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Month: May 2021

To meet our challenging carbon targets we must accelerate the speed that we are tackling the energy efficiency of the 27 million homes that need to be retrofitted by 2045. Smart Construction provides new materials, new technologies and new processes that can all help.

On 22nd June, 2:15-4pm, don’t miss our virtual Business Bytes conference alongside the Smart Construction Network, Tackling the retrofit challenge through Smart Construction.

Register now

Upcoming training sessions

On 4th June, 1-2PM, we’ll be joined by Ken Farnon of Cooley Construction Services for a Lunch ‘n’ learn webinar: A question of perspective; tales from an offsite project manager. Register now

We also have a Lunch ‘n’ learn on the Construction Playbook with Akerlof on 15th June, 13:00-14:00. Register now

An Offsite for Designers virtual workshop will be held on 11th June, 9:00-12:00. Register now

We’re also running Offsite for Project Managers on 13th July, 1-4pm. Register now

If you missed our last session of Offsite Fundamentals, don’t worry as we will be running it again 4th August 1-4PM. Register now

In case you missed it…

On Tuesday 25th May we held a virtual UK – French conference in collaboration with Campus Hors-Site, Net Zero Carbon Homes – Does offsite construction provide a solution? If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.

Offsite resources recommended for you this month

Learn what designers need to do differently when adopting an offsite solution rather than a traditional build, with the Introduction to Offsite – Design e-learning module. Get Started

Buildoffsite have published an Offsite sector response to the government’s Construction Playbook, which you can access here.

If you don’t measure, you can’t manage

Complete our free self assessment to get your bespoke action plan today. The list of resources will advise you where you should focus your learning with direct links to top-quality materials.

You can also benchmark your company’s offsite maturity here.

Top Stories for Scotland this Month

 

Housebuilder appoints ‘Green Team’ to help meet environmental goals

HOUSEBUILDER CALA (East) has appointed a dedicated ‘Green Team’ to help meet the company’s sustainability ambitions Read More

Amey Consulting wins Clyde bridge design contract

The work will align associated and new roads to the 184-metre road bridge to be built over the River Clyde, as part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal Read More

Location revealed for Dundee’s Eden Project

The former Dundee Gasworks site has been revealed as the preferred site to host the “transformational and regenerative” Eden Project Dundee tourist attraction Read More

Wellbeing resources recommended for you this month

 

Wellbeing in the Built Environment

This discussion paper charts the activities of the Wellbeing Special Interest Group explores the business case for wellbeing in the built environment and summarises observations of current wellbeing activity in the sector.

Take a Look

Happiness and Work

The preeminent happiness researcher shares some surprising results on connecting well-being, mental health, and how employers can play a role in improving our lives at work

Watch Now

Why Invest in Employee Wellbeing?

The term wellbeing covers many aspects of the way we feel about our lives, jobs, and relationships. Our feelings of well-being at work are influenced by day to day experiences with colleagues and management, how purposeful we feel and the work that we do. Employers can have a major influence on an individual sense of wellbeing, which can have a multitude of benefits for the organisation itself.

Get Started

New for Scotland this Month

See our latest learning Pathways and any new events for Scotland

Supply Chain Optimisation: 23rd June

A 2-hour interactive workshop to discuss common barriers and enablers to effective supply chain collaboration and explore shared solutions which bring efficiency, added value and better outcomes for clients, prime contractors and their supply chain partners.

Register Now 

Homes Packaging Innovation Showcase: 24th June

Reducing and rethinking packaging is one of the biggest waste and resource efficiency challenges we face. Achieving cost reduction and fitness for purpose in the face of policy changes such as the imminent Plastic Packaging Tax and other Government led packaging waste reforms will challenge suppliers and customers in the built environment supply chain like never before. Register for this Business Bytes to learn more.

Register Today

Waste, Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy In Scotland: Part 1 and 2

This 2 part self-enrol learning pathway provides an ideal blend of learning and information on the interrelated subjects of waste reduction, resource efficiency and the circular economy.

