Getting Career Ready with West Fraser

West Fraser, formerly known as Norbord, is always keen to help young people with a positive start in the world of work as one young student found out when he joined the company for a four-week internship.  “We joined the Career Ready network a couple of years ago as we wanted to help support the organisation in its efforts to let young people experience a real working environment. I was really pleased to be chosen to mentor this year’s student, Michael McFarlane”, said West Fraser’s Market Intelligence Manager, Theresa-Marie McConnachie.

Career Ready is a charity whose aim is to provide school-age students with work experience and a good initial CV.  Students are prepared for an internship by undertaking a registration process of form and log-book completion, participation in masterclasses and an interview with the employer.

West Fraser was also given a list of requirements and set up a full programme before Michael joined.  “We were determined that Covid was not going to prevent Michael from getting a real feel for the company and what it’s like to work in a large international operation.  We devised a full four-week schedule for him so he experienced all departments and aspects of the company, albeit remotely!” said Theresa-Marie.

Michael, a 17-year old high school student, with his sights set on a career in bio-medical engineering, was a little daunted when, first thing on a Monday morning, he was taking part in a Zoom call with five people he had never met before!  “The people at West Fraser are all so friendly and welcoming so I really didn’t have anything to worry about”, said Michael. “Earlier this year I didn’t think the placement would go ahead so I was really pleased when it did, and I really appreciate the time and effort everyone at West Fraser put in to making it happen; especially Theresa-Marie and Frances Reekie”, he said.

“I had been accustomed to remote learning during the pandemic but the 90-plus Zoom calls I’ve taken part in since joining the team has been an experience.  It has given me the chance to speak to so many interesting people, not just in the UK but also in Belgium, Denmark and Sweden, and learn what they do and how each part of the operation works.  I had no idea that so much goes in to producing a panel of wooden building material!”.

Theresa-Marie adds “I really wanted Michael to leave us with transferrable skills so, once he had built up a bit of knowledge of our company, I asked him to put together a PESTLE analysis, (a framework to analyse Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal and Environmental factors influencing an organisation from the outside), and he rose to the challenge very well!  He has been involved with data analysis exercises and has compared European construction forecasts.  Michael didn’t have much experience of an Excel spreadsheet but he definitely does now!”

The end of the internship was marked by a presentation from Michael on what he has taken away from his time at West Fraser.  “I have learnt the importance of good timekeeping, the benefit of teamwork and I feel I’ve improved my listening skills.  I’m quite a sociable person but this internship has given me the opportunity to meet five or six new people every day and I’ve learnt to listen and interact with them on a deep level.  That is definitely something that I will take with me that will benefit my studies and future jobs.  I also now have a LinkedIn account and I’ve had help with my CV too”, said Michael.

Clearly Michael has been enjoying his time at West Fraser and he has certainly made a lasting impression.  “As a result of Michael’s outstanding behaviour, we were pleased to award him a grant to pursue engineering.  The West Fraser grant initiative is designed to help bring more talent into the industry and help young, deserving people pursue their dreams”, commented West Fraser HR Director, Hazel Smith.

For further information on the opportunities available to young people at West Fraser, contact Carol Brown – carol.brown@westfraser.com.

For further information on Career Ready visit the website https://careerready.org.uk/

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USA – Post Covid Ventilation

More than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world and sent almost everyone home, people are getting ready to return to classrooms, workplaces and public spaces as they adapt to a new normal of rules, conditions and restrictions. Post-Covid architecture is in the spotlight today with the design and construction industry engaged in an important conversation to improve sustainability, promote better and safer buildings, and prioritise occupants’ wellbeing above all else.

Stronger scientific evidence and experts’ suggestions now point to smarter, automated ventilation as an integral part of such post-Covid building standards.

A simulation on educational environment

In February 2021, The New York Times collaborated with leading engineers, specialists in building systems and experts from Harvard University to build a simulation using 800,000 points of data. Although there are slight differences in classroom design between New York and Australian cities, the simulation reveals important facts on how ventilation helps limit aerosol transmission in educational facilities in specific and all public spaces in general.

According to the study, the lack of sufficient ventilation creates an ideal environment for airborne virus to spread around and transmit. It is estimated that 3% of the air each person in the room breathes are exhaled by other people.

