.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “This project will be transformative for the north of the city and it’s really exciting to see it take shape already.

“Once complete, it will play a key role in the future growth and development of the city. Delivering the tram line to Leith will unlock a large area of the city for housing and economic development, while providing a low-carbon, clean mode of transport to densely populated communities.”

The project team is working to mitigate the impact of changes to the programme, ensuring the scheduled spring completion date is met.

Based on lessons from the first tram line, and best practice from other major European construction projects, Trams to Newhaven focuses on large work sites, providing the flexibility to continue construction elsewhere on-site if issues are encountered.

In the coming months, localised works will continue on completed sections to resolve defects, carry out landscaping, install equipment to support the new tram line including tram communication systems, complete tram stop fit-outs and install overhead line equipment, street lighting and traffic signalling.

Since 2019 the project has provided significant support to businesses through its £2.4m Support for Business initiative. As part of this more than £100k has been spent on an ‘Open for Business’ campaign, 60k deliveries have gone through dedicated logistics hubs and 140 applications have been made to the business continuity fund. In addition, the extremely popular itison scheme has seen over 20k vouchers sold, generating £200k spend in participating businesses.

Additional milestones:

90% of utility diversions complete
Substation at Melrose Drive complete and fit-out ongoing
Lindsay Road retaining walls complete
All track crossovers, which allow the tram to turn back on itself, installed
Constitution Street wall rebuilt following archaeological excavations
Archaeological excavations on Constitution Street complete, which saw more than 360 bodies exhumed, dating from between 1300 and 1650, as well as finding the apparent remnants of the original medieval graveyard wall.

Still no word from the long-running Edinburgh Tram Inquiry into the Edinburgh Tram project.

This inquiry,which was set up in 2015, aims to establish why the original Edinburgh Tram project incurred delays, cost massively more than originally budgeted and through reductions in scope delivered significantly less than oroginally promised.

The costs to taxpayers so far is an eye-watering £12.5 million …

Find out more about Trams to Newhaven online.

Construction: Start performance continues to decline, but negative curves start to soften

Planning approvals and main contract awards rally, indicating future recovery
Value of underlying work starting on-site (less than £100 million) during the three months to February fell 12% against the preceding three months, down 30% compared with the previous year
Residential project-starts performed poorly, with the value declining 21% against the preceding three-month period to stand 46% lower than a year ago.
Non-residential work starting on-site increased 1% against the preceding three months but fell 2% compared with a year ago
Civil engineering-starts slip back 17% against the preceding three-month period to stand 34% lower than the previous year.

Glenigan, the construction industry’s insight expert, has released the March 2022 edition of its Construction Index.

The Index focuses on February 2022, covering all projects with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures seasonally adjusted.

It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months.

Silver Linings

Although decline continued into February, making it the weakest on record, performance-wise since 2015, a strengthening pipeline of planning approvals and main contract awards indicates future, if not immediate, recovery.

This month’s Index shows that, the downward curve, which has persisted since spring 2021, is starting to soften. Supply chain issues might continue to bite, but are less aggressive in material terms.

However, socio-economic ructions caused by the Russia-Ukraine situation will no doubt have an effect as fuel and energy prices are likely to rocket in Q.2 and Q.3. However, the full impact is still too early to appreciate.

Sector Analysis – Residential

Private housing experienced one of the worst overall performances of any sector during this period, with the value of project starts declining by 23% against the preceding three months (to February 2022), standing 50% lower than a year ago.

Social housing fared little better, having remained relatively robust in the preceding months, falling 16% during the period and 26% compared with the previous year.

Looking at the sector overall, work commencing on site fell 21% during the three months to February, and were 46% lower than the previous year.

Sector Specific – Non-Residential

It was a mixed bag in the non-residential sector, however, a few trends are starting to emerge which indicate post-COVID resurgence.

Last month, the Index reported that hotel & leisure grew (23% on the preceding year, and 35% in the three months to January). Once more, the sector has increased performance-wise, standing 23% on the preceding the three months to February and 7% higher than a year ago.

Community & amenity was another March index high-riser, experiencing a spike in activity. Starts jumped 28% against the preceding 3 months and 38% compared with a year ago.

Industrial-starts, the consistent star performer in Index terms, declined 17% during the three-month period covered by the Index. However, the vertical remained steadfast, up 19% on the previous year.