To access these, head to your dashboard and click on ‘Available Pathways’ and click enrol.

If you don’t measure, you can’t manage

Complete our free self-assessment to get your bespoke action plan today. The benefit of assessing is that it provides a tailored action plan. This list of 10 resources tells you where you should focus your learning with direct links to top-quality materials…

Learn More

Top stories

Hard hat scheme aims to protect heads and hearts

Fortel Group, a leading supplier of labour to the construction industry, has partnered with the School to launch a campaign, encouraging those within the industry to embrace diversity and boost conversations around mental health.

Read more >>

Exploring Skanska’s electric vehicle charging retrofit

How EDF-owned chargepoint provider Pod Point assisted Skanska on its mission to become carbon-neutral by 2045 by retrofitting a key office with chargepoints for EVs.

Discover more >>

Green light for ‘net zero’ equivalent for nature

The government is expected to announce a legally-binding target for 2030 to drive action to halt the decline of nature and wildlife.

Find out more >>

 

June’s Featured Topic: Wellbeing

The evidence for investing in wellbeing in the built environment was already compelling but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the mandate for action based on the relationship of building, public, and ecological health.

Take a look at the selected resources below to start to develop your understanding on the importance of considering wellbeing in the construction sector.

Wellbeing In The Built Environment – Document

Exploring the business case for wellbeing in the built environment and summarising current wellbeing activity in the sector.

Read now >>

Happiness And Work – Video

Discover the surprising results on connecting wellbeing, mental health, and understand how employers can play a role in improving our lives at work.

Start watching >>

Why invest in employee wellbeing? – Document

Employers can have a major influence on an individual sense of wellbeing, which can have a multitude of benefits for the organisation itself.

Find out more >>

 

Benchmark your Sustainability Knowledge

Want to understand your sustainability knowledge level, and know how that compares to others in the sector? It’s easy to find out… just take an assessment today with our FREE tool. It’s designed to help you, or your company, assess your current level of knowledge and identify strengths and hot spots.

Once you’ve assessed, you get a tailored action plan – this list of 10 resources tells you where to focus your learning.

ASSESS NOW >

FM Market Update: June 2021

 

Top stories for FM this month:

 

Facilities Show turn it attention to month – long virtual event:

Facilities Show Connect (1-30 June 2021) will bring together the global facilities industry through an online marketplace and virtual meetings. In place of an in-person event the Facilities Show team will this year host Connect, an immersive, AI-powered, online experience that gives attendees the opportunity to engage with new international suppliers and peers through an online marketplace and tailored meeting recommendations throughout June 2021. Find out More>>

Waste Adjustment:

As workplaces prepare for reoccupation, the role of waste management experts is more important than ever to help customers navigate uncharted territory and meet their environmental waste targets, reports Sara Bean for FMJ. Read More>>

Recycling consultation prepares ground for new legislation:

As part of the Government’s commitment to move towards a circular economy and net zero emissions, Defra is consulting on how to increase consistency in collection of recyclable materials from domestic and non-domestic premises in England. Learn More>>

June’s featured topic: Wellbeing

The evidence for investing in wellbeing in the built environment was already compelling but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the mandate for action based on the relationship of building, public, and ecological health.

Take a look at the selected resources below to start to develop your understanding on the importance of considering wellbeing in the Facilities Management sector.

Wellbeing Resources recommended for you this month:

Wellbeing in the built environment- This document explores the business case for wellbeing in the built environment and summarising current wellbeing activity in the sector. Read more>>

Happiness and Work- Discover the surprising results on connecting wellbeing, mental health, and understand how employers can play a role in improving our lives at work. Watch the video>>

Why invest in employee wellbeing? Employers can have a major influence on an individual sense of wellbeing, which can have a multitude of benefits for the organisation itself. Find out more>>

Delivering Social Value in FM

Join VINCI Facilities at our ‘Delivering Social Value in FM’ Lunch N Learn on the 10th June – 11:00am -12:00pm.

