A Florida construction firm is seeing fast adoption of its intuitively-made building blocks that work like real-life LEGO bricks.
The interlocking blocks made of a mineral composite and reinforced with glass fiber can be quickly and quietly assembled into walls, floors, and even roofs, with a special adhesive and a rubber mallet being the only tools workers need to get the job done.
By using a process similar to injection molding, Renco USA can take the material and turn it into a variety of shapes, from the standard LEGO bricks to roofbeams and joists. No heavy cutting, welding, or masonry is needed on the job site, and contractors installing plumbing, ventilation, or electrical work can treat the finished block walls like normal concrete.
In Palm Springs, a $21 million, 96-unit housing complex near West Palm Beach is being built by just 11 workers using the blocks and adhesive. Without any cranes or lifts, and no bench saws or metal cutting equipment, the neighbors heard only the muted thud of the rubber mallets.
According to industry reporters, ongoing labor shortages and volatile markets in both steel and concrete are making America’s go-to building strategy for over 100 years more and more difficult to budget for.
Renco’s building system combines standard materials from other industries, like methyl methacrylate glue used in heavy vehicle manufacturing, and recycled glass fiber to reinforce the stability of supply chains and make costs lower and more predictable.
“We worked on this [system] for more than 10 years,” Renco co-founder Tom Murphy, Jr. told Engineering News Record. “We had to keep changing it to make it better and easier to work with. As we did that, making a building with it got faster and easier, and… the building got stronger each time.”
Importantly for Florida weather is that early adoption tests show the blocks are incredibly durable and exhibit properties typically associated with the longest-lasting building materials.
Renco USA released
They’re rated to withstand wind speeds of 275 mph, and because of a naturally-occurring resin used in the injection molding of the blocks, they wick moisture away rather than absorbing it. They’re even insect repellent. A test saw a section of blocks put into a terrarium with a queen termite and 99 males. A month later the block stood alone amid the dead insects.
The advancement of Artificial Intelligence has been a hot topic in recent years which is now gaining even more momentum.
AI powered algorithms and software are becoming an increasing presence within most industries and recruitment is no different. From automatically generated emails, CV screening to chatbots FAQ’s, the idea is that AI help with reducing the amount of time a recruitment consultant spends on manual admin tasks and frees time for them to focus on client/candidate experience.
Below are some areas where AI has made an impact in the recruitment process:
Candidate Sourcing: AI-powered tools search on various platforms, including social media, to identify potential candidates who align with specific job criteria.
CV Screening: AI algorithms can efficiently scan and analyse CV’s, matching qualifications and skills to job requirements. This automated process helps recruiters handle large volumes of applications swiftly whilst minimising bias and increasing the likelihood of identifying suitable candidates.
Great for maintaining Equality, Diversity and Inclusion but also saves time on the manual admin tasks for recruiters.
Chatbot Interviews and FAQ’s: Virtual assistants and chatbots equipped with natural language processing capabilities can conduct initial interviews, posing pre-determined questions and assessing candidate responses.
But whilst all this is great, the reality that AI cannot fully replace human involvement.
Here’s why humans are indispensable in recruitment:
Complex Decision-making: Humans possess the cognitive abilities necessary to consider intangibles such as culture fit, soft skills, and emotional intelligence during the hiring process.
Ethical Considerations: Human intervention is crucial to ensure fairness, eliminate bias, and guarantee that the hiring process is inclusive and representative of diverse talent pools.
Personalised Candidate Experience: Building strong rapport with candidates is a hallmark of successful recruitment. Human recruiters can provide a personalised touch, empathetic communication, and valuable feedback that candidates appreciate. These human interactions create a positive employer brand and enhance the overall candidate experience.
Adaptability and Flexibility: Humans possess the adaptability and flexibility to modify strategies, adjust requirements, and assess candidates on all their attributes, keeping in mind that businesses have evolving goals and objectives as well as cultural shifts.
Emotional Intelligence and Gut Feel: Human recruiters bring emotional intelligence to the hiring process, allowing them to gauge non-verbal cues, assess candidate motivation, and intuitively understand team dynamics.