Sprinting ahead, office construction-starts increased by nearly a fifth (17%) in the three months to end of February, but fell marginally short compared to 2021 levels (-6%)

Education and health-starts fell, reflecting a steady decline in both sectors, which will no doubt throw the Government’s levelling-up policy open to scrutiny.

Whilst infrastructure construction-starts indicated green shoots of recovery, increasing 2% during the three months to February, the value fell 27% compared to 2021.

Modest increases will be tempered by another sharp fall for civils work, down 17% against the preceding three months and 34% compared with a year ago. The utilities sector added further salt to the wound once again posting big losses in start terms, falling 43% against the preceding three months to February to stand 48% lower than a year ago.

Regional Analysis

The North East was the best performer during the three months to February, and the only one that experienced growth against this period and 2021 (+6%).

Inconsistency reigned supreme in the other regions. Scotland experienced the greatest increase in project starts against the preceding three months (+13%), but was down 36% on a year ago. Similarly, project starts in London declined by over a quarter (26%) compared to 2021, but increased during the three months to February. The South East was the only other region to experience growth against the preceding three months (+4%).

Unfortunately, all other regions returned poor performances. The value of project starts fell in the West Midlands by 41% during the three months to February, standing 54% lower compared to a year ago. Strong declines were also seen in the East Midlands, East of England, North West and South West on both the Index period covered and 2021.

Commenting on the Index’s findings, Glenigan’s Senior Economist, Rhys Gadsby says, “We urge readers of this Index to maintain a positive outlook. Whilst project starts remain low, the downward curve is softening and, as our most recent Forecast predicted, a gradual rise in the latter half of 2022 is likely.

“External events are skewing the market and no doubt current geopolitical events in Eastern Europe will create some challenges. However, the UK construction industry is incredibly resourceful, and the strong pipeline of planning approvals and contract wins is testament to this. In our view it’s very much a case of ‘keep calm and carry on’.”

To find out more about Glenigan, click here.

Barratt Homes to transform disused land in Leith

Derelict brownfield land in Leith is set to be transformed into two new five-star housing developments by Barratt Homes.

The UK’s largest housebuilder has started construction of 212 homes on Baltic Street and plans for a 115 home development on South Fort Street are well underway. Named Merchant Quay and Heron Bank respectively, the new developments are expected to generate nearly 60 new jobs and create positions for at least five apprentices.

The construction of Heron Bank and Merchant Quay will also serve to boost the local economy; an economic footprint calculation predicts the developments will add more than £30m in financial output over their build period.

Both developments will also revitalise brownfield sites, with Merchant Quay previously housing a builders yard and Heron Bank home to a steel fabrication company. The regeneration these developments provide will only add to the already booming metropolitan progression of Leith.

Building in these areas will also provide a significant contribution of much needed Affordable Housing units; Merchant Quay will deliver 43 plots, a mix of one, two and three-bed apartments, in collaboration with Port of Leith Housing Association, and Heron Bank will provide 24 units, the mix of which will be determined throughout the planning process.

Barratt Homes has established itself as one of the biggest contributors to Edinburgh’s Affordable Housing Policy, with over 1,000 units constructed to date.

Alison Condie, managing director for Barratt Homes East Scotland, said: “We have a long and proud association providing housing in the east of Scotland and Barratt is a popular and trusted source of five-star quality homes for buyers.

“We’re looking forward to expanding our offering in the region with these new developments on South Fort Street and Baltic Street, and helping to regenerate these locations.”

Work on both developments is now underway and it is expected that opportunities to move into one, two and three-bedroom apartments in Leith will be available in early 2022.

Further details and updates on Merchant Quay and Heron Bank are available on the Barratt Homes website.

Students set for the Scottish Schools’ Hydrogen Challenge

Over 7,000 second year students from across Scotland will compete to build the best green hydrogen powered Lego vehicle over the next eight weeks
Pupils have the opportunity to test drive the low carbon fuel and hear more on the importance of green hydrogen in achieving Net Zero targets
Winners from each city will compete in the Grand Final in Glasgow during COP26

Students across Scotland are taking part in a unique challenge in the run up to COP26 – designing, building and racing a green hydrogen-fuelled vehicle of their own design.

The Scottish School’s Hydrogen Challenge will see groups of three students collaborate to build the most efficient hydrogen-powered vehicle in under two hours. Vehicles that travel the furthest on the zero emission fuel will take part in a Grand Final in Glasgow during COP26.

Over 7,000 second year pupils from Scotland are expected to take part as the challenge visits Fort William, Wick, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow in the run up to the climate change summit.

