Nicholas Associates Navigator - Edition 2

Welcome to the second edition of our Navigator Newsletter. Here, we provide you with industry statistics, a recap of the latest news in Engineering & Construction, and company-wide updates. Continue reading to stay updated...

Engineering/Manufacturing news...

A30 upgrade in Cornwall nominated for engineering award

The scheme to upgrade one of Cornwall's busiest roads has been nominated for an engineering award. The A30 project started in 2020 and the 8.7 mile (14km) upgrade is expected to be completed by spring 2024. It is one of 14 schemes across the South West to be nominated for the ICE Civil Engineering Awards 2023. Learn more

Derby College: Engineering workshop expansion planned

Derby College said a two-storey motor vehicle facility would become a "critical part" of supporting students in higher-level technical development. If approved, the expansion would be built opposite Derby rail station. The college said the space would reduce its liability on tenanted properties and would provide skills for a "wide range of engineering disciplines". Find out more

Engineering firm appoints senior exec to its board

Engineering firm Spirax-Sarco has appointed a senior executive to its board. The Cheltenham-based thermal energy management and fluid technology solutions specialist has appointed Constance Baroudel as an independent non?executive director, with immediate effect. Constance is sector chief executive, environmental and analysis and chief sustainability officer at Halma. She has previously held a range of executive positions within Halma, as well as with First Group, De La Rue and Strategic Decisions Group. Keep reading…

UK Manufacturing PMI: Industry downturn deepens to seven-month low

July saw the seasonally adjusted UK Manufacturing PMI fall to 45.3, the lowest it has been in 2023, down on June’s reading of 46.5. A reading below 50 suggests contraction in the sector and we have now been in this territory for 12 months. Businesses attributed the slump to weak domestic and overseas markets, overstocked customers and streamlining efforts within their own organisations. Discover more

5,500 primary school children take virtual lesson on cutting-edge sustainable manufacturing

Thousands of primary school children from across the UK have been learning about how to create sustainable manufacturing plants through a virtual school lesson delivered by Siemens. The children heard from a range of Siemens employees, from apprentices to experienced engineers, on how the business did it and learned about the renewable energy sources Siemens uses. Learn more

Construction news

Michael Gove wants Britain to have more houses — but isn’t meeting the builders

He may be promising to tackle the U.K.’s housing crisis, but homebuilders say Michael Gove keeps giving them the cold shoulder. According to quarterly transparency data published by his department, Britain’s housing secretary did not log a single meeting with any of the U.K.’s major house builders or their industry groups in the first quarter of this year. Keep reading…

Stormont collapse impacting construction – survey

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) indicated workloads fell in the second quarter of 2023. The biggest falls were in sectors dependent on public spending. The survey suggests some wider economic challenges appear to be easing, but the lack of a functioning executive is the one challenge that is not improving. The institute's construction spokesman, Jim Sammon, added the lack of devolved government is "impacting on decision-making and ultimately industry activity". Discover more

Northumberland Line: Construction of new stations to begin

Northumberland County Council said contracts had been exchanged for work to start on Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Seaton Delaval Stations. The project is described as a "key milestone" to restore passenger services lost in the 1960s. It is planned to run a half-hourly passenger service along the 18-mile (29km) lines. Construction is already progressing at Newsham and Ashington, with 13 miles (21km) of new track installed, the council said. Find out more

Construction leaders question logic of CE mark decision

Construction firms are in the dark over the logic behind the government’s decision to exempt construction products from a relaxation of rules surrounding product testing. Firms have been warned that a government pledge made to allow the indefinite use of the European CE mark regime does not apply to construction products. Learn more

HS2's London TBMs complete first mile

After eight months work, HS2’s first two tunnel boring machines (TBM) under London have completed their first mile of twin bored tunnel. Since launch in November 2022, the 2,000-tonne TBMs – Sushila and Caroline – have each installed more than 847 tunnel rings each, comprising up of 5,929 concrete segments. Keep reading…

Construction ONS Report

The latest report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has unveiled some intriguing insights into the construction industry.

