If you are finding yourself at home and with more time on your hands during the COVID-19 lockdown here are 5 home activities that can be done each day to keep you busy and productive with your time. 

Do something creative 

Creativity is a prerequisite for innovation, leads to feelings of accomplishment and pride and can improve your ability to focus. Let your imagination go wild and get your creative juices flowing. Whether it’s journaling your isolation experience, getting creative with your kids’ craft time, doodling, colouring in a mindfulness book, baking, cooking or reaching for the sewing kit. Give yourself permission to create, open your mind and express yourself. 

Get some exercise

Do something to keep you moving each day, be it walking the dog, doing an online workout with your friends or favourite fitness guru. Whatever you choose, keep it fun so it’s something to look forward to. Try not to expect too much of yourself, keep it simple and doable. It could be as simple as dancing around the kitchen whilst making dinner or playing with your kids. Remember, 5 minutes each day is better than just one killer workout a week! 

Expand your knowledge 

With more time on your hands, it’s a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn more about the world around us. Be it deepening your understanding of your industry, learning about different perspectives and cultures or simply studying something that has always intrigued you, expanding your knowledge is a great way to stimulate your mind, improve your memory, expand your vocabulary and find tranquility. There are so many ways to get involved, from reading a book to listening to a podcast, watching a documentary or just doing a crossword. 

Learn a new skill 

What better time to learn that new skill you have always said you would do if you had more time on your hands? With so many youtube videos and apps out there to help you on your journey, seize the opportunity to try something new. Maybe you want to learn a new language, finally learn to play that guitar under the spare bed or pick up some knitting needles and give it a go – learning a new skill is a great way to explore what could be your new favourite hobby! These activities can be done from the comfort of your own home.

Tidy house, tidy mind 

With more time at home, there is both more time to make a mess and more time to tidy it up again! In order to not get overwhelmed, why not break it down into daily tasks. From usual chores like laundry and hoovering to deeper decluttering such as tidying cupboards or sorting through your wardrobe, split up the tasks and do a little each day for an easy win and sense of satisfaction.

The current coronavirus pandemic means that many of us are living in uncertain times and will be working from home for the foreseeable future. 

During this time it is very important to keep your focus and structure. Something that might help you with this is upskilling yourself. It’s a great way to gain skills that will be relevant to the new working world. 

Virtual meetings

Currently, most, if not all meetings, are held virtually using different video conferencing systems. And as this is a great way of saving time and travel costs it might not just be a temporary solution during the pandemic. 

Upskill yourself by getting to grips with different systems that are available, like Zoom, and become a pro at using them.

Make the most of working from home

In another recent blog, we spoke about taking time during quarantine to take a closer look at your CV and obtain some references.

This is something you might not normally find the time for, however, having a good-quality CV is a great way to make an excellent first impression on potential new employers. 

Knowledge gaps

Are there any parts of your job where you feel that you have knowledge gaps? Maybe there are programmes or systems you use on a daily basis and have been meaning to learn more about those but you never had the time to.

There couldn’t be a better time than now to upskill. The internet offers numerous tutorials you can watch and you probably have more time than ever before to try out your newly learned skills. 

Doing this will give you more of a competitive edge and provides you with a great selling point during interviews once we get past the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll be able to prove your fortitude and show that you are always looking to develop further.

As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing and maintaining educational provision.

And the most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible. They have asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

Guidance for schools

It is important to underline that schools, all childcare settings (including early years settings, childminders and providers of childcare for school-age children), colleges and other educational establishments, remain safe places for children. But the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.

Schools, and all childcare providers, are therefore being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children. This includes those who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response.

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs. This includes those on child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children. Plus, those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

We know that schools will also want to support other children facing social difficulties. Therefore, we will support headteachers to do so.

Guidance for parents

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care. Plus, other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Please, therefore, follow these key principles:

  1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
  2. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
  3. Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
  4. Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
  5. Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision:

(For the full list of affected sectors visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Public safety and national security

This includes:

  • Police and support staff
  • Ministry of Defence civilians, contractors and armed forces personnel
  • Those critical to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs (essential to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic)
  • Fire and rescue service employees (including support staff)
  • National Crime Agency staff, those maintaining border security, prison and probation staff
  • Other national security roles, including those overseas.

Transport

This includes those who will keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response including those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.

Utilities, communication and financial services

  • Staff needed for essential financial services provision
  • Workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure)
  • The oil, gas, electricity and water sectors (including sewerage)
  • Information technology and data infrastructure sector and primary industry supplies to continue during the COVID-19 response
  • Key staff working in the civil nuclear, chemicals, telecommunications
  • Network operations, field engineering, call centre staff, IT and data infrastructure, 999 and 111 critical services
  • Postal services and delivery, payments providers and waste disposal sectors.

If workers think they fall within the critical categories above, they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.

If your school is closed, then please contact your local authority, who will seek to redirect you to a local school in your area that your child, or children, can attend.

We are grateful for the work of teachers and workers in educational settings for continuing to provide for the children of the other critical workers of our country. It is an essential part of our national effort to combat this disease.

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

They are to:

  • Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
  • Avoid non-essential use of public transport when possible
  • Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information
  • Avoid large and small gatherings in public spaces, noting that pubs, restaurants, leisure centres, and similar venues are currently shut as infections spread easily in closed spaces where people gather
  • Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
  • Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is practicable.

We strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you:

  • Are over 70
  • Have an underlying health condition
  • Are pregnant

This advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.

This guidance is lifted from the gov.uk website and is for everyone, including children. It advises on social distancing measures we should all be taking to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). It is intended for use in situations where people are living in their own homes, with or without additional support from friends, family and carers. If you live in a residential care setting guidance is available.

Read more: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

At tough times like these, it’s important to look after your mental wellbeing, especially during social distancing and isolation. Understandably, you may find that social distancing can be boring or frustrating. You may find your mood and feelings are affected and you may feel low, worried or have problems sleeping and you might miss being outside with other people.

It can be easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour which in turn can make you feel worse. There are simple things you can do that may help to look after your mental wellbeing during social distancing. In addition, staying mentally and physically active during this time such as:

  • Look for exercises you can do at home on the NHS website
  • Spend time doing things you enjoy – this might include reading, cooking, other indoor hobbies or listening to the radio or watching TV programmes
  • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water and try to avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs
  • Keep your windows open to let in fresh air, get some natural sunlight if you can, or get outside into the garden
  • You can also go for a walk or exercise outdoors if you stay more than 2 metres from others

Understandably a key factor to support positive mental health is spending time with friends and family. 

What steps can you take to stay connected with family and friends during this time?

Draw on the support you might have through your friends, family and other networks during this time. Try to stay in touch with those around you over the phone, by post, or online. Let people know how you would like to stay in touch and build that into your routine. This is also important in looking after your mental wellbeing and you may find it helpful to talk to them about how you are feeling.

Remember it is OK to share your concerns with others you trust and in doing so you may end up providing support to them too. Or you can use an NHS recommended helpline.

Read more: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

While all interviews and interviewers are different, there are some common questions that are asked frequently. This is to find out more about the candidate and how they deal with certain situations. We’ve compiled a list of some of those questions and some guidance on how to answer them.

You can read more of our interview tips in our Advance Advice section.

Tell me about yourself

Some interviewers will start the conversation by giving a little insight into the business. They will then most likely ask you to tell them a little bit about yourself.

Give them a quick summary of who you are and what you have been doing. In addition, some insight on any experience you’ve had which is relevant to the job. It’s a great point in the interview to mention your top achievements and why you think you’d be perfect for the role.

The interviewer won’t want to hear your life story or your family history here. Make sure to talk about experience relevant to the position instead. 

Why are you looking to leave your current role?

With this common interview question, you should consider how you word your answer. Here, it is important not to talk negatively about your current employer. Focus on mentioning that you are looking for new challenges. You could even highlight aspects of the job you are interviewing for which aren’t available with your current employer.

Tell me about a tricky situation you have dealt with and how you solved it

When being asked this kind of question, the interviewers want to find out more about your negotiating skills or potential clashes with colleagues. The best way to approach this question is to explain the situation, how you resolved it and what the outcome was.

Try to steer clear of describing a situation where you caused conflict. This might give the impression that you are a trouble-maker and might not be a good fit for their team.

What are your weaknesses

Being asked this question can be quite daunting and we have recently dedicated a blog post to it which you can read here.

Talk about something you know isn’t your strongest point but which you are working on, for example, your presentation skills. This is something you can get training on and will be the kind of answer the interviewer is looking for.

The salary question

Don’t undersell yourself here and say to the interviewer that whatever they think will be great. 

A lot of job adverts will include a salary band and if this isn’t the case, you can take a look at similar roles and get a good idea of an appropriate salary from those. 

You can then justify what you are asking for by mentioning relevant knowledge and experience you will bring to the team.

Do you have any questions

Avoid asking about working hours and holidays here but instead, ask something about the business. Something you might have read about and you’d like to find out more. Maybe there is a new product or service they are launching which you can ask about. That also shows the interviewer that you have done your research on the company. 

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? 

Advance TRS is growing quickly and we are always looking for ambitious, driven people to join the team. If you are interested to find out more about our current opportunities, visit our website

Or, for a discrete conversation, contact Jess Wells our Talent Acquisition Manager.

The latest news this week in the Water Industry:

RSE completes acquisition of Aciem

RSE (Ross-Shire Engineering) has consolidated its position as a leading specialist water treatment and clean energy solution provider by completing the acquisition of Aciem Ltd. Read more…

Yorkshire Water invests £2.5 million in proactive sewer health checks

Yorkshire Water has been carrying out proactive health checks on the sewers in parts of Leeds to help reduce the risk of sewer flooding. Read more…

Amey Utilities to rollout TrenchGrid solution across its contracts

Following an exhaustive judging process, Amey’s Utilities business, in partnership with Oxford Plastics, has announced the overall winner of its 2020 Challenge to leave no street work excavations left uncovered overnight by 2020. Read more…

Severn Trent appoints new Director of Strategy and Regulation

Water and waste company Severn Trent has announced that Shane Anderson is to replace Tony Ballance as its Director of Strategy and Regulation. Read more…

Scottish Water to trial cutting edge technology to produce hydrogen and oxygen from wastewater

Scottish Water is investigating a possible trial of cutting-edge energy recovery technology which has the potential to help the company achieve net-zero targets by 2040. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

BAM Construct names new H&S director

BAM Construct has promoted Mark Lockwood to director of health and safety. Read more…

BAM wins place on Birmingham Uni construction framework

BAM Construction has been appointed to a new 10-year construction framework by the University of Birmingham. Read more…

Galliford Try bags £65m haul of education work

Galliford Try’s Building business has secured contracts worth £65m and a major framework place in the education sector. Read more…

BAM confirmed for £350m Leeds Temple scheme

Developer CEG has confirmed a deal with BAM Construction to deliver the first phase of its £350m development at Globe Road in Leeds. Read more…

Morgan Sindall wins £29m Milton Keynes school

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties office has been selected to deliver a new £29m ‘all-through’ school in Wavendon, Milton Keynes. Read more…

BAM wins £60m London mental health care centre

BAM Construction has secured the job to build a mental health inpatient facility in Highgate, North London. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Siemens Mobility announces Goole apprenticeships