This image illustrates how the breath of an infected person disperses throughout the room when all windows are closed. The darker lines signal where the contaminants are most concentrated. Within a short period of time and without fresh air coming into the room, the contaminants quickly circulate and remain, posing high health risks for occupants.

 

This image illustrates how the breath of an infected person disperses throughout the room when all windows are closed. The darker lines signal where the contaminants are most concentrated. Within a short period of time and without fresh air coming into the room, the contaminants quickly circulate and remain, posing high health risks for occupants.

The situation gets better when we leave a window open because fresh air coming into the room helps dilute the contaminants, lowering the risk of exposure for other people in the room. In the simulation, experts manage to achieve four air exchanges per hour.

The best scenario comes from integration between natural airflow and mechanical systems (in this case the addition of a fan and an air cleaner). Instead of dispersing throughout the room, the contaminants focus only where the fan is blowing and are diluted everywhere else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The simulation once again proves that it is not just about natural ventilation. The smarter, pandemic-proof solution should be an automated, integrated operation of high free air windows and the building management system (BMS). That change in standard and perception now receives more and more support from leading experts in Australia.

Experts call for changes to the National Construction Code (NCC)

In a recent interview with ABC News, Professor Geoff Hanmer from the University of Adelaide expressed his concern as “the way that we deal with naturally ventilated buildings. That’s most aged care facilities or schools. When people shut the windows because it’s cold outside, there’s no ventilation. And the level of ventilation reaches hazardous levels quite quickly.”

While significant improvements were introduced to the NCC 2019 in terms of glazing, ventilation, filtration, air changes per hour etc., there are strong calls for standards and requirements to be updated to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in built spaces as well as for the overall health and wellbeing of building occupants. Many recommendations centre on window automation and building management systems, applicable for both new builds and retrofitting existing buildings, following Australia’s hard-earned lessons with hotel quarantine and outdated ventilation systems.

Joining the conversation, Professor Catherine Bennett at Deakin University also agrees upon the evidence of COVID-19 as an aerosol transmission and encoding safety regulations are “something we should move to, particularly for aged care, or for our quarantine centres…”

The changing ventilation standards in a variety of settings, she hopes, could be “a legacy of the global pandemic” towards a safer living environment.

 

Source: Architecture & Design

All simulation image credits belong to The New York Times.

 

 

 

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Modular Learning

YOUNGSTERS heading back to an East Lothian primary school this month will find a new classroom has been craned in ready for lessons.

West Barns Primary School has added a temporary new classroom for its P6/P7 pupils over the summer holidays, to help provide space for the growing number of children.

The modular classroom building was craned onto the site of the village primary school to “enhance” the school’s facilities.

It will be in place for one year as work to build a permanent extension to the school is undertaken.

East Lothian Council’s planners approved the addition, with the new temporary building placed on part of the school grounds, a short distance from its main building.

As well as a new classroom, the new addition has an entrance area, toilet and disabled toilet facilities, a cloakroom and storage space.

Planners said that as a temporary structure, it would not “have a long-term impact on the character and appearance of the existing buildings or on the character and appearance of the area”.

A council spokeswoman said there was no date for when the extension would be complete and the local authority was “revisiting the construction schedule”.

 

 

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Developers False Promises

New Shrewsbury secondary school ‘needed to match development plans’

A new secondary school needs to be built in a town to cope with the demand of large-scale development, councillors say.

Concerns have been raised that an increasing number of families are seeing their children miss out on places at their preferred schools in Shrewsbury, with the pressure expected to mount even further in the coming years as more and more houses are built.

Bowbrook councillor Alex Wagner says he believed the issue stems from developers and Shropshire Council failing to properly plan for population growth, and selling “false promises” to buyers about availability of school places when new homes are built.

Two recent developments in Councillor Wagner’s ward – totalling 800 houses – recommend schools to potential new residents which have long since closed or have never existed, as well as fee-paying schools and one which is not even in the county.

