School Building Spring 2019

Offshore wind energy could provide a third of all UK electricity by 2030
Clean, green offshore wind is set to power more than 30% of British electricity by 2030, Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry has
announced with the launch of the new joint government-industry Offshore Wind Sector Deal.
This deal will mean for the first time in UK history there will be more electricity from renewables than fossil fuels, with 70% of British electricity
predicted to be from low carbon sources by 2030 and over £40 billion of infrastructure investment in the UK. This is the tenth Sector Deal from
the modern Industrial Strategy signed by Business Secretary Greg Clark. It is backed by UK renewables companies and marks a revolution in
the offshore wind industry, which 20 years ago was only in its infancy. It could see the number of jobs triple to 27,000 by 2030.
Claire Perry, Energy & Clean Growth Minister said “This new Sector Deal will drive a surge in the clean, green offshore wind revolution that
is powering homes and businesses across the UK, bringing investment into coastal communities and ensuring we maintain our position as
global leaders in this growing sector.
“By 2030 a third of our electricity will come from offshore wind, generating thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK, a strong UK
supply chain and a fivefold increase in exports. This is our modern Industrial Strategy in action.”
Increase in Apprenticeships Funding
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) have
announced a major boost in funding to help employers
take on construction apprentices.
From 1 April, CITB’s attendance grants to employers will
increase to £2,500 per year, while achievement grants
will rise to £3,500 for companies whose apprentice
successfully completes their training.
This is an overall funding increase from £10,250 to
£14,500 for each apprentice an employer takes on – an
uplift of over 30% on existing rates.
CITB has decided to increase employer funding at a time
when construction apprenticeships are falling. This is
due to factors such as economic uncertainty caused by
Brexit and employers adjusting to new apprenticeship
reforms, including the Apprenticeship Levy.
But construction needs many more learners not only
starting, but completing their apprenticeships and
joining the workforce. CITB’s forecast shows the industry
needs to fill some 168,500 new jobs over the next five
years, and to grow much more of its own domestic
workforce, given likely limits on future access to migrant
workers.
More of us would rather our children did an
apprenticeship than a degree
More parents in the UK want to see their child undertake an
apprenticeship than a university degree, according to new research by
the Federation of Master Builders.
The FMB undertook a survey of 2,000 adults and the findings were as
follows:
•25% of us would rather our children undertook an apprenticeship;
• 24% of us would rather our children studied for a university degree; and
• 50% of us have no preference.
They also asked the same people how they felt about building firms that
trained apprentices and found that:
• 60% would have a more positive image of a construction firm knowing
that it trains apprentices;
• 41% would be more likely to hire a building firm that trains apprentices
as opposed to one that does not.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB),
said “We’re finally seeing the shift in attitudes with more people
understanding the value of undertaking a vocational apprenticeship
rather than a university degree.
New leader board to celebrate top apprenticeship employers
Top employers who are helping to lead the ‘apprenticeship revolution’, get more people into skilled jobs and boost British business will be
celebrated through a new leader board and quality mark, Education Secretary Damian Hinds has announced.
Apprenticeships are now longer, higher-quality, with more off-the-job training and a more rigorous assessment at the end. There are now
more than 400 apprenticeship standards available in everything from accountancy, fashion and law to teaching, nursing and plumbing.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said “We’ve transformed apprenticeships in this country. But that wouldn’t have been possible without
the employers who have been at the forefront of developing new high- quality apprenticeship opportunities that provide great training, and
the employers who have embraced the huge benefits apprenticeships are bringing to their workplaces. “I want to celebrate their
contribution - giving thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to learn new skills and secure an exciting career.”
More than 100 rural schools to get gigabit speed broadband
More than 100 rural primary schools across England are set to get gigabit-capable broadband connections within the next few months as
part of the Government’s commitment to improve internet infrastructure in rural areas.
Under the £3 million pilot programme, 3 schools have already been connected, and 52 have signed contracts with work expected to be
completed in the coming weeks. There are also ongoing discussions with another 72 schools who are interested in participating. The
trial was originally planned to reach 100 schools, but the project has been delivered under-budget, allowing even more schools to
benefit.
These new speeds are enabling whole classes to simultaneously surf the internet on tablets as part of structured lessons, and gives
schools easier access to online training and educational learning. Access to cloud services not only means savings as staff go paperless,
but it has also enabled the decommissioning of the school’s local servers to reduce hardware, maintenance and IT support costs.
Spring 2019 4157
5