BCCEC

BLACK COUNTRY CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE CLUB - ENTRY FOR MIDLANDS BUSINESS CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD

2010-12-25T08:11:00.000-08:00

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Dev Masih - 07908 383570
JAW Business Solutions

Being Waste Aware Makes Sense

2010-12-10T20:46:00.000-08:00

The imminent rise in VAT, rising transport costs and the annual increase in landfill tax means that the cost of disposing of waste is increasing steadily. There are also very serious implications for those found guilty for not adhering to waste management legislation with the threat of an unlimited fine or even a custodial sentence.

Construction companies that produce, store, transport and dispose of waste must do so without harming the environment. A principal contractor is also responsible for ensuring and checking that all of its sub-contractors are legally compliant. This is their duty of care.

In December 2010 Skanska in partnership with West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence (WMCCE) invited subcontractors and members of the local construction community to site at Walsall Manor Hospital to become ‘Waste Aware’.

Photograph (Left to Right), Ian Mitchell (Gill Group, Birmingham), Hugh Phillips (Crown Cutting, Burntwood), Roger Wilson (Trainer, WMCCE), Steven Clarke (Bagnall UK Ltd, Warrington), Steven Davis (Skanska, Walsall)

The Waste Awareness Course has been developed by the Chartered Institution of Waste Management (CIWM) to give an introduction to waste for those people who deal with waste management for their organisations. The training also challenged the delegates to look for opportunities to use resources efficiently and to minimise waste.

“Being legally compliant, looking for opportunities to use resources efficiently and to reduce waste is definitely a good investment for construction firms both large and small. We are looking forward to working with WMCCE again. The training was excellent, pitched at just the right level and was affordable. In addition WMCCE and Constructing Excellence Clubs across the country have access to funding to support the local construction community to survive the recession and to come out the other side of it the stronger as a result”.

For more details regarding Waste Awareness contact WMCCE on 0121 688 4050.

Steven Davis
Environmental Manager

Skanska Central & Regions
Skanska Facilities Services – Midlands

07875 373 857
steven.davis@skanska.co.uk

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Dev Masih - 07908 383570
http://www.jawbusiness.co.uk

Amey provide boost to the West Midlands construction industry

2010-12-01T01:48:00.000-08:00

The West Midlands is set for an industry boost following the launch of a new scheme of Civil Engineering apprenticeships in the region. 100 new jobs in construction, predominantly in the rail industry, are set to be created by construction firm Amey who has unveiled its new national Apprenticeship Academy.

Amey Logo

The Network Rail centre in Walsall will be the training hub for the scheme which features a ‘mock rail environment’, where experienced rail professionals will provide training and skills to apprentices seeking to work in engineering. Amey is looking beyond purely training apprentices though, with opportunities available to complete the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, study National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), and undertake work placements.

Amey chief executive, Mel Ewell, spoke about the new scheme and what it has to offer: "The programme is designed specifically to help young people negotiate an extremely tough jobs market and learn practical skills that will give them real, long-term career prospects."

Those who make it onto the scheme will take part in exciting projects, including CEFA - a national infrastructure project to examine every single bridge, signal box and tunnel owned and operated by Network Rail.

Link to the Amey website is: http://www.amey.co.uk/

Article kindly supplied by: http://www.grayling.com/

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Website Queries Contact:
Dev Masih - 07908 383570
http://www.jawbusiness.co.uk

Walsall Education Business Partnership - Walsall Hospital Challenge

2010-11-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

The Hospital Challenge took the form of a competition in which Year 12 students working in teams of six were given plans of the new Walsall Manor Hospital atrium area and were tasked with designing facilities for users. Working to strict deadlines, each team had to research what is needed before submitting a tender, through a presentation, to a panel of Skanska judges.

Walsall Education Business Partnership

The ‘Dragon’s Den’ style panel judges included the Project’s Architect, Construction Director, Quantity Surveyor and a Graduate Construction Supervisor.