The first jobs at Siemens Mobility’s Goole train building factory have been announced as 12 apprenticeships. Read more…

HS2 work uncovers Curzon Street roundhouse

Archaeologists working on HS2 in Birmingham have uncovered the remains of what is believed to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse at Curzon Street station. Read more…

Seven bridges face renewal in major rail project

Confirmation has come from Network Rail that a £10M plan to update rail in Somerset will take place over the next two weeks. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Balfour Beatty wins £63m contract to upgrade the A19

Balfour Beatty has secured a £63m contract on behalf of Highways England to develop, design and deliver much-needed dual carriageway upgrades on the A19 between Norton and Wynyard. Read more…

Midlands contractor wins place on £500m higher education framework

G F Tomlinson has been selected as a key contractor on the new £500m 10-year construction framework, focusing on improving higher education facilities in the West Midlands. Read more…

Morgan Sindall gets go-ahead for Salford Uni science block

Morgan Sindall has got the planning green light for a new science block for Salford University. Read more…

Willmott Dixon secures £18m blue light contracts

Willmott Dixon has secured another blue light contract, as its interiors arm secures projects worth £18m to refurbish existing Metropolitan Police stations in Peckham, Ilford, Colindale and Brixton. Read more…

Budget delivers ‘largest ever’ strategic road investment worth £27bn

Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced a £27bn fund for the Strategic Road Network in this year’s Budget. He also confirmed that the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel will go ahead. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

CapitaLand acquires prime freehold Arlington Business Park for £129m

CapitaLand has agreed to acquire a prime freehold business park in the UK for £129.3m. Read more…

Higgins JV to start 333-home Ealing scheme

A2Dominion and Higgins have formed a joint venture vehicle to deliver a major housing scheme in Ealing, West London. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water Industry:

Thames Water tenders £22m+ reservoirs repair and maintenance services contract

Thames Water has gone out to tender with a contract for reservoirs repair and maintenance services worth an estimated £22.08 million. Read more…

Scottish Water unveils plans for new £21m waste water treatment works for Winchburgh

Scottish Water has unveiled plans for a new £21 million state-of-the-art Waste Water Treatment Works upgrade in Winchburgh. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Turner & Townsend take on Sydney Metro West role

Management specialist Turner & Townsend has been appointed to provide project management office (PMO) services on Sydney’s Metro West scheme. Read more…

Alstom’s world-first hydrogen train completes tests in the Netherlands

After ten days of successful tests, Alstom’s Coradia iLint train ran 65 kilometres of line between Groningen and Leeuwarden in the northern area of the Netherlands. Read more…

Birmingham HS2 Interchange build begins

Preparatory work is almost complete on the site of HS2’s new Interchange station that will serve Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Birmingham International. Major structures have started to arrive ahead of construction. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

As you may be aware, the Advance TRS team has taken on the challenge of walking 10k steps a day throughout March again this year. We’re excited to raise money for Surrey-based mental health charity Oakleaf. Team members are asked to donate money for each day they don’t reach the 10k steps target. At Advance TRS raising money for charity, taking on personal challenges and fundraising activities to advance others has been a core founding principle.

You can read more about the challenge in last week’s blog post.

It is well-known that besides the physical benefits, getting up and moving also has a big impact on our mental well-being.

Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety

You don’t have to go on hour-long hikes. Going for a 30-minute walk each day can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The same can be said for stress. If you’ve had a busy day at work, going for a wander afterwards might help to clear your head.

Better sleep and improved mood

Going for regular walks will help you sleep better and leave you with higher energy levels throughout the day. The endorphins released into your body during a walk can help to improve your mood and make you feel happier.

Better memory

Daily walks also have a positive effect on your memory and your mind, cutting the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by around 45%.

Other health benefits associated with walking

Going for regular walks can drastically lower your risk of having strokes or developing heart disease or diabetes and can even add a couple of years to your life. 

Even getting in a few minutes of walking each day, whether it’s during your lunch break, before or after work or with a friend on a day off will greatly benefit your health and mental wellbeing. Time to get up and start moving! 

If you’d like to help us reach our target, you can make a donation to Oakleaf here.

At Advance TRS, we understand that reducing work-related stress can be hugely beneficial to all. We take our obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees seriously. Our comprehensive wellness programme and mental health awareness training have recently been recognised as Advance TRS were shortlisted as finalists in the Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing category in the Solent Business Awards 2019.

Follow Advance TRS charity and fundraising activities on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

For the latest news and take a look at our Advance Advice on Mental Health in the workplace for further information.

#ATRS10KCHALLENGE

Each year our team take on a 10k steps a day challenge throughout March to raise money for charity. This year we are delighted to raise money for Surrey-based Mental Health Charity, Oakleaf.

The annual challenge is a great opportunity for our team to kick-start getting out and about and moving ahead of the nicer summer months.

At Advance TRS, we prioritise the mental wellbeing of our staff. To provide the first point of contact when needed, we have appointed qualified Mental Health First Aiders. We also offer a Wellbeing Hub, where confidential support via an EAP helpline can be accessed at any time. These are only some of the steps we have taken and we continue to improve our mental health awareness.

As part of our commitment to reducing the stigma against mental ill-health, we are delighted to champion Oakleaf for this year’s 10k steps a day challenge.

You can donate to our fundraising effort here. Any contribution is much appreciated!

The charity

Oakleaf is a Surrey-based mental health charity which also works as a social enterprise to provide vocational training for those suffering from mental health issues.

Oakleaf Enterprise was registered as a charity in 1997 and has since then worked hard to benefit people in need. Their main focus is delivering vocational training and work experience in upholstery, horticulture and IT, enabling clients to gain new skills, as the first step on their return to the workplace.

Some of our team members took part in a firewalk to raise money and support Oakleaf last year. Read about it here.

About mental health

Mental health problems can present in a wide variety of ways and out of Guildford, Waverley and Woking’s 214,900 population of 18 to 64-year-olds, it is estimated that 19,242 people suffer mixed depression and anxiety.

Overall, one in four people suffers from anxiety and stress which can have a considerable impact on their work life. Recognising problems early and implementing initiatives to support staff and colleagues will be of real benefit to them.

At Advance TRS, we understand that reducing work-related stress can be hugely beneficial to all. We take our obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees seriously. Our comprehensive wellness programme and mental health awareness training have recently been recognised as Advance TRS were shortlisted as finalists in the Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing category in the Solent Business Awards 2019.

Follow our fundraising activities on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn for the latest news and take a look at our Advance Advice on Mental Health in the workplace for further information.

#ATRS10KCHALLENGE

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail invests over £100m to upgrade network over Easter

Network Rail is encouraging passengers to check and plan their journeys in advance over Easter this year due to planned improvement works. Read more…

‘Changing’ CrossCountry appoints regional directors

CrossCountry has announced the appointment of four regional directors with responsibility for operational and financial performance at the franchise, which is held by Arriva under a directly-awarded contract that currently runs to October 2020. Read more…

DfT greenlights ‘high quality’ Crossrail 2 business case

The Department for Transport (DfT) has rubber stamped the business case for Crossrail 2, which includes a funding update and a plan to avoid delays. Read more…

HS2 West Midlands-Crewe link takes next step

A motion has been agreed in the House of Commons on the HS2 link between the West Midlands and Crewe. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Balfour Beatty wins design for major M58 link road

Balfour Beatty has secured the job to provide key designs for a major link road in Wigan Borough. Read more…

Willmott Dixon confirmed for Stockport interchange

Willmott Dixon has been confirmed for the job to transform Stockport’s bus station into a modern transport interchange. Read more…

More women needed in construction

With the construction sector set to create almost two million new jobs by 2021, Inland Homes’ Group Procurement Assistant Manager, Lynsey Allen, explains why more needs to be done to encourage more women to consider this industry as an exciting career opportunity. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Work begins on £450M West Midlands metro extension

The Midlands Metro Alliance has started work on the £450M, 11km long metro extension between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill. Read more…

Masterton takes over HS2’s assurance panel

Former ICE President Gordon Masterton has been appointed chair of the Independent Assurance Panel (IAP) for High Speed 2, which peer reviews and provides procurement advice to the railway builder. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Balfour Beatty to complete Leeds highway expansion

Balfour Beatty will work on phases 3a and 3b of the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR), which are expected to cost £80M. Read more…

Willmott Dixon on call for £21m fire station

Willmott Dixon is lined-up to build a new £21m fire service learning and development centre and 24-hour fire station at Highwood Mill, near Horsham. Read more…

Construction nearly double size of official figures

The construction industry is nearly double the scale and importance to the UK economy than recorded in official figures. Read more…

Siemens unveils design for £200 million Goole factory

Impressions of the £200 million Siemens factory at Goole have been released after more plans were submitted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

A question that is often asked during interviews and that can be difficult to answer: what are your weaknesses? This blog is dedicated to exactly this question, to give you some guidance on how to answer it professionally. 

Firstly, remember that there is no “one size fits all” approach to answering this question. We suggest you find the way that works best for you. When you prepare for the interview, sit down and tailor the answer to yourself. 

For more interview tips and other useful guides, take a look at our Advance Advice section.

Where to start

A good way to start is to describe your weakness to the interviewer(s). For example, you could start by saying “My big weakness is sometimes doubting my work.”

You don’t want to eliminate yourself from the race by mentioning something too negative. However, you also want to show that you’re human, and nobody’s perfect. 

Put it into context

This will help the interviewers understand why you perceive this particular habit to be a weakness of yours. You can also demonstrate whether or how it affects your daily work. So using the above-described example of a weakness, you could say “I hold myself and my work to a high standard and want to make sure that everything is done right. Sometimes this means that I don’t come forward with an idea or that I take more time to finish a task I have been working on.”

Your learnings 

Lastly, explain to the interviewer how you are dealing with this weakness and what you might have learnt from it. In the above example, it might be that you’re working on worrying less and voicing your ideas more often, while still putting a focus on delivering high-quality work.

If you go into the interview prepared, having come up with a suitable answer for you, then you have nothing to worry about. Remember that the main focus for the interviewers is to find out whether your skill set and personality are the right fit for their team. 

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? 

Advance TRS is growing quickly and we are always looking for ambitious, driven people to join the team. If you are interested to find out more about our current opportunities, visit our website or for a discrete conversation, contact Jessica Wells, Talent Acquisition Manager.

