"A new programme to give hundreds of thousands of young people, in every region and nation of Britain, the best possible chance of getting on and getting a job." - Rishi Sunak

Photo by Chris McAndrew (Wikimedia Commons)

Last Wednesday's mini-budget saw the Chancellor put jobs at the heart of his £2 billion scheme to prevent a surge in unemployment.

Rishi Sunak will unveil a plan designed to keep up to 300,000 young people off the dole as the COVID-19 recession bites.

Under the Kickstart Scheme, the Treasury will pay the wages of thousands of youngsters if firms agree to hire them for six months.

Mr Sunak went on to say:

"We cannot lose this generation, so today, I am announcing the Kickstart Scheme - a new programme to give hundreds of thousands of young people, in every region and nation of Britain, the best possible chance of getting on and getting a job.

"These will be new jobs - with the funding conditional on the firm proving these jobs are additional. These will be decent jobs with a minimum of 25 hours per week, and new hires will be paid at least the National Minimum Wage."

"A very hopeful message for the trades industry"

Training providers are now getting ready for the thousands of new students who will be looking​ to get qualified in order to take advantage of the new jobs being offered.

One construction training specialist said:

"We are expecting a huge demand for training in the last 5 months of 2020. This is a very hopeful message for the trades industry.

"The educational norm has changed to incorporate online training and the flexibility that offers students, so there is now no reason why anyone can't take advantage of the government's Kickstart Scheme."

If you're looking to learn a trade and pursue a new career, Access Training Academies can help - call 0800 345 7492 now to speak to a course advisor.

Contact Access Training   Browse Trade Courses

The UK's economic recovery has 'Build, Build, Build' as its new mantra - so the future looks bright for skilled tradespeople in the construction industry.

"We will build, build, build. Build back better, build back greener, build back faster, and do that at the pace that this moment requires," said Boris Johnson as he focused on trade skills to get the country back up and running.

This is a positive message for anyone considering a long-term career in the trades. The Prime Minister has promised a massive building programme to put jobs and infrastructure at the centre of his economic growth strategy.

New skilled trade job opportunities were promised, and the Prime Minister also highlighted the need to prioritise education. He said he wanted to end the current injustice, which he called "such a waste of human talent", and announced that his new plan would create "thousands of high-paid, high-skilled jobs", acknowledging that many jobs lost since January would not come back.

That's where Access Training Academies can help you. We can give you the trade skills you'll need to be part of this new initiative.

The government's £5 billion investment program is based around infrastructure projects that are designed to stimulate the UK economy and get people working in skilled trade jobs. This new initiative will only serve to encourage ​those considering a career change to become part of one of the only sectors that's likely to move forward quickly as the country comes out of lockdown.

The new construction-focused spending package includes:

• £1.5 billion this year in hospital spending
• Over £1 billion for a school rebuilding programme
• £560 million for repairs and upgrades to schools and further education colleges
• Millions of pounds to upgrade courts and prisons
• £900 million for local projects
• £96 million for town centres and funding to accelerate infrastructure projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

All of these projects will require electricians, plumbers, gas engineers and carpenters. So now is a fantastic time to learn a trade and join the construction industry - especially if the coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted your current line of work.

Boris Johnson's announcement was based on funding that offers many people great new opportunities. "That is how it is meant to sound and to be, because that is what the times demand," he added.

The future for skilled tradespeople has never been brighter. Call Access Training on 0800 345 7492 to discuss your new career options.

Contact Access Training   Browse Trade Courses

Photo from Pexels

According to a survey recently carried out by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), there is a recruitment crisis that's really starting to escalate as we move into 2020. 

In the last quarter of 2019, a record-breaking number of British firms reported that they were having issues finding skilled worker, with a net amount of 52% reporting supply issues. This is the highest this statistic has been in nearly five years!

Contractors are calling for government intervention in the hope for better training programs and more qualified workers to fill the skills gap. The Chief Executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Alisdair Reisner expressed his concerns that;

"The pipeline of planned investment in the infrastructure sector is of a sufficient scale to be transformative to the whole UK economy, but unless the workforce is sufficiently skilled in all part of the UK, our members will be unable to deliver the work to its full potential".

Reisner believes that only co-operation between the industry and the government will lead to the creation of a comprehensive skills plan, a plan that's desperately needed if it's going to be possible to upskill the existing workforce and entice new workers to the trade. An 'infrastructure revolution' is what's required to protect the fate of the British economy in the coming years. 

How can you help to fill the skills shortage gap?

Civil engineering is only one of the many areas lacking in skilled workers in the UK today, there are so many different professions crying out for newly qualified workers - could that be you?

Here at Access Training Academies, we offer a range of courses that will set you up for a lucrative career in the construction industry! Select a trade below to see the courses we offer:

• Electrical Courses
• Gas Courses
• Plumbing Courses
• Construction Courses

To read more about this story, click here. If you'd like to contact us about learning a new trade, give us a call on 0800 345 7492.