Creative students from Pool Hayes School in Walsall impressed the judges with their creative ideas, delivering a professional presentation and with the accuracy and detail of their tender. The students came up with suggestions such as providing a crèche facility and incorporating a memory tree in the atrium of the new hospital for people to remember their loved ones.

The Challenge was initiated, planned and delivered as a joint venture between Walsall Education Business Partnership and the Skanska Team.

“We entered two teams who came first and second in the challenge. It was open to all schools in Walsall and the challenged simulated a construction company bidding for work”. Clive Thomas, Head of Sixth Form, Pool Hayes School.

“The added value to the students was the information, advice and guidance given by the Skanska team before and during the challenge. This type of experience can not be gained at school and it gets the students to look at problems, work planning and design roles in a more realistic manner – result” Ron Betts, Deputy Manager, Walsall EBP

Pool Hayes Winning Team - Hospital Challenge

Given the comments made on the day and the evaluations received from both the students and their teachers the Hospital Challenge has the basis of being used on any new hospital and could be incorporated into the offer made in future bids.

The Challenge was run for a second time on 5^th October 2010. The winners of the competition were from Brownhills Community Technical College.

For further information contact

Steven Davis

Project Environmental Manager

steven.davis@skanska.co.uk

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Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570

SMEs Take Ownership of Environmental Issues

2010-11-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Despite receiving some excellent tender submissions it appears apparent that most Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are "too busy managing the works" to listen to good sense about the environment.

Skanska Joint Venture

Lack of awareness regarding environmental costs and a failure to adopt sound management systems are hindering many SMEs’ ability to win contracts with major private and public clients.

In November 2010 we invited locally based SMEs to participate in achieving a qualification that delivers an awareness of key environmental concepts and provided an introduction to environmental management systems.

11 delegates representing local SMEs attended the training. This included 6 delegates who had previously completed the two-day Sandwell Construction Commitments training programme.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), Environmental Principals and Best Practice training was delivered by Groundwork and was hosted in Skanska’s training facility at the new Walsall Manor Hospital.

The CIEH Training provides an introduction to environmental principles and provides enough information to enable delegates to take ownership of their environmental responsibilities related to “day to day” operations.

SMEs - Gill Civil Engineering - Birmingham, Crown Cutting - Burntwood, Telecetera - Worcestershire,
Airguard Filters - Walsall, Chapman's Electrical - Sandwell, Lowe Engineering - Staffordshire, C7 Decorators - Sandwell, JAW Business Solutions - Sandwell, Friel Construction - Walsall

The training also enables delegates to better identify and control their most significant impacts on the environment, reduce the risk of potentially costly pollution incidents, ensure compliance with environmental legislation and continually improve their business operations including minimising waste.

“Skanska is looking forward to working in partnership with Groundwork again. They have access to some excellent training products and can provide funding that can enable SMEs take ownership. Groundwork’s support can advance SMEs environmental management performance which should in turn enable them to win more too!”

For more details regarding environmental management support for SMEs contact Groundwork on 0121 521 5510.

Steven Davis

Project Environmental Manager

07875 373 857

steven.davis@skanska.co.uk

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CONSTRUCTION COMMUNITY GIVES LIFE-CHANGING MAKEOVER TO YOUNG BOY'S HOME

2010-11-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More founders day

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BCCEC announced as finalist for a Midlands Business Award.

2010-10-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Black Country Constructing Excellence Club (BCCEC) has been announced as a finalist in the Midlands Business Club of the Year 2011, in the Midlands Business Awards.

The Midlands Business Awards are now entering their 5^th year and cover ten categories to recognise business excellence in the local region. For the 2011 awards, there were a record numbers of entries so competition was particularly tough this year.

BCCEC announced as Finalist for a Midlands Business Award

The BCCEC will now go on to compete against Stratford Business Forum, Warwickshire Business Club, Rotary Club Alcester – Alauna, Coventry Business Networks and Nottingham Entrepreneurs at a ceremony to be held on Friday 28 January 2011 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. This year’s event is sponsored by Arup.