Regional finals are taking place in each of Scotland’s cities with the top three teams from each being entered into the Grand Final with a chance to win a Lego Robot Inventor amongst other prizes.

Today, 3rd September, marks the first of the regional finals. Schools from across the Highlands have been competing for a place to race at COP26 over the past two weeks with the final contenders racing their hydrogen powered vehicles in Inverness at Millburn Academy today.

The challenge is being delivered by partners Arcola Energy, ITM Power and ScottishPower, a partnership formed to help educate people on the importance of green hydrogen in tackling the ongoing climate emergency.

Barry Carruthers, Hydrogen Director at ScottishPower, said: “Scotland is about to host one of the most important climate summits ever, COP26, and we want to help bring some of the energy and excitement around COP26 to schools across Scotland with our partners Arcola Energy and ITM Power.

“We’re currently working to deliver a number of green hydrogen projects in Scotland – including the largest green hydrogen facility in the country, but we know that we still have work to do to help educate people about this critical, zero emission fuel and the role it plays in achieving Scotland’s overall Net Zero goals.

“This green hydrogen Challenge will help engage Scottish students in how green hydrogen can help decarbonise our daily lives by providing a clean fuel alternative to heavy industries and transport and supporting hundreds of green jobs.”

During the workshops, competitors will find out more about the decarbonisation of transport and the important role it is playing in reaching Scotland’s climate change targets.

The Challenge also offers a chance for members of the community to learn about green hydrogen, its applications and its expected growth over the next decade during evening and weekend workshops.

Experts will be on hand to answer any questions about the technology and offer a chance for people to try their hand at building a hydrogen-powered vehicle.

Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, said: “It is vitally important we work with young people as they grow up during the rapid shift to a net-zero economy. We are thrilled to be working with partners Arcola and ScottishPower, who are as passionate as we are about inspiring and upskilling a future generation of scientists and engineers.

“These hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are being built by the generation who will inherit the hydrogen technology that we at ITM Power are creating today. We hope to learn as much from them as they do from us.”

Green hydrogen is made when a renewable electricity source, like an onshore wind farm, is used to generate the electricity to power an electrolyser which splits water into its two elements; hydrogen and oxygen.

The zero emissions fuel offers a long term, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, and can be used to decarbonise sectors that cannot be powered by electricity alone, including large transport vehicles like trucks, trains or buses and heavy industry or high temperature industrial processes.

Dr Ben Todd, CEO of Arcola Energy said: “Arcola Energy has delivered hands-on hydrogen education programmes to more than 100,000 students over the past 12 years, as part of our goal to deliver practical solutions to decarbonise transport, many examples of which will be on Scottish roads in the coming years.

“Based on real engineering principles, our workshops are delivered by our in-house team working with members of local universities and colleges who will be on hand to help teach students about green hydrogen and its applications – as well as offer a few hints and tips as they work to build their vehicles.”

The Challenge is being supported by the Scottish Cities Alliance and the Hydrogen Accelerator who have played a key role in the coordination of the Challenge and helping to educate people on the role of hydrogen in decarbonisation.

Cllr John Alexander, Chair, Scottish Cities Alliance, Leader Dundee City Council, said: “With COP26 just around the corner there has never been a better time to engage our future leaders, engineers, economists and so much more about how important zero carbon fuel is.

“In the lead up to COP26 the Scottish cities are proud to collectively support this important programme to inspire the next generation of renewable energy engineers who can capitalise on the high skilled jobs we aim to create from our collective investment to position Scotland as one of Europe’s leading early adopters of hydrogen technology.

“Innovation is happening here and now across the Scottish cities in deploying these technologies at scale to play our part in meeting Scotland’s ambitious net zero target by 2045 and putting the technology in the hands of young people is vital to ensuring that Scotland’s workforce of the future is best placed to reap the economic rewards as part of our just transition.”

Professor John Irvine, Chair of the Hydrogen Accelerator at the University of St Andrews, said: “On behalf of the Hydrogen Accelerator and the University of St Andrews, I am delighted that we are supporting this exciting Hydrogen Challenge programme, inspiring our young people to take up future careers within sectors such as Hydrogen as it offers such a diverse range of fulfilling career opportunities.

“The Hydrogen Accelerator also looks forward to continuing to support the ambitions of the Seven Cities and city regions in achieving their decarbonisation targets.

“With the abundance of renewable energy and water here in Scotland we have the right ingredients to produce green hydrogen enabling not only the decarbonisation of the transport sector but the opportunity to create innovative solutions, supply chain growth whilst providing citizens with clean, green transport.”

