News
Construction skills crisis
School refurbs
set to ease
‘threatens carbon target’
impact of fall
in new builds
n
The UK construction industry widen the gulf between ambitious Building Engineering Physics in the The rise in refurbishment projects
faces a serious lack of skills government policy and the design of buildings, and low-carbon expected to come in the wake of
that could lead to the country failing industry’s ability to deliver.’ design is scarcely taught at university cuts to funding for the Building
to meet its own stringent carbon Buildings currently account for level. And yet undergraduates Schools for the Future (BSF)
reduction targets. 45 per cent of UK carbon emissions leaving university in three years’ programme could mean a boost to
A report by the Royal Academy but it is estimated that 80 per cent of time – and the rest of the industry the sector in the shorter term.
of Engineering (RAE) warned that the buildings that will be occupied in – will be required to deliver not just The comment by AECOM’s
Britain faces missing its 80 per cent 2050 have already been built. reduced-carbon but zero-carbon new regional director, Phil Cusack,
carbon-reduction target by 2050 The report also introduces a new domestic buildings. follow claims that local authorities
if the skills crisis is not addressed discipline, Building Engineering CIBSE described the report as are already making plans for
urgently. Physics, which supports the a robust and timely summary of refurbishments rather than new-
Author Doug King said: ‘The architecture, structural and building how the UK can develop a more build projects because of feared
sheer pace of change in the services engineering professions. sustainable building stock. budget cuts.
regulation of building energy It investigates the areas of natural King is RAE’s visiting professor in Cusack said: ‘Although a
performance has already created science that relate to the energy building engineering physics at the programme of refurbishment
problems for the construction performance of buildings and their University of Bath. rather than new build will inevitably
industry and the proposed indoor and outdoor environments. To view Engineering a low carbon lead to reducing workloads with
acceleration of this process, But, according to the report, built environment: the discipline of some suppliers, main contractors,
aiming to achieve zero-carbon few in the construction industry Building Engineering Physics visit architects and structural designers,
new buildings by 2020, will only know how to apply the principles of www.raeng.org.uk it could lead to an increase in
projected workloads for those
organisations specifically involved
Universities to be hit with
in building services.’
His colleague, project director
£534m cut in capital grants
Valerie Bragg, confirmed that many
authorities fear their budgets will
be cut, but equally, sees no reason
The government has slashed sector we are all facing difficult why building services professionals
universities’ overall capital funding choices. Looking beyond 2010/11, should be downcast: ‘Councils are
budget by £534m for 2010-2011. it is clear that together we face a afraid of funding cuts, yes, and they
During the last financial year, more challenging public spending are trying to move very quickly so
£938m was made available in climate.’ money is all committed. But some
grants for universities’ building The letter goes on to add that the money will be made available.
projects. But for 2010-11, the Higher total capital grants figure is £250m ‘There will still be a lot of work
Education Funding Council for lower than the indicative allocation around too, with another round of
England (HEFCE), the body which given in 2008 because of the capital six authorities to be announced by
Clever lighting
distributes public cash grants to that was brought forward from 2010- Labour before the general election,
universities, will receive just £404m. 11 funding pot, announced in the and a large amount of work on
in university
The drastic cut in funding has 2008 Pre-Budget Report. academies will also keep the
museum
been blamed on the ‘extremely HEFCE chairman Tim Melville- building services industry busy.’
challenging’ financial year ahead, Ross, said: ‘This year’s grant Bragg also expects the primary
The 350-year-old Ashmolean according to Lord Mandelson, the announcement is more challenging capital programme to provide a
Museum of Art and Secretary of State for Business, than in recent years. large amount of refurbishment
Archaeology in Oxford has been Innovation and Skills, who made ‘We shall be considering the work, and hopes the procurement
given a makeover to show the the announcement to the HEFCE implications of the letter at the process will be changed because
pieces of art at their best while via letter. board meetings on 28 January and it is currently very expensive and
reducing energy costs. Within that letter he said: ‘The 4 March.’ risky for contractors until a final
Kevan Shaw Lighting Design economic situation is extremely To read Lord Mandelson’s letter contractor is chosen.
was tasked with finding a challenging, and across the public in full, visit www.hefce.ac.uk But construction company,
solution and turned to energy Leadbitter, believes the expected
efficient reflector lamps from downturn in new builds in favour of
OSRAM’s halogen range.
Shutterstock
refurbishments is simply because
The long-life, dimmable lamps BSF concentrated on the most
have been installed throughout dilapidated buildings first.
the museum as part of a £61m ‘Having dealt with the schools
development programme. The most in need, the programme is
work is being supported by the now turning its attention to schools
Heritage Lottery Fund and this that include some newer facilities,
has allowed the museum to which can be refurbished to meet
double its gallery space. current standards,’ said Phil Porter,
its strategic initiatives director.
www.cibsejournal.com February 2010 CIBSE Journal 7
CIBSEfeb10 pp06-07_news.indd 7 28/1/10 16:23:02
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