Modular homes to solve the UK's housing problem?

 

Bricklaying courses

Modular homes to solve the UK's housing problem?

What is the problem?

 

The UK is currently facing a big problem in terms of housing, a shortage of affordable homes is keeping people off the housing ladder. The government has set a target of building 300,000 homes by the end of the year, this seems like a daunting task, but according to the numbers we are about 73% of the way there with around 220,000 homes already built thus far. Now some people in the industry believe that modular housing could be the answer!

What is modular housing?

 

Modular housing is a construction technique that sees sections of a building built in a warehouse and then moved to the site on trucks where it will then be attached to other sections to create a full building. Otherwise known as prefabricated building, currently, only around 15,000 homes built each year in the UK are modular. This is set to increase as people believe it could be a perfect solution to affordable housing.

Modular home manufacturing has improved significantly in recent years, and can often compete toe-to-toe with the standard stick built home. In fact, sometimes the quality can actually be better when compared to some stick builders. Modular homes are built in a factory setting, on an assembly line, which means the building process for all the pieces is under intense quality control. A few years ago, at the Paragon development in Brentford, west London, they managed to produce an innovative design using modular construction to enable a faster build and a shortened construction programme.

Housing demand!

 

The housing problem is obviously an issue that needs a solution, however, it is currently beneficial to construction workers, especially bricklayers. Bricklayers are seeing a huge increase in wages across the board in all areas of the country!

Here at Able Skills, we offer courses in all types of trades from tiling to carpentry, but as of recent, Bricklaying courses are becoming more popular due to the news of said increased wages. The yearly wage for bricklayers is currently sitting around £36,679 with highs of around £40,000. In July 2019, the average salary for Bricklaying jobs rose by £1,359 (14%). 

If you are looking into taking one of our Bricklaying courses then you have a few options depending on your skill level. If you have little to no experience whatsoever then your best option to get the fundamentals would be our Introduction to Bricklaying course. Introductory courses are 5-days in total, during the course you will learn aspects of bricklaying ranging from setting out building lines to covering brick and blockwork. You will build a corner, a pillar, a pier and a cavity wall. You will also learn how to do pointing for face work and how to put in a damp course.

If you are looking for a qualification, and you are planning on taking one of our Bricklaying courses to begin a career in the trade then a City & Guilds Bricklaying course and upon completion an NVQ Level 2 Bricklaying course is for you! These courses are hands-on practical training that will take you from beginner to professional!

Want some more information?

 

If you would like some more information about any of the Bricklaying courses we offer here at Able Skills, then do not hesitate to contact us! You can contact us in a few ways, firstly, call 01322 280 202 any day of the week, we are open Monday - Sunday between the hours of 8:30 - 4:30! You can also come straight into our office, we are open on the times and days above, no prior mention needed, we will be happy to show you around our facilities and give you the answers you need as well as help you enrol if you choose to study with us!

K5, Riverside Industrial Estate, Riverside Way, Dartford DA1 5BS