Dev Masih, one of BCCEC’s club officer’s is also a finalist in the Midlands Networker of the Year category - and the University of Wolverhampton, one of the BCCEC’s members and a regular venue for meetings, is a finalist in the Midlands Enterprising University of the Year award.

The next stage to be faced by the finalists is a face to face interview with the six member strong judging panel on 15th November 2010 where long standing members of BCCEC will be present together with club officers.

The title of Midlands Business Club of the Year 2011 will be awarded to the club / group judged as an outstanding networking club / group whose performance is demonstrated by consistent business results for its members.

Congratulations to BCCEC and to Dev and wishing them both all the best to win their respective categories!

For further information please contact Rachael Hobbis, Press Secretary for Black Country Constructing Excellence Club on 0121 631 5372.

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Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570

Opportunities in meeting the Governments' carbon reduction targets

2010-10-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

Date: 28^th October 2010

Time: 6pm to 9pm

University of Wolverhampton

Walsall Campus,

Gorway Road

Walsall

West Midlands

WS1 3BD

Map: http://www.wlv.ac.uk/PDF/uow_wals_campus_map.pdf

Directions: Walsall Campus is just minutes from Junction 9 of the M6 motorway. Take the A461 Bescott Road towards Walsall. Get into the right hand lane and follow the right fork of the A4148, signposted Birmingham. The entrance is from Gorway Road, accessible via Jesson Road from Birmingham Road off The Broadway roundabout.

Seminar Held at: Lecture Theatre Wn002

Parking: On site car park

Cost: If you are not a member of BCCEC, - we will be pleased to welcome you and will ask you for a donation of £10 toward club funds upon entry (receipts will be issued).

A buffet and refreshments will be available

Presenter:  Jenny Howarth (Birmingham Energy Savers),
Presenter:  Dipvandana Shah (Groundwork)
Presenter: Paul Hutchens (Eco2Solar)

Synopsis:

The UK Government has set the following targets for improving the existing housing stock.

· The Fuel Poverty Bill requires that 7 million homes will be provided with basic energy efficient measures by 2015 in order to meet the aim to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016. The Household Energy Management Strategy (Warm Homes Standard) provides detail on how this is to be achieved in the rented sector.

· The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan set the target to reduce emissions from the Housing stock by 31% on 1990 levels by 2020; this requires seven million homes to be upgraded to significantly improve the energy performance by then.

· The Climate change Act requires CO2 all emissions reduced by at least 60% on 1990 levels by 2050, this will require the nation’s entire housing stock will be virtually zero carbon by then.

The purpose of the event is to examine how these targets can be achieved for the existing housing stock

· Work by Oxford University Indicates that there were 20,000 demolitions in 2000/01. At this rate the housing stock will not be replaced for over 1,400 years.

· It therefore follows that to meet the governments carbon reduction targets, even given investment in renewal energy provision, there will either need to be a step change increase in demolitions and rebuilding in the next 10 or 15 years, or else a very large scale refurbishment programme of existing properties.

· It is expected that the refurbishment option will be more cost effective, less disruptive to existing communities, and use less embodied energy, and have a smaller impact on the existing infrastructure.

The meeting examines how we in the West Midlands are facing up to these challenges, and what business opportunities there are in this field.

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Speaker: Jenny Howarth (Birmingham Energy Savers)

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/

Jenny Howarth

Jenny Howarth: is the Sustainable Procurement & Supply Chain Manager for Birmingham Energy Savers. Prior to working with the Council, Jenny worked as a supply chain consultant with Action Sustainability and managed sustainability within the Supply Chain of a major High Street bank

Birmingham Energy savers

In order to meet these targets, Birmingham Energy Savers aims to facilitate the full eco-retrofit of Birmingham's homes and buildings, Jenny will explain how she is working with the local and regional supply base to procure the goods and services required by the project in a way that secures social, economic, and environmental benefits for Birmingham and the wider region.

