Archive for June, 2009
Skills shortage alert!
The Chartered Institute of Building’s latest skills survey shows clearly that despite the recession and downturn in construction demand, the industry is still suffering a skills shortage. More than three quarters ( 77%) believed there is a skills shortage in the industry – although this is reduction on last year’s figure of 93% - and over three quarters of those (78%) felt that the loss of skills will hinder the industry’s recovery when the economy improves.
A number of factors have contributed to the industry’s skill shortages. One of the most significant reasons is the lack of new recruits joining the industry.
Students and others have been able to choose a wide variety of courses that offer better lifestyle choices, which they perceive as having more potential for advancement and a higher professional status. The numbers of those studying construction within higher education have increased in recent years, however upon graduation many struggle to find employment.
Another reason for the industry’s skill shortages is that many employees are now approaching retirement age, while insufficient numbers are available to replace the skills they take with them. Previous CIOB research shows that the biggest increase in the number of workers is in the over-60 group so there is a huge challenge in replacing the skills which are about to be lost.
The CIOB report highlights the need for the further consideration of access to non-traditional professions, such as construction, and the need to remove the barriers restricting people from entering these professions. Addressing these issues could significantly help fill the foreseeable shortages in the industry.
AbleSkills is a key training provider of a comprehensive range of vital contruction trade skills, including Plumbing, Electrical & Gas Installation and Tiling who have made available, through extended workshop facilities, a life-changing opportunity for all those who seriously wish to train or switch career for a satisfying and lucrative profession that is increasingly in demand in places like Australia and New Zealand as well as in the UK.
Plumbing – a profession to beat the recession !
It’s been said here before but it is proving to a solid fact: plumbing is coming out on top as one of the sure-proof industries to be in during the recession. An explosion of interest is occurring as it seems that thousands of workers are beginning to realise that a construction trade skill is a always a good bet, whatever the economic weather! The best training centres are receiving between 1000-1500 calls each week from those who are seriously considering to retrain and courses have been in high demand since the start of the credit crunch , 2008 onwards.
Plumbing and the other building trades have seen a large drop in the number of newly qualified workers over the last few years and it is estimated that the country will need over 4,500 additional plumbers to train each year for the next 4 years in order to cope with the growing demand for their skills. Obviously this means that at the present time there is quite a shortage of qualified professionals – and an even bigger shortage of ‘green’ plumbers who can work on the new generation of low emission, energy systems. High redundancy levels and the significant drops in recruitment has meant workers from all walks of life are now retraining and becoming a qualified plumber.
The simple facts are that taps are always going to drip and that pipes are always going to burst and that plumbers are always going to be needed and therefore, it is increasingly been recognised as one of the most stable and secure of employment sectors . It is also wel known that pay is very competitive as well which, of course is another persuasive reason for those who are thinking of retraining!
The results of a survey run by the City and Guilds at the end of 2008 showed that even with the economic slowdown and the inevitable recession, over 80% of plumbers are better off now than they were in the same period of 2007 – and the same went for a number of the other traditional trades. The reason it seems is that many of the existing tradesmen are retiring earlier than normal which leaves a serious skills gap to fill and as yet it is only just beginning to be filled.
AbleSkills, as an officially approved and accredited training centre, run a number of introductory courses and intensive plumbing courses including Theory Distance Learning.Plumbers are always going to be needed and as the houses of the future become more environmentally friendly then ‘green’ plumbers are going to be in high demand too.
Tiling can take you back in time !
If you think everyday tiling means fixing endless walls with standard plain white ceramics, then think again! There are many occasions when great use is made of the countless range of patterned tiles now available on the market, which makes for an interestingly different and ultimately satisfying job!
One of the most exciting things about tile patterns is the ability to recreate certain time periods. For example, different types of ceramic tile both with and without exquisite trim tiles have been made since the late 1800’s. If you want a period Victorian ceramic tile, it can be found, even one with a crackled glaze. Crackled glazing has hundreds of random cracks in the thin glazing. Many people love this unique look and pattern. Tiles that resemble 1950’s ceramic tile is also available.