The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

New minister for HS2 named

Lancashire MP Andrew Stephenson has been appointed as minister for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. Read more…

Winvic to construct £47.3m PRS scheme in Milton Keynes

Winvic Construction has been appointed by Packaged Living to construct a £47.3m Private Rented Sector (PRS) scheme in the heart of Milton Keynes. Read more…

Morgan Sindall profit jumps as revenue tops £3bn

Morgan Sindall is predicting another strong year of growth driven by construction and partnership housing after it unveiled a positive set of results for last year. Read more…

Anglian Water partners with WaterStart

Anglian Water has become the first water company in Europe to join US-based, water innovation organisation, WaterStart. Read more…

Summer start for 350-flat Nottingham scheme

Plans to build nearly 350 private rental flats on a car park next to Nottingham Railway Station have secured funding. Read more…

Network Rail launches £200M framework

Network Rail has begun the search for contractors to work on the rail network in southern England as part of a new £200M framework. Read more…

Martin appointed as new regulation director at South East Water

South East Water has appointed Oliver Martin as its new regulation and strategy director. Read more…

Skanska secures £240m commercial building contract in London

Skanska has secured a £240m commercial building contract to construct 20 Ropemaker Street in Central London for Great Elm Assets Limited. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Alstom to take over Bombardier

Alstom, French multinational company who operate worldwide in rail transport markets, are set to take over Canadian train producer Bombardier. Read more…

New minister for HS2 named

Lancashire MP Andrew Stephenson has been appointed as minister for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. Read more…

HS2’s latest designs for Old Oak Common Station revealed

HS2 Ltd revealed on 19th Feb designs for Old Oak Common Station, as part of the Schedule 17 submission to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). Read more…

Network Rail launches £200M framework

Network Rail has begun the search for contractors to work on the rail network in southern England as part of a new £200M framework. Read more…

New structure replaces 129-year-old Dorset bridge

Network Rail has finished building the new Yetminister rail bridge in Dorset. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Higgins to deliver affordable homes at former Shredded Wheat Factory

Higgins has secured a £44m contract to deliver affordable homes at the former Shredded Wheat Factory in Hertfordshire. Read more…

Summer start for 350-flat Nottingham scheme

Plans to build nearly 350 private rental flats on a car park next to Nottingham Railway Station have secured funding. Read more…

Southern Housing Group to develop 488 new homes in London

Southern Housing Group has signed up to six new southeast and London development sites, which will add 488 new homes to its pipeline. Read more…

Winvic to construct £47.3m PRS scheme in Milton Keynes

Winvic Construction has been appointed by Packaged Living to construct a £47.3m Private Rented Sector (PRS) scheme in the heart of Milton Keynes. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Skanska secures £240m commercial building contract in London

Skanska has secured a £240m commercial building contract to construct 20 Ropemaker Street in Central London for Great Elm Assets Limited. Read more…

Winners revealed on £1bn Welsh regional framework

Kier, Willmott Dixon, Interserve, Bam, Vinci and Welsh construction firm Andrew Scott are among the firms to have landed a place on the £1bn South West Wales regional contractors framework. Read more…

Transport infrastructure dominates infrastructure construction

Transport infrastructure continues to dominate infrastructure sector construction with around 57% of total output for 2019. Read more…

Morgan Sindall profit jumps as revenue tops £3bn

Morgan Sindall is predicting another strong year of growth driven by construction and partnership housing after it unveiled a positive set of results for last year. Read more…

Laing O’Rourke to deliver Everton FC’s £550m new stadium

Laing O’Rourke has been chosen by Everton Football Club to deliver its new 52,000-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on Liverpool’s waterfront. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Water Industry:

Yorkshire Water tenders £800m AMP7 clean water network contract

Yorkshire Water has gone out to tender with five new Lots as part of an £800 million clean water network reactive repair and maintenance contract which will help transform its processes and lead to greater customer experience. Read more…

Retail water market – Manchester City Council tenders £30m contract

Manchester City Council has gone out to with a framework contract measured and unmeasured water charges potentially worth up to £30 million in total. Read more…

Scottish Water tenders £160m motor control centre and systems integration contract

Scottish Water has gone out to tender with a major contract for the survey, design, manufacture, systems integration, testing, delivery, installation and commissioning of low voltage motor control centres worth an estimated £160 million in total. Read more…

British Water commits to improving gender equality

British Water has committed to increasing the number of women on its non-executive board and has urged the rest of the industry to follow its lead. Read more…

Martin appointed as new regulation director at South East Water

South East Water has appointed Oliver Martin as its new regulation and strategy director. Read more…

Anglian Water partners with WaterStart

Anglian Water has become the first water company in Europe to join US-based, water innovation organisation, WaterStart. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Is there a commercial property boom on the horizon?

According to a new study from finance specialist, Together, small and medium-sized businesses are set to drive a commercial property boom in the next two years as they move or extend their existing site for additional staff and equipment. Read more…

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Many of us spend a big chunk of our workdays at a desk. So it might not come as a surprise that your workspace can make a big difference to your motivation and productivity. A tidy desk can equal a clear mind and help you work more efficiently. We’ve collated some tips to help you improve your workplace.

Plants

Having plants around you won’t just give your workspace a nicer look and feel, they also help to keep the air fresher and cleaner. 

Desks and chairs – quality counts

We spend big chunks of our days sitting at desks. This can have a significant impact on your posture and general wellbeing. A desk that allows you to adjust its height, so you can either stand or sit down while working can make a real difference to your health and productivity.

It is also worth investing in chairs that support the back and enable an ideal sitting position. 

Bright and breezy

It’s also a good idea to keep the office light and bright, using lighter shades for your walls instead of dark colours. The odd splash of colour here and there will give it a great look. 

Utilise and maximise natural daylight wherever you can as this, too, will help with productivity. 

Offer storage options

A cluttered desk means more distractions and can impact your productivity and concentration. Having storage options where you can put paperwork and utensils will keep your desk much tidier and in turn, help to stay focused. 

We hope these points give you some inspiration for improvements you might have been wanting to make to your own workspace!

Are you looking to take the next step in your career?

If you’re a driven and ambitious individual and you’re currently looking to take the next step in your career then we’d love to hear from you. 

Advance TRS is growing quickly, so we are always looking for new people to join the team. If you are interested to find out more about our current opportunities, visit our website or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

£430M Cornwall road scheme approved

Planning permission has been granted for the £430M A30 Chiverton to Carland Crossroad scheme in Cornwall. Read more…

Kier confirmed for £15m Spen Valley leisure centre

Kier has been appointed by Kirklees Council to deliver a £15m leisure centre in Liversedge, West Yorkshire. Read more…

20th Serpentine Pavilion to be built from construction waste

Johannesburg-based architects Counterspace, directed by the all-woman team of Sumayya Vally, Sarah de Villiers and Amina Kaskar, has been selected to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2020. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Water Industry:

Thames Water cuts waste costs by recycling invasive wetlands mussels

More than 35 tonnes of quagga and zebra mussel shells, which are found in huge numbers and cost millions of pounds to remove, were crushed and used to create four new tern rafts during a conservation project at the award-winning Walthamstow Wetlands in North London. Read more…

Anglian Water completes £36m investment in largest water filtration system in Europe

Friday 7th February marked the official opening of Anglian Water’s new state of the art filtration system at its Water Treatment Works in Norwich – the £36 million scheme is the largest of its kind in Europe. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

HS2: Government to give high-speed rail line the go-ahead

The government is set to approve the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project. Read more…

Transport for the South East welcomes new partners

Network Rail, Highways England and Transport for London (TfL) have agreed to join the board for Transport for the South East, whilst working together with civic and business leaders representing more than 7.5m people and 300,000 businesses to form investment plans for the South East’s transport network. Read more…

Atkins wins rail role on Germany-Denmark tunnel

Atkins has secured a contract to provide consultancy services for the 18km Fehmarnbelt link between Denmark and Germany. Read more…

Network Rail awards five-year term to Jacobs for Design Services

Network Rail has awarded places on four Lots to Jacobs for their prestigious Design Services Framework (DSF), to deliver multi-disciplinary technical and professional services, including geotechnical, civils and structures capability. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Balfour Beatty unveils new southern construction boss

Balfour Beatty has confirmed the appointment of Beth West as Managing Director of its regional construction business in the South of England. Read more…

Anglian Water invests £8 million to improve resilience for Northampton

Anglian Water will start work this month on an £8 million scheme to install a new pumping station at its existing water treatment site in Pitsford, Northamptonshire. Read more…

Amey teams up with University for railway engineering apprenticeship

Amey Consulting has teamed up with Sheffield Hallam University to deliver a trailblazing Railway Engineering degree apprenticeship scheme to help attract new talent into the railway industry. Read more…

Barratt has built 793 homes in Bristol in 12 months

Barratt Developments has built 793 homes in the Bristol region in the last 12 months, and brought more than £47m to local communities. Read more…

Builders’ Conference reports 33% rise in monthly orders

The value of new UK construction contracts signed in January 2020 rose by a whopping 33% year-on-year, according to latest market intelligence. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Blueground launches first properties in London

Real estate technology company Blueground has launched its first collection of furnished apartments in London. Read more…

Barratt has built 793 homes in Bristol in 12 months

Barratt Developments has built 793 homes in the Bristol region in the last 12 months, and brought more than £47m to local communities. Read more…

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While there are some definite parallels between sales and recruitment roles, if you’re a skilled salesperson there are many reasons why you might want to consider becoming a recruitment consultant. Take a look at some of them below. Could a career move be on the cards for you? 

Transferable skillset

As a salesperson, you’ll probably have learnt to deal with rejection, acquired some good negotiating skills and are used to picking up the phone to speak to strangers for a large portion of your day. All of these are deemed some of the most difficult aspects of recruitment, and as you’re familiar with them already, you’ll be able to hit the ground running!

Uncapped commission

Due to the uncapped commission structures in most recruitment businesses, the sky really is the limit here in terms of earnings. The more people you place, the more you bill and the more you will take home at the end of the month. What’s not to like?!

Career progression

If you’re a driven and hard-working individual, you’ll be able to progress quickly in recruitment, with potential to move from Resourcer to Principal Consultant in a comparatively short space of time. You’ll play an active role in the company’s success and might soon be a team leader yourself. An opportunity you won’t want to miss out on!

The focus is on people

If you enjoy working with people then you will enjoy a role in recruitment. You’ll speak to people for most of your working day, building relationships and with those, your network. If someone has had a great experience being placed in their ideal job by you, they’re likely to stay in contact and reach out to you again once they’re looking to make their next career move. 

These are just some of the reasons for considering a move from sales to recruitment. If you think you’ve got what it takes to become the next recruitment superstar and you’re driven and ambitious, then we want to hear from you! 

