• • • NEWS • • •


BESA: record infrastructure plan will need ‘colossal’ skills drive


he government’s announcement of a record £650 billion investment in infrastructure projects over the next decade will be a massive boost to the building services sector but will need to be matched by an unprecedented surge in training and recruitment, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).


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A mixture of public money, private sector invest- ment and the recruitment of more than 425,000 skilled workers is proposed to deliver the updated Infrastructure Pipeline plan.


Over £30bn worth of social and economic projects are due to be launched this year, according to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority as part of an overall £200bn of work underpinning the govern- ment Build Back Better programme. ‘Transforming Infrastructure Performance: Roadmap to 2030’ lays out a detailed plan that could lead to a surge in new opportunities for ap- prentices, graduates, and experienced workers with the right skills, according to the Association. Transport, energy, and utilities will command the largest share of the work, but there are also big


plans for social and digital infrastructure between now and 2025.


BESA welcomed the updated plan as a “vote of confidence” for the sector but pointed out that the programme relies heavily on


improving productivity through greater use of digital technology and innovation.


BESA’s director of training and skills Helen Yeulet said: “The government’s infrastructure plans are extremely exciting, but will place even greater strain on the industry’s workforce unless accompanied by a colossal push to bring new blood into the sector and upskill existing workers.”


However, competition for skilled staff is expected to continue heating up over the next two to five years and will require employers in construction and engineering-related fields to look closely at what they have to offer.


“On the plus side, it has also started to redress the balance for many people in low paid jobs.”


Foremost now offers HMI support arms for all applications


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ssex-based Foremost Electronics can now offer machine builders and process control system designers one of the most comprehensive and versatile ranges of HMI support arms available from a single source.


Emma Kempster, key account manager at Fore- most Electronics, said market leading enclosure manufacturer Schroff-nVent monitoring and man- agement support arms are a modern looking design for mounting a flat screen monitor of up to 24in with a keyboard and mouse for use industrial or labora- tory environments.


The fully integrated design means installation on any cabinet can be done by one person in a few


minutes. The Schroff-nVent support arm allows screen tilting with optional swivel and rotation func- tions for individual needs and the keyboard can be folded up to save space. Two models are available with or without a keyboard tray. The keyboard tray unit provides space-saving cable management within the wall duct.


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Ms Kempster said the Idec HT3P Safety Com- mander Series of support arms save the costs of having a bespoke programming pendant or per- manent touch panel in each workplace and allows machine programming or maintenance to be done from a standard tablet. The HT3P improves safety and operability for both right- and left-handed users.


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ELLIS PATENTS CHAMPIONS THE IMPORTANCE OF GREEN CREDENTIALS eading cable cleat


manufacturers, Ellis Patents says that a business’s green credentials will soon play a major role in its success.


The North Yorkshire-based busi- ness said it is being called upon


with increasing regularity to provide a “green CV” when seeking to secure specifications for its electrical safety products.


Richard Shaw, Ellis Patents’ chairman said: “The focus on green initiatives and the need for a business to boost its green credentials has been steadily grow- ing over the last decade, but it’s a fair assessment to say that for many it was question of doing the bare minimum in order to tick the necessary boxes. “That though is all about to change. Evidence of climate change is unarguable and we now all have a moral obligation to play our part in helping to save the planet. As a result, those businesses with the most impressive green CVs will rightly be given a greater opportunity to thrive.”


Ellis Patents is also a partner of Circular Malton & Norton – a York and North Yorkshire LEP initiative aimed at developing local, collaborative circular econ- omy approaches that will see the two towns become the first circular market towns in the region.


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2021 7


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