Intelligent Fingerprinting showcased their revolutionary drug testing system for the construction sector at Build UK: A Smart Future, incorporating the AGM on 27 September. The system not only supports random workplace testing at many locations, but also doesn’t require a specialist clinical environment or medically-trained staff to carry out the test.

With fingerprint-based drug testing, a single fingerprint sample is all that’s needed to screen for multiple drug groups simultaneously using a small Drug Screening Cartridge and the portable Reader 1000 to analyse the cartridge.  Sample collection takes just five seconds, with results available in minutes. The system gives construction firms the flexibility – in accordance with their existing drug policies – to ask employees to take a simple, random drug test at any time. This approach is more hygienic and convenient than traditional drug screens, and makes it easier for organisations to implement their drug policies without alerting staff ahead of time or interrupting work schedules.

This kind of innovation is good news for firms that are keen to ensure compliance with their drug policies – and to fulfil duty of care responsibilities to their staff, partners and customers. For any construction worker affected by drug usage, the risks increase significantly, and can also extend to the colleagues they’re working alongside, as well as general public in the vicinity of the site.

Key benefits for construction firms include:

• Simple, easy-to-use, 5-second sample collection for drug testing
• Fast and convenient test, thanks to the portable, non-invasive system
• Less disruptive, with tests carried out in situ by non-medical staff
• Support for all aspects of drug testing, from pre-employment screens and random tests to post-accident investigations
• Fingerprint-based laboratory confirmation service also available if required.

To find out more information, please view Intelligent Fingerprinting’s introductory video  here or get in touch for a 1:1 demonstration to find out how the system could benefit your organisation.

For more information, please visit Intelligent Fingerprinting’s website.

Responding to the release of the Migration Advisory Committee’s final report on EEA migration in the UK, Communications Director at Build UK, James McLarin, said:

“UK construction must have access to skilled people to create the infrastructure and homes that build communities. The Migration Advisory Committee’s proposals would place too high a bar on skills and vital projects could lose skilled tradespeople.

“The industry has committed to recruit, train and retain home-grown talent but a clear and sustainable migration approach that focuses on key occupations and appropriate skill levels is urgently needed so we can bridge the gap”. 

Latest version of the Build UK roadmap to zero retentions

There is now only one month left to get your entries in for the Construction News (CN) Specialist Awards 2019!

This year there are 20 categories to choose from, including two new categories open for entries for Finishing & Fit Out Specialist of the Year and FM Specialist of the Year.

Another new addition to the CN Specialist Awards for 2019, is all firms shortlisted for the Specialists Awards in March will also qualify, uniquely, for entry into a new category at the CN Awards that take place in July. The ‘Outstanding Contribution to Construction’ category can only be entered through this route, and will recognise those businesses that are blazing a trail for others to follow.

The judging process gives you the chance to present your work to a distinguished panel of construction industry experts, including top clients, contractors and consultants.

The CN Specialist Awards will be held on Wednesday 27 March 2019 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, and you can book your place on the CN Specialists Awards website. Don’t forget that this year an exclusive patron package has been created for Build UK Trade Association members, find out more here.

The awards are free to enter and you have until 12 October to tell their expert judges why you should win! Best of luck to all the entries!

Results of the second Build UK State of Trade survey for 2018 show that Contractors expect increased residential construction activity to offset weakness in other sectors over the coming months.

The survey, which was undertaken with Glenigan, found that a balance of 22% of contractors expect their overall workloads to rise next quarter. A smaller balance of 11% of firms expect their output to rise over the next 12 months.

Expectations of residential-led growth follow a weakening in output during the first quarter of 2018. However, contractors reported a rise in residential construction output. In addition, firms saw a rise in residential new enquiries that is anticipated to help sustain activity during the second half of 2018.

Contractors have become more cautious over their employment requirements. The proportion of firms planning to increase the size of their workforce, both during the third quarter and the next twelve months, was matched by a similar proportion expecting their headcount to fall.

Despite the stabilisation in overall employment requirements, labour availability remains a concern with 14% of contractors reporting that the recruitment of experienced and skilled labour had been more difficult than during the previous three months. Firms report labour availability issues are impacting on business performance; 43% of firms saying that labour shortages had resulted in the late completion of work and over a quarter (29%) reporting that it had prevented them bidding for work.

Where contractors had experienced difficulties in recruiting staff, firms cited lack of experience as being an issue in 52% of cases. Lack of skills and required qualifications were cited as factors in 47% and 33% of cases respectively.

Recruitment difficulties also appear to have fed through to labour costs, with 75% of firms reporting that their labour costs had risen during the second quarter and 50% reporting that they were higher than a year ago.

Firms have seen widespread increases in material costs. 88% of firms reported that material costs were higher than during the first quarter of 2018 and 62% reporting an increase on a year earlier. Rising labour and material costs have increased overall building costs, with 75% of firms reporting an overall increase in costs during the second quarter.

The sustained increase in construction costs has now fed through to tender prices. 50% of firms had increased their tender prices during the second quarter against both the preceding three months and a year ago. This contrasts with 18% of firms reporting a weakening in tender prices during the first quarter. The rise in tender prices appears to have been sufficient to stabilise contractors’ profit margins after the squeeze experienced in the first quarter.

The full report can be found on the Build UK website.

Build UK is delighted to be supporting the Construction News (CN) Specialist Awards 2019 for another year running. The CN Specialist Awards will be held on Wednesday 27 March 2019 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, and this year an exclusive package has been created for Build UK Trade Association members.

The new Patron Package includes:

• Each Trade Association listed as a Patron on all marketing pre-event, on the night and post event. Website, print adverts, email
• Each Trade Association Logo on the big screen on the night
• Each Trade Association mentioned in the Intro speech by the editor
• Half Table (5 seats) on the night for your trade association at the specialist awards ceremony
• You can still choose to sponsor a category that aligns with your members if that category is available
• Full Page advert in Construction News
• PDF list of your members on the CN Specialists Awards Website
• 1 free seat for your trade association at the CN Awards.

To find out more information please contact Perry James. Don’t forget to get your entries in before Friday 12 October!  

Members can access the Construction Industry Joint Taxation Committee’s (JTC) monthly tax guidance newsletter as a key benefit of Build UK membership.

Members often register the difficulties they face in complying with changes to taxation rules and regulations and can now access the JTC newsletter which is publicised monthly on News and includes guidance on challenging issues and direct responses to taxation queries.

The September edition includes:

• Reverse Charge VAT – how to begin preparations
• Advisory fuel rates for company car drivers which came into force from 1 September 2018
• Check your P800: Errors reported in HMRC’s annual PAYE reconciliations.

The full newsletter can be viewed here. If you have a query relating to items in the newsletter, please contact Liz Bridge.