A self-employed builder that won the EuroMillions jackpot has returned to work this December, despite being set for life by the monumental win.

Steve Thomson of Selsey, West Sussex won a colossal £105m in the EuroMillions on November 19^th, instantly transforming his life overnight.

However, the 42-year-old construction worker has kept his promise to fulfil his job commitments and can be currently found lugging boxes and driving his old van as usual.

The Value of Service

The EuroMillions win gives Steve a net worth higher than both Daniel Radcliffe (£90m) and Harry Styles (£64m), making him the ninth biggest winner in the history of the National Lottery.

Regardless of his bank account value, the value of quality service clearly means just as much to Thomson, who continues to honour his word and his commitments this winter.

While he could very easily be catching rays on a tropical beach, the humble labourer continues to help out his business partner with jobs lined up over the Christmas period.

A Total Legend

Described by locals as a “total legend”, Thomson aims to be “sensibly generous” with his winnings, adding that he wants to do whatever he can to help his local community along the way.

Speaking after the win, the loyal builder had this to say:

“Once I’m over the shock I’ll need to keep doing something - I’m not the type just to sit still. My business partner knows if he needs a hand I’ll be there.”

Constructing A Future

The incredible story shows that once a builder, always a builder, and that money doesn’t always have to change the person.

In the case of Mr Thomson, his love and passion for his business and the building trade stays strong, even though he no longer needs to lift a finger, proving once again how fun and infectious a self-employed business and the “be your own boss” mindset can be.

If you would like to begin your career in the world of construction, with the aim of one day being your own boss, here at Access Training UK, we can help you achieve just that with our wide variety of construction courses.

Construction Courses at Access Training UK

Whether you’re a total newbie hoping to take a completely new career path or an experienced veteran looking to revitalise your skills, Access Training UK has the ability to make your dreams a reality.

Our courses range from DIY carpentry and plastering courses for entry-level candidates, all the way up to NVQ Level 2 carpentry and plastering courses for those looking to add a few extra strings to their constructive bows.

For more information on any of the construction courses available at Access Training UK, why not drop us a line today? Call 0800 345 7492 now or get in touch online by clicking the button below.

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Three of the UK’s preeminent building contractors have taken steps to potentially introduce flexible working hours, in a move that could revolutionise the industry.

Bam Nuttall, Skanska and Willmott Dixon are said to be investigating the viability of flexitime on construction sites, enlisting the aid of flexible working specialist, Timewise, in their trial as they aim to overcome the industry's challenging working patterns.

A Flexible Approach

Tasked with helping the contractors research, plan and pilot the new flexible approach, Timewise, will study the working practices currently in place and then develop a flexible programme to be piloted across a set number of sites.

The results of the trial will then be evaluated and made public, with the potential to influence the wider construction industry nationwide as a result.

A Wise Move

Principal consultant at Timewise, Pernille Solvik, had this to say on the matter:

“The culture of long hours is having a negative impact on both men and women in the industry, affecting their mental health and their ability to balance work with caring and family life.

“There is an urgent need to design more flexible roles and career pathways within construction, to deliver better work-life balance and build a more diverse, healthier workforce.

“Our hope is that it will be the beginning; the beginning of a change within construction towards a better work-life balance for all.”

A Healthy Solution

The move comes just weeks after the new ISO 45001 business standard began making headlines for its potential to improve health and well-being in the construction industry.

With such radical steps being taking by trendsetters such as Bam, Skanska and Willmott Dixon, it looks as though the construction industry could be on its way to a healthier solution for all.

Construction Courses at Access Training UK

With a healthier outlook on the horizon for life as a site worker, a career in the construction industry poses an attractive proposition.

If you’re considering a career change and a construction career sounds like it could be up your street, why not sign up for a construction course with Access Training UK?

We currently offer a wide array of construction courses for both those looking to enter the trade and those looking to enhance their existing skills.

From DIY carpentry courses for complete novices to NVQ Level 2 Certification for experienced site plasterers, we have the course to help you get where you want to be professionally.

To find out more about these construction courses or any other courses available at Access Training UK, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 345 7492 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.

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A new 2019 business standard is set to improve the health and well-being of construction workers across the United Kingdom.

The new ISO 45001 accreditation has been introduced to provide a framework for success in any organization from any sector, including construction.

Health in the Workplace

The new international standard in Occupational Health and Safety Management aims to improve the mental and physical health in the workplace and presents a big step forward for construction companies in the UK.

Work-related stress and illness affects all industries, including construction, while the physical nature of site work also presents a myriad of additional dangers for those that work within the construction trade.

ISO 45001

The new ISO 45001 standard lays a clear-cut blueprint for construction companies to follow and allows organisations to easily formulate a successful health and safety management system.

