There have been some interesting developments on renewable energy which aims to make it easier for customers to have domestic microgeneration technologies installed. Now, many renewable technologies have fewer planning permission requirements attached to them – making renewable energy sources installations more accessible to home-owners. Read more »

The Gas Safe Register celebrates its first anniversary on 1st April and it has now firmly embedded itself in the minds of consumers looking to have gas work done in their homes.

For those working directly with gas the switch from Corgi has also been straightforward and almost universal. The Register now holds registrations for over 60,000 businesses and will continue to grow in 2010 when businesses from Guernsey and Northern Ireland also come aboard.

Those working with gas may be familiar with the rules and their responsibilities but what about those in the broader construction trades who may be working alongside them?

Under Regulation 8 of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, those working in trades other than gas also have a legal duty not to compromise the safety of gas installations in the course of their work. Read more »

New research on cowboy gas fitters reveals that they are most likely to work on gas pipework and gas cookers and hobs, compared to other gas appliances in the home. The study carried out for Gas Safe Register estimates that 100,000 gas cookers and hobs are installed illegally every year by fitters who don’t have the skills or the qualifications to work on gas.

The research further identifies that a quarter of a million gas jobs are carried out each year by at least 7,500 hard core illegal gas fitters. They are potentially the most dangerous type of illegal gas workers in the country. As well as carrying out gas work, many may also undertake plumbing jobs, bathroom fitting, kitchen fitting, general building and electrical work.

Commenting on the research, Phill Brewster, Gas Safe Register’s national investigations manager said:

"For a consumer there’s an awful lot to think about when they’re doing any improvements to their home, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. So, it’s not surprising that for some, it can slip their mind that certain jobs have to be done by skilled tradesmen." Read more »

“London is set to become a greener place to live following an announcement by mayor Boris Johnson which will see ten of the capital’s boroughs receiving funding to put towards energy efficiency.

The mayor announced at the London Congress that the ten chosen boroughs – which include Lewisham, Westminster and Islington – will each receive a minimum of £200,000 to put towards improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in the area.

And the aim of the project is to reduce carbon emissions by 20.12 per cent by 2012, while also creating more green jobs.

Both domestic and commercial properties will be the focus of the funds. Read more »

“The UK has made "significant" progress in the field of green construction, but more needs to be done, according to a new report.

In an update about its Strategy for Sustainable Construction, the Department for Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform stated that the country is on target to reduce emissions by 34 per cent under the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan.

Construction minister Ian Lucas, said: "I am pleased to see we are making steps towards reaching these targets, but there is further work to be done to build on these achievements and reach the overarching goals of the strategy."

Ian Pearson, economic secretary to the Treasury, added that the challenge will now be ensuring that the Climate Change Act targets for 2020 and 2050 are met. Read more »

“Construction firms which have concentrated on developing low-carbon expertise will be in a strong position when the recession ends, according to one expert.

Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders, explained that there will be increased demand for green construction services in the near future.

This means that those who have the expertise to meet the need for such work should be well placed going forwards, he stated.

Mr Berry said: "Construction [firms] are looking ahead and looking to the future, thinking of ways in terms of their skill sets and the technology they are using. They will be one step ahead as we come out of the recession." Read more »

“Twenty-two year-old Christopher Lonsdale from County Durham was awarded a medallion for excellence in plumbing and heating for impressing judges at the Calgary 2009 Worldskillls competition.

Although Britain’s young talent did not get gold, silver or bronze in this category, the self-employed plumber from Bishop Auckland did walk away with an award for scoring at least 500 points, which is deemed the world class standard.

Britain did win gold in electrical installations thanks to the talented Richard Sager (aged 22) from Langholm who works for Eden Electrics. Sager was one of 900 skilled people from around the globe competing in the biennial WorldSkills competition in Calgary over four days.

Sager trained hard for 18 months for his golden moment, putting his social lives on hold to perfect his skill. Read more »

“Renewable energy is on the agenda in Wales, where it is hoped Aberdare, a former Valleys mining town, will become the UK’s first low carbon town, it is reported.

Wales Online reports that the Heads of the Valleys regeneration scheme will see the latest renewable energy technologies being integrated into the area, while energy efficiency will also be encouraged among businesses and households.