Construction growth experiences short-term slowdown

Pace of sector recovery reduces in 3 months to end of July 2021, but long-term indicators suggest quick return to upward momentum

Value of project starts in three months to end of July 2021 dips by 14% compared to buoyant start of the year
Planning consents down 20% in three months to end of July 2021 against previous three months
However, contract awards show resilience, three months to end of July 82% up on same period in 2020 and 43% above same period in 2019
Non-residential RMI Work increases by 2.3% in three months to end of July, up over 50% against previous three months in 2021
East of England region on the brink of return to pre-COVID levels of output

Glenigan, the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, has released the August edition of its Construction Review.

This monthly report provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of construction data, giving built environment professionals unique insight into results from the three months to the end of July 2021.

Short-term slowdown

Following a growth spurt in the first half of 2021, momentum has started to show signs of slowing down. This recent decline has been led by a sharp fall in private residential and civil engineering work.

Overall, the value of projects starting on-site averaged £5,497 million per month in the three months to July. Despite being 27% higher than the same period in 2020, it remains 14% lower than the preceding three months in 2021.

Glenigan August Review_Executive Summary.png

Fig 1. August Construction Review Summary

This sudden fall can be attributed, in part, to a 19% decline in the value of underlying project (<£100m in value) starts. Although these were up 36% on 2020, the figures are still 24% lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Whilst the value of major projects remained unchanged (£1,740 million per month) against the preceding three months to July, they were still 2% down on 2019 levels.

Best laid plans

Planning consents have also seen a slip during this slower period, down 20% against the previous three months. Major planning approvals are more stable, but also witnessed an 8% decrease.

However, on a positive note, planning consent levels remain significantly higher on both 2020 and 2019.

Back on track

Looking further ahead, the strengthening pattern of main contract awards points to renewed growth in project-starts during the second half of the year.

Although the value of main contracts awarded slipped 1% against the previous six months, it remained 43% above the same period in 2019 (82% up on 2020). Putting this into perspective, major contract awards were three-and-a-half times higher than a year ago and 98% ahead of pre-COVID levels.

Recovery progressing

Despite the m-o-m decline, second quarter output was up 3.3% on the preceding three months.

Further, some areas of activity saw modest growth on Q.1, with RMI work increasing by 2.3% (53.5% ahead of 2020 figures). Much of this is accounted for by non-housing repair and maintenance work, perhaps reflecting the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and calls from Government and business to return to city centre workspaces.

There was also a slight uptick in new-build output (3.9%) in Q.2 against Q.1, with private housing experiencing a marked upward spike of 10.6%.

In line with Glenigan’s previous reviews and indexes, infrastructure has been the strongest performing sector for new work, rising 15.9% against the preceding quarter.

Industrial and commercial sector activity also rose by 3.8% and 0.8% respectively against the first quarter.

The biggest losers were the new public residential and non-residential sectors, which saw a slight dip in output of 1.5% and 1.4% respectively.

Strong performers

Regionally, Scotland achieved strongest growth project-starts against the previous year (124%) during the previous three months to end of July 2021. However, these figures were still below 2019 levels.

Yorkshire and The Humber also achieved three digit growth on 2020, but slipped by 14% against the previous three months.

Recovery is strengthening in the East of England, which is the closest UK region to returning to 2019 levels of output against the previous three months to July. Climbing 58%, the area is now only 9% off a pre-pandemic footing.

These positive figures are further tempered with continued output decline registered in Wales, the North East and South East. This highlights the sector still as a way to go to full nationwide recovery, even if good progress is being made.

Allan Wilen_Economics Director_Glenigan.jpg

Commenting on the findings, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilen (above) says, “There’s no doubt the slowdown seen over the last three months has been the result of a perfect storm of external events, beyond the industry’s control.

“Supply chain issues continue to bite and look likely to remain a challenge for the foreseeable future. However, the sector is showing its strength across the board, and this modest slowing of pace is certainly not as serious as many might have predicted.

“With a number of major projects in the pipeline, a potential national green retrofitting programme and core infrastructure remediation work upcoming, there are reasons to stay positive as we look to the second half of 2021 and beyond.

“Our recent Forecast for 2021-2023 indicates 2022 will see a return to pre-COVID levels of project-starts, and whilst we’re not there quite yet, we’re seeing lost ground being made up at a quicker rate than anyone would have predicted this time last year.”

