WELL, WHERE DID THAT YEAR GO?

Again it’s been a year of mixed fortunes for most members, the recession continues to have a prolonged and devastating effect on our industry but the outlook for 2012 is better with the launch of the Government’s ‘Green Deal‘ next October. With this in mind it is crystal clear that it’s more important than ever to get the greatest share of every job, by extending areas of your expertise.

This is where the FMB Training Department can increase the value of your membership by providing training courses to prepare you for new work under the Green Deal initiative. It is set to have a major impact on the building industry and the Energy Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said recently that the Green Deal “is a massive economic job opportunity which could help Britain’s economy turn the corner.” The move to ‘greener’ buildings is expected to provide a springboard for growth which the building industry badly needs.

The Green Deal therefore creates an opportunity for those firms that invest in training and assessment to demonstrate their competence. These firms will be able to stand out from the rest as more professional and knowledgeable – giving them a competitive edge. In our November 2011 issue, the FMB Head of Training, Hayley Fry said: “FMB Training is working to make sure that members have the right training available to them in good time to gear up for the Green Deal.”

Courses will be available within the next couple of months, to prepare for the Green Deal launch in the autumn. We will keep you posted in Master Builder magazine of course, but if you want more information now, visit the Events section of the website or email: training@fmb.org.uk Tel: 0207 092 3875.

THE MASTER BUILDER OF THE YEAR

One of the highlights of 2011 though was of course, the Master Builder of the Year awards held in London last March. The winner was Northern Ireland builder, David Charleton of FJ Charleton Building Contracts Ltd, for the mightily impressive construction of Scotts on the Rocks, a cliff top glass and zinc home, based at the foot of the highest peak in the Mountains of Mourne. David won a brand new Nissan Light Commercial vehicle of his choice, worth up to £20,000, provided by the principal partner of the Award, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd. and he chose the Nissan Navara (pictured).

After Christmas we will begin the search for the 2012 Master Builder of the Year. The awards present the FMB with the perfect opportunity to promote its members to consumers as the very best builders in Britain. Could you be the next Master Builder of the Year? If you have a project completed between August 2010 and June 2012 you can enter. It makes sound business sense to put a project forward and the benefits can be immense. Aside from the fact that YOU could win a brand new Nissan Light Commercial vehicle of your choice, worth up to £20,000, your client could swan off on a £3,000 holiday. Past winners have without exception reported an increase in workload resulting from increased publicity. That’s what we’re all after isn’t it?!

Just consider all your eligible projects and we will provide you with full entry details in the next issue of Master Builder.
 

A LOVELY NOTE TO END THE YEAR ON

We’d all like to think that we are indispensible – well this letter sent to FMB Director General, Richard Diment is proof that at least one FMB staff member is! It’s from a lady in Birmingham who had been referred to the FMB Midland Office by the Birmingham City Council Trading Standards office. This elderly lady with fragile health had a serious problem with her property and didn’t know how to put it right. She spoke to FMB’s Nikki Ellsmore who patiently got to the bottom of the issue and offered valuable information and a solution to this lady’s problem. Mrs Hall says in her letter that “when someone works hard to deliver the very best service they can it should be incumbent upon the recipient to draw attention to this.” Brilliant – well done Nikki, but of course, it’s all in day’s work for her…