Studying Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment at the Leeds College of Building, Drew Carr joined the Moortown team back in September 2016 as a Trainee Engineer that is looking forward to graduating at the end of this year. 

Read on to hear Drew’s apprenticeship experience!

What has it been like working at Moortown Group?

“There’s been a great mix of engineers to learn from and I’ve felt valued doing real work and not just shadowing my colleagues, but really getting stuck in with the team. They have supported and encouraged me along the way, and I’ve never felt uncomfortable to ask for help if it’s needed. It’s a positive working environment here, and it’s really benefitted my confidence levels”.

Which projects have you worked on? 

• Field Head Hospital, Wakefield
• Biomass Templeborough, Rotherham
• WREN, Hull
• Bannerdale School, Sheffield
• CTAR, University of Leeds
• Sedburgh Sports Centre, Bradford
• Ash Hill School, Doncaster
• East Leeds Free School

Favourite Project?

“I particularly enjoyed working on the Biomass project at Templeborough, Rotherham. I learnt a huge amount, and really felt like a valued member of the Team there. I also really liked working on Bannerdale School, which was my first School project. Again, the team here were really supportive and I was able to make the most of this opportunity”.

What are your future aspirations?

“I’d like to keep working hard within the business, and working on a wide variety of projects. Ultimately, I’d like to progress onto becoming a Project Manager one day”.

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

Our second apprentice spotlight is on Joe Farrell, studying Civil Engineering and Construction Management at the Leeds College of Building as a Trainee Engineer. This involves 3 years of education whilst working full time on site.

Read on to hear Joe’s thoughts!

Why did you choose this vocation?

“I already had an interest in construction from various family influences, such as my Uncle who has been a Groundworker for 19 years at Moortown Group. I was introduced to the company, and began a summer job which led to an apprenticeship“.

“The industry seems to be abundant with engineering opportunities and I liked the prospect of being part of that world and having an exciting career path. I want to earn whilst I learn, and acquire lots of good practical experience along the way”.

What has it been like working at Moortown Group?

“I joined Moortown Group in June 2021, and have been fortunate enough to work on two brilliant projects so far, the first being a Distribution Centre at South Elmsall and the other is at Aire Park in Leeds. I have enjoyed having responsibility and learning some leadership skills from others and feeling part of a team. It’s a friendly and supportive environment to work in, and I feel I can approach anyone for guidance”. 

What skills have you learnt? 

• Working with equipment including total stations and laser levels
• Taking on roles of high responsibility
• Communication skills
• Leadership skills

What are your future aspirations?

“I’d like to keep working hard and learn as much as I can within the industry and to have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, and hopefully have a long and prosperous career with Moortown Group like my Uncle”.

We look forward to following up on Joe’s progress on his apprenticeship journey.

Cubicost TAS C-III Case Study for Globe Road, Leeds

Project Information:

Globe Road is a new residential complex to be built in the South Bank area of Leeds City Centre consisting of eight multi-story apartment buildings – the tallest of which is 23 stories including roof level. RC structural components underpin the framework of the entire site; it was Moortown Group’s responsibility to ensure a comprehensive RC frame and groundworks package is successfully estimated and delivered to the client within the allotted time. Entities included piles, pile caps, ground beams, slabs, walls, and tie beams.

We asked our Trainee Engineer Aidan Harrison who joined Moortown Group at the beginning of summer 2021, for an 8-week Work Experience placement, to learn and experiment with the software by discovering its full capabilities. His brief was to use Cubicost TAS to produce precise quantity takeoffs and visualise a large eight-building project. Using both CAD and PDF drawings, and applying the auto 3D visualisation feature they created a detailed 3D model, which helped to significantly improve estimation accuracy and communication.

Main Challenges/Tasks:

The main challenges included identifying all elements shown in the provided structural drawings and positioning them correctly within the model to ensure accurate and consistent quantity/material takeoffs. Paying careful attention to details such as varying slab levels and soffits was important as these aspects are easily overlooked, especially in large scale projects such as Globe Road. Cross-checking the results against engineers’ drawings was important at every stage of the modelling process to achieve the desired outcome and then to import drawings both in .dwg and .pdf format to extract data.