Councillor Wagner said: “Large-scale developers don’t know Shrewsbury at all well.”One new site in Bicton Heath recommends the Wakeman, which closed years ago, and ‘Shrewsbury Secondary’ which doesn’t exist, to potential buyers. “Another statement recommends Shrewsbury School, which with fees of £9,000 per term isn’t viable for the vast bulk of residents, and Walton High School, which is 30 miles away in Stafford. The future-proof planning our town needs isn’t there. “Developers and the council need to be held to account on the big promises they’ve made on schools.”

Councillor Wagner said the current situation means many families are forced to go with whichever school has room – whether it is the best school for their child or not.

And with part of Bowbrook ward falling within the catchment area for the Corbet in Baschurch as well as town schools, Councillor Wagner said some children were being “pushed out of Shrewsbury despite living there and growing up there” as a result of the lack of places.

He said: “I’ve had parents in Bowbrook wanting the best for their children but being told they can’t get into their first, second, or third choice of secondary school.

“We all know how long waiting lists are, we all know how much development is planned, the council need to make sure developers aren’t selling a false promise to buyers and that they are held to account on local school needs.

“It isn’t about having just enough places if every school is packed to the brim, it’s about having enough places to give parents a real choice of what school is best for their children.

“We need a new secondary school in Shrewsbury to do that, there is no other route.”

The Liberal Democrat group has said it will be pushing the issue at a cabinet and full council meeting next month.

Councillor David Vasmer, Liberal Democrat group leader, said: “The Conservative policy in Shropshire is to develop and develop and worry about the implications and lack of infrastructure afterwards – it isn’t good enough and residents in Shrewsbury are seeing through it.

“We need solid commitments from the council on this now.”

The council says it has recognised a need for more secondary school places in the Shrewsbury Place Plan, published in 2019/20. It says: “The main secondary school pressures in Shropshire will be felt in Shrewsbury early in the next decade, with the capacity in a number of the town’s four secondary schools requiring expansion.

“In partnership with key stakeholders, it is proposed to develop plans for meeting the future demand for secondary school places in Shrewsbury.”

The council says a new block of five classrooms at Meole Brace School, expected to open later this year, will help to address school place pressures in the town.

Source: The Shropshire Star

 

 

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Aico Hosts Careers Day

Louise Cowling, Marketing Executive, and Luke Allwood-Reid, Finance Clerk,
at the Belvidere School careers day, hosted at Aico headquarters
The careers morning ran over two days with over 100 students in attendance. The event comprised of a tour of Aico’s facilities as well as fun, interactive job-related activities for the students to take part in throughout the morning.
The careers morning provided an opportunity for students to learn more about the world of work, hearing from Aico colleagues about the various job roles within a business, taking part in hands-on challenges relating to different roles and taking on team building activities.
Students also heard from Aico’s Managing Director, Neal Hooper, who talked to the students about employability skills and what employers are looking for in people. Neal also relayed the importance of values, behaviours and attitude in the workplace.
An integral part of Aico’s Corporate Responsibility Programme is supporting education. They work with multiple schools and colleges in supporting careers guidance programmes, providing advice on apprenticeships and offering an insight into the world of work. It has been a difficult eighteen months for schools, with students missing out on vital work experience opportunities due to the pandemic, and Aico realise the importance of offering alternative ways in which students can be supported.
During the Belvidere School career activity week, Aico provided resources for the school to run an Enterprise Challenge Day, where students could create their own businesses. Working in teams, their challenge was to design a life safety product and plan how they could launch this into the market. This gave students the opportunity to develop creativity, team development and presentation skills.
Megan Revell, Assistant Head (Personal Development) at Belvidere School commented of the visit: “On behalf of all the staff and Year 10 students at Belvidere School, I would like to thank Aico for providing us with such a valuable and insightful experience! Students hugely enjoyed learning about the inner workings of the business, the building tour had the ‘wow factor’ and students were engaged and enjoyed all of the activities throughout the day. They were perfectly pitched and accessible for all abilities.
“Aico have been supportive, flexible and welcoming throughout, we look forward to future careers and aspirations support from Aico. The team at Aico inspired, enthused, educated and entertained – the impact of our visit will be long-lasting.”
As part of the career activity week, Aico’s National Technical Manager, Andy Speake also attended the school’s Interview Day, where students had the opportunity to take part in mock interviews with employers, helping to develop key skills to benefit their futures.

