Looking Back at SIMIAN & Construction in 2024

As we near the end of 2024, we are reflecting on what has been a great year for the SIMIAN team and the construction industry as a whole. So what has 2024 held for the construction industry? We take a look back below…

January

SIMIAN started the year off strong by hosting a number of ‘Introduction to Construction’ Workshops in schools throughout the Waltham Forest borough, in partnership with Taylor Wimpey. In their roles as Enterprise Advisors with Local London Careers Hub East, Sara Calvo from SIMIAN and Lisa Beresford from Taylor Wimpey are dedicated to delivering valuable insights and opportunities to young minds, fostering a passion for construction and opening doors to a world of possibilities.

February

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2024, we engaged in a series of enriching activities aimed at nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals in the construction industry. From insightful talks by accomplished SIMIAN apprentices to an immersive “Meet the Employer” event, our initiatives were designed to inspire, educate, and empower aspiring individuals to pursue rewarding careers in construction.

Read about how SIMIAN Celebrated National Apprenticeship Week here.

March

In March, we were delighted to announce the launch of our NEW Flexible Scaffolding Health & Safety Consultancy packages by the industry leaders. Our fixed-fee expert consultancy services provide support and peace of mind by ensuring health and safety compliance, and the right level of risk management. We work with you to safeguard and improve the health, safety and well-being of your employees and others affected by your business’s activities.

Find out more about our consultancy packages here.

April

Congratulations to our very own Cara, on successfully completing her Level 3 AAT qualification, we’re proud to support our staff in their career development!
Well done and good luck with your Level 4.

May

Ofsted Awards Our Apprenticeship Provision with Good: A Remarkable Achievement!

The grading reflects the tireless efforts made by the whole team since the previous Ofsted visit in late 2022, and also showcases the team’s significant professional development during the improvement journey

Speaking of the grading, Simon Hughes, SIMIAN Managing Director, said:  

“The fact that we have been recognised as a ‘good’ apprenticeship provider bears testimony to the efforts and professionalism of the team, and it is an achievement of which they should all be proud. 
The grading cements our position as one of the UK’s leading providers of construction apprenticeships, and we are already implementing additional improvements as we seek to tackle the challenges that are faced by an Independent Training Provider.” 

Read the full details of the Ofsted audit here.

June

In June, NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) published its annual safety report containing statistics and analysis based on 2023 information from its members.

The findings in numbers 

• An increase of 30% in Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) accident rate from NASC contracting members
• The number of incidents rose from 67 in 2022 to 87 in 2023
• The report was based on information from 16,667 scaffolding and access workers
• There have been no fatalities among contracting members of the NASC.
• There have been no accidents reported involving members of the public by contracting members of the NASC.
• NASC currently has 249 contracting members

July

We were pleased to support  Rose System Scaffolding, during there fantastic Safety Stand Down Day in July. Our very own health and safety consultant, Dallas Cooper, presented an annual safety report on Rose System Scaffolding inspections, highlighting the strides they have made in enhancing construction and scaffolding safety. We are pleased to have been their consultancy provider since 2017 and aim to achieve world-class status together.

August

The SIMIAN team grew in August as we welcomed Stephen Robinson as Business Development Manager.  On joining the team, Stephen said “Joining SIMIAN as Business Development Manager for the North West is an incredible opportunity. I’m thrilled to be part of a company that’s so passionate about promoting safety and excellence in the construction and scaffolding sectors. I look forward to building strong relationships with clients across the region, helping them achieve safer, more efficient operations, and contributing to SIMIAN’s continued success and growth.”

September

We were thrilled to announce that SIMIAN partnered with the Department for Education Skills Bootcamps to deliver top-quality, funded CISRS Part 1, CISRS Part 2 and Advanced Scaffolding Courses. This collaboration presents an incredible chance for scaffolders to elevate their skills and advance their careers at a substantially reduced cost.

For full details on the funded places, click here.

We have the funding in place until June 2025, call 0345 6022 418 to take advantage of this fantastic way to upskill your current workforce at a fraction of the price.

October

The SIMIAN team celebrated World Mental Health Day 2024 to raise awareness and encourage conversations about mental health in the workplace. Whether it was chatting with colleagues about the day or having deeper conversations about challenges and mental health, this simple activity served as a reminder of the importance of connection and support in maintaining a healthy mindset.

Read the full blog on SIMIAN celebrating World Mental Health Day here.

November

In November, we were  excited to announce that SIMIAN was expanding its training options with the addition of Level 2 and Level 3 NVQs in Roofing and special introductory pricing until June 2025. These qualifications are specifically designed to equip professionals with the skills, knowledge, and certifications required to excel in the roofing sector. Whether you are a specialist in waterproof membrane systems or slating and tiling, our new NVQs offer robust pathways to career advancement through onsite assessments.

Find our more about our NEW Roofing NVQ’s here.

December

SIMIAN teams from all centres got into the festive spirit whilst supporting a good cause and raising money for Save the Children as part of their national Christmas Jumper Day.

Of course, we’ve only just scratched the surface on what has been a great year for SIMIAN. As we prepare for the festive season, we are busily planning for what is certain to be an equally amazing 2025. With lots of exciting things on the horizon we can’t wait to see what the New Year will bring!