Advance TRS is growing quickly, so we are always looking for new people to join the team. If you are interested to find out more about our current opportunities, visit our website or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Rail revitalisation | Potential of Shapps’ £500M fund

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has set aside £500M to reopen disused rail lines and stations. So what is the history behind these abandoned lines – and what precedent has been set for their revitalisation? Read more…

Amey teams up with University for railway engineering apprenticeship

Amey Consulting has teamed up with Sheffield Hallam University to deliver a trailblazing Railway Engineering degree apprenticeship scheme to help attract new talent into the railway industry. Read more…

Scotland set for £1.26bn of rail investment

The Scottish Government has published its budget for 2020/21, revealing a “bold and ambitious programme” to develop the country’s infrastructure. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Winners unveiled for £500m University of Birmingham deal

The University of Birmingham has confirmed winners of its framework deals to deliver at least £500m of investment over the next ten years. Read more…

Go-ahead for 15-storey City Quarters hotel in Leeds

Leeds City Council has given the go-ahead to Hammerson’s plans for a new 205-bed hotel at its City Quarters concept. Read more…

Balfour Beatty unveils new southern construction boss

Balfour Beatty has confirmed the appointment of Beth West as Managing Director of its regional construction business in the South of England. Read more…

Builders’ Conference reports 33% rise in monthly orders

The value of new UK construction contracts signed in January 2020 rose by a whopping 33% year-on-year, according to latest market intelligence. Read more…

£1.5bn A14 upgrade complete over half a year early

The £1.5bn A14 road scheme to improve journeys between the East of England and the Midlands has been completed more than half a year early. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Kier bags £21m Bradford Markets project

Bradford Council has named Kier as its preferred bidder to deliver one of Bradford’s biggest regeneration projects. Read more…

Thames Water recognised for commitment to LGBT+ staff

Thames Water has rocketed more than 100 places up the charity Stonewall’s workplace equality index in recognition of its commitment to LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace. Read more…

£500m promised by Government to restore historic rail lines

Remote communities across the country will see the benefit from better rail connections, set to advance regional economies and boost access to jobs and education, following a £500m fund to kickstart the restoration of lines closed over 50 years ago. Read more…

FBM Architects given go ahead for 30 homes in Lambeth

FBM Architects have secured planning consent for 30 homes across two sites within the Ashmole Estate in Lambeth, London, for housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley. Read more…

Low-carbon concrete used on M25 in UK first

“Ultra-low carbon concrete” has been used on a motorway project in the UK for the first time. Read more…

Amey appoints new Managing Director for Utilities

Leading public service provider Amey has announced the appointment of two new Managing Directors to its Executive Team, following the appointment of its new CEO, Amanda Fisher, in December 2019. Read more…

Avanti West Coast model train set to be auctioned for children’s charity

To raise money for children’s charity, Action for Children, the very first Hornby Avanti West Coast Pendolino is set to be auctioned off and expected to raise hundreds of pounds. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

FBM Architects given go ahead for 30 homes in Lambeth

FBM Architects have secured planning consent for 30 homes across two sites within the Ashmole Estate in Lambeth, London, for housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley. Read more…

Calls for ‘more ambitious’ green housing goals

A government consultation is looking to set out a ‘Future Homes Standard’ for residential developments in a bid to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions from housing. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Race starts for £570m Birmingham HS2 station

HS2 has fired the starting gun on bidding for Birmingham’s landmark Curzon Street station. Read more…

£500m promised by Government to restore historic rail lines

Remote communities across the country will see the benefit from better rail connections, set to advance regional economies and boost access to jobs and education, following a £500m fund to kickstart the restoration of lines closed over 50 years ago. Read more…

Bid submitted for £100m Darlington station regeneration

Tees Valley Combined Authority has submitted a bid to government for the funds needed to ‘dramatically overhaul’ Darlington railway station. Read more…

Avanti West Coast model train set to be auctioned for children’s charity

To raise money for children’s charity, Action for Children, the very first Hornby Avanti West Coast Pendolino is set to be auctioned off and expected to raise hundreds of pounds. Read more…

Two new stations lined up for central section of East West Rail

The preferred route for the central section of the East West Rail line has been revealed, with plans to build two new stations. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Water Industry:

Severn Trent recognised for gender equality

Severn Trent has been recognised for its gender equality after being included in Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index (GEI). Read more…

Amey appoints new Managing Director for Utilities

Leading public service provider Amey has announced the appointment of two new Managing Directors to its Executive Team, following the appointment of its new CEO, Amanda Fisher, in December 2019. Read more…

Anglian Water contracting arm Alpheus scores major contract win

Leading solutions provider in the water sector, Alpheus Environmental, has had another major contract win working with Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain. Read more…

Anglian’s flow reversal scheme activated for first time

Anglian Water has successfully put its £28 million Grafham resilience scheme into operation for the first time. Read more…

Wessex Water helping Bath Half go plastic free

Wessex Water will supply fresh tap water to Bath Half Marathon runners. Read more…

Severn Trent Water tenders £20m AMP sewage screens framework contract

Severn Trent Water has gone out with a contract for inlet screens, screen handling services and parts worth an estimated £20 million. Read more…

Thames Water recognised for commitment to LGBT+ staff

Thames Water has rocketed more than 100 places up the charity Stonewall’s workplace equality index in recognition of its commitment to LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

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The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Plans submitted for £14m housing scheme in Durham

Proposals for a new £14m housing scheme on the outskirts of a county Durham village have been submitted for consent. Read more…

Kier secures network delivery works contract on ONSA framework

Kier has won a multi-million pound Openreach Network Services Agreement (ONSA) contract to carry out network delivery works across Hampshire and Berkshire. Read more…

Kier bags £21m Bradford Markets project

Bradford Council has named Kier as its preferred bidder to deliver one of Bradford’s biggest regeneration projects. Read more…

Low-carbon concrete used on M25 in UK first

“Ultra-low carbon concrete” has been used on a motorway project in the UK for the first time. Read more…

Wildgoose names new construction chief

Derbyshire-based Wildgoose Construction has promoted Andrew Tilford to become managing director of construction. Read more…

Birmingham’s £165m Soho Wharf scheme approved

Plans to build more than 750 homes on a derelict site on Birmingham’s Main Line Canal have been approved by Birmingham City Council. Read more…

First Birmingham City Quarters scheme gets the go-ahead

Developer Hammerson has been granted resolution on its outline planning application for a 7.5-acre mixed-use masterplan for Martineau Galleries in Birmingham. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

RICS delivering better fire safety with new UN backed global standard

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has collaborated with a coalition of over 70 international organisations to develop a new fire safety global standard. Read more…

UK Board strengthened with new appointments

The start of 2020 has seen a strengthening of the RICS UK Board, with the appointments of both Anthea Harries and Anthony Walker. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Water Industry:

Morrison Utility Services wins more AMP7 contracts with Yorkshire Water

Morrison Utility Services (MUS), is continuing to strengthen its long-term relationship with Yorkshire Water after being awarded two new contracts on its Programme Delivery works, in addition to the five-year civils framework contract awarded in 2019. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Laing O’Rourke to build Gary Neville’s £200m tower scheme

Footballer turned property tycoon Gary Neville has named Laing O’Rourke as construction partner for his £200m St Michael’s hotel, flats and office scheme in Manchester. Read more…

Three contractors shortlisted for £135m Meridian Water infrastructure

BAM Nuttall, VINCI Construction UK, and VolkerFitzpatrick have been shortlisted to tender the infrastructure projects to support the construction of 10,000 homes at Enfield Council’s £6bn Meridian Water development. Read more…

Willmott Dixon wins £20m Humberside police force development

Willmott Dixon has been chosen by Humberside Police Force and developer Wykeland Group to construct a £20m operational support building to house a 500-strong police force. Read more…

Kier wins seven lots on Hyde’s main framework

Kier has been appointed to seven lots on the Hyde main framework development, which will see the construction of around 11,000 new homes. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail unveils plan to protect South West rail line

Network Rail has unveiled an updated plan to protect rail lines in the South West from cliff falls, landslips and the sea. Read more…

Birmingham tram extension approved

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has approved plans for the delayed Eastside extension to the West Midland Metro tramway. Read more…

Plans for £22M Leeds station submitted

ADP Architects have submitted plans for a £22M station to open in the south-west of Leeds, called White Rose Rail Station. Read more…

New tech-enabled trains are putting passengers in control

This year, nine operators are introducing new and upgraded trains with better technology on board, which are part of the industry’s commitment to replace half of Britain’s train fleet new for old. Read more…

Engineering expertise in Northern’s £100m investment

Rail operator, Northern, has published insight into the processes and engineering expertise involved with its current £100m investment into its trains. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Willmott Dixon Interiors to transform listed building in Tunbridge Wells

Willmott Dixon Interiors has won the £13m contract to convert the Grade II listed former library and museum in Tunbridge Wells into the new Amelia Scott building. Read more…

Thames Water hits education milestone – 100,000 children learn about water sector

In the last five years more than 100,000 schoolchildren have been given a fascinating insight into how Thames Water deals with water and waste for millions of customers thanks to its pioneering education programme. Read more…

Balfour Beatty electrifies rail lines between Bristol and Cardiff

Balfour Beatty has completed the electrification of 77km of the Great Western Railway (GWR) rail lines between Bristol and Cardiff. Read more…

Amey wins £49m highways maintenance contract extension

North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) has extended Amey’s highways maintenance and management contract for a further three years until June 2024. Read more…

£17m Pembrokeshire wave energy project on track for summer 2020 deployment

Bombora has now contracted more than 70% of its ground breaking £17 million Pembrokeshire Demonstration Project – the wave energy project is currently on schedule for deployment in mid-2020. Read more…

£1.7m investment from Network Rail to protect famous viaduct

The viaduct which was been featured in the Harry Potter series is the latest Network Rail project. Work has begun the protect the railway from possible landslips and rock-falls from the hillsides and embankments. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

£17m Pembrokeshire wave energy project on track for summer 2020 deployment

Bombora has now contracted more than 70% of its ground breaking £17 million Pembrokeshire Demonstration Project – the wave energy project is currently on schedule for deployment in mid-2020. Read more…

South West Water completes flooding protection scheme

South West Water has completed a £1.4 million scheme to protect homes and roads from flooding in Plymstock. Read more…

Thames Water hits education milestone – 100,000 children learn about water sector

In the last five years more than 100,000 schoolchildren have been given a fascinating insight into how Thames Water deals with water and waste for millions of customers thanks to its pioneering education programme. Read more…

Severn Trent ranks 11th out of FTSE 100 firms in new Responsibility 100 index

Severn Trent, which serves millions of customers across the Midlands and into north- and mid-Wales under the Hafren Dyfrdwy banner, came 11th in the new Tortoise Intelligence Responsibility100 Index which ranks the entire FTSE 100. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Willmott Dixon Interiors to transform listed building in Tunbridge Wells

Willmott Dixon Interiors has won the £13m contract to convert the Grade II listed former library and museum in Tunbridge Wells into the new Amelia Scott building. Read more…

SEF joint venture wins facilities management contract extension

Interserve and the University of Sussex have won a contract extension worth £30m per annum to deliver facilities management services at the University of Sussex as part of joint venture Sussex Estates and Facilities (SEF). Read more…

BAM Nuttall set for £19m Glasgow Sighthill bridge

BAM Nuttall is set to be confirmed preferred bidder for a £19m contract to build a vital link bridge for the Sighthill regeneration scheme in Glasgow. Read more…

Amey wins £49m highways maintenance contract extension

North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) has extended Amey’s highways maintenance and management contract for a further three years until June 2024. Read more…

Robo cone layers to make life safer on road jobs

Highways England is testing automated cone laying vehicles to make life safer for workers on major road jobs. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

150-year-old West Midlands tunnel set for revamp

Network Rail has announced it will be completing a £2M repair job on the historic Old Hill tunnel in Rowley Regis, near Birmingham. Read more…

Transport for Wales opens metro infrastructure hub

Transport for Wales has announced the opening of the South Wales Metro Infrastructure Hub. Read more…

Balfour Beatty electrifies rail lines between Bristol and Cardiff

Balfour Beatty has completed the electrification of 77km of the Great Western Railway (GWR) rail lines between Bristol and Cardiff. Read more…

Alstom wins £642 million contract with Avanti for Pendolino refurbishment and maintenance

Alstom has won a seven-year deal with Avanti West Coast worth £642 million for the refurbishment and maintenance of 56 Class 390 Pendolinos. Read more…

£1.7m investment from Network Rail to protect famous viaduct

The viaduct which was been featured in the Harry Potter series is the latest Network Rail project. Work has begun the protect the railway from possible landslips and rock-falls from the hillsides and embankments. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Shapps pledges £500M to reopen rail lines and revamp stations

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has pledged £500M to “reinvigorate” railways in the north of England. Read more…

