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News2019-03-30T12:36:41+00:00
1503, 2024

Three Peaks Challenge

BriggsAmasco Fearless Foursome to Take on The Mighty Multiplex Three Peaks Challenge

Four BriggsAmasco employees have signed up for a charity challenge that promises to be no walkover for the plucky participants.

Allan Doris (Glasgow Branch Manager), Lee Virgin (Operations Director London/South), Kenny Scott (Plant Fitter) and Shona MacMillan (Area Safety Advisor) will each be putting their best foot forward for the Multiplex Three Peaks Challenge. One of the UK’s most popular fundraising feats, the challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales. Three of BriggsAmasco’s intrepid quartet have set themselves a 24-hour target to complete the potentially gruelling trek.

Allan, Lee, Shona and Kenny embark on their Multiplex Three Peaks Challenge on Friday, April 26th. BriggsAmasco is sponsoring the group to the tune of £4,000, with each of the four employees contributing to the total with their own donations. Monies raised will be donated to two small, but very deserving charities (The Royal British Legion and Project Recce) for service veterans.

Tony Lawther, Managing Director said: “The Three Peaks Challenge is a renowned test of mental and physical stamina. We salute Allan, Lee, Shona and Kenny for putting themselves forward for the event. They shall be raising money for an extremely worthy cause whilst completing a journey that they will forever look back on with great pride. We wish them all the very best of luck in their exceptional endeavour.”

The Three Peaks Challenge is not for the faint-hearted. The three mountains are Snowdon, in Wales (1,085m); Scafell Pike, in England (978m), and Ben Nevis, in Scotland (1,345m). The triumvirate of peaks incurs a walking distance of 23 miles (37km) and an accumulative climb of 10,052ft (3,064 metres). It equates to double the ascent of the Yorkshire Three Peaks over a similar total walking distance. The Three Peaks total driving distance is 462 miles.

Allan Doris, Glasgow Branch Manager said: “I think we’re all a little daunted by the prospect of taking on the Three Peaks, but we’re excited at the same time. I envisage a real team effort will be essential to us conquering all three peaks. Initiatives such as this are a brilliant way to raise much-needed cash for some great charities. They are also a good excuse to get fit. I’d like to thank everyone for their sponsorship so far. Your support will be our incentive throughout our incredible journey.”

To sponsor Allan, Lee, Shona and Kenny for the Multiplex Three Peaks Challenge, click here.

803, 2024

International Women’s Day 8th March 2024

‘Inspire Inclusion’ is the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8th. The campaign is advocating inclusivity as a means of instilling women with a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.

Its stance is fully-supported by BriggsAmasco, a commercial roofing and waterproofing specialist committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive workplace for all. The company employs a number of women in key roles – previously held by men – throughout the business. These are not limited to administrative or supportive positions. Hence, roles including Technical Manager, Area Safety Adviser, and Supply Chain Manager require female employees to display a high degree of negotiation and leadership skills onsite and with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Janice Johnson, BriggsAmasco Supply Chain and Sustainability Manager, said women in senior company roles were respected for their opinions and for their influence on business operations. Explaining the need to encourage more females to embark on a career in construction, she said: “Women have an ability to see things from various angles but also remain focussed on the needs of the business. Any industry or business that is dominated by either male or female is going to suffer by not having the natural skills and talents of both sexes to benefit it. Bringing men and women together in collaboration will help any business reach its optimum.”

As reported via constructionnews.co.uk in October 2023, women account for a higher proportion of the UK construction workforce than at any time since official records began. In April to June 2023, Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the construction workforce was 15.8% female, representing a 1.2% increase on the previous quarter. This relatively higher figure is reportedly attributed to a decrease in the number of men working in the industry. In 2023 Q2, about 1.8 million men were employed in construction, 200,000 fewer than 2020 Q1.

Janice Johnson said doors were opening for women to continue to populate the building industry in increasing number, but more was needed to be done to promote the opportunities available to them. “Construction will always lean towards being a male industry,” she said. “However, in many cases, being female is no longer a barrier to joining the sector. The biggest challenge is getting women to want to join the industry in the first place and this needs to take place when careers are being discussed at school. This applies to construction and all trades, whether male or female.”

Janice began her BriggsAmasco career in 1994. She said in the intervening 30 years, the workplace culture had progressed markedly in terms of becoming a more equal and inclusive environment. “When I first joined the company, it was difficult to find safety boots in my size – now there’s a huge variety of suitable PPE available for women and to me, that demonstrates practical progression.”

According to Janice, role models – fictional or otherwise – also had a part to play in inspiring women to continue to defy gender stereotypes and join the construction industry. “We should be promoting Betty the Builder, as well as Bob the Builder,” she said.

For more information on International Women’s Day and how to get involved, visit: internationalwomensday.com

502, 2024

National Apprenticeship Week

A celebration of the value young trainees bring to UK businesses takes place in February with National Apprenticeship Week.

The government initiative, which began in 2007, is this year themed ‘Skills for Life’. Its aim is to encourage businesses large and small to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge for a rewarding career. It is also an incentive for employees to develop a workforce with future-ready skills.

Commercial roofing specialist BriggsAmasco is an advocate of National Apprenticeship Week, having successfully employed trainees across all areas of the business for many years.

Karl Waddicor is one of 10 apprentices currently employed with the company. Based at BriggsAmasco’s Manchester branch, the 25-year-old is on a Roofer Level 2 apprenticeship known as ‘Trailblazer’.

Karl began his apprenticeship in September 2021. The programme incorporates all elements of the roofing sector including liquid, single-ply and reinforced bitumen membranes, with Karl due to take his final assessment in 2024. His hard work and progress were acknowledged when he was named BriggsAmasco’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ for the 2021/2022 academic period.

Karl said a family member, a former BriggsAmasco roofing apprentice, encouraged him to take the same career path. “Watching how my older brother has worked and progressed in the roofing trade really inspired me to always work hard, “ he said. “He started as an apprentice roofer at BriggsAmasco, progressed to become a branch supervisor and now works for Bauder. His journey has really inspired me and thanks to BriggsAmasco, I know there are plenty of opportunities for me to similarly progress.”

Tony Lawther, BriggsAmasco’s Managing Director, provides an ideal example of the company’s successful apprenticeship scheme. Having joined the company as an asphalt apprenticeship in 1984, Tony progressed to a Chargehand before ascending all the way up to his current position in 2023. He said: “BriggsAmasco has always given brilliant support to its apprentices. I guess I’m proof of that. For the right person, BriggsAmasco provides a real opportunity to learn, work and pursue a successful career. An apprenticeship is the ideal route to make that happen.”

In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 752,150 people participating in an apprenticeship in England. The figure includes 337,140 apprenticeship starts, which represents a 33% decrease on the number of people embarking on a traineeship in 2015/16. With the UK construction sector continuing to suffer a skills shortage, an uptick in trainees enrolling in work placements that include an industry qualification remains crucial to fulfilling the country’s building needs.

Karl Waddicor has a message for those considering signing-up to an apprenticeship programme. “I would highly recommend it. Just remember to always put the maximum effort in, whatever you’re working on. And most importantly, ask questions. Because at BriggsAmasco if I ever have an issue, I know my colleague is there to give me any advice I need” he said.

National Apprenticeship Week takes place between February 5th and 11th. To find out how to get involved and download the toolkit at National Apprenticeship Week.

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