To request a copy of Glenigan’s full August Construction Review, with sector-by-sector analysis, click here.

Scottish construction shows signs of strong recovery

Scotland demonstrates strong growth in the wake of pandemic and despite supply shortages

Scotland leads post-COVID industry recovery, growing 124% on the value of project-starts compared to last year
UK value of underlying work (less than £100 million in value) up 35% on 2020 figures but down 16% on preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis
Nationwide, retail proves a stand-out sector with 150% growth on project-starts, and residential project starts rise by over a third on previous year

Glenigan, the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, has released the August edition of its Construction Index.

This report provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals unique insight into results from the second quarter of 2021 and the last twelve months.

Strong growth for Scotland

Scotland has been leading the Covid-recovery, achieving strong growth of 124% on the value of project starts against the previous year, this is despite a 15% dip compared with the previous three months of this year.

UK-wide signs of increase

Despite a slight setback for underlying work (less than £100 million in value) in Q.2 of this year dropping 16% on Q.1, the construction industry is regaining its feet. A rise of 35% on figures in the same time period in 2020 show a sector on the way up.

Residential work on the rise

The value of residential work being carried out on-site is also on the rise, climbing 36% against the previous year. However, this fell 28% compared with the preceding three months (seasonally adjusted) and is down 33% on 2019 figures.

Private housing has also shown growth as one of the best-performing sectors, with the value of project-starts rising by over half (54%). Again, these figures are off the back of an initial dip, down 29% on the preceding three months of this year and 32% on 2019 levels.

Retail and offices provide boost

Retail was the stand-out sector during the period, with project-starts having increased 150% against the previous year up 34% compared with the same period in 2019. Retail-starts also increased 83% compared with the preceding three-month period.

Non-residential sectors also performed above 2020 figures, climbing 43% and increasing by 7% in Q.2 on three months previous.

Health projects show vitality

Despite a slight dip in health project starts in Q.2 of this year falling 12% on Q.1, the sector has seen a 7% rise on the previous year and a 43% increase on the same period in 2019.

Similarly, hotel and leisure project-starts have performed poorly in recent months, however, sector growth has nearly doubled against the previous year (94%) and increased 52% on Q.1 of 2021.

Improvement needed for infrastructure and civil project-starts

An area in need of improvement is underlying civil engineering project-starts which increased just 1% on 2020 but fell 41% on the preceding three months. This was also down 40% compared with the same period in 2019.

Infrastructure starts were also down 16% on the previous year and 49% compared with Q.1 of this year. The sector was also declined by 43% on the same period in 2019.

However, utilities starts show much more promise, increasing by nearly a half on 2020 (47%) but down 18% on the preceding three months of Q.1 of this year.

Strong regional performance

Yorkshire and the Humber also achieved three-digit growth on 2020 (110%) and project-starts in London climbed by over 50% against the previous year but was down 9% on Q.1

Project-starts in the East of England also rose by 58% against last year and were the only region to experience growth against the preceding three months (6%).

Rhys Gadsby, Glenigan’s Economic Analyst, commented on the latest figures: “The positive figures we’ve seen in Scotland serves as a strong indicator the construction sector recovery is not limited to London and the South East.

“However, they should be note of caution. While the value of project-starts remains substantially higher than the lockdown-affected previous year, the value has continued to decline in recent months.

“Material supply problems may have contributed to the fall; however, a decline was expected following a surge in activity, due to pent-up demand, during the first quarter.

“More positively, the speed of decline slowed during July. Main contract awards and detailed planning approval were high compared with previous years, so it is only a matter of time before this has a positive impact on project-starts.

“Furthermore, the successful vaccination roll-out, as well as the ending of restrictions on daily life, should give investors – particularly in non-residential sectors such as hotel & leisure – the confidence to progress projects to site.”

To find out more about Glenigan’s expert insight and leading market analysis click here

HR & Recruitment industry sees biggest increase in post lockdown job opportunities

HR & Recruitment had the biggest bounce back in jobs compared to July last year
Job opportunities in HR & Recruitment swelled to more than triple the average increase for all sectors
The Transport/ Logistics/ Warehouse industry saw the second highest increase

The HR & Recruitment industry has seen the greatest increase in job opportunities over the past year, new research has revealed.

The study, conducted by advertising experts N.Rich, analysed official job advertisement data from the ONS and Adzuna, comparing the year-on-year increase in job ads across 29 different industries between July 2020 and July 2021.

