Latest News & Insights

If these long summer evenings are leaving you feeling like you should be doing more with the daylight hours, it’s well and truly time to start a new project! This fortnight we’ve collected three fun projects ranging from the quick and silly, to the more labour intensive and grown up. Tools at the ready, tradespeople, […]

For 21st century self employed tradespeople, technology really is your friend when it comes to time management. Working for yourself is a very different kettle of fish compared to being employed by someone else. For starters, every second in your working day counts. Wasted time means profits you’re missing out on. After all, time is […]

In a historic vote for “joined up thinking” in the construction industry 28 major firms have joined Build UK, giving the formation of the new trade body the go ahead. Build UK will be a new name and a new direction for an amalgamation of the former UK Contractors’ Group (UKCG) and the National Specialist […]

The Able Skills team are very pleased to wish you a very happy National Women in Engineering Day! This is the second year the fledgling event has been held to help encourage women from all walks of life to pursue a rewarding career in engineering. Created to celebrate the Women’s Engineering Society’s (WES) 95th birthday in 2014, […]

We’ve created a new infographic that takes a look at the amount of Women working in skilled trades, and how the average Brit feels about hiring a female tradesperson over a male one. Only 8% of tradespeople are Women despite over 100,000 current UK vacancies available in the industry. 29% of UK residents would prefer […]

Hello crafty sorts, practical chaps and hands-on heroines, welcome to a fresh fortnight of DIY inspiration from Able Skills. Whether you’re honing your trade or simply having some fun, these projects will keep you busy and creative this June. Why not create… An upright herb garden? A tetrahedral kite? A hammock stand? 1. Upright herb […]

Whether you’re a plumber, plasterer, carpenter or spark, leaving your job to become a self employed is a big step – and one fraught with uncertainty. Once you quit your job, there’s no safety net. You’ll need to get your business up and running as soon as possible, and start growing your client base post […]

Discover cultural houses from around the world. This Infographic shows it all from Musgum Mud to Toba Batak and how each is made. View Interactive Version (via Able Skills ).

Discover how some of the world’s most amazing ancient structures were built, including the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the famous Greek Parthenon. View Interactive Version (via Able Skills ).    

Construction growth appears to be bouncing back following an uncertain period in March and April 2015, most likely the result of pre-election jitters. The after effects of May 2015’s General Election have seen construction getting back on track, with confidence high amongst construction buyers. Despite low figures compared to February 2015, which saw the Markit/CIPS […]

Not sure what to do with your afternoon off? Whether you’re looking for a quick DIY job, or a long term project, we’ve collected a great selection of projects for you to make and do this summer. Whether you’re a big BBQ fan or like to be clever and electrical, here are some fun ideas you can […]