NEWS
One-in-two British first-time buyers are more DIY confident after lockdown
One in two (51%) young British adults considered to be within the first-time buyer age range (25 to 44-year-olds) have attempted more DIY and home improvement tasks as a result of the time spent in lockdown, according to a new survey by
leading bespoke plastic sheeting specialists, Plastic Sheets Shop.
Almost as many (45%) said that
they had become more DIY confident during lockdown, while one in three (36%) of respondents said they’d “always give something a go”.
Considering that annual house price growth accelerated to 13.4% in June, the highest level since November 2004, meaning the average UK home now costs
Rainy Day Trust welcomes SIG UK as its latest supporter – and launches Junior Apprentice Challenge!
£245,432 (a rise of £29,029), this research bodes well for first-time buyers who are more likely than ever to purchase a
‘fixer-upper’ and take on the DIY tasks themselves. One reason for this upsurge in confidence could be the way today’s ‘fixer-
uppers’ are acquiring their DIY know-how. It would appear that this digital generation is largely seeking DIY help and advice online, with almost one third (30%) turning to social media, such as YouTube, Facebook and TikTok, and a similar number (27%) using forums and articles on Google – totalling 57% of respondents. In comparison, only 26% are seeking the advice of friends and family, suggesting that the traditional passing on of skills from parent to child – made considerably more difficult by the lockdown restrictions – is no longer the primary source of DIY tuition. To view the full survey results,
visit: https://plasticsheetsshop.
co.uk/diy-survey
ManoMano, raises $355m in fundraising and confirms the UK as the fastest growing market
ManoMano has announced the successful completion of its $355 million Series F fundraising and that it has reached $2.6 billion in valuation. The round was led by new investor, Dragoneer Investment Group, with broad participation from existing investors Temasek, General Atlantic, Eurazeo, Bpifrance, through
its
The home improvement industry charity, Rainy Day Trust, has welcomed the announcement by SIG UK that RDT will be one of its charities for 2021/22. “We are delighted that SIG UK has chosen Rainy Day Trust as one of its charity partners for this coming year,” says Bryan Clover, CEO. “By partnering with SIG UK we can improve the lives of so many people
either through
financial assistance, improved education and training
direct or
through the use of our ‘free to all’ support services including debt or legal advice and telephone counselling.” It is also possible for individuals to look to raise money too – we have a number of initiatives coming up including a call-out to the younger generation, giving kids the opportunity to raise money via the Junior Apprentice Challenge – to see what they can turn a single £10 from us into by the time they go back to school in September!” To contact the Charity
for
support, call 0800 9154627 or email via the RDT website www.
rainydaytrust.org.uk/contact-us
4 DIY WEEK JULY 2021 Large Venture
funds, Aglaé Ventures, Kismet Holdings, and Armat Group. ManoMano will leverage the funds to continue its European expansion, particularly in the
United Kingdom and Germany, the business’ largest potential markets in Europe. Funds will also be used to replicate the success of its B2B offering in
Toolstation helps young people learn building and trade skills
Toolstation is supporting the Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) social enterprise as it makes a bid to help more young people learn practical trade and DIY skills and consider a career in the construction and building industry.
The initiative combines DIY and volunteering and challenges young people
to help repair
and refurbish community facilities while learning vocational trade skills on the job, helping them become more employable in the construction sector. The move comes against a backdrop of a shortage of workers in the industry. The Office of National Statistics revealed that employment in the sector fell from 2.3m in 2017 to 2.1m at the end of 2020, a fall of four per cent. Toolstation’s first project saw 28 volunteers, aged between 14 and 24 years old, the majority of whom are disengaged or excluded from mainstream education and training, create a new outdoor social and exercise space at Coventrians Rugby Football Club. Toolstation funds the City & Guilds accreditations,
skills training, and mentoring of the volunteers.
Alongside Toolstation, Travis Perkins also continued their ongoing support for VIY, donating building materials and tools for the project, Personal Protective Equipment and other consumables, as part of Travis Perkins Group’s growing partnership with the social enterprise. Of the volunteers, 26 earned an Entry Level 3 City & Guilds Accreditation, and four of the young people from the special educational needs provision earned multiple accreditations. In total the group spent 420 hours on this project learning hands-on skills and gaining meaningful work experience. Toolstation plans on funding a further six VIY
projects throughout the year and aims to help over 150 young people gain qualifications and consider a career in the trades. Toolstation plans on opening its 500th store in August.
Spain and Italy; to pursue its tradition of customer and seller- centric tech innovations and to develop its European logistics network ManoFulfillment. To achieve its ambitions, ManoMano plans to more than double the size of its current workforce by recruiting a further 1,000 people by the end of 2022. With $725
million raised
eight years after its creation by Philippe de Chanville and Christian Raisson, ManoMano is now valued at $2.6 billion and has reached ‘unicorn’ status.
Dulux Decorator Centre kick- starting careers for young people through Prince’s Trust Partnership
Dulux Decorator Centre is helping to usher a new generation of talent into the business - by providing a host of roles to disadvantaged young people. Aiming to help bridge the industry-wide skills shortage, the 33 positions are reserved exclusively for 18-24 year-olds who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Opportunities include customer service operator roles across the UK. There are also vacancies for a data support Intern and knowledge base developer at the Dulux Decorator Centre Support Centre in Altrincham. The initiative is being supported by youth charity The Prince’s Trust and forms part of
the government’s Kickstart scheme to get more youngsters into employment.
Guy Butterworth, Operations
Director at Dulux Decorator Centre said: “A career in the decorating trade is immensely rewarding and fulfilling. “But it’s a path fewer and fewer youngsters are considering, resulting in a growing
shortage across the industry. “At Dulux Decorator Centre
we’re committed to developing solutions to this problem at the same time as supporting the local communities we serve. “That’s why we’re so thrilled to partner with The Prince’s Trust to provide a first step on the career ladder for young people who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
“Dulux Decorator Centre is
a great place for young people to develop their skills and gain confidence. Whether it’s a Support Centre role or a position working alongside colleagues in-store, we are delighted to help a new generation take their first steps in the trade.” Find out more about The
Prince’s Trust Kickstart scheme here:
https://www.princes-
trust.org.uk/support-our- work/how-your-business- can-help/kickstart-scheme
www.diyweek.net
skills
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