At Intersect Global, we are always keeping abreast of the lates technology and how this can improve our offering for both our clients and our candidates. We hope that by using AI powered technology/software alongside the human judgement of our experienced recruiters we can produce great outcomes for our clients and our candidates.
Do you have vacancies that need to be filled or are you a candidate looking for your next career move? We can help……simply connect with us on LinkedIn, reach out via our contact form or give us a call.
Whether you’re thinking about going into civil engineering or you’re already working in the industry, these are the reasons why civil engineering is, without a doubt, the greatest job in the world.
One thing that civil engineers seem to have in common is an innate love for their job.
They seem to all have such a high level of job satisfaction from their work, which not only gets them out of bed every morning but motivates them in their day-to-day activities.
We asked some civil engineers what they love about the profession, and why they believe it’s the king of careers.
1. Civil engineering is SO varied
Civil engineering is a term that covers so many job roles, sectors, skills and people.
“There’s more to it than muddy boots and concrete,” says Blessing Danha.
She finds the application of big data and technology on ageing infrastructure an interesting area of work, for example.
Mimi Nwosu, a civil engineer for Heathrow Airport, likes how diverse the industry is.
“I like how easy it is to change sectors. I have worked in highways engineering for a consultant, materials engineering for a contractor, and now in aviation for a client.
“You can truly make your career your own and work on a variety of projects,” says Mimi.
“You get to work with a ton of new people on new tasks every day! I have written legal documents, made announcements on the trains, repaired Santander bikes and explored underground stations,” he says.
Meanwhile, Tara Fraser’s civil engineering career has included abseiling off bridges and mast structures, inspecting Ministry of Defence facilities, and working on airports and laboratories.
“There’s so much variety,” says Fraser. “Where else can you be working inside an office and out on site, all in the same day?”
2. Civil engineering is a creative career
If you think that creativity can only be found in an arts career, you’d be wrong.
The vast number of different designs for buildings, bridges and other structures shows how civil engineers have to think outside the box to solve a wide range of challenges.
“I had no idea how creative civil engineering was until I got to university and my first project was to build a pasta bridge,” says Cat Salvini.
“It’s creative. Whether it’s bringing a drawing on paper to life to working out how to thread a tunnel through the congested ground below the feet of Londoners,” adds Sakthy Selvakumaran.
3. Civil engineering is a real team effort
Engineers work in teams to solve real-world problems, so if you’re a team player, it’s the perfect career for you.
“The civil engineering industry is built on team spirit and collaboration,” says Kishore Ramdeen.
“We encourage each other to achieve more and challenge ourselves. And when we work together well, we get things done safer, faster and cheaper.”
Natalie Cheung is one civil engineer who’s motivated by working with other people.
“It’s great to come together with people with different expertise to deliver one collaborative design,” she says.
“A civil engineer isn’t just a person who sits behind a PC doing calculations or designing all day, but a person who forges relationships, motivates others and talks openly about worldly issues,” adds Ashkan Amiri.
4. Civil engineering takes you around the world
Many people want jobs that involve travel, and if you’re a civil engineer, you’ve hit the jackpot.
“I knew before that you could move to a different country to work,” says Bianca Wheeler. “But never quite understood the large scale of opportunities and project roles that exist, particularly in the civil engineering industry.”
And it’s not all work and no play.
“You get to work with a diverse range of people from all over the world, and before you know it, you have a contact list of international friends that can offer you technical engineering advice, but also help you plan your next holiday if you plan to visit their home country,” says Ramdeen.
5. Civil engineering needs and thrives on diversity
It’s not just an engineer’s work that’s always different from one day to another.
Engineers come from all backgrounds, and the work they produce is richer for it.
“The varied nature of the profession means that it requires people with different skillsets and experiences to work together,” says Jamie Arnott, graduate engineer working in marine and floating structures at consultancy Wallace Stone LLP.
“This variety and demand for varying skillsets means that civil engineering can be accessible for all.”
6. Civil engineers help fight climate change
If you want a job where you can play a tangible role in fighting climate change, then civil engineering is for you.