Plans revealed to invigorate North-East rail network

Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has announced a commitment to reviving the North-East rail network, outlining how new investment will boost the network and level up infrastructure across the country. Read more…

EIC announces Network Rail collaboration to optimise UK railways

The Energy Innovation Council (EIC) has announced a new collaboration with Network Rail which will see it support the rail company in continuing to deliver reliable and sustainable power to its infrastructure. Read more…

Electric rail services underway for South Wales passengers

This week rail passengers in South Wales are benefitting from electric services for the first-time following Network Rail’s successful completion of electrification of the railway between Cardiff Central and London Paddington. Read more…

Greater Anglia launches new intercity trains on Norwich-London route

Greater Anglia ran the first of its ten Class 745 intercity electric multiple units in passenger traffic on January 8, when its 745007 formed the 0740 Norwich-London Liverpool Street. Read more…

£642m deal secured between Alstom and Avanti West Coast

The new West Coast Mainline operator, Avanti West Coast, have secured a seven-year deal worth precisely £642 million with Alstom, who will refurbish and maintain the routes of 56 electric Pendolino trains. Read more…

Network Rail names winners of £640m design services deal

Network Rail has revealed the firms it will use to deliver design services across the country. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Rendall & Ritter announce RTM expansion

Residential property management company, Rendall & Rittner, has announced that it is strengthening its business portfolio by expanding its Right to Manage offering. Read more…

900 new homes to be built at Meridian One

Enfield council and developer Vistry Partnerships (formerly Galliford Try Partnerships) have agreed to deliver approximately 900 new homes at Meridian One. Read more…

HBF summit reveals that environmental challenges remain key

According to new research revealed by the Home Builders Federation, twenty percent of people cite the environment as one of the top three key issues facing the country. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Glenfield and Invicta join forces

Glenfield and Invicta, two established brands in the water sector, have announced they are merging their operations. Read more…

South East Water appoints new operations director

South East Water has appointed Douglas Whitfield as its new operations director. Read more…

Amey turns to augmented reality in fight against £90m ‘unflushables’ issue

Leading public services provider, Amey, is developing a new augmented reality app which will be launched in 2020 and piloted across the Severn Trent Water contract to help fight ‘unflushables’. Read more…

Northumbrian Water launches “Bin the Wipe” campaign

Northumbrian Water is launching its new ‘Bin the Wipe’ campaign and giving away more than 1,400 bins to encourage customers not to use their toilets as a bin. Read more…

Yorkshire Water joins 1000 Rivers eDNA Project

Yorkshire Water has become the first UK water company to join the 1000 Rivers eDNA project – allowing it to gather vital information on fish species from river systems. Read more…

£10m community fund set up by Severn Trent

Severn Trent has set aside £10 million to fund community groups and projects over the next five years. Read more…

Yorkshire Water starts work on £1.8m water pipeline

Yorkshire Water has begun work on a new £1.8m water pipe between Watersheddles reservoir and Oldfield Water Treatment Works. Read more…

Southern Water awards £2.5m procurement services contract

Southern Water has awarded a contract for procurement services worth an estimated £2.5 million. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Rydon awarded £9.5m Kent medical innovation centre contract

Rydon has been awarded an innovation centre contract for Kent Medical Campus, this will bring together businesses and organisations involved in finding solutions to healthcare issues and scientific research. Read more…

Stevenage town centre regeneration takes step forward

Mace has submitted a major planning application to regenerate Stevenage town centre, following several months of consultation with local people and businesses. Read more…

Sisk seals pre-construction deal for £149m GOSH project

John Sisk has signed a pre-construction services agreement for the next phase of the Great Ormond Street Hospital redevelopment in central London. Read more…

Interserve wins place on CCS’s £8bn construction works framework

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has revealed the latest contractors to gain places on its construction works framework, including Interserve Construction, who have been appointed to 6 lots. Read more…

McLaren gets nod for 17-floor Leeds office project

McLaren Group’s property arm has been given the planning green light for a 300,000 sq ft office scheme in central Leeds. Read more…

World’s first recycled bricks go into production in Scotland

Scientists at Heriot Watt University in Scotland have developed the world’s first building brick that’s made from 90% recycled construction and demolition waste. Read more…

Galliford Try starts 2020 with £3.2bn order book

Galliford Try enters the new year as an independent contractor with a £3.2bn order book. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Thames Water invests £100k in 132 year old underground reservoir maintenance

One of Thames Water’s most spectacular structures – hidden under ancient woodland in London – was revealed in all its Victorian glory during work to maintain the exceptional standard of the company’s drinking water. Read more…

Marine Power Systems awarded £4.3m to accelerate combined wind and wave power technology

Marine Power Systems (MPS) has been awarded £4.3 million by the European Regional Development Fund to accelerate the development of a floating offshore wind and wave technology that could transform the opportunities for energy generation in deep water locations. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

It has been another busy year for Advance TRS, from award nominations to charity fundraisers and growing the business – we feel that we have achieved a lot and want to share some of the highlights with you.

Welcoming our new MD of Construction

In April Matt Bray joined the business as Managing Director of Construction. Matt has significant experience leading recruitment teams, B2B sales and senior appointments and his experience and presence have brought a positive, professional influence to the team. He’s continuing the expansion of the company’s growing Construction division.

Awards nominations

We were shortlisted for several awards this year, including the Recruitment Company of the Year category of the Property Management Awards and the Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Award of the Solent Business Awards.

We’re proud to be recognised for our hard work and will continue to strive for excellence throughout the new year.

Wise beyond our years

It was our 8th birthday in September and the business has come a long way since its humble origins in 2011. Starting as a one-man band, Andy, Group Managing Director quickly grew the business from strength to strength.

Whilst continuing to grow and improve the business, Advance TRS maintain committed to providing excellent customer service to both candidates and clients alike.

Presenting the new company charter

In October our new company charter was presented business-wide. It was put together by our Board of Directors and Marketing & Development Manager, who made sure that it covers values that are important to us as a business and which we believe should be reflected in our day-to-day work and interactions with clients and colleagues.

We pledge to focus on delivering a quality service, respecting one another and doing what we say we do which ties in well with our Core Values of Quality, Commitment, Integrity, Honesty and Loyalty.

Fundraising efforts

The team has been busy fundraising this year and we managed to donate more than 4k to charities including Macmillan, Railway Children and Surrey-based mental health charity Oakleaf. We baked, walked over hot coals and wore our favourite Christmas jumpers to raise money, and we’re already discussing opportunities for next year.

A big thank you to everyone who donated so generously! Keep an eye out for more Advance TRS fundraising stories in the new year!

At Advance TRS we are always looking for driven and ambitious individuals to join the team. If this is you and you would like to work for a business that values its employees’ contribution to its success then we would love to hear from you!

To find out more about our current opportunities, visit our careers page, or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

£650m village development in Scotland gets the nod

Springfield Properties has gained planning consent for a 3,042-home village development at Durieshill in Stirling – believed to be the largest development to be approved in Scotland. Read more…

Barton wins £150m Salford flats scheme

Management contractor Barton PM, part of Barton Group Services, has been selected to deliver a landmark residential scheme in Salford. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Anglian Water completes largest solar array energy project to date

Anglian Water has finished installing its largest solar array across their operational sites at a Water Recycling Centre in Jaywick, Essex. Read more…

Smart meter fleet goes green with electric vans

Morrison Utility Services has bought four Nissan e-NV200 electric vans, which will be used to deliver smart metering works on behalf of Thames Water. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Kier names new chairman

Former Royal Mail finance director Matthew Lester will take up the role of chairman at Kier. Read more…

£15m Brandon Yard restoration development in Bristol complete

Galliard Homes and Acorn Property Group have revealed the final part of Bristol’s harbour regeneration project, the £15m Brandon Yard development. Read more…

Balfour lands £90m civils deal on Viking Link power project

Balfour Beatty has been awarded a £90m contract to deliver the British onshore civils works for the Viking Link Interconnector Project for joint venture delivery partners National Grid and Energinet. Read more…

V&A confirms McLaughlin & Harvey to build £26m centre

The V&A has confirmed McLaughlin & Harvey as contractor for the museum’s new £26m collection and research centre in east London. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Heritage award presented to Network Rail

The National Railway Heritage have presented Network Rail with an award for their refurbishment of the South Esk viaduct at Montrose. Read more…

Balfour Beatty extolled as Britain’s most admired contractor

Balfour Beatty has won top billing in this year’s Britain’s Most Admired Companies awards in the heavy construction sector. Read more…

Scottish Water – new £21m Nereda WwTW works has potential to halve energy used in treatment process

Scottish Water has officially opened its £21 million state-of-the-art waste water treatment works in Inverurie which has the potential to reduce the amount of energy used during the treatment process by half. Read more…

Northern Line Extension contractors prioritise workers’ mental health

Contractors working on the Northern Line Extension programme have revealed how they are attempting to improve mental health within the construction industry. Read more…

Kier secures £3.4m Primary School extension in Norfolk

Norfolk County Council has appointed Kier to deliver the £3.4m extension of Hethersett Primary School through the Norfolk County Council Framework. Read more…

Scottish Water harnessing hydro power at water treatment works

A hydro power scheme which includes turbines that can generate enough power to run approximately 690 households a year has been upgraded by Scottish Water at a water treatment works in South Lanarkshire. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

Recently, the ‘I’m a celebrity’ contestants were asked what percentage of adults think that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and the answer was only 34%.

While Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and peace, for many it is the most stressful time of the year, with overwhelming family and financial pressures.

We have collated our top tips to help you have a more relaxed festive period.

It’s ok not to do everything

While it can be nice to visit family over Christmas, for some it might mean it will make the holidays more stressful having to navigate traffic and travel across the country. Remember that it’s ok to stay home and have a few quiet days to yourself if that’s what you prefer.

Stick to your budget

Giving gifts is great, but we can all be guilty of overspending sometimes and this is a popular time for doing so. Setting yourself a budget for presents and sticking to it will help you not only feel less stressed about money but will also do your wallet a favour.

Look out for better deals

Check websites like eBay for better deals. You can buy unused or good as new second-hand items for a much lower price.

Do it yourself

You don’t always need to buy presents. It can be just as nice to gift something you have made yourself, for example, some homemade baked goods or jams.

Christmas cards – you don’t have to send them

Writing Christmas cards, making sure you have the right address for everyone and posting all of them on time can be stressful. It can also be quite an expensive affair. Save some time, money and the environment by either sending out a nice Christmas email to everyone this year or, if you don’t feel like it, not sending cards at all.

We hope that these tips help you feel calmer in the run-up to Christmas.

If you think a new career is on the cards for you then keep an eye out for our blog next week where we will talk about how you can make use of your time off during the festive season to be best prepared for your job search in the new year.

To find out more about our current opportunities, visit our careers page, or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

If you are looking for roles in the rail, water, construction or property sectors, take a look at our latest vacancies and apply!