10,000 Birmingham council homes to get solar panels..... City agrees £100m scheme, partly funded by banks and energy suppliers, to meet target for cutting carbon emissions

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/oct/03/birmingham-solar-panel-council-proposal

For Jenny's Presentation, click link below here:

<<<< Birmingham Energy Savers >>>

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Speaker: Dipvandana Shah (Groundwork)

http://www.groundwork.org.uk

Dipvandana Shah

Groundwork is an environmental charity that helps communities to connect with and improve their local environment through a wide range of projects and provides consultancy support and training to thousands of businesses each year through its national network of business consultants.

Groundwork is able to help businesses access government funding to help implement environmental improvements including resource efficiency and environmental management systems.

Groundwork logo

Skills for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, works with local employers to train people who manage buildings and small businesses so they can respond to the practical and economic challenges and opportunities of climate change. The partnership will develop, test and deliver new ways of building the skills needed in this area, through NVQ Levels 1, 2 and 3 leading on to a high level qualification.

For Dipvandana's Presentation, click link below here:

<< Skills for Climate Change - Presentation >>

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Speaker: Paul Hutchens (Eco2Solar)
http://www.eco2solar.co.uk

Paul Hutchens

Paul Hutchens of eco2solar will explain how the recently announced feed in tariffs could provide the finance necessary to upgrade the housing stock.

Law graduate, Paul enjoyed a career in senior sales and marketing roles for technology based companies for thirteen years before setting up his own distribution business, which he sold to concentrate on Eco2Solar. Paul leads the sales and marketing team and runs the company day to day

eco2solar logo

Eco2Solar provides professional, cost-effective renewable energy solutions that significantly reduce the fuel bills, and carbon footprints. Eco2Solar are fully accredited for the Low Carbon Buildings Programme through the UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).Eco2Solar are members of the Solar Trade Association and the Renewable Energy Association.

University of Wolverhampton:

http://www.wlv.ac.uk/

University of Wolverhampton logo

The University of Wolverhampton's Walsall Campus Sports Centre has been named as an official training base for the 2012 Olympics. It will be included in the Guide for National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for the Olympic sports of Basketball, Judo and Taekwondo. The Guide will be used by countries organising their training programmes in the run-up to the Olympics.

Since April 2009 the University has been one of eleven universities participating in the Carbon Trust’s fifth HE Carbon Management programme which helps Universities to access and reduce their carbon footprint

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Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570

Constructing Better Health – Seminar

2010-10-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

Thursday 30^th September 2010, Venue, City of Wolverhampton College, time 6pm, weather – raining cats and dogs, which consequently played its part is depleted numbers in attendance.

Karen Whitehouse

A smile was needed, which came in the form of a picture on the computer of:

Karen Whitehouse of Stourbridge College,

with her recent attempt to win a one horse race at Wolverhampton Racecourse earlier this month.

We are still unsure if she came first or last!

Peter Hand is Operations Director for Constructing Better Health, (CBH) a not for profit organisation responsible for delivering the National Scheme for the Management of Occupational Health in the Construction Industry.

Peter Hand - Business Card

http://www.constructingbetterhealth.co.uk/

The CBH website also has some helpful publications available for downloading:

http://www.constructingbetterhealth.co.uk/Publications

City of Wolverhampton College

Peter’s in-depth knowledge and understanding of the construction sector spanning over 30 years has given him a unique insight into the health requirements of the industry and, equally importantly, CBH’s growing role within it.

Peter's presentation focused on 5 key areas:

1] Setting industry standards for both work-related health issues, and competency of occupational health provision.

2] Building a construction-specific knowledge portal.

3] Centralising the collection of work-related health data.

4] The transmission of fit-for-task data to enable employers to manage work-related health risks at site level.

5] A referral route through to specialists in the field of return to work and rehabilitation.

http://www.cscs.uk.com/

Seminar delegates

BCCEC - Presentation 30.9.2010 Lite

Peter Hand

There is a good summing up quote from the CBH website: “Companies that put in place good health surveillance and management systems now will have a clear advantage over their competitors. Not only will employees benefit from improved work-related health, but employers will profit from increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.”