An especially interesting ceramic tile pattern one that looks like a brick wall! The tiles are rectangular in shape measuring 2-inches high by 6-inches long. But it gets better. This particular tile comes with a special base tile that looks like a wood baseboard. It doesn’t stop there, as you can also order a special cap tile or cornice tile that is a great wall to top off the 2×6 tile when used as a wainscoting in a bathroom where you only want the tile to extend up the wall three or four feet.
You can make your own patterns as well if you have access to a wet diamond saw. Unique geometric patterns can be obtained from two different-colored granites. For example, one possible combination could be jet-black granite with gold specks, and the other a golden light-colored granite with various embedded crystals and using the saw to cut different rectangles, squares and triangles of all different sizes that fit together resembling a jigsaw puzzle. This type of approach might be considered for one large wall of a bath/ shower area.
Some of these unique patterns can be hard to install, while others are no different than the most common ceramic tile. Some tiles come with self-spacing lugs on the edges of the tile. These little lugs are small bumps on each edge that create uniform grout lines when the tiles are butted tightly against one another. The line between the tiles often looks very narrow as you install each tile, but because the edge of the tiles is almost always a soft 90-degree angle, the grout line ends up about one eighth-inch wide.
It is of course important to know which type of adhesive must be used with a particular tile. Some tiles can be installed with organic mastic that resembles thick cake icing. Other tiles should be installed using thinset which resembles bricklayer’s mortar. Thinset comes in both gray and white, so use white thinset for light-colored tiles. . The grout should be very firm, not runny. Grout that is properly mixed will be so stiff it will barely slump or droop. Grout mixed to this thick consistency and then troweled into the joints will cure very hard if minimal water is used to clean the grout joints.
Taking a tiling course before you take on a DIY project in your bathroom or kitchen is strongly recommended, ane even more so if you are thinking of installing the heavy and expensive, patterned ceramic types. Training to tile professionally as part of being a builder or painter and decorator can be carried out at AbleSkills construction skills centre on DIY weekenders or fulltime, from short 5 day intensive block diplomas to 3,4, or 6 week NVQ certification.
Electrical sharpshooting on target at AbleSkills !
Training to identify root causes of electrical faults is a standard, logical process of elimination normally carried out by a fully trained electrician and the vital importance of thinking about safety first, by checking every wire to see if it is live before touching it, and wearing rubber-soled boots to avoid electrocution.
Electrician training courses at a fully approved training centre emphasise time and again the correct working procedures and methods which are always accompanied by observation of both mandatory Health and Safety and Building Regulation rulings and instructions. Adhering strictly to the rules when working with any electrical repair, no matter how minor will prevent a serious or fatal injury!
There are three steps to electrical troubleshooting: identify the problem, localize the issue, and repair it. All three steps can be applied to any electrical problem.
The first step of electrical troubleshooting is to identify the actual problem. If the electricity is not working, determine if the problem is related to a specific area, as widespread electrical outages are the responsibility of the electricity company.
If the problem is limited to a specific area of your home, go to your circuit breaker. All the electrical wiring in a building is run through a circuit breaker box. The different areas of the home are divided into circuits. Any surge in power supply that exceeds a specific value causes the circuit breaker to activate or trip, which stops the flow of electricity to that area. To correct this, the circuit breaker must be reset or replaced.
A Fully trained and certified electrician will be able to read schematic drawings available for all electrical equipment, buildings, and vehicles. They provide a map of all the electrical wiring in the home. It will show which outlets are connected to each other and how the electricity is managed. These drawings are mandatory and are used by safety agencies to confirm the correct protections are in place.
A certified electrician must always be called to do all electrical repairs and any adjustments of existing wiring in a home. It is too easy to overload a circuit and cause a devastating electrical fire.
