Building Briefs – October 12th

A new River Don Crossing, part of the construction Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty scheme, is taking a major step forward with the dismantling of four nearby electricity towers.

One tower was dismantled on Thursday with the rest due to be taken down over the coming days.

The contractor has been working alongside Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) to replace the current infrastructure with a single tower and underground cabling. These works are necessary to clear the site before major construction works start on the River Don Crossing.

Burrell Collection’s refurbishment to commence October 2016

Glasgow City Council has approved proposals to temporarily close the Burrell Collection from October 2016 for works to commence on the refurbishment of the Grade A building and redisplay of the Collection.

The announcement of the closure date marks the next milestone in the Burrell Collection’s ambitious plans to overhaul of the roof, building fabric, interior and ageing plant, as well as creating an entirely new experience for visitors.

A twelve month programme of events and activities leading into autumn 2016 will give the public the opportunity to see and engage with treasures from the Collection before refurbishment begins.

Refurbishment plans will turn the building into an exemplar of sustainability, transforming it from a building with a large carbon footprint, into an energy efficient, modern museum. The work will also include looking at the possibility of linking the Burrell to a micro hydro-electric scheme, which is to be created beside a 19th century former sawmill in the park and which will generate sustainable energy by harnessing the power of the White Cart river.

Apprenticeship opportunities in Angus

More construction apprenticeships will be available in Angus thanks to a new scheme launched today.

As the first scheme of its kind in Scotland the Angus Shared Apprentice Programme (ASAP) allows construction apprentices to complete a full apprenticeship programme by working with a number of different employers to gain the skill sets they require as they train to become qualified.

ASAP is a collaborative company delivered by Angus Council, Dundee and Angus College, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), local employers and is supported by Skills Development Scotland (SDS). It gives more companies the opportunity to offer apprenticeship places by sharing the apprentice with other employers.

Jarvie Plant Group to continue expansion plans

Jarvie Plant Group has signalled it will continue to invest in expansion after spending almost £15 million over the last 12 months.

The independent firm, which has its headquarters in Grangemouth, said the money has gone on new equipment, vehicles, premises and staff.

It now employs 150 having added 15 new jobs in recent months.

The company, founded by John Jarvie senior in 1960, will open an Aberdeen depot before the end of this year and also relocate its Dundee site to larger permanent premises. It had been renting in the city for the past 18 months.

Jarvie Plant has a preferred supplier agreement with City of Edinburgh Council and is involved in major infrastructure projects such as the Aberdeen Bypass and the upgrade of the M8 between Newhouses and Baillieston. It also worked on parts of the recently opened Borders Railway.

Workforce grows at Fife window firm

Roof window company Velux is encouraged about the prospects for its sales and marketing arm in Glenrothes this year.

The company delivered turnover and pre-tax profits rises of around 30 per cent at its Woodside Way site which now has a workforce of more than 200.

The sales and marketing arm survived unscathed from a painful reorganisation within the Velux empire earlier this year.

The sister Fife Joinery operation in Glenrothes was closed with the loss of 180 jobs.

It manufactured Velux windows for its near neighbour and other sales sites to put on the market.

GAP continues apprenticeship drive with award-winning programme

GAP Hire Solutions is continuing to invest in talent acquisition by offering two different apprenticeships this year

The Plant Mechanic Apprenticeship and Hire Desk Operative Apprenticeship schemes will offer people the chance to join the hire industry and be part of an exciting and challenging sector. The national equipment hirer has also recently launched new apprenticeship assessment centres to enhance their process of recruiting new apprentices. These improvements expand upon GAP’s already extensive apprenticeship offering and this was recognised when the company won the Apprenticeship Award at this year’s s1 Recruitment Awards.

North Lanarkshire Council completes £1.2m school upgrade

A £1.2 million programme to refurbish a primary school in North Lanarkshire is now complete.

The two year project, to improve New Monkland Primary, began in June 2013 and finished this summer.

It involved improvements to the exterior of the building along with new outdoor gym and play equipment, including a climbing wall.

New nursery facilities were also developed.

The school now generates electricity due to solar panels on the roof of the extension, which can be sold back to the National Grid.

The Glenmavis school also boasts a new extension featuring two classrooms.

Work completes on A72 aoad

Essential maintenance work on a road in the Scottish Borders is now complete.

The A72, north of Peebles at Neidpath Corner, was closed from 02 October for six days to allow repair work to take place on a damaged section of roadside wall.

Other works included trenching and ducting works associated with the installation of permanent traffic lights at Neidpath.

The contractor also installed over 700 metres of new ducting and developed new foundations for the wall repair.

In addition, Scottish Power laid cables for the power supply of the new traffic lights.

WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff signs in at CONNECT110NS

Global engineering professional services consulting firm WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff has become the latest occupier to sign up to CONNECT110NS, a £70 million Grade-A development in Glasgow’s Queen Street, spearheaded by BAM Properties.

Following a merger between WSP and Parsons Brinkerhoff the company is to let 10,544 sq ft of office accommodation on the seventh floor bringing together staff from two existing offices at Seaward Place and Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow.

The company, which has signed a ten year lease, will relocate its team to the seventh floor which it will occupy along with Brodies who have also leased the sixth floor.

Maven opens ibis Styles hotel in Glasgow

Maven Capital Partners has announced the opening of its latest hotel development, an ibis Styles boutique hotel in Glasgow’s Merchant City, following a £7 million redevelopment.

The hotel offers 101 guest rooms and also features a restaurant and bar.