Delegates List

Some of our own feedback of the presentation from delegates consisted of:

“CBH is a useful and proactive tool to enable the delivery of occupational health awareness and screening” Steve Davis – Skanska

“Very good.... informative and not short on detail.” Alan Wood – Wolverhampton City Council

Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570

Construction Commitments Awareness Training

2010-09-29T02:59:00.000-07:00

WMCCE (West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence), finditinsandwell and finditinbirmingham are running a series of subsidised two-day workshops to help businesses with pre-qualification tendering in construction.

The six Construction Commitments are national guidelines put together by industry experts to encourage best practice in construction.

Roy Casey, of Successtrain, is Chairman of BCCEC and the course facilitator.

Several members of the BCCEC have already been on the course and attained their “listed status” certificates. In the latest promotional brochure from Sandwell & Birmingham City Councils, some of the members get a mention:

Mark Astbury – Brass Group

Dev Masih – JAW Business Solutions

Samantha – Allround Plumbing

Paul Banner – B-Trac Construction

Paul Hutchens – Eco2Solar

Steve Davis - Skanska

Construction Commitments Leaflet

Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570 http://www.jawbusiness.co.uk/

BCCEC Founders Day 2010, Young Ryans' home gets a makeover

2010-09-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

Each year the Black Country Constructing Excellence Club marks its founding anniversary by undertaking a project in the local community which would otherwise not have happened due to lack of funding, arranging sponsorship for the event through to the supply of the necessary goods and labour.

This year’s project has been organised by Wayne Barratt (W Barratt Contractors Limited) and his team of Al Charles (Albert F Charles Consulting), Steve Perkins (South Staffordshire Technical College) and Mike Hughes (City of Wolverhampton College) and was contributed to by many others.

The home of a severely disabled young resident of Walsall has been made more accommodating to his special needs by contractors and suppliers based in the West Midlands.

Where it all started - The Garden

Get digging guys

The digging crew

The team of volunteers carried out the home makeover for Ryan Harriman and his family who live in Walsall. Ryan is a beautiful little boy who has suffered numerous medical procedures throughout his young life to help him through varied problems as a result of an unfortunate condition. Despite all of these troubles Ryan is a very brave and happy boy.

Need more slabs

Within the first four hours the ground was stripped and carted away, the initial paving laid and water and electric underground services in place.

Wayne is supervising

Waynes' boy learns how to supervise

There was a friendly atmosphere and as can be imagined a fair amount of "builders banter".

Garden starting to take shape

Where do all these slabs go

Garden Water Feature

Garden is looking good now

Meanwhile, inside the home, the troops stripped and prepared walls for decoration and moved the furniture out to a storage unit on the front garden. Anyone standing still for too long could finish up being scraped or deposited in the storage unit.

Time for a tidy up

Oi Dev, this room aint gonna tidy itself

Works carried out to the home included a new kitchen, landscaping the gardens to install a raised garden bed so that Ryan could enjoy the garden, installing book shelves and carpeting and decorating.

Where does all this lot go?

Albert Charles, BCCEC club officer said “We had supposed the size and scope of the project and the number of people involved would be potentially chaotic. It didn't happen!! The co-operation, skill, team work and general organization ensured that everything went like clockwork.

And this lot

Simultaneously the kitchen was stripped out, services modified and the new units delivered and in place. Meanwhile, inside the home, the troops stripped and prepared walls for decoration and moved the furniture out to a storage unit on the front garden. Anyone standing still for too long could finish up being scraped or deposited in the storage unit.

I hope this is going to fit

Scratches head

Mark decides to supervise

Our project is a tribute to the construction industry's compassion, generosity and willingness to support a good cause - there has been 18 organizations contributing to this exercise and at one stage we had 24 people working on site.

What are the green buckets for?

Getting there

Nearly there

Gone for a break

Looking good now

The Black Country Constructing Excellence Club would like to thank:

WHG Crew

WHG labour and materials for the landscaping and kitchen renewal.

