Apprentice Diaries – Donncha Byrne

Studying a 5 year course in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at the University of Westminster, Donncha Byrne is a CQST Apprentice that has been with Moortown Group since August this year. 

Read on to hear Donncha’s thoughts on his journey so far and why he chose a career in the construction industry.

Why did you choose this vocation?

My family have always been in construction which includes my Dad and brother and this has given me the confidence to go down this path myself. I also wanted an opportunity to learn on the job whilst earning a wage and having on the job training seemed a better way to gain knowledge as you are experiencing the job first hand.

What skills have you learnt? 

• Logging variation orders and instructions
• Learning the terminology frequently used around sites and offices
• Learning about Health and Safety

What are your future aspirations?

• Achieve the high grades and pass my course
• To become a fully qualified Quantity Surveyor
• To continue to learn and develop my knowledge and skill set.

What’s it like working at Moortown Group?

“I joined Moortown Group in August 2023, and have had the pleasure of working predominantly on the HMP Bullingdon project, whilst shadowing other sites such as Shoreham Airport and The LAMB project at the University of Oxford.

What main thing do you enjoy so far about your role?
“Learning new things about the different aspects of quantity surveying.”

What is the work culture like?
“The culture here is great. There’s a really supportive team down here and my coworkers have made me feel very welcome.”

We’re looking forward to supporting Donncha in his next chapter at Moortown Group.

Putting Safety First

Safety Stand Down – HMP Bullingdon

Last week, we delivered another leg of our Safety Stand Down tour at one of our MoJ projects with contractor Kier, followed by a safety inspection at the site with the full team. Safety is the cornerstone of our operations at Moortown, and we’re thrilled to share an update from our ongoing project with Kier Group in Bicester.

Our safety signage has been displayed clearly around site and has been greatly welcomed with the messages they echo. The morning commenced with a Tool Box Talk led by Site Manager (Serghei Caverzin) which was then expanded to a full Safety Stand Down led by our Jonathan Milnes, HSQE Director and Richard Mitchell, Operations Director. This offered higher engagement and opportunity for both teams to have in depth discussions and make any immediate actions.

“It was astonishing to hear from Guy Osborne, Kier’s Project Manager, the number of buried services located on the project to date which have incurred no damage, and not all of these were known. This is a huge credit to all our site team for following the plan, procedures and using the equipment available to prevent putting anyone at risk from the works we are undertaking”.

Jonathan Milnes, HSQE Director

From the project’s early stages, we recognised the significant risk of locating and identifying underground services. Our commitment to the safety of our hardworking team led us to invest in our new RSP Vacuum Excavator.

This strategy is essential in creating a safer environment for our operatives, providing them with the confidence and security they need to work safely around live services. While vacuum excavators are certainly not a new concept, their proven effectiveness in minimising service strike risks is a valuable asset on this project and for our future endeavours.

Regarding the ongoing and proposed works for the identification of existing services, a high level of knowledge and understanding from our management team has fed directly into the creation of thorough plans, and then communicated to the wider workforce.

Within the Prison, there was clear segregation, signage and work areas that were being well managed and demonstrated good knowledge of the ground risk and why it was sequenced in this way.

We have been delighted to hear the Safety Stand Down was very well received. Upholding a professional and strong presence is very important and these thoughts were reciprocated by Kier. A fantastic example to maintain and follow.

Creating a sensory garden for local Leeds School

Over the duration of the summer holidays, our generous team at Aire Park kindly dedicated a handful of their spare hours to help build and create a “Sensory Garden” at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in the Hunslet area of Leeds.

This space was transformed from an unused and empty courtyard into a green, lush, and stimulating play area. We are thrilled to hear it has proven very popular with the children returning to School earlier this month, commenting “It is so cool, I hope the birds come into the garden”.

Putting his carpentry skills to great use, our Gatesman, Richard Thompson made all the furniture from old wooden pallets and tables from cable drums that were no longer needed and repurposed them from our City Centre site, Aire Park. These were then up-cycled further and decorated with colours and patterns that the children customised themselves.

Other garden features included the geometric raised flower beds of different shapes and heights, bird houses and bug boxes attached to the fence, old tyre tubs for plants and shrubs, improved ground surface with wooden kerbs and freshly laid bark.

Several members of the team worked hard to add the final touches in the garden including the wonderful wavey mirrors hiding behind the flowerbeds and the mysterious metallic signs hanging from above.

“We are incredibly happy with the sensory garden. We wanted a space that would create a calm environment and offer a diverse opportunity for learning, and this has been achieved! It is now a wonderful space for all our children and staff to enjoy, explore and learn.  Thank you to all involved”.