Andy said: “It was great to be a part of the Interview Day, the students were really engaged. It was a fantastic opportunity for the students to gain real-world experience and feedback on interview skills. At Aico, we are keen to support young people in our community with their future careers, helping to advise and inspire.”

Source: ShropshireLive

 

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COVENTRY – School Rebuild Edges Closer

The rebuild of an entire school in Coventry has been recommended for approval by planners ahead of a final decision by councillors this week.

West Coventry Academy has drawn up plans for a new three-storey school building, sports centre and outdoor sports pitches as part of a major £38 million rebuild.

A new main entrance to the site on Tile Hill Lane will also be built, alongside a 158-space car park and improvements to the coach drop off/pick up area.

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Proposals have been described as an “incredible opportunity” by headteacher Ana Neofitou, with the funding secured from the Department for Education.

Council planning officer Darren Henry has deemed it acceptable as the bid moves to the final hurdle at a planning committee meeting on Thursday, August 5.

Mr Henry said the existing buildings are “coming toward the end of their life”, with the original school built in 1957.

“There is a need to provide better quality teaching environments in line with modern standards,” he added in a report.

However the council’s Conservation Officer Charlotte Stranks has objected, stating “only the highest level of harm can be attributed to this application”.

She said the buildings “are considered to possess a degree of rarity” and recent assessments found it was in “very good condition”, meaning she is “not therefore convinced that demolition is justified”.

A further 16 letters of objection and a petition of 33 signatures have also been submitted against the plans.

However Mr Henry said there may be sufficient public benefit which would outweigh heritage concerns, and has recommended approval.

A seven-point Public Benefits Statement from the school has also said the new plans will deliver significant investment to improve educational facilities.

A final decision will be made by a planning committee on Thursday, August 5.

If approved, works could begin this autumn ready for completion in spring 2024.

Ana Neofitou, headteacher at West Coventry Academy, said: “The Department for Education funded plans are an incredible opportunity for our students, staff and the wider West Coventry area.

“It has been fantastic for all of us to work with the project team on the detailed design and then see it come to life in the animated film.”

The secondary school and sixth form supports around 1,485 pupils.

A film and further detail on the scheme can be found on westcoventryplans.co.uk.

 

Source: CoventryLive

 

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Forgotten new School

Sammy Crook with Neil Parish MP 

 

A petition has been set up by the school calling on the Government to act

Neil Parish has welcomed a petition calling on the Government to build a new school for Tiverton.

Tiverton High School is asking the community to support its bid for a new build. The school was earmarked for a new building in 2009 under Building Schools for the Future, but after the scheme was scrapped Government has failed to include the school in its subsequent school building programmes.

The school is calling for the community to sign a petition to Government to push ahead with funding for the forgotten school.

Neil Parish, Tiverton & Honiton MP said: “We are still fighting for the funding.

“I think it’s a great thing that this petition has been launched. It is time for Tiverton to have a new school.

“The present school is in a floodplain. We now finally have rules not to build in floodplains so hopefully that will reinforce the need for a new school.”

He said anything people can do locally to push the case would be welcome.

“I will push as hard as I can in Parliament, but as yet, I have not been able to get the funding. We are working on it.

“It’s always quite difficult, especially when we’re trying to get the original sum of about £40million. We are now looking at ways we can perhaps do the school in stages and perhaps get £20million we can make a very good start.

“I think we have a greater chance of making that happen now.”

 

Source: DevonLive

 

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£12.5m Sustainable School for Irvine

ROBERTSON Construction Central West has been appointed as the preferred Tier 1 Contractor by hub South West for a new £12.5 million primary school in Irvine.

The new school, for North Ayrshire Council, will support the continued expansion of housing within the coastal town – with it running to 12 classes, as well as having 32 spaces for three to five-year-olds and 15 spaces for two-year-olds.

The build is being funded as part of the Scottish Government’s £2 billion learning estate investment programme, which aims to deliver high quality, sustainable, low carbon and digitally enabled learning environments that support sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Shaun Sands, project director for hub South West, said, “We are pleased to be working once again with Robertson Construction, whose experience and expertise will create a truly first-class facility for North Ayrshire Council. The school is due to open in August 2023 and, in line with the Scottish Government’s targets of achieving net zero carbon by 2030, will aim to achieve a yearly figure of 67 kwh per square metre.”

