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One of the largest ever skills events kicked off yesterday (23 September) at Lincolnshire Showground. Over three days (Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 September) more than 1,500 school children, aged between 10 and 18 years, will get a hands-on introduction to vital trades such as carpentry, bricklaying, block paving, electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as virtual reality welding.

Now in its 21st year, Construction and Engineering Week aims to ignite passion and purpose in the next generation by delivering immersive, inclusive and impactful experiences that connect young people, educators and industry leaders.

50 companies from across the Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Humber regions are attending the event to showcase careers and trades in the construction and engineering industries with practical hands-on experiences. Many of the companies involved bring apprentices and trainees who attended the event when they were at school.

A Year 6 pupil from Welton St Mary’s Church of England Primary Academy was at the event yesterday and said:

“It’s been fun and a really nice experience, finding out about all the different construction jobs.

“For one of the activities, we were learning how to saw the planks of wood to make a roof – it’s been hard work but fun! I’ve actually done it before. I sometimes help my dad saw planks of wood because he’s a builder. I’d definitely consider doing something like this when I’m older.”

Ryan Donohue from Lindum Group attended the event and said:

“I think this event is great. It gets the children interacting, gets them talking, and gets them learning a little bit about the possible jobs and careers in the construction industry.

“The children we have seen today are in Year 6 and in their final year of primary school, so over the next couple of years they’re going to be thinking about what they want to do in life. If this gives them a bit of inspiration and encourages them to consider construction as a career path, then that can only be a good thing.

“It’s great for us as employers to engage with them, tell them about what we do and how we do it. If they enjoy it, then that’s even better!”

Free for primary and secondary schools to attend, the event is sponsored by the two Industry Training Boards for construction and engineering construction (CITB and ECITB) and is organised by the Lincoln Group Training Association (LGTA) and Abbey Access Training, in partnership with local employers. Event support sponsors include Lindum Group, ARCO, LineTrain and Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub.

Tim Balcon, CEO of the Construction Industry Training Board, said:

“It was inspiring and encouraging to see so many young people find such joy in learning about construction and engineering. It’s what Construction and Engineering Week is all about, and I want to extend a massive thank you to all the employers taking the time to showcase the industry and engage directly with young people that could be tomorrow’s workforce.

“In a time when construction skills are in such high demand, it is vital that we continue to create these opportunities to connect industry and education. The enthusiasm we’ve seen so far is a reminder of how important these events are in helping build the future workforce.”

Andrew Hockey, CEO of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, said:

“Construction and Engineering Week is a great example of collaboration, with the CITB and ECITB working in partnership with industry, training providers and schools to inspire the next generation.

“We would like to thank the event organisers, event support sponsors and all participating companies that organise the practical activities for the young people and give up their time voluntarily to provide these hands-on experiences – empowering future talent and shaping the workforce of tomorrow.”

Recovery and rescue plans should be developed by competent persons and be distributed to MEWP operators and nominated ground control rescue personnel. Quickly rescuing someone who is trapped or incapacitated may mean the difference between life and death.

IPAF recommends the recovery and rescue plan is documented, understood, and rehearsed by all involved in the work at height task.

IPAF recommends MEWP OPERATORS should not start work until the recovery and rescue plan is in place.

When is a recovery and rescue plan required?

• A loss of main power to the MEWP due to flat batteries or running out of fuel.
• MEWP technical malfunction, which can cause a loss of functions.
• A snagged or trapped platform.
• Isolation of platform controls due to the MEWP platform being overloaded.
• An incapacitated operator or platform occupant due to a medical emergency such as entrapment.

What should a MEWP operator do?

• Ensure there is a recovery and rescue plan in place before starting work and you understand what to do in an emergency.
• Before elevating the platform, ensure there is a nominated ground rescue person in place.
• Check communications are working with the nominated ground rescue personnel.
• Brief other platform occupants on the recovery and rescue plan requirements.
• Ensure that the MEWP is positioned so that the ground controls and the emergency lowering controls are accessible in case of an emergency.

Qube Containers Limited, which operates on Ipswich docks, has been fined £30,000 after an employee was run over and dragged by a forklift causing serious injuries to his ankle.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the prosecution following its investigation of the incident involving Harvey Addison, from Ipswich, on 11 December 2023.

Mr Addison was unloading cars from shipping containers at the company’s site in Ipswich. Working with the driver of the forklift truck to empty two small bins, filled with waste packaging, including ratchet straps and chocks, into a larger commercial waste bin.

The two tipping bins had been positioned on a pallet, which was being carried on the forks of the forklift truck.

The forklift truck involved in the incident with two bins on a pallet

HSE provides a range of guidance advice regarding lift trucks in the workplace Lift trucks – HSE.

