LATEST NEWS
Advancing school attendance: a comprehensive national initiative
A major national initiative has been launched to enhance school attendance, targeting over a million children and young people. As students return to school, stronger measures include a significant expansion of attendance hubs, providing tailored support to families and pupils, and a £15 million investment to extend the attendance mentor pilot programme.
The expansion will introduce 18 new attendance hubs across six regions, bringing the total to 32, supporting nearly 2,000 schools to address persistent absence. The attendance hubs, run by schools with excellent attendance records, share practical ideas to boost attendance, including initiatives like breakfast clubs and extracurricular activities.
Additionally, the government is allocating up to £15 million over three years to intensify support through the attendance mentor pilot programme, reaching over 10,000 persistently absent pupils and their families. The programme will expand to 10 more areas from September 2024, working to identify and address reasons for absenteeism through one-to-one support.
The government’s commitment to further legislation aims to ensure daily school registers are shared, fostering data-driven attendance management and early intervention.
Signs of hope amidst UK construction output decline
Despite the continued decline in UK construction output, as indicated by the S&P Global/CIPS UK Construction PMI data for December 2023, there is a glimmer of hope for 2024. The latest figures suggest that while construction activity is still decreasing, the rate of decline is easing, providing a renewed sense of optimism for the coming year, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, acknowledged the ongoing fall in house building and commercial construction rates. However, he highlighted positive signs in the data, indicating a slowing rate of decline within the industry. Berry expressed hope that 2024 could mark a turning point and urged the government to view this as an opportunity to take substantial steps to boost house building rates and the broader construction sector. While recent government initiatives, such as tax cuts for small businesses and proposals to expedite the planning process, show promise, Berry emphasized the need for a comprehensive action plan to ensure sustained improvement in construction activity throughout 2024.
Skanska earns prestigious recognition as one of world’s best employers
Skanska, a leading construction and development company, has achieved recognition as one of the “World’s Best Employers” in Forbes’ prestigious survey. Forbes, a globally respected business magazine, compiled this exclusive list based on surveys conducted by market research company Statista, engaging over 170,000 employees across 50 countries in multinational companies and institutions. Skanska’s inclusion underscores its commitment to employee wellbeing and development.
Katy Dowding, President and CEO of Skanska UK, expressed pride in the acknowledgment, emphasizing the company’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and healthy workplace. The recognition reflects Skanska’s holistic approach, ensuring that employees, whether engaged in projects or office roles, experience an environment that values their complete selves. Dowding highlighted the positive correlation between being a good employer, enhancing employee wellbeing, and driving business performance.
Forbes’ evaluation included criteria such as work-life balance, career advancement opportunities, and employee diversity. Employees were surveyed on whether they would recommend their company to family or friends. This recognition positions Skanska among global industry leaders, showcasing its commitment to creating a workplace that prioritizes not only professional growth but also overall employee satisfaction. To explore the methodology and focus of the review, visit The World’s Best Employers 2023 on Forbes’ website.
CLC unveils ambitious plan to boost UK construction productivity by 25%
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has unveiled a plan to elevate UK construction productivity by 25%, potentially generating £45bn in savings and added value annually. While construction boasts higher productivity per person than the wider economy, productivity per hour lags by 13.5%. The report outlines three key focus areas to address this gap: better preparation, better building, and better business. By reforming planning processes, adopting modern construction methods, and improving digital investment, the CLC aims to boost productivity and add significant value to the UK economy. Recommendations include streamlining planning data, enhancing supply chain development, and implementing measures to accelerate domestic retrofitting. The report highlights the urgency of addressing construction productivity challenges and underscores the transformative impact it could have on the entire country’s economic landscape.
The Construction Leadership Council’s ambitious plan to enhance UK construction productivity by 25% holds the promise of generating £45bn in annual savings and added value. A transformative initiative for the industry.
Kier to transform Bournemouth college campus in major redevelopment
Kier has secured a significant role in the redevelopment of Bournemouth & Poole College’s (B&PC) Bournemouth campus after being appointed by the Department for Education (DfE). This transformative project, situated in the Lansdowne area, will cater to a diverse student demographic, from school leavers to adult learners. The comprehensive redevelopment plan encompasses both new construction and refurbishment initiatives.
The focal point of the project involves replacing five existing buildings with a cutting-edge teaching facility, while preserving and upgrading the Grade II listed structures on site. The new facility aims to revolutionize the learning environment, housing modern teaching spaces for a variety of courses, including media, computing, sport, fitness, travel, health, social care, hair, beauty, hospitality, and catering. Additionally, community amenities such as a restaurant, gym, and salons will be integrated into the new building.
Crucially, the construction aligns with the DfE’s stringent requirements for sustainability. The campus will operate as a net-zero carbon facility, incorporating air source heat pump technology and photovoltaic panels for thermal efficiency.
Cheryl Parsons, regional director at Kier Construction Southern, expressed enthusiasm about supporting Bournemouth and Poole College in this transformation, emphasizing the project’s positive impact on students and the community. The redevelopment will also create vital green spaces within the site.
4 Winter 2024 issue 4174
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