 

The building will be designed by JM Architects, with the Passivhaus design contributed by Glasgow-based ECD Architects. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sustainability work is being delivered by Atelier Ten, with civil and structural work by Blyth & Blyth.

rt Preston, interim MD of Robertson Construction Central West, said, “Our continuing relationship with hub South West will see the delivery of a sustainable new school for Irvine, which will enhance the learning experience of pupils and conserve and save energy during its operations. Over the coming months we will be working closely with our appointed design team to ensure that the building meets the needs of Scotland’s Learning Estate Investment Programme funding. This high-quality learning environment will introduce exciting outdoor learning spaces; integrate with the local community; create an environment to enhance wellbeing and promote inclusivity which will benefit both attainment and the environment while supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”

 

Source: Project Scotland

 

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Sporting futures in Wirral

Two planning applications have been submitted to Wirral Council that could collectively deliver £4 million of investment into the sporting futures of young people in Wirral.

Birkenhead School is seeking outline planning permission for 33 high-quality four-and-five bedroom houses at Noctorum Field which is a private redundant school playing field off Noctorum Road.

The capital from sales will be reinvested into the school’s sports hall, Old Parkonians and Prenton Rugby Clubs and further expansion to the school’s transformational bursary programme.

Headteacher, Paul Vicars said: “Noctorum Field is an under-used asset that has the potential to provide Birkenhead School with a lasting legacy that will significantly improve the local sports facilities on offer for young people from across the Wirral.

“Without the sale of Noctorum Field with planning permission for residential use, our broader ambitions will simply not be realised.

“We hope both applications will be judged on their individual merits and that Wirral Council recognise the once-in-a-generation opportunity that they represent for young people in the borough.”

The school is also seeking permission to upgrade its existing sports hall and add an additional multi-sports facility to its Bidston Road campus.

The expansion and improvements mean that pupils, local sports groups and the community can continue to benefit from school’s sports facilities and satisfy their growing range of activities available.

Paul added: “We have an exciting vision for Birkenhead School. We have now reached a key milestone following consultation with the local community in 2020 and earlier this year; and I’m pleased that over 70% of responses to our January consultation supported our vision to invest in new sporting facilities.

“Sport, and the benefits to mental health and physical fitness, are key parts of our wide co-curricular programme, which provides an important balance alongside a demanding, but inspiring academic programme.

“We continue to grow as a School and are passionate about the opportunities these new facilities will provide for our students and the local community more broadly.”

 

Source: Wirrel Globe

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Councilor Safeguards Schools Future

Wetherby High School and Royds School both need urgent repairs (Image: Google)

 

Plans to rebuild Wetherby High School have finally been announced by a senior Leeds city councillor, following months of uncertainty about the school’s future.

While no official announcement has yet been released by the council, the authority’s deputy leader Coun Jonathan Pryor (Lab) posted the news onto Twitter, and claimed the plans would help “safeguard” the school’s future.

He warned, however, that the proposals are “challenging” and would first need the approval of the Government, but had the full backing of local councillors and school leaders.

While the proposals are still in their infancy, a statement claimed further information on dates and plans would be made available in September.

Coun Pryor said: “I would firstly like to thank the staff and pupils of Wetherby High School as well as the entire local community who have been incredibly patient and supportive as we have worked towards this solution which ensures a local school for Wetherby.

“It’s no secret that Wetherby High School has been in need of investment and I have been vocal about my efforts to attract Government funding. Although that wasn’t forthcoming I am delighted that we have been able to work alongside the school and the local councillors to find a solution that will safeguard the future of the school for the local community.”

The announcement follows a plea from Coun Pryor back in June 2020, when he claimed schools in Leeds faced a repairs backlog of £100m.

In his letter to Gavin Williamson, Coun Pryor claimed there was an urgent need to replace walling and windows at Wetherby High School but, due to the age of the structure, the block would need to be completely rebuilt. He added the council could fund half of this, as it could sell some of the land the school sits on, but stressed the council would still needed £13 million from government.

 

Source: Leeds Live

 

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