Furthermore, over the course of the coming 15 years, the campaign will assess some 65,000 homes for how energy efficient they are, while 40,000 properties will receive help in improving their efficiency.

Deputy minister for regeneration Leighton Andrews said: "The investment in Aberdare will help spearhead the development of the region as a low carbon zone where energy efficiency measures will be introduced on a scale that has not been undertaken in the UK to date." Read more »

“Microgeneration of electricity will provide people and the environment with a huge range of benefits, according to one expert.

Juliet Davenport, founder and chief executive officer of Good Energy, believes that adopting small-scale generation projects could help the UK solve many of the problems facing it.

She said: "Generating your own power not only helps reduce overall carbon emissions but can help insulate us all from fuel price fluctuations and provide an alternative income in the future."

Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association, added that microgeneration should be of particular interest to farmers as the country looks to build a more sustainable model of agriculture. Read more »

“The construction industry campaign to persuade the government to introduce a boiler scrappage scheme now has cross -party support as well as cross industry-support and its own website.

The scheme petition on the Downing Street website now has 816 signatures and the campaign website features supporting messages from Martin Horwood MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Minister, who says: "What a brilliant idea. As a green counter-recessionary measure this is far more likely to save significant carbon emissions than a car scrappage scheme.

"We urgently need to tackle emissions at local and household level and this would make a real difference while helping to protect threatened jobs as well."

Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP for Edinburgh North & Leith is also supporting the campaign: "Rising fuel prices and the need to help families heat their homes affordably are serious issues that I have worked hard to address, as well as pressing for more rapid progress against climate change," he says. Read more »

“When considering property improvements such as renewable energy technologies, homeowners should start with small projects first, it has been advised.  

Adam Vaughn, author of e-books Smartplanet and the Greenguy, noted that the amount of information available about renewable energy projects in the public domain can be confusing. "One of the key things that people want to know when it comes to saving energy in the home is what the priorities are," Mr Vaughn claimed.  

He recommended that homeowners carry out easy tasks, including installing energy-saving lightbulbs and altering heating control settings, before tackling larger projects such as fitting solar water heating and new boilers. Read more »

“A rise in government-funded public projects has helped stabilise the flow of new starts in the construction sector, it has been claimed.

According to analyst Glenigan, the year-on-year decline in public spending on construction projects was nine per cent last month, an improvement on the 30 per cent annual decline in May.

Project starts during the three months to August increased in the east of England, the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber, although London and the Midlands experienced falls in August.

Glenigan’s economics director Allan Wilen commented that in the coming months the pace of decline in the private sector is set to slow, while, in contrast, the recent increase in public sector project starts is likely to lose momentum during the second half of 2009.

"More encouragingly new renewable energy projects and spending on rail and road infrastructure will sustain the increase in civil engineering project starts throughout the remainder of 2009," he concluded. Read more »

“Teenagers who have just received their GCSE results are being encouraged to qualify as plumbing apprentices rather than go on to study for A-Levels.

Celebrity plumber and former apprentice Charlie Mullins (pictured), who is the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, one of the largest plumbing firms in the UK, says youngsters need to see apprenticeships as a valid alternative to university especially considering the current shortage of places.

According to Mullins, who started his plumbing apprenticeship when he was 15, teenagers who qualify as apprentices are more likely to have job and financial security in the future.

“An apprenticeship puts you on a real career path and in three to four years when you are trained and earning money, your friends will only just be finishing university and in the job market for the first time,” he said.

“Good university degrees are fine, but it’s going to be increasingly difficult for many youngsters to get on good courses. We should be promoting apprenticeships, and encouraging kids to understand that they offer a real alternative.” Read more »

“Economic recovery will go hand-in-hand with developing skills, according to one expert.

Writing for epolitix.com, Gordon Marsden MP, explained that although the downturn presents a number of challenges to businesses, there will also be opportunities to equip people with new skills.

Furthermore, investment in green jobs can also help boost the country, with manufacturing being one area which should be specifically targeted, Mr Marsden said.

"Wind farm projects will create jobs for sheet metal workers, machinists and truck drivers, while increasing the energy efficiency of buildings will rely on roofers, insulators and electricians," he said. Read more »

“A continuing reduction in on-site skill levels is driving the change to easier installation, leading to more flexibility of application amongst pipes and fittings, according to a new report.