Orton Electrcal & Speedy Hire

Orton Electrics Labour and materials for outside lighting and kitchen refit. (pictured above)

Speedy Hire plant requirements

Crown Paints

Crown Paints decorating materials.

Group Picture

Wates Living Space materials for storage unitsBarratt Contracts for carrying out redecorations

Allround Plumbing outside water supply and services to kitchen refit

Rodbaston Tech college Making storage units and labour

Wolverhampton Tech college labour for redecorations

PP Services materials for planter

Vine Building Suppliers,

Walsall Carpets,

Carpets Direct 2 U,

Flaming Hog Catering,

Plumbing Trade Supplies

Frank Haslam Milan

and the club officers for their contribution and support of this very worthwhile cause.

The Harriman family

Ryan with Mum & Dad, older sister, and older brother, enjoying the outside garden area.

Areas particularly for Ryan, were the outside garden area, the storage units to keep his medication and equipment in, and the kitchen for easier access.

Ryan smiling

Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570 http://www.jawbusiness.co.uk

Women in Construction - Question and Answer Feature

2010-09-17T01:27:00.000-07:00

Jackie Casey, MD at Success Train

Events Co-ordinator for the BCCEC

http://www.successtrain.co.uk

I grew up familiar with construction as my dad owned a small civil engineering contractor. After school I worked in dad’s business and though he always wanted me to stay there I decided to go off and do other things! There simply wasn’t the information available about the range of career opportunities in the early 70’s and women were definitely not considered viable employees in the industry.

I’m currently MD of a business consultancy that works within the sector providing pragmatic and effective assessments of operational systems and policies to reduce risks posed to employers, improve efficiency and develop companies that are more attractive to their prospective clients. I’ve been Black Country Constructing Excellence Club’s Sponsorship Officer for 4 years and recently formed a construction women’s network group, with a group of women working in the sector, whose aims are encouraging and supporting women’s participation and integration with the local construction community and providing a means of informing young women and those in education about the sector and its opportunities.

In the current economic situation the sector is struggling and there will be further loss of skilled people from the sector. Employers have cut training opportunities to many in construction and as the economy recovers we will again be short of the level of skills and experience to allow the industry to grow. Lack of experience will also have impact on future leadership which will itself impact on the ability to develop, improve and change to the demands of the future.

Rachael Hobbis, Solicitor at Shakespeare Putsman

Press Secretary for the BCCEC

http://www.sp-legal.co.uk

With women seemingly well represented in the majority of industry sectors, the construction industry continues to be male-dominated, with only 10-15% of the workforce in the UK today being female. Of those women, very few (10%) hold professional qualifications in disciplines such as architecture or engineering. An even smaller percentage of women are trades people.

Property and construction organisations have much to gain by recognising the benefits of employing more women.

Women in Property, a national network working to promote the role of women in the property sector, runs a national awards programme designed to highlight the talent of female undergraduates studying ‘built environment’ courses.

The awards’ sponsors (including Byrne Group, and the Homes and Communities Agency with support from Argent and MCD Developments) recognise that it will be increasingly important to tap into this pool of undergraduate talent if the current skills shortage is to be mitigated in the future.

Initiatives such as mentoring and flexible working can also assist with retention and encourage the career progression of women already in construction.

I’m in no doubt that the industry would be all the better for having a higher proportion of women in its workforce. However it is up to companies to promote opportunities available and to welcome more women into the industry.

Jessica Munn,

BDM at Thomas Vale Construction

http://www.thomasvale.com

As a woman in construction, my day to day experience of working life is far from the bleak picture of repression so often painted. Yes, construction is definitely a male orientated industry, but I have found it to be an exciting, challenging and accepting place to build a career.

I appreciate my good fortune. I work for a pro active company committed to developing its employees regardless of gender. Across the industry I have no doubt that there are barriers that need to be broken down and old fashioned attitudes that need to be changed. But I believe that it’s not about taking on a quota of women to tick a box on an equal opportunities form, it’s about employing the best skilled people to do the job.