VINCI Facilities will discuss their approach to creating social value. VINCI Facilities became the first Facilities Management and Building Solutions company to join Social Value UK, the national network in raising the profile of social value and social impact.

At this lunch n learn you will:

  • Find out about VINCI Facilities business model, and how they use their commercial operations to support and sustain programmes for educational and residential support.
  • Discover how VINCI Facilities measure, monetise and report social value.
  • Have an opportunity to submit questions to VINCI Facilities during a live Q&A session.
REGISTER NOW >

If you have questions about FM or the School please contact [email protected]

Infrastructure Market Update: June 2021

 

Top stories for Infrastructure this month:

 

Environment Agency- reaching net zero by 2030:

The Environment Agency outline their road map for cutting carbon emissions and reaching net zero by 2030. This document sets out their commitment to cut our carbon emissions by at least 45% and offset the rest. It breaks down the sources of their emissions and the tangible actions they will take to reduce them. Find out more.

Laing O’Rourke sets sustainability and diversity targets:

School Partner Laing O’Rourke has set itself the target of being net zero in operations by 2030 and having equal numbers of male and female employees by 2033. The organisation’s decarbonisation target also sees the company develop a plan to tackle Scope 3 (indirect) emissions by 2050. Read more.

New state -control body to run rail projects:

The Transport Secretary announces that Great British Railways, a state-owned body  will set timetables and prices, sell tickets in England and manage all infrastructure. GBR will come into effect in 2023 and replace Network Rail as manager of rail infrastructure in the UK.  Learn more.

June’s featured topic: Wellbeing

The evidence for investing in wellbeing in the built environment was already compelling but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the mandate for action based on the relationship of building, public, and ecological health.

Take a look at the selected resources below to start to develop your understanding on the importance of considering wellbeing in the Infrastructure sector.

Wellbeing Resources recommended for you this month:

Wellbeing in the built environment- This document explores the business case for wellbeing in the built environment and summarising current wellbeing activity in the sector. Read more>>

Happiness and Work- Discover the surprising results on connecting wellbeing, mental health, and understand how employers can play a role in improving our lives at work. Watch the video>>

Why invest in employee wellbeing? Employers can have a major influence on an individual sense of wellbeing, which can have a multitude of benefits for the organisation itself. Find out more>>

Benchmark your Sustainability knowledge!

Our free Maturity Matrix tool has been designed to help you assess your company’s current Sustainability strengths and to identify the areas in which you can develop your competencies.

The assessment will help to benchmark your current knowledge of sustainability topics and then generate a tailored action plan. This list of 10 resources tells you where your company should focus learning, with direct links to top resources. Get started today! 

ASSESS NOW >

 

If you have questions about Infrastructure or the School please contact [email protected]

WATES ANNOUNCE ONLINE INNOVATION PORTAL TO BOOST TRANSITION TO NET ZERO

The Supply Chain Sustainability School are pleased to support and promote Wates’ new self-service, interactive and intelligent marketplace for sustainable technologies.

The Wates Innovation Network (WIN) portal is the first initiative of its kind and has been created by the Wates Group, one of the UK’s leading family-owned construction, development, and property services companies, to help businesses ‘build back better’.

The portal will connect companies directly and free-of-charge, with Partners that can offer solutions to help meet sustainability targets. It aims to create an industry leading network that will accelerate the transition to net zero by showcasing smarter solutions to design, construct and maintain buildings.

Ian Heptonstall, Director at Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: “The transition to NET ZERO is a huge challenge for our industry and to achieve this we need to think differently and adopt new technologies, products and processes. I’m delighted to provide the School’s support to Wates in the rollout of their new WIN portal. This is a great initiative that will foster innovation and raise awareness of the sustainable solutions that are available now and which can accelerate our journey to NET ZERO.”

There are currently more than 40 Innovation Partners featuring on the portal, all approved by a screening panel of environmental experts. Users can filter sustainable innovations based on their requirements to find the product and supplier most suitable for them. The new portal will enable users to connect with businesses directly and better support them in providing tangible environmental and operational savings.