Don’t be sunk by the ‘shower tray’ trap!
Starting to learn the practical side of training to be a plumber often means just getting to grips – literally - with some basic awkward access problems! One common challenge is the task of fitting an effective waste trap that complies with building regulations, beneath a modern shower tray with a negligible working gap ! This potential problem has arisen because in 1994, the Building Standards revised downwards, the deep water seal for baths and showers to 50mm.
Nevertheless, a 50mm water seal still gives installers every chance to fit a trap that meets the standard. Although it is possible to fit a running trap away from the shower tray, this can be awkward because it requires extra fittings to complete the job and it still needs to be hidden from sight afterwards.
The best solution is to fit a shower tray trap with an elongated water body specially designed for the job which achieves a 50mm seal in a trap that is just 90mm deep. Other details to look out for are products that can be easily hand tightened - especially when hands are wet and reaching into hard-to-get-at places, smooth, clean, internal surfaces that will facilitate self-cleaning and avoid debris build-up, a slip ring that will help nuts to turn, even when they are in firm contact with the seal and ensuring that the compression nut, slip ring and rubber seal are on the waste pipe in the correct order. It also helps to make sure that the trap can stand up to a bit of wear and tear !
The good news is, at AbleSkills, there is a great bathroom installation course which can be undertaken, as well as a full series of Plumbing Courses and the statutory fully accredited and approved Plumbing NVQ qualification training, conducted in a purpose built plumbing training centre by fully qualified, highly experienced and time-served plumbing professionals who will be able to give the hands-on guidance when you need a little helping hand to deal with minding the ‘shower-tray’ gap!
Plumber saves puppy from wastepipe!
A one-week old puppy has survived after being accidentally flushed down a toilet and trapped in a waste pipe for four hours.
Allison Blair, the mother of four-year-old Daniel, has described how her son tried to wash his pet in the lavatory after he became muddy in the garden.
A plumber was called to the house in west London and rescued the pup with the help of his underground camera.
The cocker spaniel was trapped in a waste pipe for almost four hours after twin boys decided he need a bath — and opted to give him one in the toilet.
Four-year-olds Daniel and Nicky Blair had taken the pup for a walk in the garden, according to Alison Blair, the mother of the twins and five other children.
“About an hour later I realized the dog was missing and asked the boys where he was, Alison told the Daily Mirror. “Daniel told me it had got muddy so they put it in the toilet and pulled the chain to give it a wash. I ran into the bathroom but the dog was nowhere to be seen. I assumed it was dead.”
Alison decided to check the drain outside. When she lifted the cover, the dog couldn’t be seen, but he could be heard whimpering.
Firefighters were the first to respond to the home in Northolt, Middlesex, but were unable to reach the pup. The Royal SPCA sent a representative as well. But it took a plumber to perform the rescue!
Will Craig, 22, a plumbing specialist for Dyno-Rod used a special camera to locate the pup – wedged in the pipe 20 yards away under a neighbour’s house. Then, apparently using the camera, on a telescoping rod, they gently nudged him towards the nearest manhole cover where a firefighter pulled him to safety.
Plumbing training for dealing with waste disposal, sanitation and above ground discharge is a part of the NVQ Level 2 6129 course and knowing how to save puppies is not mandatory but certainly very useful!
Get your tools out - and know how to use them !
Great Britain has a long and proud tradition of being handy DIY’ers who will spend their weekends fixing shelves, converting lofts, knocking through lounges, laying down patios, fixing up tree houses – or so we thought !
Latest research from questioning over 2,300 homeowners, has revealed that UK men spend over £318 million a year on DIY tools that never leave the toolbox! It appears that a staggering 63% of men say they are too embarrased to admit they don’t know how to use their tools and 72% of men would much prefer to get somebody else to carry out the work. However, nearly half feel bullied into doing DIY by their partners!