Ciara Munnelly, Deputy Headteacher, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.

We’d like to thank the suppliers and contractors who assisted and helped us deliver this local school project.

• Palmer Landscapes / Adam Palmer – supplied of soil, bark mulch and plants (and assistance with the works)
• SP Smiths Painting Contractors Ltd – supplied the paint and brushes
• Beauparc / LSS – supplied the skip
• MTG Plant – supplied the excavator

It has been a delight to support the local community around us and we are keen to continue enhancing the lives of others in the places we work.

Awards Recognition at HMP Millsike

What a fantastic achievement! We’re delighted to share how proud we are of our winning team at Project HMP Millsike with Kier Group. We received the three following awards:

✅  Sustainable Contractor of Year
✅  Social value Contractor of Year
✅  Highly Commended (Runner up) Supervisor of Year Alan Whyte

The volume of work being undertaken by ALL subcontractors on this site is really impressive with so much action at any given time.

Great to see others on site progressing well too – shout out to PCE Limited, V. J. Donegan and Co. Ltd. and Trenchless Solutions Limited.

🎉 Great effort by the Moortown Team 🎉

 

Footie Fun Fundraiser Challenge

The Moortown Marauders go head-to-head with IHP Derby United for a footie fun fundraiser challenge!

On Thursday 14^th September, our site team based at Derby Kingsway Hospital have been eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated Charity match with IHP, and they didn’t disappoint.

Held at the nearby Rykneld Sports Centre, our Head Coach Kev Bourke has done a fantastic job of rallying a team together with our team line-up being:

• Sam Irish
• Tom Warrington
• Kian Barrett
• Olly Grundy
• Tom Beever
• Sam Peake

­IHP were fast out of the blocks but were met with a resolute Moortown defence, headed by the immoveable object aka Kian Barrett. He was in total control throughout the game and epitomised side before self. In front of him was the stoic “Sam thou shall not pass Irish”.

IHP quickly ran out of steam but never gave up the ghost even after going 1-0 within the first 10 minutes.

Moortown’s midfielders Olly “Rolls Royce” Grundy and Tom “Ferrari “Beever were headed by Tom “Messi” Warrington and dominated ball possession for the entire game.

The midfield generals had the luxury of feeding Sam Ronaldo Peake who spearheaded the attack with the verve of a man half his age and was always available for the ball despite some rather overzealous defending.

A second goal from Tom “Messi” Warrington just before half time sealed IHP’s fate. Tom was outstanding throughout. Harry Leadbetter in goal for IHP was inspired keeping the score line respectable and within reach of salvation as the first half came to an end.

In the second half, IHP led a spirited comeback inspired by James Beardmore leading from the front and threading passes through to the forwards. Moortown’s impregnable defence held firm and could have increased the lead if it wasn’t for the heroics of star keeper Harry Leadbetter. By the end of the game the Moortown Marauders were in comfortable control.

Great effort by both teams, with a final score of 2-0 to the Moortown Marauders!

It’s still not too late to make a donation to the wonderful local charity Community Action Derby, as the beneficiary of any monies we raise, with all your donations going directly to the cause.

Community Action Derby is a registered charity which provides support and guidance for voluntary and community groups, with the aim of enhancing life in Derby through voluntary action.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ihp-derbyshire-5-a-side-footy

Integrated Health Projects (IHP) is the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, has been appointed by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the design and construction of two 54-bed mental health facilities for Adult Acute Care (AAU) at the Kingsway Hospital in Derby and in the grounds of Chesterfield Royal Hospital, the former also including a 14-bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Works underway at Cockburn School

It’s been a busy few months setting up site and getting our kit over to a new project at Cockburn School in Leeds with Leeds City Council. Works have been underway since mid-July and have been progressing well:

• Completed drainage
• Completed kerbs to pitch perimeter
• Commenced fencing to secure line boundary
• Commenced fencing to sports pitch

With future works including the:

• Planting of trees and seeding works to commence next week
• Asphalt to Tennis courts commencing early October
• Synthetic grass to 3G pitch commencing mid-October.

From the air Clevershot have done a great job of capturing some of these initial elements and will be keeping an eye on the development of the project.

Health & Safety Roadshow Part 1

Following on from our recent company-wide Safety Stand Down day that took place at our HQ a couple of weeks ago, we’ve decided to take things a step further by rolling out a Health and Safety Roadshow initiative to emphasise key messages and high standards to the wider workforce. 

   

After taking time to reflect on our safety operations with all our Managers, Supervisors and Engineers, we have made it our mission to ensure all of our site teams hear this information first hand in order to engage fully and promote a strong focus on behavioural change.