Historically, the industry has been a great producer of carbon, and many in the industry are now working to reverse this.
For example, Skye Dick, senior structural engineer at Mott MacDonald, focuses her work on lowering carbon emissions through building designs.
“As an engineer, the carbon savings which can be made are significant compared to any personal differences that I can make,” says Skye Dick, senior structural engineer at Mott MacDonald.
“Over the next 27 years, civil engineers will help to overcome the challenge of building and maintaining the infrastructure required for an increasing population with no negative environmental effects.
“I love that I can contribute to achieving the global net zero carbon goals through my work.”
7. Civil engineering makes a tangible difference to people’s lives
This has to be the number one reason why civil engineers believe their chosen career is the best.
Many of the projects they work on are for the benefit of the general public and local communities.
“You’ll make a huge, positive difference to the world,” says David Waboso.
Major Rob Ridley agrees: “There are as many different types of engineer as you can imagine, but they’re all solving people’s problems. From ensuring the basics, like plenty of clean water in our taps to designing and building the places we live, work and play in, all over the world.”
With sustainability high on everyone’s agenda, Ashkan Amiri points out how civil engineering is the “most active way to help the environment, with a constant push to be more sustainable and to think of solutions to climate issues, to then building those solutions”.
“Most structures today are designed to last more than 100 years,” says Emma Watkins.
“Knowing that I’ve helped build something that my children and grandchildren may use is a real source of pride for me.”
Article by Anh Nguyen for the Institute of Civil Engineering
We are very proud to announce that we have become one of the latest business to join Surfers Against Sewage’s Ocean Network.
The Ocean Network is a national movement with over 300 businesses supporting environmental solutions.
From the safety of our swimming beaches to the health of our river systems, the UK’s waterways are in a bad way. With over 370 000 discharges of raw sewage into UK rivers in 2021 as well as sewage dumps on our coastlines which have been reported recently; 75% of UK rivers pose a serious risk to human health. 39% reports of sickness after bathing linked to sewage discharge in the area. (https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/water-quality-facts-and-figures/)
It’s estimated that over 12 million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every single year. Countless fish, birds, turtle, whales and marine creatures are killed each year by mistaking plastics for food or getting entangled in discarded fishing gear across the world.
Plastics don’t disappear over time. Instead, the break down into smaller and smaller pieces. These tiny plastics enter the ocean food chain and have been found inside humans, with as yet unknown effects on our health.
Plastic production is also increasing oil extraction, even as demand falls from transport and energy. Over 90% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels – an industry still subsidised by the UK Government.
From its production to its slow breakdown in the ocean, plastic-related emissions hit the equivalent of 1.0 gigatonnes of CO2 in 2016, and could rise to 2.1 gigatonnes by 2040 – that’s 19% of the world’s emissions if we limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
By joining the Ocean Network, Intersect Global Ltd is helping with Surfers Against Sewage’s education project reaching over 1.4 million young people all over the country, inspiring them to take action on plastic waste in their schools. Their support of over 800 towns and cities on their journey to becoming Plastic Free Communities. Supporting them in putting pressure on the Government to outlaw non-recyclable plastics, and on industry to take full responsibility for their plastic waste.
And also, support the UK’s largest network of over 140,000+ volunteers, empowering people to reduce their plastic use, clean up plastic pollution, and galvanise their communities to protect the marine environment.
Considering joining the Ocean Network or simply make a one-off donation to Surfers Against Sewage? Follow this link for full details.
Spring is really when a lot of us start to think about the year ahead. The winter months are behind us, Spring has sprung and we’re all looking forward to the warmer months.
Spring is a good time to take stock and ask ourselves what should be a simple question but often is far from easy to answer.
Am I happy in my current job?
If you are, then you probably answered with a firm yes and the rest of this article, while still being of interest is only going to re-affirm that yes.
If the answer you gave was ‘sort of’ then the five suggestions below may help you reach a firmer answer. An undefined answer could well be a sign that you need to either count your blessings and remember that you do like your employment or take stock and think about moving on to greener pastures.