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Scottish Water – new £21m Nereda WwTW works has potential to halve energy used in treatment process

Scottish Water has officially opened its £21 million state-of-the-art waste water treatment works in Inverurie which has the potential to reduce the amount of energy used during the treatment process by half. Read more…

Galliford Try choose Landia aerators for Southern Water Cowfold WwTW

Pump manufacturer Landia has won an important order from Galliford Try to supply its AirJet aerators for Southern Water’s WwTW at Cowfold near Horsham, West Sussex. Read more…

Amey appoints new chief executive

Amey has appointed Amanda Fisher as the firm’s acting chief executive officer. Read more…

Yorkshire Water reveals partners for £650m infrastructure framework

The Clean and Waste Infrastructure framework and Customer Focussed Infrastructure framework calculates to a combined value of £650m. Read more…

Scottish Water harnessing hydro power at water treatment works

A hydro power scheme which includes turbines that can generate enough power to run approximately 690 households a year has been upgraded by Scottish Water at a water treatment works in South Lanarkshire. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Willmott Dixon wins £19m Birmingham school

Willmott Dixon has confirmed securing a £19m contract for a three-storey secondary academy school at Yardley Wood in Birmingham. Read more…

Gilbert-Ash wins £17m construction contract at Trinity College

Gilbert-Ash has secured a £17m design and build contract for Trinity College, which will see the construction of 45 new en-suite study bedrooms and five dedicated teaching rooms. Read more…

Balfour Beatty extolled as Britain’s most admired contractor

Balfour Beatty has won top billing in this year’s Britain’s Most Admired Companies awards in the heavy construction sector. Read more…

Balfour Beatty to exceed 2019 profit forecast

Balfour Beatty remained on track to deliver steady growth this year despite challenging market conditions as revenue rose 5% and construction margins held at 2-3%. Read more…

Kier secures £3.4m Primary School extension in Norfolk

Norfolk County Council has appointed Kier to deliver the £3.4m extension of Hethersett Primary School through the Norfolk County Council Framework. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Heritage award presented to Network Rail

The National Railway Heritage have presented Network Rail with an award for their refurbishment of the South Esk viaduct at Montrose. Read more…

Northern Line Extension contractors prioritise workers’ mental health

Contractors working on the Northern Line Extension programme have revealed how they are attempting to improve mental health within the construction industry. Read more…

GTR start roll out of 200 more defibrillators in stations

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is continuing its roll out of life saving defibrillators at stations across its network. Read more…

Birmingham powers up battery operated trams

Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) has unveiled the first tram in the UK to run on battery power along a line without the need for overhead cables. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Southern Water publishes 50-year water resources plan

Southern Water has published its Water Resources Management Plan which sets out the company’s 50-year plan for ensuring water resilience in the south east. Read more…

Housing coalition urges for VAT cut to encourage green home improvements

Organisations from across the property and construction sectors are campaigning for the next UK government to cut VAT on maintenance and improvement works to people’s homes. Read more…

‘Intelligent’ concrete used in London City Airport expansion set for wider roll out

The construction industry’s first artificial intelligence (AI) concrete strength prediction engine, used in the London City Airport expansion, is to be used across more live projects. Read more…

GWR confident of smooth December timetable change

Ahead of a major timetable change on December 15, Great Western Railway is confident it will not be affected by problems similar to those suffered by the industry in May 2018. Read more…

Water industry takes major step towards becoming carbon zero

Water companies in England have launched a plan that will help deliver their goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Read more…

Willmott Dixon wins £39m university refurb job

Willmott Dixon Interiors has won a £39m refurbishment deal for London South Bank University. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

HMRC is due to announce a Reform to the IR35 off-payroll legislation in the Private Sector. The Advance TRS approach to IR35 is being exceptionally well received by clients we have recently consulted with, mitigating risk for our clients with a compliant and insured solution.

Consultation dates are still available in 2019 – book your free session now.

Lessons learned from the Public Sector

Since the Public Sector Reform last year our Group Operations Director, Paul Merton, has worked hard to create a method of engagement that facilitates the continuation of supply of professional contractors in the correct manner via a professional services company.

He has attended a large number of IR35 seminars including several HMRC consultation meetings earlier this year. As a business rooted in the engineering recruitment sector, we are fully aware of the need to sustain a skilled workforce that can move freely from one project to the next without the need to be engaged as an employee.

Whilst IR35 in its initial form afforded many contractors significant tax benefits, the more recent changes have brought about a very clear definition of controls and the manner in which these workers must engage. Advance TRS has invested a great amount of time in understanding these controls and building them into our management system.

Rather than seeking to bring an end to contracting and force contractors into employment contracts that they do not necessarily want or need, we have dedicated our time to creating a contractual solution that demonstrates very clear processes and compliance with the guidelines set out by HMRC.

Whilst the reform requires the end-user to provide a determination, it also makes provision for the responsibility to pass to the fee-payer (agency) on the basis that ‘reasonable care’ has been shown in the determination. It is our intention as a business to ensure that all contractors are engaged correctly with a clearly defined control mechanism and auditable due diligence across Umbrella, PAYE, CIS self-employed and Professional Service Company.

Responsible compliance processes

The change in responsibility that is set out in the Private Sector Reform along with the opportunity to focus on the compliance of all parties in the supply chain has prompted us to review how we supply contractors to our clients.

The Advance TRS process of compliance will allow us to administer an honest and realistic ‘outside IR35’ determination that has been professionally assessed and insured to allow our clients to demonstrate ‘reasonable care’ in the eyes of HMRC.

Advance TRS is committed to partnering with any client who engages contractors through us and will provide full support and disclosure of associated documentation where required.

Managing costs and administration

The Public Sector Reform brought about numerous blanket ‘inside IR35’ determinations which saw large numbers of contractors increase their rates by 15-25% to accommodate the rise in taxation, HMRC have been clear in their guidance that they do not expect to see this in the Private Sector Reform.

Advance TRS provide a solution that not only facilitates the correct manner of engagement for these workers but will also allow clients to remove intermediaries from the supply chain who will become a cost to the business rather than providing a viable route to market. Whilst Advance TRS are unable to remove the responsibility for the determination from the end-user, we are able to provide an auditable and insured solution that will allow us to take responsibility for administering the determination itself. As a partner supplier, we firmly believe we can deliver the administration service for a nominal charge.

Contractor engagement – documentation and legislation

The end result of this process is to facilitate seamless and compliant administration and engagement of a contractor base who will each be determined and contractually engaged in the correct manner.

Due to the current political climate, the timescales for implementing these changes will become increasingly smaller once we enter 2020. The Reform also offers clients an opportunity to review their existing supply chain and the contracts of engagement that are in place with their contractors as well as the umbrella companies they engage.

The risk of poor compliance processes in the supply chain is that it can leave clients exposed if relevant legislation updates are not addressed adequately.

Don’t leave it too late, speak to us now about any questions or concerns you might have! Contact our IR35 Lead Paul Merton on 01483 361061 or ir35@advance-trs.com to book your free consultation.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

‘Intelligent’ concrete used in London City Airport expansion set for wider roll out

The construction industry’s first artificial intelligence (AI) concrete strength prediction engine, used in the London City Airport expansion, is to be used across more live projects. Read more…

Balfour Beatty wins £217m highways maintenance contract

Balfour Beatty Living Places has been awarded a six-year, £217m contract by Lincolnshire County Council for the maintenance of highways assets. Read more…

Skanska chalks up £23m Bristol secondary school job

Skanska continues to build on its success in Bristol winning a £23.3m contract for the new 1,220-place Trinity Academy secondary school. Read more…

Willmott Dixon wins £39m university refurb job

Willmott Dixon Interiors has won a £39m refurbishment deal for London South Bank University. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

GWR confident of smooth December timetable change

Ahead of a major timetable change on December 15, Great Western Railway is confident it will not be affected by problems similar to those suffered by the industry in May 2018. Read more…

Green light for ‘802s’ to continue Dawlish running

Class 802s can still operate along the Dawlish Sea Wall in stormy conditions, Great Western Railway has told RAIL. Read more…

£350m contract for Hitachi Rail to build new Avanti West Coast trains

Hitachi Rail awarded a contract worth more than £350m by First Trenitalia, whose new Avanti West Coast rail service starts on the 8th of December, to maintain and prove 23 new intercity trains. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Severn Trent invests £15m to install 13 fish-friendly screens to protect aquatic wildlife

Severn Trent is investing £15 million to install fish-friendly screen in 13 locations agreed with the Environment Agency in a new environmental programme that will bring big benefits to the region’s fish and wildlife. Read more…

Amey launches new apprenticeship programme

Amey is working with Severn Trent to deliver a new apprenticeship programme that aims to address a key skills gap in the water industry. Read more…

Water industry takes major step towards becoming carbon zero

Water companies in England have launched a plan that will help deliver their goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Read more…

Southern Water publishes 50-year water resources plan

Southern Water has published its Water Resources Management Plan which sets out the company’s 50-year plan for ensuring water resilience in the south east. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Yorkshire Water delivers carbon literacy course

Yorkshire Water has collaborated with one its framework partners, Galliford Try, to become the first company in the industry to run an accredited Carbon Literacy course. Read more…

Amey Black & Veatch jv uses dam to progress work on £15m Scottish Water environmental project

Engineers working in Glasgow have turned to dam building techniques during the latest phase of a multi-million pound project to help improve the environment and water quality in the River Kelvin. Read more…

Yorkshire Water to plant 250,000 trees by spring 2020

To celebrate National Tree Week Yorkshire Water has announced that it will complete the planting of 250,000 by spring as it closes in on its target of planting one million across the county. Read more…

SES Water announces appointment of new Chief Executive Officer

Ian Cain has been appointed as SES Water’s new Chief Executive Officer to replace Anthony Ferrar when he retires early in 2020 after 11 years of service with the company. Read more…

Thames Water’s mental health strategy recognised

Thames Water’s work to support its employees with their mental health has been recognised with a national award. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Skanska lifts recycled asphalt use to 50% on motorway

Skanska has successfully piloted the use of high-levels of recycled asphalt for motorway road surfaces. Read more…

Bermondsey industrial site to transform into residential scheme

An industrial site at Hatcham Road, Bermondsey, which has been sold for £9.75m by KALMARs and joint agent Kingsbury, is set to be redeveloped into a new residential scheme. Read more…

Skanska wants to trial graphene asphalt on M25

Skanska is seeking to trial the use of graphene-enhanced asphalt on the M25 in a bid to combat potholes and carbon emissions. Read more…

Browse our latest construction jobs or register for job alerts now.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Nexus appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Martin Kearney has been appointed as the new chief operating officer for Nexus, the public body which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, and wider public transport across the North East. Read more…

RIA and Network Rail launch supply chain survey

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has launched a survey in partnership with Network Rail to gather views from the supply chain on the product acceptance process. Read more…

Crossrail’s Bond Street station could now open with rest of line

Crossrail’s station at Bond Street is now set to open with the rest of the line, the project’s chief executive has told Transport for London. Read more…

TfL finally signs £1bn Silvertown Tunnel contract

Transport for London (TfL) has finally awarded its £1bn contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Silvertown Tunnel. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

Competition is rife; the current job market is flooded with candidates who could stand in your way to securing that perfect next career move, so how do you make sure you come out on top?

We’re taking a look at the tips and insight that Andy Ridout, Group MD of Advance TRS, previously provided:

Get your CV in shape

Over the course of my career, I have read hundreds of thousands of CVs and can safely say that employers have too, this is why it is so important to present yours correctly. You might find our CV writing tips useful to help you update it. We also have a CV template available for download.

