Industry News THE TRUE COST OF TOOL THEFT More than three-quarters of Britain’s builders have been victims of tool theft, with some having lost more than £20,000 worth of tools in the past ten years, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the research reveal: More than three quarters (83%) of UK builders have had their tools stolen; More than one in three incidents involved theft from vans (38%) and theft from sites (34%); Of builders who had tools stolen in the past ten years (78%), the most common value of loss was £2,500. One in ten builders said that they had at least £10,000 worth of tools stolen, and 2% said they had at least £20,000; When asked how many working days builders had lost to tool theft over the past ten years, one in three builders (29%) said one to two working days and 16% said two to five working days. 7% of builders said they had lost five working days or more; Over a 40-year working life, a builder will typically lose £10,000 worth of tools and 6 working days to tool theft; Tool theft is taking its toll on builders’ mental health, causing 15% of builders to suffer from anxiety, one in ten builders (11%) to suffer from depression and some reported experiences of panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Decisive action is needed to tackle tool theft. Eight in ten builders report that they have had tools stolen before. This is causing mental health issues amongst builders with reports of depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, stress and even suicidal thoughts. The Government needs to look into tool theft and consider the need for the introduction of tighter regulations around selling second-hand tools, and greater minimum fines for those convicted of tool theft.” More on tools from p72. ALUK BACKS BUILDING OUR SKILLS AluK is the latest big industry name to partner with the Building Our Skills campaign: Making Fenestration a Career of Choice. Technical Director Nick Cooper, explained: “I first became aware of the Building Our Skills campaign through conversations with Mick Clayton, CEO of GQA Qualifications with whom we Academy exemplar facilities, and we look forward are an Approved Centre. to welcoming students who visit us in 2020, and “At the FIT Show in May, I met up with the team to playing our part in encouraging them to make managing the campaign and it was immediately Fenestration their long-term career of choice. evident that we should get involved. Their drive to “I am also delighted to appoint three people from try and attract newcomers to the Fenestration AluK to become ‘Champions’ for Building Our Skills. industry in order to reduce the widening skills Darren Burford from our AluK Academy Training and gap, and to introduce new and exciting Support Department, Leigh Cooper our Academy opportunities to upskill the existing workforce, R&D Facilities Manager, and Steve Watkins, Head of perfectly matches our own outlook on things. Projects, will take up these positions.” We’re proud to offer our own academy to train people on fabrication and installation, so to join in Steph Tague of Building Our Skills said: “It is a with them and be partners to their own Practical real sign that you have a credible plan to try and Training Academy and the new Inspiring Talent bridge the skills gap when a company of the Academy is a really exciting prospect for us. calibre of AluK gets on board and wants to play such an active role. We are delighted and can’t “We have also committed our Chepstow wait to get working with them on the many headquarters to be one of the Inspiring Talent exciting initiatives that we have going.” GGFI REBRANDS AS INSTALLSURE Installsure is the new brand for GGFi, the specialist insurance provider to the UK glass and glazing industry that was created by the Glass & Glazing Federation in 2005. Professional Indemnity and non-domestic Although Installsure will maintain close links with property insurance. All policies issued through the GGF and FENSA, the rebrand is designed to GGFi will remain in place and unaltered, as will further enhance its position as an Insurance be the organisation’s simple application process, Backed Guarantee (IBG) market leader and seamless job registration and IBG cover for facilitate the development of a range of new FENSA Approved Installers (as well as all insurance products for installation companies of companies registered with alternative CP all sizes serving both domestic and commercial schemes). Frank Allain, Director of Operations for markets. Installsure will continue to offer the Installsure, explained: “We have big plans for established range of domestic and commercial Installsure over the next 12 months as we expand Insurance Backed Guarantees, Performance our suite of products and we will continue to offer Bonds, and a range of corporate policies including market-leading policies at highly competitive Employer, Public and Contract Works liability, rates.” 10 TINOV/DEC <strong>2019</strong> PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
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