Biggest investment in building technology
Probably the biggest single purchase of construction training equipment made by The Bedford College Group arrived from New Zealand to its new home at the CCMC.
The £300,000 Howick FRAMATM 5600 is a high-tech roll-forming machine that manufactures steel framing by combining software, firmware with hardware, which makes building possible in less time, with more precision and efficiency. As part of the offsite, smart build and MMC movement, the Howick FRAMATM series is driven by accurate computer control and using CAD technology, to turn slit metal coil into steel framing components ready for assembly into frames, trusses, floor cassettes and walls.
Dubbed as the 3-D printer for framing, the Howick technology is being used successfully in the offsite manufacturing sector of the UK construction industry. Having access to such high tech and up to date equipment will mean students and apprentices at the College will get a chance to learn and experience tested industrialised construction to allow them to gain the skills needed for the workplace.
Said Director of Construction David Wilkins: “We are seriously excited to have this sort of equipment at our new specialist Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Centre. Being experienced in the use of this sort of gear will give our students a hard-hat head-start when it comes to employability skills in the modern construction industry.”
On site experience for Adam, 17
Adam Boag, aged 17, from Luton is studying a ‘Level 3 Technical and Professional Construction Extended Diploma’ at Bedford College. He took up the chance to shadow contractors ASHE to see how the old Cauldwell Street building was transformed into the CCMC. He spoke at the official opening on October 20th of the value gained from his training at college and its links with industry.
“Having just entered my second and final year, I am hoping to become a site manager in the construction industry and when ASHE approached the college about the opportunity for students to shadow the site managers, Danny Roberts and Neil Dimond, I was eager to take up the opportunity.
“I’ve always been interested in construction as I grew up in a family which was heavily involved in the industry with my Grandad having his own construction and civil engineering company based in Arlesey, and my Dad working for him for 20 years as a contracts manager. At high school, I took construction as an option for my GCSE’s, and in this I covered the basics for various trades (Bricklaying, Carpentry, Electrics, Plastering and Plumbing) as well as looking at basic health and safety in construction.
“On my first day with ASHE Ian Berrie (Health, Safety & Environmental Manager) gave me a site health and safety induction. This outlined various procedures that must be followed to maintain standards on a construction site, and also at the time, Covid precautions that were present on site. This, as well as many other details about H & S on a construction site were all fresh in my mind as we had recently concluded the health and safety module on my college course.
“Another advantage I had was having an understanding of the foundations and structure of the main workshop extension, as we studied various structure and foundation types in the construction technology module in my course.
“It was very interesting talking with the people working for Retrofit and Cheshire Contracting Limited, the cladding and M&E contractors respectively. Given that M&E systems are a vital part of any project of this nature, it was very useful to be able to grasp a basic understanding of them while on site.
“At the end of each week I spent a day away from the site at Bedford College, on the first I spent all day at ASHE’s head office in Hitchin, with the planning team, quantity surveyors and document control, as well as Andrew Morris, the commercial director of ASHE.
“This exposure to the other roles involved in a project dispelled some misconceptions I had. For example, I thought quantity surveyors spent all their time in an office counting numbers, whereas after speaking at length with Sam Figgins (Quantity Surveyor), I found out that they also spend time on site, liaising with clients and the site manager(s).
“On the second day I sat in on a health and safety meeting Ian Berrie and Martin Petts (Construction & SHE Manager), before Andrew took me to visit the Thornhill Primary school project in Houghton Regis.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at ASHE, all those who I came across were welcoming and more than happy to answer any questions. Having met so many people in varying disciplines furthered my knowledge into their profession and gave me a greater understanding of how everyone’s roles and responsibilities work hand in hand.
“Furthermore, being given the opportunities to see a project from the site-based, office-based and clients’ points of view was fascinating because each has its own challenges and their own ways of resolving them. During my time at ASHE I was shown how problems have to be resolved and how the priorities of a site manager change in an instant, something that has to be witnessed to be truly appreciated, something that can’t be taught in a classroom.”
