by Nicky Smith | 24 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
The next phase of the BIM Task Group programme was announced at the ICE BIM 2016 conference on 19 October by Mark Bew, MBE. Innovate UK and the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy have formed a partnership to deliver the next phase of digitisation in the construction sector through Digital Built Britain.
Digital Built Britain, first announced in the 2016 budget, will deliver reductions in whole-life costs and carbon emissions, whilst improving productivity and capacity by using intelligent building information models. Digital Built Britain will also continue the work of the globally recognised BIM Task Group programme, set up in 2011 to deliver up to 20% savings on costs of major projects.
The Digital Built Britain programme will focus on:
- Providing departmental support and British Standards for BIM Level 2
- Increased international trade and opportunities for growth for UK companies
- Development of BIM Level 3 programme as announced in February 2015
- Cyber security
- Private sector investment and engagement
- A series of early adopter projects focusing on Level 3A and manufacturing technologies
by Nicky Smith | 24 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
As a relatively new standard, ISO 50001 has already been implemented by thousands of businesses across the world to boost energy efficiency efforts, but a number of key questions will need to be answered before any business embarks on the certification process. edie.net is an information resource which drives sustainability in business, and together with partner NQA, they have produced a guide to ISO 50001. It provides an in-depth summary of the ISO 50001 Standard which can be used by an organisation to establish and maintain a continuous level of energy performance improvements.
The nine-page edie explains guide answers questions and more to help energy managers understand exactly what they need to do before, during and after the ISO 50001 certification process.
Download the edie explains ISO 50001 guide here: http://bit.ly/2dRgiqQ
by Nicky Smith | 24 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
Members are reminded that the deadline for submitting grant claims for the 2015/2016 grant year is 31 October 2016. Claims should be submitted using the CITB Training Plan and Claim Form, if you don’t already have a form it can be downloaded from the CITB website: www.citb.co.uk/levy-grant/grants-available
If you have any questions, please use the CITB Levy and Grant webchat or contact the CITB Levy and Grant helpline on 0344 994 4455.
by Nicky Smith | 24 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
According to the ONS, output prices of manufactured goods rose 1.2% year-on-year in September, up from 0.9% in the
previous month, due to an increase in the prices of other manufactured products and transport equipment. The input price
index for manufactured goods rose 7.2% year-on-year in September, compared with an increase of 7.8% in August. The
latest figures reflect higher prices for domestically produced food products and rising import prices for fuel and metals. Read the Notes here.
by Nicky Smith | 19 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
In February 2016 the government asked the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) to look at the labour model in the construction industry and the skills pressures and other constraints that limit housebuilding and infrastructure development in the UK. The CLC commissioned Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast Consultancy, to undertake a review.
The report, published on 17 October 2016, is titled ‘Modernise or Die: Time to decide the industry’s future’. The evidence reviewed indicates that the construction industry and its labour model is at a critical crossroads in terms of its long-term health. The real ticking ‘time bomb’ is that of the industry’s workforce size and demographic. Based purely on existing workforce age and current levels of new entrant attraction, we could see a 20-25% decline in the available labour force within a decade.
The executive summary on pages 6 to 11 provides real insight to the 70-page report which can be downloaded here.
by Nicky Smith | 18 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
Further to Kara Price from Bond Dickinson’s speaker slot at last week’s FIS Conference, we would like to inform all FIS members of our launch of the free Bond Dickinson legal advice helpline.
Bond Dickinson is a Top 40 UK Law Firm and delivers a wide range of legal expertise across seven cities. It has one of the largest full service construction and engineering teams in the UK and has expertise in both dispute resolution and transactional construction matters.
To read the terms of use and access the helpline number, download the PDF here.
by Nicky Smith | 17 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
Further to Mark Coates from Construct PM’s speaker slot at last week’s FIS Conference, members are reminded that the offer of 18 months for the price of 12 is open until the end of October.
Construct is a fully customisable site-to-office Information Management System. The Construct App allows onsite access to programme information as well as tasks and issues; tasks can be assigned from any mobile device.
Watch the video below to see how the app works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiEOSA1qCEw
Construct believe they can provide efficiency savings through the system:
• A single point of reference, accountability and data capture
• Control documentation and its distribution including all revisions
• Complete management of project correspondence between teams in real time
• The implementation of processes including the management of approvals across multiple organisations
• Provides transparency and control throughout a project’s lifetime and beyond
• Instantly provide all information needed by Project Managers whilst removing all paper from site
• Manage the whole build process of a project while onsite – start to finish
Thus giving the following benefits:
• Reduced form-filling and double-handling
• It’s a single point of reference at all times
• Greater accountability
• Forms and process tailored specifically to the way you currently work
Construct has included the following features for clients already using the App:
• Drawing Management / Document Release
• Smart Forms
• Full Process Workflow
• Benchmarks and mock-ups
• Client Reports
• Health & Safety
• Build Drawings
• Timelines and programmes
• Snagging
• Valuations
• In project (team/s) and one-to-one real-time messaging
• Building Maintenance – including ongoing issues
• O&M Manual
• Asset Tagging
Visit Construct PM’s website for more information.
FIS Members wishing to apply for the offer should contact Mark Coates direct:
Telephone: 020 33842227
Mobile: 07810 860940
Email: mark@construct.pm
by Nicky Smith | 17 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
Government is planning a major industry briefing day to set out its plans to reorganise its sprawling office estate into a series of regional hub buildings. Its ambitious office closure and relocation plan is expected to generate up to £900m of fit-out work over the next seven years. Read more here.
by Nicky Smith | 17 Oct, 2016 | Main News Feed
This week’s Notes include information on the Construction Market Report on the UK Healthcare Sector, the Paris Climate Agreement and the CLC Report on Innovation Workstream. Read the Notes here.