Results indicated that HR & Recruitment boasts an annual increase of 544% jobs advertised – more than three times the average increase for all UK industries (171%).

The Transport / Logistics / Warehouse industry has seen the second highest increase in job opportunities, with a 437% annual increase.

Rounding out the top three of highest annual increase of jobs advertised via Adzuna job boards were those for the Catering/ Hospitality industry, with a 425% improvement compared to the same date last year.

Other industries starting to recover include Manufacturing, which has a 420% annual increase in job adverts, putting it in fourth place. Fifth place belongs to the Marketing/ Advertising/ PR industry, with an annual increase in job adverts of 359%.

The lower half of the Top 10 features industries such as Management/ Exec/ Consulting industry (357% annual increase), Constructions/Trades (352%), and Admin/ Clerical/ Secretarial jobs (329% increase). Rounding off the top 10 are the Sales and Wholesale/Retail industries, with increases in job adverts of 292% and 290% respectively.

At the other end of the scale, Healthcare and Social Care saw the lowest increase in openings, going up by just 29% compared to a year previously, while Education also saw a relatively small rise of 52%.

Year-on-year comparison of job adverts across UK by industry – top 10, July 2020 – July 2021

Industry	Year-on-Year percentage increase
1. HR and Recruitment	544.94%
2. Transport/ Logistics/ Warehouse	437.74%
3. Catering and Hospitality	425.21%
4. Manufacturing	420.93%
5. Marketing/ Advertising/ PR	359.00%
6. Management/ Exec/ Consulting	357.13%
7. Construction/ Trades	352.44%
8. Admin/ Clerical/ Secretarial	329.41%
9. Sales	292.32%
10. Wholesale and Retail	290.53%
Average across all industries	171.8%

In addition, the study analysed how job opportunities have changed across the UK’s regions, with the East of England seeing an increase of 242% when comparing the week commencing 16 July 2021 with the same week in 2020.

In second place is the North East with a 223% increase in job adverts, while third place belongs to the West Midlands with a 210% increase in jobs advertised.

London has seen the lowest increase in job opportunities by region compared to July last year, at 134%. North West comes in behind at 167%, followed by the South East with a 168% increase in job adverts.

Year-on-year comparison of job adverts across UK by region, July 2020 – July 2021

UK Region	Year-on-Year percentage increase
1. East of England	242.1%
2. North East	223.2%
3. West Midlands	210.9%
4. East Midlands	205.7%
5. Yorkshire and The Humber	194%
6. South West	171.8%
7. South East	168.7%
8, North West	167.5%
9. London	134.2%
All Regions	171.8%

Year-on-year comparison of job adverts across UK by country, July 2020 – July 2021

UK Region	Year-on-Year percentage increase
1. Northern Ireland	232.5%
2. Wales	180.6%
3. England	176.2%
4. Scotland	159.9%

A spokesperson for N.Rich said, “It is exciting to see that a number of industries are recovering after a gruelling couple of years. It just goes to show that – despite fears of an economic downturn post lockdown – the UK job market remains resilient and robust.”

The study was conducted by N.Rich, which offers a rich array of intent data and ad inventory that enable marketers to drive awareness and lead generation effectively.

Team ESTEEM: the build begins!

We are Team ESTEEM, a Heriot-Watt student team participating in the world’s largest design and construction competition, the Solar Decathlon Middle East where we designed and currently build a solar-powered sustainable house of the future.

https://www.solardecathlonme.com

We wanted to share with you that we started our assembly on campus in Edinburgh!

You can visit us by registering through this link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/visit-our-prototype-in-edinburgh-tickets-160216719521.

We would love to talk to you while admiring the product of our collaboration – the ESTEEM house!

We have also now created a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to cover the following expenses: –

Cost of Green eco-friendly, natural renewable Hemp insulation – £5k
Cost of timber fixings and connections – £5k
Cost of landscaping and green walling solutions -£5k

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/team-esteem-solar-powered-timber-home#/

Team ESTEEM is hosting an online conference where participants will be able to listen to panels about innovation in construction and network with industry experts, technology focused companies and ESTEEM representatives.

The event takes place on Wedneday July 28th at 12pm on Airmeet platform.

NETWORK-1 Download

See above for details

You can register through this link:

https://www.airmeet.com/e/e1643330-e565-11eb-9f2c-7d15f8f5c297

Barratt apprentices excel after overcoming COVID-19 challenges

Starting a new working life and career during a global pandemic has been a huge challenge for thousands of young people across Scotland. Last August at Barratt East Scotland, four new apprentices started as part of the housebuilder’s regional 11-person brickwork team.