   

Our HSQE Director, Jonathan Milnes and Operations Director, Richard Mitchell have been delivering the first leg of the Health and Safety Roadshow up and down the country, communicating a collective responsibility to all. 

  

To date, we’ve conducted six site visits that have included the HMP Millsike project in East Yorkshire, Project SOFIA in the North East, a Critical National Infrastructure Project, the Kingsway Hospital in Derby, the Chesterfield Royal Hospital and the Montagu Hospital in Mexborough.

.    

We want to make it clear to all the clients we work with how deeply committed we are to demonstrating a united effort and addressing any issues in order to move forward with the right consistent approach to working safely at all times.

.   

Health and Safety figures for 2022/23 released by the HSE reveal that 135 workers sustained fatal injuries last year across all industries, which is up from 123 the previous year. The three most common causes of fatal injuries are falls from height (40), being struck by a moving object (29), and being struck by a moving vehicle (20).

With these statistics in mind, it is a stark reminder that the works undertaken are high risk and require careful planning and consideration for the environments that we work in.

The main hazards and risks which apply to a huge portion of our workforce cover: 

• people working in the construction industry
• working at height
• workers aged 60 or over – we would take it that this demographic have a significant amount of experience within the industry 

We do not want to become part of these statistics, and appreciate the feedback and support from the site teams so far who have been part of the Roadshow experience. The Roadshow will continue across other sites resuming in September, due to the peak holiday season. 

We’d like to thank our clients for supporting our Roadshow initiative and to our fantastic workforce who do uphold our company values when arriving on site each day.

Boho X Handover

We’re delighted to share the recent project completion of Boho X in the North East. Working with Galliford Try, the project began in September 2021.

Constructed with 7 floors, this 60,000 square foot of space will be an attractive facility for a wide range of digital businesses to expand and grow in the North East area. Situated in Middlesborough between Gosford Street and Feversham Street, in what is now becoming known as the Boho regeneration area.

Over two visits, our works package included:

Visit 1

• 7 storey slipform core
• Supply and installation of PCC stairs
• Foundations
• Drainage
• Ground floor slab

Visit 2

External Works including:

• Installation of PC terrace seating
• Hard landscape works

Prison leaver opportunities

A drive to increase employment opportunities for prison leavers in construction.

Did you know… reoffending is estimated to cost the UK £18bn per year? Like most things, this money could be better spent elsewhere if we could help break this relentless money pit cycle. Latest research from the Government shows:

• Only 17% of ex-offenders manage to get a job within a year of release
• 81% of people think that businesses employing ex-offenders are making a positive contribution to society
• 86% of employers of ex-offenders rate them as good at their job
• 92% of employers say diverse recruitment has enhanced their reputation, helping them win new contracts

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unlock-opportunity-employer-information-pack-and-case-studies/employing-prisoners-and-ex-offenders

As part of Kier’s Social Values initiatives, we’ve been supporting a particular focus on the implementation of work opportunities for the rehabilitation of ex-offenders and prisoners on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL). These opportunities involve industry workshops, ROTL placements and employment of prison leavers as part of their Making Ground programme.

Currently at one of our MoJ sites at HMP Millsike, we have two ROTL guys and one ex-offender that have been working on site for several weeks. They were both hired as labourers with a view to become a dumper operator / apprentice groundworker. Their CSCS cards are acquired through the prison, where they can then progress to get their dumper roller license and shadow the groundworks carried out. Below, is one of our ROTL guys who is looking after a Silt Buster unit by checking its levels.

We’ve had great feedback by our management team, citing,

“They’ve settled in really well and are making a positive impact on the project”

John Murphy, Site Manager.

The hiring process can involve different methods of recruitment. Firstly, offering this kind of employment is only applicable to CAT D prisons, where there might be a careers fair, followed by an interview from a subcontractor such as ourselves. A risk assessment is then processed by Kier. This is further enabled by the New Futures Network (NFN), who are a specialist part of the prison service that brokers partnerships between prisons and employers.

Opportunities for serving prisoners 

Employers can set up training and production facilities in a dedicated space within the prison estate. Workshops run by external organisations benefit from a dedicated workforce made up of serving prisoners. NFN find out what will suit your business needs and helps prisoners gain valuable skills and qualifications which will increase their likelihood of securing employment after release.

Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) 

Release on Temporary Licence, or ROTL, is a scheme which allows risk-assessed prisoners who are within two years of release to work while on day release from prison. This can be for a full working week or part-time. It allows for training and work experience to a serving prisoner while you assess if they are right for your business, before possibly offering them a job on their release.

Employment on release 

Upon release, individuals can work and have full employee rights. NFN can also help to arrange interviews with prospective candidates before they are released, so that you a business can choose the right candidate.