With a strong onus on risk-based thinking and proactive leadership, the new business standard promotes risk assessment, hazard identification and emergency preparation, allowing companies to fully comprehend potential dangers and how to handle them.

Through this health-conscious business model, construction companies can help ensure a safer environment for their workers, boosting worker morale and making the construction industry all the more appealing to those looking to enter manual labour and/or learn a physical trade.

Constructing Courses at Access Training UK

With safer work conditions and a greater emphasis on worker health and morale, the change poses good news for construction workers and anyone considering the construction trade as a career.

At Access Training UK, we offer a wide variety of construction courses for those looking to enter the trade. These range from DIY carpentry and plastering courses for complete novices, all the way up to NVQ Level 2 carpentry and plastering courses for experienced pros (and everything in between).

Whether you’re a newcomer looking to shift gears with a new career path or a seasoned veteran looking to add to your repertoire of skills, we can help you achieve your dreams at Access Training UK.

For more information on Access Training construction courses at Access Training UK, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 345 7492 or get in touch online by clicking the link below.

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After two years of research, the Chartered Institute of Building has released its newly published Code of Quality Management in response to a number of high-profile construction incidents.

Aimed at improving the overall quality of construction across the UK, the Guide to Best Practice Construction Quality Management provides industry professionals with a single resource to help them achieve a higher, safer standard of work.

Construction Quality

A renewed focus was placed on the construction industry in February 2017 following the closing of 17 schools in Edinburgh. Just months later, the tragic events of the Grenfell Tower fire raised the profile of this issue even further.

These events ultimately led to the creation of the Construction Quality Commission, made up of former CIOB presidents. Over the course of two years, the CQC created the Code of Quality Management, which was made public this week.

High Standards

Following the Grenfell Tower incident, the resulting Hackitt report highlighted that “the system does not facilitate good practise” and that “there is insufficient focus on delivering the best quality building possible”.

The CIOB aims to act as a moral compass for the construction industry, promoting pride in work and quality output, and hopes that the new code will help industry professionals to maintain high standards across the board.

The result should be an increase in quality and an overall safer output of work from construction jobs going forward.

High Standards

The new code of conduct for industry professionals should help raise the bar for those in the construction industry and really contribute to building work across the UK.

At Access Training UK, we’re also committed to providing would-be construction workers with the tools and knowledge to help them strive within the industry.

If you’re interested in entering the construction industry and learning a valuable trade the right way, why not do so with Access Training UK?

Constructing Professionals

Here at Access Training UK., we offer a variety of construction courses, ranging from carpentry courses and NVQs to kitchen fitting and plastering.

With a whole host of construction courses for all skill levels, we can help you go from complete novice with no prior experience to fully-trained, skilled professional in no time at all.

Meanwhile, we can also help existing pros hone their skills further and build on their current knowledge to become a more well-rounded professional.

Whether you’re a newbie with a dream or an old dog looking to learn some new tricks, we can help you achieve your construction goals at Access Training UK.

For more information on construction courses with Access Training UK, why not drop us a line and talk with one of our advisors? Call now on 0800 345 7492 or drop us an email using the button below.

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Following Chancellor Philip Hammond's new budget, the construction industry is speculating on how its announcements could affect jobs and opportunities here in Britain. The budget gives insight into the government's vision of Britain for the coming years, as well as their predictions for the economy.

Following a few tough years for the construction industry, we waited with baited breath to hear the plans, and it looks like it may be good news. Here is a closer look at how the some of the announcements from the budget will help the construction industry:

Help for first-time buyers

The abolition of stamp duty is great news for first-time buyers buying a property that is worth less than £500,000. This means that first-time buyers will save an average of £1,660 when purchasing homes between £300,000 and £500,000.

This is sure to encourage more people to buy property, as 80% of people buying their first home will now not have to pay the highly-criticised stamp duty that buyers were previously subjected to.

The need for new homes

The government is aiming to build 300,000 new homes a year - numbers that have not been seen since 1970. With the decision to buy new land for the purpose of creating more homes, there will be far more opportunity for those trying to purchase a property.

The government will also create 5 new 'garden towns'.

How will this affect the construction industry?

Where there are new homes, there are new jobs for construction workers. With Britain looking to expand its homebuilding industry, there has never been a better time to learn a trade. The ongoing UK skills shortage has given carpenters, plasterers, tilers and various other tradespeople the opportunity to find plenty of work for decent pay.

The 2017 Autumn Budget is encouraging when considering the job opportunities for those in the construction industry. Hopefully, it will also encourage more people to learn a trade skill which will, in turn, help the skills shortage.

If you would like to take advantage of the skills shortage and join this growing industry, you should look at the trade training courses we offer here at Access Training. We help get you qualified and working in the shortest possible timeframe. Go to our homepage to see what we offer, or contact us today to discuss your options.