Alan Turnbull, 24 from Edinburgh, had previously been working as a labourer with a local contractor. After the promise of an apprenticeship fell through, Alan decided to take the leap and apply for one with Barratt. “I’m someone who wants to be proud of the work they do and be able to show something for it, so the opportunity of working for a big company like Barratt really tempted me.”

Ciaran Grieg, 17, did a multi-skills course at college and enjoyed the bricklaying aspect, so decided to look for opportunities in the construction industry. “It just happened that Barratt was building a new site across from where I stayed and were looking for bricklayers, I really lucked out. I’d also heard lots about their apprenticeship programme so decided to go for it.”

Seven months in, they’re now working at a number of Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes developments across the east of Scotland helping build a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Both Alan and Ciaran were surprised about how hands-on their experience has been so far and can already see the positive impact their role has around the wider teams. Alan said: “Because I’ve done well, I’ve been able to be a lot more involved than I would have usually, that’s meant building a lot more and allowing the other tradesmen to do their tasks easier and quicker.”

Although construction has been able to continue with enhanced safety measures under government restrictions, Barratt has adapted its apprenticeship programme using tools that haven’t always been traditional in the housebuilding sector.

Ray Gibson, brickwork manager at Barratt East Scotland, looks after the apprentices in his department: “The apprentices have done really well so far despite the different circumstances.

“Because face-to-face classes in colleges are currently on hold, we’ve often adapted the way we work with them. Through a WhatsApp group, I have given them weekly challenges, where they upload pictures and short video clips of what they have been doing.

“These challenges put them in squads who then take the apprentices under their wing, giving them as much training and opportunity with practical experience as possible. Social distancing has made it difficult for the apprentices to learn from other teams, as we’ve had to place them in smaller squads. So these chat groups have worked well to bring them together and form a sense of camaraderie.”

Both Alan and Ciaran said a highlight of the job were the teams they were put in. “Although it’s been odd with social distancing and not being able to mix with the whole site, working with my team has been a highlight. We have a great laugh and it makes learning on the job a lot easier,” said Alan.

“I really enjoyed the experience of meeting new people and I’ve managed to make a fair few friends during the apprenticeship,” added Ciaran.

Different from previous years, the interview process saw each applicant in a group setting, to get a better insight on their ability to work well with others, as well as having to carry out a demonstration of their own individual skills.

“By establishing them in a squad, we hope that by the time they finish their placements they stay with Barratt. I’m pretty confident that this will be true for the apprentices in their third and fourth years and I’d like to think that those in their first years want to move into management,” said Ray.

When asked about his future plans, Ciaran said: “My aim for the next few years is to keep improving my skills and hopefully stay with Barratt.

“If I had to give one piece of advice to someone starting, it’s to go for it. It’s been great learning on the job and from people around me with years of experience. But also, don’t get too cheeky and respect your elders.”

Apprenticeships are an integral part of Barratt Homes, as they recognise the importance of developing and retaining a budding workforce, offering career opportunities in the areas that they build in, while addressing the current skills shortage.

Available to people who have just left school or college and are looking for a new challenge, apprenticeships are also open to those who have already started working towards a career in housebuilding.

Barratt East Scotland will be recruiting eight apprentices in September of this year and January 2022.

A total of 26 new starts will form part of Barratt Developments Scotland’s 2021 intake, in a number of positions across the business, from Sales and Land graduates as part of their ASPIRE Graduate Programme, to bricklayer and carpenter trade apprentices.

To find out more about apprenticeship programmes with Barratt Homes visit https://www.barrattcareers.co.uk/early-careers/apprentices

A buyer for BiFab … but not Burntisland

Unions welcome announcement but slam Government inaction

Leading strategic infrastructure projects and physical asset lifecycle management company InfraStrata plc, is delighted to announce it has acquired the assets of the Scottish-based offshore energy fabrication company, Burntisland Fabrication (BiFab) Limited. The sites will trade under the Harland & Wolff name.

This highly strategic acquisition of assets and leases spans across two sites in prime Scottish locations with particular regard to renewable, oil & gas and defence projects: Methil on the east coast of Scotland and Arnish on the west coast of Scotland. The BurntIsland site will not form part of the transaction.

Both sites will trade under the Harland & Wolff brand and will represent the final fabrication piece of its UK footprint, positioning the company to fully deliver on its existing strategy quicker than it would have done with only its two existing sites: Harland & Wolff (Belfast) and Harland & Wolff (Appledore).