The average UK man spends £39 a year on tools, but a third (35 per cent) of men admit they never use any of them. 22 % have never used the screwdriver they have bought meaning there are nearly 3.5 million tools laying idle! 19 % of hammer owners accounting for 2.9 million hammers have never hit a nail on the head, whilst one in ten have never even opened their toolbox.
Just over half of the men questioned will try their hand at DIY because they believe finding and employing a tradesmen is too time consuming, although one in ten say they end up employing a tradesman to correct their dodgy DIY costing them nearly £160 million a year in call outs. A fifth of women (22 per cent) believe prevention is better than cure and have employed tradesman before their partner has even attempted to get his tools out.
The peer pressure for men to be a handyman, a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to DIY, often means no more than buying all the latest gadgets and tools, but not possessing the basic knowledge of how to use them. This often ends up by paying a tradesman to come in and correct their botched job.
London men appear to be the worst offenders with three quarters not knowing what tools they have or how to use them, closely followed by 71% men from the Midlands. Scottish men are the most DIY competent with only 54% not being able to use their tools for their intended purpose.
A short training course is the most simplest, effective and the cheapest option, when compared to the nightmare scenarios involved when DIY goes horribly wrong because of a lack of basic knowledge. There are now a great choice of courses from learning how to do most basic DIY jobs around the house to tackling more ambitious projects that involves learning tiling, plastering and plumbing.
Beware ‘pirate’ electrical training providers offering worthless qualifications.
The evidence keeps stacking up that an increasing number of electricians - and others - are being defrauded by falling victim to shoddy second or even third rate training providers who offer worthless qualifications.
As early as February of this year, this disturbing trend, uncovered by Citizens Advice, reveals a rise of nearly a third in the numbers of general complaints last year to well over 2,000, with an alarming spike in “scam” courses, particularly over the last 2 years, where some of the unscrupulous training offered, claims to get you qualified and registered, in as little as 2 weeks.
Furthermore, even if the course exists, it is often mis-sold to someone who cannot benefit or - worse - the provider simply does not exist or goes bust, and paid-for materials and certificates fail to appear.
A recent example of bogus training includes a documented case of someone who “signed up” for a distance learning course combined with a series of so called “workshop” exercises, spaced out over a 3 month period, after which, they were persuaded by a training course provider to sign up to a Part P course. Very quickly it was realised that there was no tutorial support, and when arriving at the “training centre, the “instructor” knew very little about the subject in hand.
Another trainee contacted his local Trading Standards office, who have issued a formal legal warning after complaining that he had signed up for a home study electrician course which he had been verbally told would qualify him to work in the domestic and industrial electrical sectors, but which he soon realised was not recognised.
It does appear that these examples only represent the tip of the iceberg , i.e. the ones who seek advice from Citizens Advice, and very often, the unpleasant truth is that even the most experienced of electricians can be taken in by these scams.
Citizens Advice are embarking on a publicity campaign, to highlight this worrying development, in response to people “falling victim to scams involving companies advertising courses that promise marketable qualifications but fail to deliver the goods, leaving prospective students seriously out of pocket”.
It is always important to check first with your training provider, visit their facilities, speak to staff and note their ‘approved’ and ‘accredition’ status, which should be visibly indicated on their website. The site should also contain authoritative statements clearly advising on the scope of each individual course, what you will be taught, realistic time assessment for learning, the qualifications you will gain and what they will allow you to do.
When in doubt, just ask – you will quickly discover whether the training centre can really provide the genuine training and approved qualifications that you are seeking.
Plumb on down – the price is right !
Everyone’s talking up the green shoots of recovery these days. In the UK there been a bounce in mortgage approvals and signs of increased economic output. The number of loans handed out for house purchases in the UK rose by 16% in April compared with the previous month, according to lenders and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research in Britain have just released figures indicating that the economy may have grown by 0.1% in May after a similar rise in April.