Of course, if you answered no, then this article is for you.
So, here is a list of questions to ask yourself:
Get yourself a pen and paper and answer these five questions twice. Go through the list once and write a yes or no answer only. Then go back and write a couple of lines to explain why you answered with yes or no.
Do you look forward to going to work in the morning?
Do you feel your work is recognised?
Do your managers lead and inspire you?
Can you see where you will be in five years?
Do you have regular reviews that are useful in planning your career?
So, if you have answered yes to most of them then congratulations, you love your job, and you have clearly defined what it is you like in the additional answers.
If you answered with more than one or two ‘no’ responses or you hesitated about answering yes to a lot of them, then you clearly have doubts about your role and your career. More to the point, the reasons you put down will tell you why.
All these are indicators that you are not experiencing job satisfaction.
A time for change? Spring is a time for growth and change, and if your answers point to you needing to do just that in your work life, why not connect with us on LinkedIn or contact us to have a discussion with one of our consultants.
Alternatively, you can check out our Job Board for a selection of our latest vacancies.
One of the key elements to CV writing is to demonstrate the impact of your achievement in previous roles you have held.
Unfortunately, not all of us have work in environments where we can provide percentages or hard figures showing how our efforts have contributed to the success of the department or business we have worked for.
So how can you demonstrate our achievements without actual data?
The first thing is to divide the work experience sections into ‘responsibilities’ and ‘achievements’ and build your sentences to read such as:
‘I was employed by……….to………….….’
‘Whilst in this role, I met the team’s goals/company’s objective by…………..’
Additionally, using power verbs and adverbs is an easy way to get your CV noticed. Using verbs like ‘negotiated’ and ‘initiated’ along with ‘confidently’ and ‘resourcefully’ just make your achievements sound better. It brings out your qualities that employers are looking for, gives an insight to the way you work and how you will fit into the team.
Take care when using adverbs however as overuse can make your CV noticeable for the wrong reasons.
You can also add a section on your own personal development. This section can include data such as the number of training courses you’ve attended (in-person or online), new qualifications you’ve gained, new skills you’ve learnt, number of awards you have received as well as the number of team members you’ve trained, coached or mentored and the number of times you’ve been promoted.
Remember, employers may ask you to elaborate on these examples!
To read our other CV writing blog, follow this link. You can also see a selection of jobs currently available by heading over to our Job Board.
Did you know, you can also request for one of our consultants to ring you back to discuss your next career move. We advertise a selection of our live vacancies on our website and we usually have a number of unadvertised vacancies. Our consultants are experts and will help you make an informed decision when it is time for you to secure your next role.
In March 2021, the Government launched ‘Project Gigabit’ in a bid to reach more than one million of homes and businesses located in hard-to-reach areas as part of a £5 billion government infrastructure project to rollout fibre broadband in the UK. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-new-5bn-project-gigabit)
The project has been said to help accelerate the UK’s recovery from Covid, fire up high growth in sectors like tech as well as level up the country by spreading wealth and creating jobs.
Companies like Openreach and City Fibre to name a couple, have already been part of the full fibre rollout to homes and businesses across the UK and Project Gigabit is the next step.
In short, with heavy investment in the telecoms sector, recruitment for Fibre Engineers is at an all time high.
So, how do you become a Telecoms/Fibre Engineer?
Primarily, there are two main ways to become a qualified Telecoms/Fibre Engineer:
Firstly, you can enrol on a college course such as the following four:
Level 2 Award in Communications Cabling
Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals
T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
You can also do an Apprenticeship in the following:
Telecoms Field Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
Radio Network Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Being a Telecoms/Fibre Engineer requires the following skill and knowledge:
broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to use your initiative
maths knowledge
knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
the ability to work well with your hands
analytical thinking skills
customer service skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Other accreditations/certificates and experience required:
Smart Awards SA001 and SA002 accreditation and experience
Cable installation, splitter box installation, fibre routing and power testing
Knowledge of street works safe working practices, including NRSWA Signing, Lighting and Guarding
NRSWA and Safe Working Practices Accredited
A full driving license I also a must as you will be required to travel between jobs
What does a day in the life of Telecoms/Fibre Engineer look like?