As long as there is a ‘women in construction’ agenda, there will always be a sense that the industry is employing women out of duty or obligation, a fact that undermines the genuine ability of those women already in the industry and future generations hoping to take up a role.

I suggest that we move on and concentrate on engaging with the female demographic, demonstrating the excellent career opportunities that are available in construction and dispelling old fashioned and unfounded myths about ‘jobs for the boys’.

Chrissi McCarthy,

Bespoke Consultants

http://www.bespokeconsultants.com

I now work in consultancy but when I was on site I worked as a setting out engineer and then progressed into site management.

Since starting my business I have met with and influenced several leading figures in construction. I have also represented construction in the House of Lords, written articles for trade magazines and appeared on television. I hope to encourage the industry to improve its gender and minority representation which in turn will increase levels of professionalism, image and skills.

I am hopeful that the future for women in construction will improve but in order to do so organisations, education providers, public authorities and individuals must all take responsibility and work together. There are some big issues that need to be addressed and if we can work together we will all benefit. It is important to understand that this is an issue that effects the whole industry, bright young men are also choosing not to pursue construction as it as seen as too macho.

For women new to industry I would offer the following advice, Make sure you build a good support network of women in industry, Try and stay positive and treat everyone as an individual, If you can get a mentor take advantage of the additional training on offer through positive action

There is a lot organisations can do to improve the gender representation, firstly they should decide why they want to improve gender diversity, and there are many reasons I prefer the business model – more public sector business, ability to mirror clients needs, more ideas, greater productivity & Profits.

Secondly, look at your current position. How are you represented now, break this down into areas. For example it’s of little use to have 40% of your workforce female if they are in all the low skilled roles.

Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570

Condensation in Housing Seminar

2010-08-31T16:34:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 26th August, at Walsall College, Al Charles introduced a pilot scheme between BCCEC and Walsall Housing Group.

The event was kindly sponsored by Wayne Barratt Contractors.

The aim of the event was to look at leading technologies and techniques, and to deal with the causes and the eradication of condensation in housing in general, and specifically social housing.

Al Charles, started the seminar by pointing out the history of the BCCEC, and its inception, and how the club fulfils its objectives to promote the construction industry, its companies and products, and to inform and influence relevant bodies about best practice and how they can engage with the local construction industry. The club has successfully created a community of interest for its members by holding up to 12 events per year, and have a current membership of around 50 companies. The subject of social housing was chosen to make club members aware of potential business opportunities, and to set up a dialog with RSL’s (Registered Social Landlords), and also to facilitate knowledge exchange, and introduce new technologies.

Al finished off by showing slides from the BCCEC founders day project from April 2010, where a collaboration of over 30 people from 18 organisations over a three day period, successfully completed a significant makeover to the house of a family with a severely disabled 15 year old. The projects worth was around 15 to 20 thousand pounds, a sum of money that this family could not afford. The quality of life for the youngster was significantly improved, for which the family are eternally grateful.

BCCE Slide Show

Social Housing Back to Basics

Mark Partoon, is Property Services Manager for Walsall Housing Group (WHG). Marks presentation focused on the statistics of 80% of the 19,600 properties within WHG’s remit with damp issues, were attributed to life style issues. The total cost for remedial works on this lifestyle issue alone amounted to some £145,000 per year. The conclusions found were that preventable mechanisms such as extractor fans were having little effect as the tenants were unwilling to use them in the manner they were intended, usually for loss of heat sake. This has called for new technology to be sought with permanent solutions like fixed and forced ventilation.

Damp Presentation

Ian Hopkins took over the floor, as Director for Kair Ventilation, a company with a track record of over 30 years in handling damp problems. Ian pointed out that condensation was the single largest complaint received by RSL’s over the last 25 years. Ian went into considerable detail as to how condensation is formed, and how that leads to the growth of moulds in damp and moist surroundings. A detailed and pictorial set of slides followed demonstrating the health hazards problems resulting directly from condensation and mould growth. The conclusions to be learnt were that condensation causes expensive damage to buildings. Effective ventilation was required to reduce humidity resulting in better health and lower maintenance costs.