This is one of a number of major trends impacting the UK pipes and fittings market, according to the AMA Research report.

The report on the ‘UK Pipes and Fittings market for 2009-13′ states the market is estimated to be worth £729 million, at manufacturers selling prices in 2008.

The market being analysed in the document, includes domestic and light commercial plumbing pipe systems, rainwater goods and soil & waste products.

Within this sector there has been a consistent shift away from copper pipe and fittings, which have traditionally dominated these markets. The report says flexible plastic pipe systems have now obtained a reputation for reliability, with improvements in manufacturing technology and ongoing material development. Read more »

“A £700 million building programme in Manchester will help sustain more than 8,000 jobs, it has been claimed.

According to Manchester City Council, its investment plan will provide work for 6,500 skilled tradesmen, including electricians.

A further 1,200 professional roles for engineers, project managers and architects will be created.

It was also revealed that the projects will be used to help recruit and train apprentices, with 458 roles being supported by the move.

Councillor Sue Murphy, executive member for employment and skills, said: "Our commitment to these improvements to the built environment is also sustaining vital jobs during a period of recession. Read more »

“The UK faces a shortage of electrical engineers and might be unable to complete major infrastructure projects in future, one expert has warned.

Speaking to the Newcastle Journal, Jane Atkinson, vice-president of utilities at SembCorp UK, explained that the demands placed on the country by European emissions targets could expose these shortcomings.

To meet these requirements, the government will have to invest in a range of new power plants, from nuclear generators to windfarms and this will require a range of engineers, she stated.

"If you look at building the Olympic Stadium, how many engineers are involved – civil, mechanical, structural, electrical and chemical – but we won’t be able to do those massive infrastructure projects in the future, we’ll have to bring in foreign labour," Ms Atkinson said.

She called for more information to be given to the public, parents and teachers so they can help children decide if a career in engineering is right for them, she added. Read more »

“The UK needs to play catch-up when it comes to its focus on renewable energy, one sector commentator has claimed.

John Barwise, chairman of the Cumbria Green Business Forum, said: "We desperately need to rebuild the UK’s power industry and to invest now in training and skills [...] to ensure a sustainable power resource in the UK for future generations."

He added that recent comments made by chief executive of the Energy & Utility Skills council Tim Balcon were welcome.

Mr Balcon earlier urged that new low carbon technologies and strategies could mean a 700 per cent increase in trainees within the next 15 years. Furthermore, the renewal of power stations over the next 15 years will also have a significant need impact for a specialist workforce. Read more »

“Research for Gas Safe Register found that regular servicing of gas appliances is not a priority in far too many households. Almost a fifth (19.05%) of households with a gas boiler had not had it serviced for at least three years and an alarming 13% of households had never had their boiler serviced or would only do so if there was a problem. The figures for maintaining gas fires were even worse. Almost 1 in 3 (29%) never serviced their gas fire, or last had it serviced or maintained over three years ago.

The credit crunch could result in an increase in fatalities linked to unsafe gas and electrical installations, with over 4 in 10 people (41.4%) admitting they are more likely to tinker with their electrics or fit a new gas appliance in the current economic climate. Only 15% of respondents said they would always use a professional tradesman.

The research, carried out for Gas Safe Registery, highlighted a worrying discrepancy between people’s perception of danger and their willingness to risk their family’s safety. While 82% of those questioned considered it dangerous to fit a gas fire themselves, 1 in 10 were still prepared to do so. Read more »

“Construction professionals think that a skills shortage exists within the sector, despite the current economic downturn, new research reveals.

According to a study by the Chartered Institute of Building, 77 per cent of those questioned think there is a lack of skilled workers within the trades in the construction sector.

In addition, 38 per cent of those questioned stated that any loss of skills would seriously hinder the sector when the economy picks up.

The body’s deputy chief executive Michael Brown said: "Construction has been notoriously bad at attracting students, and other new entrants, which has exasperated the industry’s long-term skills development."

More than three-quarters of respondents felt that apprenticeships should be mandatory on all public projects to help encourage the employment of trainees.

Last week, it was reported that the government has earmarked £11 million to create approximately 3,000 new apprenticeships across the UK. Read more »