Methil, the larger of the two sites will be heavily focussed on fabrication for the oil and gas, commercial and renewables markets, whilst Arnish lends itself to multiple opportunities across all Harland & Wolff’s five markets: defence, oil & gas, renewables, commercial and cruise and ferry.

Through this strategic ambition across various geographical locations of the United Kingdom, InfraStrata emphasises its local and cross government support; aligned even closer to the UK Government’s “levelling-up” agenda and the “Green Industrial Revolution”.

The two Scottish sites will work symbiotically alongside Harland & Wolff (Belfast) and Harland & Wolff (Appledore).

John Wood, CEO of InfraStrata, commented: “With this acquisition, we now have a footprint in Scotland, which is the hotbed for major wind farm projects as well as for shipbuilding programmes. We have now positioned ourselves strategically across the UK with four sites capable of servicing our five core markets.

“This acquisition gives us the flexibility to optimise our operations across the Group and offer our clients the ability to fabricate faster and de-risk their exposure by offering multiple sites.

“As we move into larger contracts, it is crucial that we demonstrate the capacity to bid for and deliver on these projects. The acquisition of Bifab’s assets delivers that capability to us and will open up a larger demographic of tender opportunities.

“Finally, I wish to warmly welcome the personnel whom we have taken on at Methil and Arnish and I am confident that we will turn these facilities into highly successful businesses that generate jobs and investment into their local economies in due course.”

Harland & Wolff is a wholly-owned subsidiary of InfraStrata plc (AIM: INFA), a London Stock Exchange-listed firm focused on strategic infrastructure projects and physical asset life-cycle management.

Harland and Wolff (Belfast) is one of Europe’s largest heavy engineering facilities, with deep water access, deep water quayside berths and vast fabrication halls, with the addition of Harland & Wolff (Appledore) the company will be able to capitalise on opportunities at both ends of the market where it has strategic and unique assets that will be much in demand.

In addition to Harland & Wolff, it owns the Islandmagee gas storage project, which is expected to provide 25% of the UK’s natural gas storage capacity and to benefit the Northern Irish economy as a whole when completed. It is anticipated that the gas storage project will bring significant fabrication and construction work to the shipyard during its construction phase.

GMB Scotland and Unite Scotland have welcomed the announcement that two of the three BiFab fabrication yards have been bought out of administration by InfraStrata.

BiFab, which had three fabrication yards in Fife and the Isle of Lewis, went into administration in December last year following the Scottish Government withdrawing previous financial guarantees to support the manufacture of eight turbine jackets for the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind project at the yards.

InfraStrata as part of a £850,000 deal has bought the sites at Methil in Fife and Arnish on Lewis. It is understood that InfraStrata, which owns the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, will bring the Scottish sites under the Harland and Wolff name as it attempts to bid for offshore wind projects and shipbuilding contracts.

Unite and GMB have demanded concrete actions by the Scottish and UK Governments to strategically support the offshore wind sector. The trade unions criticised the announcement by the Prime Minister in October 2020 to commit 60 per cent of the turbines to be manufactured in the UK as ‘empty rhetoric’ without a review of the Contracts for Difference (CfD), which should include local content and enforcement clauses.

The trade unions also cited the various powers relating to planning, renewables energy, procurement, the Crown Estate and Marine Scotland which the Scottish Government should be using to exercise greater leverage in the contractual process.

In a joint statement, Unite Scotland Secretary Pat Rafferty and GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith said: “The announcement by InfraStrata that two of the BiFab yards will be bought out of administration is welcome news. It is also testimony to our members and their communities who have fought hard to keep these yards alive.

“We look forward to working with the company to ensure it is primed to win contracts for the offshore wind sector, and to having a positive working relationship underpinned by the Fair Work principles. We have always believed that the BiFab yards, and indeed yards and ports all over Scotland, are uniquely placed to capture the benefits of the offshore wind sector.

“However, the story so far has been one of government failure – thousands of jobs and billions of pounds have been outsourced around the world when Scottish communities should have been benefitting from these contracts. Now the Scottish and UK Governments have been given a reprieve and they need to step-up and support the new ownership.

“We urgently need an overhaul of the Contracts for Difference process to ensure local supply clauses are in-built at the outset of major contracts as part of a proper industrial and investment plan for the sector, otherwise the green jobs revolution will remain a fantasy.”