John Dunne, Group Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Director at Wates, said: “The market for sustainable solutions is expanding fast and companies who are not investing in innovations will soon be unable to compete. The issue is 95% of market ready sustainable technologies never get considered because key decision makers do not know they exist, or suppliers don’t have access to the key corporate decision makers. The WIN portal is bridging that gap, showcasing innovation and helping businesses to meet bold environmental targets.”

Wates has been a Partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School since 2013 and has played an active part in the development of the School as a world-class collaboration, to enable a more sustainable built environment.

Top stories 

No new gas boilers should be sold from 2025 in order to meet environmental goals

No new gas boilers should be sold from 2025 in order to meet environmental goals for the middle of the century, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) think tank.

See more >>

School Partner Taylor Wimpey targets nature net-gain under new sustainability strategy

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has published an updated environment strategy, with headline targets including science-based emissions reductions and a commitment to increase habitat at all new sites.

Read more >>

Housebuilding industry can lead the way on biodiversity

A new guide launched by NHBC Foundation, in partnership with the RSPB and Barratt Developments, says that biodiversity should be considered at the earliest stages of planning new home developments to encourage wildlife and help reverse habitat decline.

Continue reading >>

 

VIRTUAL TRAINING: Tackling the retrofit challenge through Smart Construction

To meet our challenging carbon targets we must accelerate the speed that we are tackling the energy efficiency of the 27 million homes that need to be retrofitted by 2045. Smart Construction provides new materials, new technologies and new processes that can all help.

By attending this conference you will:

  • Learn why residential retrofitting is so important to our net zero ambitions.
  • Understand the key retrofitting tasks we need to focus on to achieve EPC A housing stock.
  • Discover how digital technologies can help.
  • Hear how new technologies and products are currently being tested across the UK.
  • Discover some of the innovative business models that are being trialled to deliver retrofit at scale.

Register now >>

 

June’s Featured Topic: Wellbeing

The evidence for investing in wellbeing in the homes sector was already compelling but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the mandate for action based on the relationship of building, public, and ecological health.

Take a look at the selected resources below to start to develop your understanding on the importance of considering wellbeing in our sector.

Wellbeing In The Built Environment – Document

Exploring the business case for wellbeing in the built environment and summarising current wellbeing activity in the sector.

Read now >>

Happiness And Work – Video

Discover the surprising results on connecting wellbeing, mental health, and understand how employers can play a role in improving our lives at work.

Start watching >>

Why invest in employee wellbeing? – Document

Employers can have a major influence on an individual sense of wellbeing, which can have a multitude of benefits for the organisation itself.

Find out more >>

 

Benchmark your Sustainability Knowledge

Want to understand your sustainability knowledge level, and know how that compares to others in the sector? It’s easy to find out… just take an assessment today with our FREE tool. It’s designed to help you, or your company, assess your current level of knowledge and identify strengths and hot spots.

Once you’ve assessed, you get a tailored action plan – this list of 10 resources tells you where to focus your learning.

ASSESS NOW >

 

FM Group Update June 2021

This Group represents the needs and interests of 21 Partners who either deliver, supply to, represent, or are clients of FM services. The quarterly meetings of the Group are chaired by Alison Bettany, Head of Supply Chain Commodities for EMCOR UK Ltd.

The meetings contain a mix of providing information about School activities, collaborative learning and developing new initiatives.

The group is actively developing a number of initiatives:

  • Developing a collaborative programme of learning events suitable for an FM focused audience
  • Engaging Partners in the direct delivery of some of this content
  • Focusing on social value in response to growing stakeholder interest and the Government’s procurement policy notice PPN 06/20
  • Supporting the School’s work on wellbeing, in particular its impact on productivity in the workplace
  • Considering how to adopt the approach taken by the School’s housing partners to packaging and single use plastics
  • Developing content for the Group’s annual FM Conference.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

Wales Market Update: June 2021

 

Top stories for Wales this month:

 

New top team to lead Wales into a brighter future:

Climate change, new green jobs and recovery from the pandemic will be at the heart of the new Welsh Labour Government, as First Minister Mark Drakeford reveals his new Cabinet team. The new climate change ministry will bring together the environment, energy, housing, planning and transport portfolios. Find out more>>

Welsh Public Sector Net Zero Carbon Reporting Guide:

The Welsh Government have released the ‘Welsh Public Sector Net Zero Carbon Reporting guide. Read More>>

NMITE is offering bursaries to Engineering students:

NMITE will provide a cash bursary to all new applicants joining its Pioneer Cohort in September 2021 of £4,000 in the first year. Find out More>>

June’s featured topic: Wellbeing

The evidence for investing in wellbeing in the built environment was already compelling but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the mandate for action based on the relationship of building, public, and ecological health.

Take a look at the selected resources below to start to develop your understanding on the importance of considering wellbeing in Wales.

Wellbeing Resources recommended for you this month:

Wellbeing in the built environment- This document explores the business case for wellbeing in the built environment and summarising current wellbeing activity in the sector. Read more>>

Happiness and Work- Discover the surprising results on connecting wellbeing, mental health, and understand how employers can play a role in improving our lives at work. Watch the video>>

Why invest in employee wellbeing? Employers can have a major influence on an individual sense of wellbeing, which can have a multitude of benefits for the organisation itself. Find out more>>

Benchmark your Sustainability knowledge!

Our free Maturity Matrix tool has been designed to help you assess your company’s current Sustainability strengths and to identify the areas in which you can develop your competencies.

The assessment will help to benchmark your current knowledge of sustainability topics and then generate a tailored action plan. This list of 10 resources tells you where your company should focus learning, with direct links to top resources. Get started today! 

ASSESS NOW >

 

If you have questions about Wales or the School please contact [email protected]

A leading supplier of labour to the construction industry, has partnered with the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS) to launch a campaign, encouraging those within the industry to embrace diversity and boost conversations around mental health.

Fortel Group, which supplies more than 2,000 staff to more than 130 projects across the UK, has collaborated with the SCSS to launch a sticker scheme, where staff who complete certain training use their hard-hat to highlight their expertise, as well as raising awareness on site as to who can be confidently and confidentially approached for conversations on these issues.

It is hoped that the scheme will encourage more people to undertake training, such as the SCSS’ Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Ambassador Programme, Mental Health First Aid training or Fortel Group’s own LGBTQ+ Ally training.

Amar Sandhawalia, Fortel Group Chief Operating Officer, said:

“The construction industry is making great strides towards creating a more diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds. Our team works with our clients and partners at sites across the UK and we hope that by launching this scheme, we can start positive conversations, as well as boost awareness of the fantastic training opportunities that are available, such as those created by the Supply Chain Sustainability School. When someone goes out of their way to learn more about what they can do to help others feel comfortable in the workplace, we want them to be proud of that and encourage others to do the same.”

Fortel has a number of FIR ambassadors amongst its ranks, with all senior staff completing training during 2020. The Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone. The programme provides free, industry-endorsed training and resources that supports businesses to be more innovative and profitable by addressing workplace culture challenges and helps attract and retain people from the full pool of talent. Individuals who attend the FIR Ambassador training are expected to embody the principles of FIR: working collaboratively, whilst stepping in to take action, challenge behaviours and positively impacting workplace culture.

Ian Heptonstall, Director at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, said:

“We are thrilled to be supporting Fortel in rolling out their sticker scheme that identifies trained FIR Ambassadors on sites across the UK. This is a great initiative that encourages open conversations and will help nurture a more inclusive and respectful workplace culture. Thanks for being so pro-active and for joining us on our mission to make workplaces better for everyone.”

Fortel Group will continue to work with its partners to create stickers in line with any relevant training staff complete and will seek out training opportunities and new partners for the scheme as it grows.

We are pleased to announce that Marshalls has become the latest Partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School

Having been a member since 2012, Marshalls has taken the next step and joined the School as a Partner and to collaborate with their colleagues and drive sustainability across the built environment supply chain.