As a telecoms engineer, you could be set up mobile, fixed communications and data networks and repair lines and equipment on mobile masts and antennae.
You may also lay and test underground and underfloor cabling, find and fix faults, including using software remotely, design, build and test components and equipment as well as communicate with customers in person, on the phone or online.
You could work at a client’s home or at a client’s business. Your working environment may be at height, cramped, outdoors in all weathers and you’ll travel often. You’ll need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
What does career progression look like in this sector?
With the right training and experience, you could progress to supervisory roles, move into network design or into electronic engineering.
The national average salary for a Telecom/Fibre Engineer is £32,112 in United Kingdom according to Glassdoor UK.
To see a selection of our Telecoms vacancies, head over to our Job Board. You can also connect with us via our company page on LinkedIn or send us a message via our Contact Form.
Construction buyers have reported a sudden growth spurt in February after two months of decline raising hopes the worst of the economy’s storms have passed.
The reported surge was the strongest since May 2022, supported by a big rebound in commercial work and steady growth in civil engineering activity.
This more than offset the decline in housing activity, which fell for the third month running.
Confidence for the year ahead was also lifted by the lowest supplier delays for two years and a welcome slowdown in input cost inflation.
The latest bellwether S&P Global/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index spiked to 54.6 in February from 48.4 in January.
Buyers said they had seen an improvement in order books for the first time since last November.
Dr John Glen, Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “The overall figure paints a bright picture of progress in the construction sector with a robust jump in output last month.
“Supply deliveries were at their most improved since January 2020 and some commentators mentioned sourcing closer to home to avoid logjams in supply chains caused by China’s Covid policy and the war in Ukraine.
He added: “Builders themselves remained cheerful as optimism rose sharply and almost half of the survey’s respondents believed business would improve in 2023.
“With the slowest inflationary rises for raw materials since November 2020 this offered some relief, and it was cheaper transportation costs that helped offset salary and energy costs which were still rising.”
Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “Some firms noted that fading recession fears and an improving global economic outlook had boosted client confidence in the commercial segment.
“Construction companies appear increasingly confident about the year ahead business outlook, with optimism rebounding strongly from the lows seen in the final quarter of 2022.”
Article written by Aaron Morby for www.constructionenquirer.com
Thames Water is planning to splash out £1.6bn on upgrading sewage treatment works and sewer networks over the next two years.
An extra 150 extra staff have been taken on at Thames Water’s capital delivery team to raise its capability to deliver complex engineering projects at pace.
Its fast-tracked programme will see significant upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and sewerage networks to reduce storm discharges and pollution incidents.
The spending splurge will help Thames Water to reduce the total annual duration of discharges by 50% by 2030 compared to a 2020 baseline. This commitment includes an 80% reduction in discharges in particularly sensitive catchments.
Over the next two years, starting in April, the water company will pump £1.12bn into sewage treatment plant expansion, including £650m on enhancing and upgrading over 135 existing sites to improve resilience and provide additional capacity.
During this period, Thames Water will also spend a further £470m on the wider sewer network.
The £1.6bn spending bonanza sets a new record for investment for a UK water utility and represents a more than twofold increase in Thames Water’s spending on its sewage treatment plants and wider sewer network, compared to the previous two years.
This investment will include allocations for essential maintenance works, such as repairing existing infrastructure, improving treatment standards and increasing capacity at sewage treatment works.
Sarah Bentley, chief executive of Thames Water, said: “The discharge of untreated sewage is unacceptable, and we are committed to tackling this problem.
“We are investing record sums in upgrading our sewer systems and treatment works and are striving every day to reduce the discharge of untreated sewage into our rivers.
“However, there are no quick fixes. Population growth will increase the strain on our sewage network and treatment centres. And because of climate change, the south east of England is experiencing heavier downpours, which can overwhelm some sewage treatment works. The scale of the challenge demands urgent and systemic reform with a shared undertaking from all stakeholders.”
Article by Aaron Morby for constructionenquirer.com
