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What’s in a name? Well, quite a lot actually. If you’re setting up shop as a self-employed tradesperson, you need a name that ticks all of the right boxes but doesn’t step on any toes. Choosing a name for your business is harder than you think. There’s a difficult tightrope to walk between sounding boring, confusing potential […]
In 2014, this amazing construction narrowly lost out on the Construction News Awards’ Project of the Year (under £1 million) to Maggie’s Cancer Centre in Aberdeen. Built to complement The Globe’s existing open air stage, the Playhouse was designed and constructed using authentic Jacobean plans and craftsmanship. The great William Shakespeare wrote many of his […]
The UK Government looks likely to give trade bodies the power to challenge late payments and unfairly long payment terms set by large contractors. This is welcome news in the same week which saw the Specialist Engineering Contractor’s Group (SEC) release a manifesto detailing the construction industry’s biggest priorities. Tackling rife late payment by big, […]
Do you find keeping track of clients, contacts, meetings, appointments and essential tasks tricky? Not missing a beat isn’t easy for busy tradespeople. After all, if it’s not sorting stuff with your supplier, it’s a last minute call from an important customer… But if there’s one thing technology’s great for, it’s keeping track of where […]
Acquiring the right skills for a career in a trade is easy if you know where to look. Specialist trainers like Able Skills offer a whole range of courses in all areas of the construction industry, including plumbing, plastering, tiling and many more. However, getting the right training is only one step on the ladder […]
Hello makers, doers, bodgers and all-round crafty sorts. Are you looking for a project to get stuck into this weekend? Why not try one of our fortnightly favourites. Let’s make: Tree trunk coasters C clamp phone holders Matchbox rockets 1. Turn a fallen tree into awesome coasters Remember how much fun stacking things used to […]
Construction firm Bouygues are launching the second, £130m Canning Town phase of their Hallsville Quarter project after reaching financial close. The latest phase is a significant part of the London Borough of Newham’s £3.6bn Canning Town & Custom House Regeneration Programme which aims to build a sustainable community for both residents and businesses in the […]
The Building Awards Small Project of the Year 2014 is a modern, innovative design delivered by architects Snøhetta and contractors Robertson Construction. The purpose of this building was absolutely crucial to its design and construction. Maggie’s Cancer Care believe in providing homely, welcoming and peaceful surroundings for both patients and their families, where people can […]
Good learning is all about good teaching. A great teacher makes the subject matter more engaging, easier to understand and, most importantly, more enjoyable. Happy students are the best students, and it’s all smiles on Able Skills plastering courses. Meet the instructors The Able Skills plastering instructors Jo and Spencer have a vast amount of experience between […]
Hello tradespeople. Do you feel like you’re missing something when you’re not holding a hammer or squinting at a plan? Were you just plain born to work with your hands? This fortnight we’re bringing you 4 awesome projects perfect for sparks, builders and all-round handy folk who want to find something practical to do with […]
Are you thinking about launching your career as a self employed plasterer? Have you had enough of working for others and fancy a stab at going it alone? You probably have your doubts, but know all about the pay-offs. The freedom of working for yourself is hard to beat and, as a self employed plasterer, […]
Watch out for the new mobile NVQ assessment team Able Skills provide valuable training for people looking to further their careers in the construction industry. We are one of the leading providers of construction training courses and NVQ qualifications in the UK. There’s a wide variety of NVQs in and around the construction sector, including Building […]
