The increasing shortages of bricks and bricklayers in the UK is threatening future house building plans, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in their latest State of Trade Survey
But building more houses is also a key UK Election issue, not least because it is seen as a primary solution to the current housing crisis.
Brian Berry, FMB chief executive: The brick manufacturers are working hard to reignite their kilns which were mothballed during the recession and the ever growing lack of bricklayers is causing concern.
He said that compared to this time one year ago, more than twice the firms are reporting difficulties recruiting these tradespeople. And in the short term, many SME house builders may have to rely on migrant labour.
There are also a number of initiatives to train and recruit more bricklayers within the UK workforce. One that caught my eye today was an article in Bloomburg News about Persimmons Combat to Construction program to increase output as the shortage sends asking prices to record highs.
Richard Latham, human resources director at Persimmon: We were hoping that people coming out of the military would be able to bring transferable skills and be motivated and disciplined. Theyre able to take instruction, receptive to training and they are reliable.
Getting a full-time job is hard when you leave the army so this is a great idea.
.
Visitors to this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week (21 – 23 May) can step into a parallel world and discover the benefits of cleaning with water, thanks to Geberit.
Posted in Articles, Bathrooms & Toilets, Bathrooms, Bedrooms & Washrooms, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Exhibitions and Conferences, Innovations & New Products, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Plumbing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & RenovationMitsubishi Electric’s full range of Ecodan heat pumps and hot water cylinders are to be stocked by one of the north-west’s best established independent merchants, The Boiler Shop.
Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Facility Management & Building Services, Heating Systems, Controls and Management, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - HVAC, Plumbing, Posts, Retrofit & Renovation, Sustainability & Energy EfficiencySolutions from Senior Architectural Systems have helped complete The Barnum – a new residential development on Nottingham’s Queen’s Road.
Posted in Aluminium Products, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Curtain Walling, Doors, Glass, Glazing, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Walls, WindowsEJOT UK has taken a major step in the expansion of its support for the flat roofing market by appointing one of its most experienced building envelope fastening specialists as its first sector-dedicated business development manager.
Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Innovations & New Products, Posts, Recruitment, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Roofs