The 21-year-old was standing on the pallet and as the forklift truck moved some of the straps fell from the full waste bins, trailing on the floor and getting caught in the wheels of the lift truck. One of these straps got caught on his foot pulling him to the ground and the forklift truck drove over his foot.

Mr Addison remained in hospital for nine days, requiring skin grafts on the outside of his left calf and behind his left thigh just above his knee. He also sustained a broken ankle.

An investigation by HSE identified that Qube Containers Limited failed to provide equipment that was safe and suitable for the task and failed to risk assess the system of work for emptying the bins – which was found to be unsafe.

In addition, the traffic routes were not organised in a safe manner, and it was clear from the work practices on site that vehicles and pedestrians circulated in close proximity.

Qube Containers Limited of Forbes Business Centre, Kempson Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £3,752 in costs at Norwich Magistrate’s Court on 12 September 2025.

HSE Inspector Adepeju Sogadgi said: “This injury could easily have been prevented. Employers introducing new processes should make sure they assess the work activity sufficiently and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk. There should be systems in place to ensure safety and the risk should have been considered and documented.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Hannah Snelling.

We have been listening to industry and have heard that our current grants and funding system is complicated and can be difficult to navigate. As a result of this, we’re streamlining our approach to more effectively help levy-registered employers access financial support for training.

To do this we have reviewed our existing offer and we are making changes. These changes are not removing the support offered by CITB to industry but are simplifying the way in which they are accessed, making it easier for employers.

Skills and Training fund

Currently, both Employer Networks (ENs) and the Skills & Training (S&T) fund offer funding for similar types of training, which we know can be confusing for employers navigating their options.

Listening to employer feedback, we are going to simplify this process and create a more efficient service, we’re moving towards a single route. From 30 September 2025, the Skills & Training fund will close, and Employer Networks will become the single channel for further developing businesses. Alongside this the grants scheme will continue to operate to support core construction training.

To ensure the most appropriate use of industry funds, applications received in September will operate under new payment terms where funding will be paid upon completion of the agreement. Any applications already agreed will be honoured.

Industry Accreditation uplift

We put this grant uplift in place when CLC announced the removal of the Industry Accreditation card. This was to support individuals that needed to complete qualifications to remain carded. To date we have supported over 11.5k individuals which exceeds the number expected. We had intended to keep this uplift in place until the end of March 2026 but to ensure most suitable use of industry funds, this uplift will be removed at the end of December 2025. Once the uplift is removed, grants to support these qualifications will return to £600.

‘Suggest a course’ initiative

Introduced to ensure we could get feedback from industry on what was needed, we will now be closing this initiative. ENs were established to make it easier for employers to access training, and funding and bring together employers at a local level to inform CITB on training needs. As ENs are well established, we do not need to duplicate these routes so closing the initiative is another way we are streamlining our offer to industry.

New short qualification grant tier

As announced recently, from September 2025 we will be introducing a new grant tier for some short period qualifications to ensure that CITB funding is effectively optimising impact.

For achievements from September 2025, any qualification achieved at an ‘Award’ level will receive the grant value of £240 (rather than £600).

‘Award’ level qualifications typically have a shorter duration with fewer modules to complete, and the cost to undertake this level is usually lower, therefore this is reflected in the new grant payment.

Launch of online grant portal

We’re delighted to let you know we will shortly be introducing CITB’s new online services platform, launching on Wednesday 24 September. This is the first phase of a modernised system designed to make accessing CITB’s Grant Scheme simpler and more efficient. With the new platform, employers will be able to:

• Apply for Apprenticeship and Qualification grants online
• Track the status of grant applications
• Have greater control over online access to their account.

The network of training providers will transform how construction training is delivered across Great Britain through genuine collaboration, dedicated support, and employer-led insights

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has today launched its Training Provider Network (TPN) – which will be a single network of approved, quality assured training providers across England, Scotland and Wales.

To become a member, training providers must deliver training relevant to employers in the construction industry and meet a quality assurance criteria specific to the type of training they provide.

TPN members will be able to connect directly with employers through initiatives like Employer Networks, supporting business growth, and build stronger relationships with employers, creating better work placements and employment opportunities for new entrants and will receive direct support from a team of dedicated relationship managers.

Members of the TPN will be recognised by the British construction industry as a training provider who delivers quality-assured training. The TPN is supported by a Leadership Group comprising representatives from a diverse group of training providers.

The new initiative will enable a more integrated approach for CITB and its employers to work closely with training providers and improve the accessibility and quality of training.

By bringing training providers, employers and CITB together at national and local levels, the TPN will be able to:

Forecast training needs with greater accuracy

Plan provision strategically

Deliver training that truly meets employers’ requirements

Support both business sustainability and growth for providers.