Presentation

We are looking for CVs that reflect professionalism and to achieve this, presentation is key. A good CV should begin by listing your educational attainment, followed by your most recent, relevant jobs with dates of employment. Underneath each job include a short summary of the responsibilities and duties you were given whilst in the role, highlighting your achievements, strengths and expressing your ambitions.

Make your summaries to the point and relevant, this will ensure we can quickly access your best features and match you to a role as fast as possible.
It can be very easy to get carried away with fancy fonts and italics but in my experience, this rarely looks professional. I would strongly recommend that text is kept to a standard size (10/11) and a professional and clear looking font (Calibri is a favourite of mine).

Read the job description

Unfortunately, all too often we receive CVs from candidates who have not read the job description correctly; an absolute pet peeve for employers. So, before you apply, please make sure you have all the necessary qualifications and experience; if you don’t we will not send your CV to our client.

Make your CV role-specific

Once you have established that you meet the role’s requirements make sure you tailor your CV accordingly. It can be tempting to try to cut corners with a generic ‘one size fits all’ CV but unlikely you’ll display your abilities to their full capacity or get the intended response. Do your research; know the company and re-word your CV to demonstrate that you are the right person for the job.

Go Niche

I have made a successful recruitment career from understanding the specifics and technicalities of the Rail Industry. At Advance TRS, we deal with jobs in 4 different sectors, making us specialist recruiters in Rail, Property, Construction and Water. This allows us to be the first point of call for candidates who require a recruitment team who understands industry jargon and has solid relationships with the top employers in their field.

The interview

Once Advance TRS have secured you an interview we will do everything we can to help you through the process. Interviewers are looking for people who will fit in with the company’s current employees as well as the professional image and reputation they wish to portray. It is essential that your clothes, body language and conduct reflect this since first impressions definitely last.

It is a good idea to stage the interview with a friend or family member the night before. This will give you the opportunity to practice being put on the spot and allow you to prepare your answers to any tricky questions, undoubtedly boosting your confidence during the actual scenario.

Remember, the service we provide you with is free, we don’t get paid unless we find you a job so, if you suit our client’s requirements we will do our best to help you secure your dream job.

For your next career move get in touch with a member of the team at Advance TRS on 01483 361 061.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Nexus appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Martin Kearney has been appointed as the new chief operating officer for Nexus, the public body which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, and wider public transport across the North East. Read more…

RIA and Network Rail launch supply chain survey

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has launched a survey in partnership with Network Rail to gather views from the supply chain on the product acceptance process. Read more…

Crossrail’s Bond Street station could now open with rest of line

Crossrail’s station at Bond Street is now set to open with the rest of the line, the project’s chief executive has told Transport for London. Read more…

TfL finally signs £1bn Silvertown Tunnel contract

Transport for London (TfL) has finally awarded its £1bn contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Silvertown Tunnel. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Skanska lifts recycled asphalt use to 50% on motorway

Skanska has successfully piloted the use of high-levels of recycled asphalt for motorway road surfaces. Read more…

Bermondsey industrial site to transform into residential scheme

An industrial site at Hatcham Road, Bermondsey, which has been sold for £9.75m by KALMARs and joint agent Kingsbury, is set to be redeveloped into a new residential scheme. Read more…

Skanska wants to trial graphene asphalt on M25

Skanska is seeking to trial the use of graphene-enhanced asphalt on the M25 in a bid to combat potholes and carbon emissions. Read more…

Browse our latest construction jobs or register for job alerts now.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Yorkshire Water delivers carbon literacy course

Yorkshire Water has collaborated with one its framework partners, Galliford Try, to become the first company in the industry to run an accredited Carbon Literacy course. Read more…

Amey Black & Veatch jv uses dam to progress work on £15m Scottish Water environmental project

Engineers working in Glasgow have turned to dam building techniques during the latest phase of a multi-million pound project to help improve the environment and water quality in the River Kelvin. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

We’re delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Perkbox Workplace Culture Awards, which recognise the businesses who go above and beyond to ensure employees are happy in their work-life balance. 

Please vote for us in the medium-sized category of the awards

As recruiters we really understand that talented and motivated staff is the key to any successful business and creating a fantastic working environment is one of our top priorities. 

The positive mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues are of high importance to our board and senior management team and we have therefore committed significant time as a business to ensure all employees feel supported and can access help.

We have appointed two trained Mental Health First Aiders and provide a Wellbeing Hub on our Intranet, offering impartial and confidential support via a 24-hour counselling helpline. We also run quarterly Workshops with all staff to increase general awareness, explaining what support is available and highlighting different methods of self-help or wellness techniques for everyday living.

The comprehensive benefits and rewards package we offer to our staff includes a private company pension scheme, a premium-free Group Private Medical Insurance plan and access to our exciting perks and discounts platform facilitated by Perkbox, amongst other things. 

To find out more about Advance TRS and what our colleagues think, watch this short video or take a look at our website.

If you want to take the next step in your career look no further, Advance TRS are hiring! We are always looking for talented and motivated individuals, as part of our business’s strategic talent acquisition programme. Whether you are an entrepreneurial individual, established recruitment team or small businesses with shared values, we would love to hear from you.

If you are interested in joining Advance TRS’s recruitment teams or business support staff in our Port Solent or Guildford offices, contact Paul Metcalfe for a discrete conversation on 07793 55 413 or apply online.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

SDL Property Partners signs up four to block management network

SDL Property Partners has signed up four partners to its franchise network for block management and has welcomed Ainsworth Lord Estates, Jezzards, Medway Premier Block Management and Peter Morgan. Read more…

Property experts call for new body to deliver Oxford-Cambridge Arc

Property experts have called for the creation of an Olympic-style body to deliver the homes and infrastructure needed to create a supercluster within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Read more…

Browse our latest Property jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Bristol Water introduces new intelligent pumping and storage optimisation system

Bristol Water has introduced a new intelligent pumping and storage optimisation system that chooses the times the company pumps water, which pumps to use, and the route the water takes through the system. Read more…

Severn Trent named as top performer in gender balance report

Severn Trent has been named as one of the top performing companies for gender diversity and the number of women occupying senior leadership roles. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Goldbeck lands £31m Gatwick car park deal

Goldbeck has landed the construction contract to build a new £31m multi-storey car park at Gatwick Airport. Read more…

Weston and Tesco submit plan to turn store site into 1,280 homes

Weston Homes and Tesco have submitted ambitious plans to redevelop a supermarket and car park in east London with a major mixed-use development. Read more…

Plans for £15.1m school campus in Renton gain approval

Planning permission has been given the nod for a new £15.1m campus which will revamp the education of hundreds of pupils in Renton. Read more…

Willmott Dixon secures fourth scheme at University of Warwick

Willmott Dixon has been appointed to provide a fourth scheme at the University of Warwick, the new £33m Warwick Arts Centre. Read more…

Browse our latest construction jobs or register for job alerts now.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Eurostar and Thalys could merge in 2021

The planned merger of Eurostar and Thalys should happen in 2021 if plans are agreed by shareholders. Read more…

Hull Trains prepares to introduce its five brand-new Hitachi bi-modes

New Hitachi Class 802/3 bi-modes are due to enter traffic between London King’s Cross and Hull from early December. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.

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Our Group Managing Director Andy Ridout and Rail Director Michael Schruyers, were delighted to attend another great Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) Scottish Section Dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow on 14th November.

A very big thank you goes out to everyone attending the dinner who donated so generously and raised £3,681 for children’s charity Railway Children!

Andy Ridout, Advance TRS Group MD, has been championing the charity for a number of years and is delighted with the amount raised – another substantial donation for a great cause, which will go towards helping the most vulnerable children worldwide.

“I can’t thank guests of the IRSE Scottish Section Dinner enough for their contributions” comments Andy.

“It’s incredible to see so many from the rail industry come together to change the lives of thousands of disadvantaged children each year.”

Railway Children is an international children’s charity, with outreach teams operating out of the UK, India and East Africa. Donations help to fund street teams that seek out children living in squalid conditions on the streets, where the charity’s team of experts can meet the child’s immediate needs and attempt to reintegrate them back into normality.

Since establishing in 2011, giving back to those less fortunate and advancing others has been a central motivator for founder Andy Ridout and the growing Advance TRS team, with new challenges, including the Oakleaf Firewalk, being completed every year.

Read more about our fundraising activities.

At Advance TRS we pride ourselves on being the best we can be and delivering a premium quality service to our candidates and clients alike. In order to deliver this, we look for people with the right qualities and habits so we can equip them with the tools to be the best recruiters. 

Personally, I didn’t pursue the academic route, but that definitely did not stop me. At my peak, I billed over £1million in a year. How? Because I am tenacious, determined, competitive and I work hard. 

This drive has taken me from a recruitment novice to million-pound biller, and from business start-up to successful business owner, founder and MD of a multi-million-pound business. 

Delivering premium recruitment solutions is not easy, it can be arduous and is hard work. However, as a successful consultant, the rewards can be huge. To rival the biggest billers there are a few qualities that are essential for success. 

Here are some we look for in new starters, see if you think you have what it takes. 

Ambitious

Top performers are ambitious and goal-oriented. We are looking for people who are not satisfied with simply plodding along. We are looking for those who will go above and beyond to chase down their goals and are hungry to push themselves to the next level. 

Hard-working

Inevitably the best recruiters simply work harder and smarter than everyone else. No one likes a busy fool, so implement time management strategies effectively to get the most out of your time, avoid the distractions, and get on the phone. The harder you work, the higher the rewards, your only limit is you! 

Focused

Focus is essential to running your desk. A successful 360 consultant will need to effectively multi-task to keep all the plates of the recruitment process spinning – so to make this easier, keep your desk and your plan focused and organised so you don’t fall into the trap of being busy doing nothing. 

Optimistic

Recruitment can be tough and full of rejection, so having a positive outlook is essential for success. Those who expect to succeed more often than not are the ones who are prepared to put in the time and the work to make it happen. Plus… some studies indicate that optimists outsell pessimists by up to 40%!

Competitive

Our top performers don’t want to just do well, they want to be the best. By pushing themselves and each other the whole team does better. We run regular incentives and competitions in addition to sharing league tables and company records to spur on a little friendly competition in the team. 

Clear communicator

Be it in person, on the phone, via email or social media, recruitment consultants are constantly talking to people. To be successful it is essential that you can effectively communicate with others, to ensure full understanding and effectively market yourself, the business and opportunities. 

Confident

In order to build relationships and networks, you need a little dose of confidence, however, don’t confuse confidence with arrogance. Your clients and candidates need to be sure that you are the right person for the job.  

Self-motivated

A career in recruitment gives you the unparalleled opportunity to build your own business and write your own paycheck if you are motivated to succeed. No one will do it for you, you need to have the passion and drive to get up in the morning and make your desk a success. 

Persistent

Never give up, ever. 

Personable

People buy from people, so we are looking for people with something about them. A character and personality that makes them stand out from the crowd. At Advance TRS we embrace each other’s quirks and look for likeminded people to fit in our band of misfits.