Just this month, a comment posted on a national news site reported that a building contractor has had to take on 2 apprentices as he is overly busy with an overwhelming demand for plumbing services and has been the busiest for 2 years . As far as they are concerned there hasn’t been a downturn as bad as the media have hyped it up!
Meanwhile, a trade installer survey reports that as the credit crunch continues to bite, domestic customers are still very much feeling the pinch and tending to ask for the cheapest possible option rather than the best solution.
Cost is most definitely the key factor in determining customers’ purchasing decisions. Over half of installers surveyed said their customers where looking for the cheapest possible heating solution, rather than choosing what is best for their homes with 60% saying that cost will always win over quality and are far less likely to take out a service agreement than they were 12 months ago.
These results are further underlined by 57% of installers polled saying that price is now the main deciding factor when purchasing new heating equipment compared with 35% five years ago. The survey also revealed that 29% thought quality is the key as opposed to 44% five years ago. Thirty three percent said energy efficiency was at the forefront of customers’ minds compared to five years ago when it was considered to be as low as 14%.
Good plumbing training will always instruct on the vital importance of providing the best ‘customer care’ and advice throughout a plumber’s working life. This has never been more crucial than during the present economic downturn. At this time it is more important than ever for installers to take on more of a system specifier role and advise their customers accordingly on what’s best for meeting their heating and hot water requirements. If they fail to do this, they could well be selling themselves and their customers short.
New heating equipment is not an every day purchase for end users and with the current trend for improving their homes rather than moving, it is important the right solution is selected rather than a lower cost, inadequate system. Poor selection will frequently result in poor performance and disappointment for the end user which is clearly not good for an installer’s business in the long run.
From the Ground up, The Sky really is the limit!
We all know about the Governments drive to become a ‘greener and cleaner’ Nation but what is the way forward and will these changes really make a difference?
The simple answer is YES!
Homes count for 27% of the UKs Carbon emissions so the simple answer is to change the way we build and run our homes. At Able Skills we have made a step in the right direction and have opened an Energy Saving Training Centre where we will be providing training in conjunction with NICEIC, CITB and City & Guilds. From below the surface where training in the installation of Ground Source Heat Pumps is available to the roof of your home where Solar Photovoltaic systems can heat and provide electricity for your house, saving you money and possibly earning you money!
We are aware that these are not ‘quick fix’ solutions to the UKs environmental issues but in time, renewable energy will be the focus of anyone looking to build or buy a property. The Government are convinced that this is the way forward to the point where there are rewards and grants available for anyone looking to install such systems and tackle climate change. If we make changes now we can sustain our needs and enjoy a better quality of life and at the same time, guarantee a future for generations to come.
Solar Photovoltaic systems training is available to qualification level at Able Skills. The City & Guilds 2372, a level 3 qualification is suited to practicing and qualified Electricians who recognize the requirements for a change in the way Electricity reaches our homes.
Through the CITB we can provide training in Solar Domestic Hot Water systems, Energy Efficiency, training to comply with Water Regulations and Unvented Hot Water systems.
Through the NICEICs Microgeneration Certification Scheme, Able Skills can ensure that registered installers of Ground and Air Source Heat pumps can provide access to Government grants for their customers.
At a later stage we hope to be able to offer training courses in
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- Biomass
- Rainwater Harvesting
We are aware of the pre requisites of all of these courses and if this is an area of interest to you but you are a million miles away from this industry and do not have the right qualifications, Able Skills can get you to where you need to be.
If the course you are interested in requires you to be a Plumber, we can provide training and assessment to achieve the City & Guilds 6129 and 6089 NVQ.
If you need Electrical qualifications then we can provide courses for the City & Guilds 2330 at levels 2 and 3, the level 3 NVQ (C&G 2356), Inspection & Testing C&G 2391, 17th Edition BS7671 (Wiring Regs) and Part P.
At Able Skills we are reaching the stage where no matter which area of building or construction you are looking to move into, we can take you all of the way.
The sky REALLY is the limit when you choose Able Skills as your training provider of the future!