Deb Madden, Executive Director, Nations Engagement at CITB, said: “Everything we do at CITB is about meeting the skills and training needs of the industry.

“Training providers are vital partners in driving necessary change, which is why we’re launching the Training Provider Network. It will create a platform for training providers to have a stronger voice in shaping the future of construction training.

“The network will also work alongside our well-received Employer Networks initiative so that construction employers have access to a trusted pathway to quality training exactly when and where it’s needed.”

The development of the TPN aligns to the priorities outlined in CITB’s Strategic and Business Plans, launched earlier this year, to help improve training and development in the industry and retention of existing workers.

A London construction company has been fined £50,000 after four men were injured – two seriously – when the first floor of a house collapsed during building works.

Aryn Stones Ltd had been contracted to build a new domestic property in Hampstead. On 31 May 2022, remedial works were being carried out on a partially built beam-and-block floor, when it collapsed, taking two of the workers down with it.

The two men include a welder, who is now 62, and a 31-year-old bricklayer. They both sustained life-changing injuries, while two other men who were standing at ground level were injured by falling concrete.

Work on the build began in March 2021 but by February the following year, engineers who inspected the property identified errors with the connections of the structural steel beams. This prompted the remedial works that led the structure to collapse. That came about when the welder was using an oxyacetylene torch to cut a steel beam supporting the first floor. However, at the same time, another worker had been removing some Acrow props that were supporting the beam.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Aryn Stones Ltd had failed to ensure the structure did not collapse while it was in a state of temporary weakness. The company also failed to put any measures in place to manage the temporary remedial work being carried out on the steel connections. They also failed to take all practicable steps to prevent danger to any person while the building was in a temporary state of weakness.

HSE guidance on managing health and safety in construction (PDF) and the management of temporary works is available.

Aryn Stones Ltd, of Percy Road, London were found guilty of breaching Regulation 19(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £50,000 and was ordered to pay £39,000 costs following a two-day trial before City of London Magistrates’ Court on 18 June 2025.

A Nottingham builder has avoided an immediate spell behind bars after his failures resulted in a gas explosion leaving a worker with burns so serious, he has been unable to work since.

Barry Newman, the sole trader of Foster Brother Builders, was given a 12-month suspended sentence and told to complete 240 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Newman had contracted a Nottingham man to carry out refurbishment works on a property in Bulwell. As part of those works, Newman, 58, had placed a faulty portable space heater, connected to a propane gas (LPG) cylinder, in the property’s cellar to dry out damp.

However, on 22 November 2022, a gas leak from the heater resulted in a violent explosion – causing the 51-year-old man to suffer severe burn injuries to his hands, legs, face and scalp. Footage taken by a member of the public in the immediate aftermath shows the extent of the damage caused to the property, with explosion debris also being propelled onto the pavement and residential road, putting members of the public at risk.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Newman failed to carry out a risk assessment and provide suitable and adequately maintained equipment for the work being undertaken.

The manufacturer’s instructions for the type of heater used clearly state that it is only for use in well-ventilated areas and that LPG cylinders should not be kept below ground. This is because the gas is heavier than air and will collect at the lower level if there is a leak. HSE guidance states that employers should ensure that work equipment is used only for operations for which, and under conditions for which, it is suitable.  Further guidance can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l22.htm

Barry Newman of The Quay, Beeston Marina, Nottingham pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 19 June 2025 he was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work in the community, and required to pay costs of £2,000.

An Altrincham-based construction company has been fined £165,000 after it repeatedly failed to put in place suitable fire precautions during renovation in Preston.
Glovers Court Ltd were found guilty of four offences in relation to the redevelopment of a former city centre warehouse into 35 apartments spread across six floors. The Glovers Court project was under construction on 16 May 2023 when it was visited by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS). A number of fire safety issues were identified and LFRS prohibited the use of the building, meaning residents already living there had to leave their homes. As construction work was still ongoing, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and HSE worked in multi-agency collaboration to deal with this premises.

A HSE inspector then visited the site finding the company not to be complying with its duty to ensure suitable fire safety precautions were in place during ongoing construction work. Those failures included:
• No fire detection system;
• No means of raising the alarm in case of a fire;
• Inadequate escape plans; and
• Construction work had not been phased to ensure fire compartmentation was maintained throughout the project to prevent fire spreading to all floors.

As a result of the findings, HSE served a prohibition notice against Glovers Court Ltd, stopping all further work on the property until adequate fire precautions were in place. HSE also served an improvement notice requiring the company to design and implement a fire management plan.
However, during further visits in June and November 2023, HSE found construction work had been ongoing while no action had been taken to comply with either of the notices.