Ian discussed the various alternative products that were available to combat condensation and mould, and the restrictions these products came with. His slides finished on the heat recovery system Kair had developed, which is like an extractor fan, but with no heat loss.... Kair also have ducted systems for flats, and whole house systems for conventional houses.

Kair Ventilation - Condensation Control

The event was well attended for the small room that was booked, with representations from maintenance staff, managers, tenant reps, tenant board members, health and safety and training.

List of attendees:

Condensation Seminar Attendance Sheet

The BCCEC is a not for profit organisation which has to cover its operating costs from subscriptions and donations made by guests at our events. If you would like to know more of the events we hold, and becoming a member, then visit our website:

http://www.blackcountryceclub.co.uk

Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570 email: dev@jawbusiness.co.uk

Business Improvement Techniques & Case Study & Summer BBQ

2010-08-22T02:17:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 8th July 2010, at University of Wolverhampton, we had our annual summer BBQ event.

BCCEC gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the the event sponsors who were:

The Collaborative Working Centre Ltd http://www.cwcltd.biz/

The University of Wolverhampton http://www.wlv.ac.uk/

Wolverhampton Homes: http://www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx

ROK: http://www.rokgroup.com/

Picture: Andrew Carpenter - WHG

The Collaborative Working Centre Ltd (CWC) was created in November 2001 by the University of Warwick. With the help of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) funding and under the auspices of the Design Build Foundation, CWC evolved to take forward learning on Integrated Supply Chains and Collaborative Working that had arisen from a number of 'Egan - orientated' projects. These projects involved such clients including local authorities, housing associations, health trusts and central government.

CWC bring about improvements in business methods, processes and systems. They have been working both with Wolverhampton Homes and ROK and these 3 organisations shared their business improvement knowledge and lessons with us.

The presentation slides can be viewed below::

Bccec Cwc Slides July 2010

Picture: Vaughan Burnand - CWC

Vaughan Burnand discussed the current economic climate, its impact and the blockers it presents for improvement, and outlined the steps CWC believe can be taken to mitigate the effect of the cost cutting we all face.

Shaun has been responsible for applying lean construction techniques to the Decent Homes programme to improve service to tennants through improvement in efficiency rather than through cuts in service. Wolverhampton Homes have had some terrific results - the construction workforce reduced around 12% whilst the time to work on a typical property has been reduced by 40%.

Picture: Shaun Aldis - WHG

Shaun discussed Scenario planning and value engineering, how he has worked with Trades people and partners. How he has used the information available to inform and direct asset planning and management. How understanding and looking at whole life cost can have huge impacts on cost. The task of shaping organisations, services and budgets to the new reality is both hard and pressing and Shaun told us that he and his team have worked out better and smarter ways of getting things done, he says that "In times of diminishing revenue/capital funds and increased demand, resource allocation becomes even more difficult. We believe the efficiency drive and the achievement to ration scarce resources in a way which fulfils the needs of many, and is seen as ultimately fair by all is now becoming a reality".

Gavin Fraser is Business Development Director for the National Housing Team in ROK. Gavin outlined how taking a collaborative and Lean approach to delivering projects working closely with client teams has brought benefits to ROK as a commercial company.

Picture: Gavin Fraser - ROK

The presentation slides can be viewed below:

Bccec Rok Slides July 2010

The event was attended by 65 delegates, and the list can be viewed below:
July 2010 Delegate List for Blog

The BCCEC is a not for profit organisation which has to cover its operating costs from subscriptions and donations made by guests at our events. If you would like to know more of the events we hold, and becoming a member, then visit our website:

http://www.blackcountryceclub.co.uk/

Website Queries Contact: Dev Masih - 07908 383570 - email: dev@jawbusiness.co.uk