Do you think you have what it takes to give our big billers a run for their money? If you have the qualities we are looking for get in touch to see how we can advance your career. Visit our website or for a discrete conversation contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Kennaway Estate to deliver 61 new homes in Hackney

Waugh Thistleton Architects’ design for the Kennaway Estate was approved on 6 November when councillors in Hackney voted in favour of Southern Housing Group’s proposal to regenerate the estate. Read more…

Habito announce new partnership with Impact

Online mortgage broker Habito has announced that it has partnered with Impact Specialist Finance, in a move that will allow homeowners who have poor credit history free to gain access to Impacts’ specialist broker services. Read more…

First build-to-rent development in Canary Wharf unveiled

Canary Wharf Group’s build-to-rent operator Vertus has unveiled its first development at 10 George Street – which will be the first of three. Read more…

Skipton International hires director of credit

Skipton International has hired Simon White as director of credit, as it looks to expand its UK buy-to-let mortgage lending and increase offshore savings deposits. Read more…

The Moving Hub announce new partnership with Charles Derby Financial Services

Conveyancing platform and case management system, The Moving Hub, has announced that it has partnered with Charles Derby Financial Services enabling the firm’s advisers to access to The Moving Hub’s extensive range of conveyancing services. Read more…

Browse our latest Property jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Rail Industry Ambassadors set to help shape the future of rail

Young Rail Professionals have announced in support of their mission to promote the rail industry as a great place to work, they’re recruiting Rail Industry Ambassadors to visit schools, colleges and universities and career fairs. Read more…

Amulet wins PFM award for work with C2C

Amulet, the specialist security business of the Churchill group has won the Partners in Expert Services – Public Sector for its partnership with train operator, Trenitalia Limited (trading as C2C). Read more…

Network Rail extends Ganymede labour supply deal

Network Rail has extended its labour supply deal with Derby-based agency Ganymede by a further year to March 2021. Read more…

Eurostar celebrates 25th birthday with first plastics-free train

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Eurostar has committed to a number of environmental measures including the running of the first plastic-free train. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Caddick Group to deliver £50m Yorkshire logistics scheme

Caddick Group is to build a £50m GDV distribution centre near Wakefield, Yorkshire for global real estate investment manager AEW. Read more…

Rydon secures £100m London council estate rebuild

A west London council has signed up Rydon to deliver a £100m estate rebuild to create over 460 homes. Read more…

Construction to begin on £73m Sandwell Aquatics Centre

Major construction will begin on the £73m Sandwell Aquatics Centre in the New Year, which will host the swimming and diving events at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Read more…

Interserve hires new construction commercial director

Interserve Group has appointed Ben Edwards as commercial director for the UK construction business. Read more…

Browse our latest construction jobs or register for job alerts now.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Southern Water wins top prize for Risk Management Programme of the Year

Southern Water has won the top prize for Risk Management Programme of the year at the CIR Risk Awards held in London on 6 November. Read more…

Wastewater used to warm up heat network

Heat harnessed from wastewater from Scottish Water’s treatment works in Forthside is being used to heat a number of buildings in the Forthside area of Stirling. Read more…

Anglian Water protecting eels in River Nene

Anglian Water has completed work to install a brand-new eel screen at its site in Peterborough as part of a significant programme of works designed to make a difference to the endangered species. Read more…

Scottish Water trial shows innovative technology has potential to revolutionise waste water treatment

An innovative new technology developed in the United States which aims to revolutionise the way the world’s waste water can be processed has delivered promising results at an extensive UK trial. Read more…

Water UK appoints new Chief Executive

Water UK’s new chief executive is Christine McGourty, who will join the water and sewerage industry’s trade body on 16th December 2019. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Network Rail charity partner says workforce mental health is paramount

The Health and Safety Executive’s annual figures for Great Britain, the Managing Director of Mates in Mind, has urged employers to ensure that they are investing in their workforce following a recent report. Read more…

Bill Hocking to become new Galliford Try CEO

Galliford Try has confirmed that construction chief Bill Hocking will become group chief executive if the sale of housing operations to Bovis Homes goes through. Read more…

RLB to support new build housing programme in Bristol

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) has been appointed by Bristol City Council to support the new build housing programme and deliver council homes for communities across the city. Read more…

New trustees appointed at WaterAid

Four new trustees, who were appointed at the international charity’s Annual General Meeting in London on 11 October, have joined WaterAid’s Board of Trustees. Read more…

Edenbridge station refurbishment completed as part of £1.25bn Kent upgrade

A £500,000 upgrade at Edenbridge station in Kent has been completed by Network Rail. Read more…

619 new homes in Kidbrooke get the green light

Transport for London and Notting Hill Genesis have received the go-ahead to build more than 600 new homes in Kidbrooke. Read more…

ECS works with EA to protect South East from flooding

ECS Engineering Services has signed a new Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Agreement for the South East with the Environment Agency (EA). Read more…

Aecom hires BAA technical expert

Aecom has appointed former British Airport Authority director Giles Price to the new role of chief technical officer. Read more…

Browse our latest jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

We have taken a look at what can help you lower your stress levels.

In 2018/19 a staggering 602,000 workers in the UK suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety and 12.8 million working days were lost as a result, according to a Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Long-term stress can have big effects on an individual’s mental and physical health and therefore it’s important to take steps to alleviate it. There are simple things we can all incorporate into our daily routines to help us cope better.

Exercise

While physical activity won’t make stress disappear, it is proven to significantly improve mood and wellbeing by metabolising excessive stress hormones, helping you feel calmer. If you start to feel overwhelmed, going for a brisk walk can help you relax.

A good night’s sleep

Lack of sleep is a major cause of stress and unfortunately, when we feel stressed it can be difficult to fall asleep. Therefore, it’s important to take time to relax before going to bed. Taking a warm bath or reading a book can both help to calm your brain. Try to avoid having caffeinated drinks during the late afternoon and evening. You will soon notice how much calmer you feel after a relaxing night’s sleep.

Communicate

Talking to someone, whether a colleague, friend or family member, can make a significant difference in how you feel. It might distract you from stressful thoughts for some time or even release some of the built-up tension.

Avoid caffeine

Try to avoid over-consumption of caffeine or at least reduce it when you are already feeling stressed, as this might increase the stress response in your body. Instead, why not try herbal or fruit teas?

Make a to-do list

Prioritising your work will help you identify the tasks that make a real difference, so you can complete these first and leave less important work to last. Ticking tasks off as you go will also give you a sense of accomplishment. Just remember that your in-tray will most likely never be empty.

At Advance TRS, we prioritise our staff’s wellbeing and get together every week to practise relaxation techniques, go for walks at lunchtime or just chat. We also offer a Wellbeing Hub and have appointed qualified Mental Health First Aiders, who will act as the first point of contact for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

We are currently recruiting, so if you want to work for a company that places mental wellbeing and dealing with the causes of stress as a priority, send us your CV or take a look at our latest vacancies.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

RLB to support new build housing programme in Bristol

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) has been appointed by Bristol City Council to support the new build housing programme and deliver council homes for communities across the city. Read more…

619 new homes in Kidbrooke get the green light

Transport for London and Notting Hill Genesis have received the go-ahead to build more than 600 new homes in Kidbrooke. Read more…

Redrow announce “encouragingly resilient” trading despite tough market conditions

Housebuilder, Redrow, has announced that it has seen strong trading since the start of its new financial year, despite challenges arising from continuing uncertainty. Read more…

New fintech mortgage lender M:QUBE launches

The lender aims to transform the UK mortgage market and has partnered with a number of high profile financial institutions who will supply the debt capital. Read more…

Browse our latest Property jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Thames Water awards £10m+ information and data management services contract

Thames Water has awarded a contract for a nearshore/offshore team to be responsible for the day-to-day operations managing its information and data management services by utilising a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) model worth an estimated £10 million-plus. Read more…

Southern Water awards £60m IT software and hardware reseller framework contract

Southern Water has awarded an IT software and hardware reseller framework contract worth an estimated £60 million. Read more…

Scottish Water starts £5.2bn infrastructure bid race

Scottish Water has formally opened bidding for a major infrastructure framework that could be worth up to £5.2bn over 12 years. Read more…

New trustees appointed at WaterAid

Four new trustees, who were appointed at the international charity’s Annual General Meeting in London on 11 October, have joined WaterAid’s Board of Trustees. Read more…

PR19 final determinations delayed due to election clash

Ofwat has pushed back its announcement of final determinations for the 2019 price review until Monday 16 December because of the general election. Read more…

ECS works with EA to protect South East from flooding

ECS Engineering Services has signed a new Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Agreement for the South East with the Environment Agency (EA). Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Construction’s most considerate contractors revealed

The country’s highest-performing contractors and suppliers have been honoured at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s 2019 awards. Read more…

Plans submitted for £1.6bn temporary home for MPs

Plans have been submitted to enhance and modernise Parliament’s Northern Estate to create a temporary home for MPs while the Palace of Westminster is overhauled. Read more…

Green light for major mixed use scheme in south London

Transport for London and Notting Hill Genesis have been given the go-ahead to build more than 600 homes in Kidbrooke, south London. Read more…

Aecom hires BAA technical expert

Aecom has appointed former British Airport Authority director Giles Price to the new role of chief technical officer. Read more…

Bovis Homes agrees £1.1bn deal for Galliford Try housing arm

Bovis Homes has agreed to buy Galliford Try’s housing operations in a share and cash deal that values the business at £1.1bn. Read more…

Bill Hocking to become new Galliford Try CEO

Galliford Try has confirmed that construction chief Bill Hocking will become group chief executive if the sale of housing operations to Bovis Homes goes through. Read more…

Browse our latest construction jobs or register for job alerts now.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Modernised Govia Thameslink Railway fleet improve energy efficiency

Govia Thameslink Railway are now recycling over 50% more energy back into the railway network, helping to power the fleet and making them more energy efficient than any previous generations of trains. Read more…

Edenbridge station refurbishment completed as part of £1.25bn Kent upgrade

A £500,000 upgrade at Edenbridge station in Kent has been completed by Network Rail. Read more…

£20bn of rail schemes to be delivered in 2020

The Rail Delivery Group has outlined the latest details of its £20bn investment in improving services and upgrading infrastructure on the network. Read more…

Network Rail charity partner says workforce mental health is paramount

The Health and Safety Executive’s annual figures for Great Britain, the Managing Director of Mates in Mind, has urged employers to ensure that they are investing in their workforce following a recent report. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Network Rail closes in on appointments for East Coast ETCS partners

Network Rail is in the final stages of appointing traffic management and system integration partners for its Digital Railway Transformation programme on the East Coast Main Line. Read more…

Willmott Dixon wins £13m Daventry cinema deal

Willmott Dixon has won the starring role to deliver a £13m project to create Daventry’s new Mulberry Place Cinema complex. Read more…

Welsh Water appoints new director for water services

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has strengthened its water services operational team by appointing Dr Simon Earl as its new director for water services. Read more…

Cheshire West and Chester Council to build 737 new homes

Cheshire West and Chester Council have planned to build 737 new homes across six sites in the Borough to meet local housing needs, including affordable homes. Read more…

BAM dives in with £36m Chiltern leisure centre

Chiltern District Council has named BAM Construction as its preferred bidder to deliver a new leisure centre in Amersham. Read more…

Eric Wright Water expands team to support framework

Eric Wright Water has made a number of key appointments following its appointment to three frameworks for Yorkshire Water. Read more…

Funding announced for next generation of new towns in England

New development corporations are being given funding to kick-start work towards creating new towns and communities in England on a scale not seen since Milton Keynes and Canary Wharf were build. Read more…

Browse our latest jobs here.
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