The School is delighted to welcome Marshalls on board and look forward to working with them.

Our Partner organisations are committed to building sustainability skills and knowledge across the industry. This will help us to safeguard the future of the UK’s built environment and ensure that it is fairer, greener, and more robust.

The School is committed to working alongside our Partners to support us all in our objective to “build back better”.

Find out more:

We are pleased to announce that Southern Construction Frameworks has become the latest Partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School

Having been a member since 2020, Southern Construction Frameworks has taken the next step and joined the School as a Partner and to collaborate with their colleagues and drive sustainability across the built environment supply chain.

The School is delighted to welcome Southern Construction Frameworks on board and look forward to working with them.

Our Partner organisations are committed to building sustainability skills and knowledge across the industry. This will help us to safeguard the future of the UK’s built environment and ensure that it is fairer, greener, and more robust.

The School is committed to working alongside our Partners to support us all in our objective to “build back better”.

Find out more:

We are pleased to announce that UK Power Networks has become the latest Partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School

Having been a member since 2017, UK Power Networks has taken the next step and joined the School as a Partner and to collaborate with their colleagues and drive sustainability across the built environment supply chain.

The School is delighted to welcome UK Power Networks on board and look forward to working with them.

Our Partner organisations are committed to building sustainability skills and knowledge across the industry. This will help us to safeguard the future of the UK’s built environment and ensure that it is fairer, greener, and more robust.

The School is committed to working alongside our Partners to support us all in our objective to “build back better”.

Find out more:

We are pleased to announce that Welfare Hire has become the latest Partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School

Having been a member since 2017, Welfare Hire has taken the next step and joined the School as a Partner and to collaborate with their colleagues and drive sustainability across the built environment supply chain.

The School is delighted to welcome Welfare Hire on board and look forward to working with them.

Our Partner organisations are committed to building sustainability skills and knowledge across the industry. This will help us to safeguard the future of the UK’s built environment and ensure that it is fairer, greener, and more robust.

The School is committed to working alongside our Partners to support us all in our objective to “build back better”.

Find out more:

How can offsite help us deliver Zero Carbon Homes?

Decarbonisation of homes must be a priority if we’re to achieve our climate targets, both in new build and retrofitting, and there is a huge potential for job creation in the sector. How can offsite construction techniques help us grasp this opportunity?

By manufacturing homes and retrofit solutions offsite, environmental pollution and disruption is reduced on-site. Buildings can also be more easily standardised and constructed to the highest energy efficiency standards. In addition, modular construction and design for disassembly means that we can operate more in line with circular economy principles and reduce primary resource extraction.

In the next couple of months we’ll be exploring this topic in more detail across two virtual conferences, free to attend.

The first is in collaboration with our French counterpart Offsite school, Net Zero Carbon Homes – Does offsite construction provide a solution? 25th May, 1-3pm, with live French translation. Register now

On 22nd June, 2:15-4pm, we’re hosting a Business Bytes alongside the Smart Construction Network, Tackling the retrofit challenge through Smart Construction. Register now

Other Offsite events coming up…

Offsite for Designers virtual workshop, 11th June 9:00-12:00. Register now

Lunch n Learn on the Construction Playbook with Akerlof, 15th June, 13:00-14:00. Register now

Offsite resources recommended for you this month…

The Design for Manufacture and Assembly e-learning module gives an introduction into the benefits of DfMA and the use of offsite construction techniques. Get Started

Offsite Project Management: The Basics with Ken Farnon, Director at Cooley Construction Services Watch video

If you don’t measure, you can’t manage

Complete our free self assessment to get your bespoke action plan today. The list of resources will advise you where you should focus your learning with direct links to top-quality materials.

You can also benchmark your company’s offsite maturity here.

Did you know a NEW digital topic area has launched?

Adoption of digital technologies is crucial to maximising the potential of offsite construction, but only if the sector is equipped with the right skills and knowledge. Check out the learning available in our NEW topic to help you on your digital journey. Get started