We have explored some key findings from the May 2023 overview released in July, see below and find out more here

• In May 2023, monthly construction output is estimated to have decreased by 0.2% in volume terms. This marks the third consecutive fall in the month-on-month series, with the monthly value at ￡15,360 million.
• The decline in monthly output was solely driven by a decrease in new work, which fell by 0.4%. Repair and maintenance remained flat at 0.0% on the month.
• Among the nine sectors, four saw a decline in May 2023. The main contributors to the monthly decrease were non-housing repair and maintenance, and private housing new work, which decreased by 2.5% and 1.7%, respectively.
• Anecdotal evidence pointed to a slowdown in private housing due to customers' economic worries. However, some businesses in other sectors reported an easing in inflation.
• The coronation of King Charles III held an additional bank holiday on 8th May 2023. While adjustments were made for regular calendar effects, there was no explicit adjustment for this ad hoc event. The timing of the bank holiday indirectly affected the number of trading days, which could have impacted construction monthly estimates.
• Alongside the monthly decrease, construction output saw a 0.2% increase in the three months to May 2023. This marks the ninth consecutive period of growth in the three-month-on-three-month series. However, this is the weakest growth since the decrease in the three months to August 2022 (0.1% fall).
• The increase in the three-month-on-three-month series was driven solely by a rise in repair and maintenance (2.5%), while new work saw a decrease of 1.3%. Despite the increase, total repair and maintenance has weakened compared to the strength at the start of the year. The largest positive contributor was private housing repair and maintenance (3.9%), while non-housing repair and maintenance (1.6%) also contributed to the three-month-on-three-month increase, despite the monthly decrease.

Brick Awards Sponsorship

We are thrilled to be sponsoring the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to recognising and celebrating excellence in the construction and property sector.

By sponsoring this event, we aim to support and elevate the exceptional talent and ingenuity within the industry we have worked closely with since 1977.

Through our involvement, we seek to foster collaboration, facilitate networking opportunities, and provide a platform for knowledge sharing among industry professionals. We firmly believe that acknowledging and celebrating achievements can inspire a culture of excellence that drives progress and innovation throughout the sector.

We are looking forward to celebrating with all the category nominees and winners on 28th September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.

Nominations will close on August 31st. Click here to submit your nominations.

From Apprentice Training Agency to Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency

As part of the Nicholas Associates Group of companies, did you know about our partner brand Apprentice Employment Agency?

AEA are one of the UK's leading apprentice specialists and has recently been awarded Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency status, working with fantastic businesses to provide apprentice employment.

Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agencies employ and place apprentices with Host Employers to provide apprenticeship training and qualifications. They offer an alternative model for apprentice employment, supporting businesses in specific sectors, professions, or locations to overcome barriers in hiring apprentices directly.

Choosing AEA to support your apprentice employment makes your life easy – tell them your goals, and they will look after the rest. They will:

• Manage your advertising and recruitment
• Provide a huge network of national training providers
• Operate nationally to cover all apprenticeship levels and disciplines
• Oversee contract, payroll and pastoral support throughout the apprenticeship
• Promote your business through our various social media channels
• Support your line managers, mentors and apprentices throughout

If you're looking to fulfil your business needs with a motivated and eager-to-learn apprentice, don't hesitate to reach out to the team at [email protected]. They'll be more than happy to assist you.

Guest article by Jill Maidment from Natural Talent

Managing teams in the post-pandemic workplace comes with challenges for people managers. Remote work has led to inexperienced managers, difficulty addressing poor performance, and persistent issues like bullying and harassment. To succeed in the hybrid workplace, managers need empathy, constructive feedback, and regular check-ins. Jill, Founder and Director of Natural Talent explores this topic in a recent article shared with our partner brand Ashley Kate HR & Finance. Read the full article here

Our latest vacancies

If you're interested, please get in touch with the consultant mentioned in the advertisement above. Alternatively, feel free to share these opportunities with your network.

Industry Events

Educating Engineers for Safe AI

Location: Gorgon and Faraday, The Catalyst Building?1 Science Square Newcastle Helix Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5TG

Date: Tuesday 15th August – Wednesday 16th August 2023

FREE

The Alan Turing Institute, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cambridge and UCL Universities are organising a series of workshops to discuss Educating Engineers for Safe AI.

Book Now

Property & Construction Networking Event

Location: Dishroom Manchester, 32 Bridge Street, Manchester, MC 3BT

Date: Wednesday 27th September 2023

￡22 per person

If you’re looking to grow your connections and meet people within the property & construction industry, enjoy a tasty breakfast, then this event is perfect for you!

Book Now

Driving Sustainability in Construction

Location: Village Hotel, Castle View Forstal Road, Maidstone, ME14 3AQ

Date: Tuesday 12th September 2023

￡25 per person

The construction industry is responsible for over 40% of the worlds annual CO2e, the UK and the CIOB have placed addressing the impact of construction on the environment at the heart of its policies and 5 Year Plan.

Book Now

We trust that you have found this edition of our newsletter to be informative and have gained valuable insights. Be sure to subscribe to receive our updates directly in your inbox and stay connected.