Solution Used/Approach:

Using Cubicost TAS C-III, Aidan was able to create a precise 3D model which he could use to locate specific quantities/materials. By making use of the project settings, he was able to define zones, floor levels and material grades prior to the modelling stage. He then imported structural drawings and followed the identifying process outlined in the provided tutorials on a floor-by-floor basis, starting with the foundations. Specific areas required a greater deal of precision and used the custom element tool to create non-standard entities within the model i.e., slab edge thickenings. After finalising the model, Aidan conducted quantity and material takeoffs using the built-in calculation feature. By modifying the output template, he was able to tailor the BQ, ready to be sent to the client.

Outcome/Achievements:

Through TAS C-III, Aidan was able to produce a 3D visualisation of the whole project including everything within Moortown Group’s RC package, allowing for a clearer understanding of the job within the business. The BQ created alongside the model contained all the necessary information to carry out the job tender, without further modification using other software. By exporting the model as an IFC file, the project may also be shared with the client to aid with project clarity and communication.

Aidan commented that he’d felt like “a valued member of an experienced team of estimators and quantity surveyors who have been exceptionally welcoming” throughout his time at the company. He added, “everyone has been very helpful and receptive; I have learnt a great deal about the construction industry all round, especially the nature of work within the subcontracting sector.” He feels his technical knowledge of RC structures, including how to conduct accurate material and quantity take-off, has been “improved considerably” and is thrilled he will be returning to university with some “great industry experience and connections which will form the basis of a future career”.

About Cubicost TAS C-III:

Cubicost TAS makes the quantification of buildings less time-consuming, more intuitive and highly automated. Redefine the quantity takeoff of architecture & structure for 2D & BIM. The software enhances drawings, allowing for elements such as walls & columns to be automatically identified and visualised in 3D, for unparalleled efficiency. Embedded measurement rules including SMM7 and NRM2 enable automatic deductions for producing precise bill of quantities. For more information click here.

Introducing Maurice…

This month, we’re focussing on several ways to improve our existing Health and Safety literature throughout the company, as a way of demonstrating our commitment to this important topic. 

We believe by building a strong brand image around Health and Safety will help increase the level of engagement with all the workforce, encourage better communication within teams, and bring about further clarity in our key messaging. 

In order to reach these targets, we are looking at several areas where we can apply visuals and graphics, and generate a positive working ‘site culture’ where no question is deemed a stupid question. Trying to overcome this stigma is no easy task, but we’re going to make a start by reinforcing our values in an open and honest way with our site teams.

We have decided to emphasise an existing expression sometimes used in construction: “Know Safety, No Pain.” We’re applying this simple and direct messaging to all our health and safety branding, making it very clear that this is a high priority and important value at Moortown Group. 

 Across all Moortown sites, our workforce will be introduced to our new safety mascot, Maurice. This tongue-in-cheek character is to catch the attention of all our workers, and make information more memorable as they move around site, checking and following best practice procedures.

These graphics are gradually being rolled out in various ways:

• To the existing safety noticeboards / information boards
• Pedestrian / traffic management notices
• Best Practice / procedure guidance
• Site team talks / training / engagement

We’ve already received fantastic feedback from some of our clients, and we will continue to drive this initiative for the foreseeable future. Maurice is here to stay!

We’re thrilled to have won a significant contract with global construction company Vastint. Based in a central area of Leeds, South bank is home to the iconic Tetley Brewery building which has stood since 1822.  

The land which totals 8.1 hectares, was acquired by Vastint back in 2016. Since then, they’ve worked in close consultation with Leeds City Council’s Planning Department and other stakeholders, with plans to redevelop the site into a vibrant, well connected and sustainable mixed use neighbourhood. The aim of the scheme is to support the expansion of the city core, providing a vital link connecting the city centre with the Tetley and its creative neighbours, through to the education district and the communities to the south. 

Moortown started work on site very recently, working on the first phase of its 6.6 hectares which sits between Crown Point Road to the south, Waterloo Street to the north, Meadow Lane to the east with the Tetley building at its centre.  

The first phase of our works includes: 

•   Construction of adopted link roads and sewers 
•   Associated utilities infrastructure 
•   Substructures to several buildings 
•   RC pile caps, ground beams and floor slabs 
•   Extensive hard landscaping and park areas 

We’re looking forward to seeing how the project progresses and the transformation that this will through its expansion of the city core and providing a link connecting the city centre. 

As a company, we have recently launched an online induction portal to provide all employees with the necessary learning and support modules, and a step towards a more digital approach in achieving this.

Employees can log on online or scan a QR code seen on our site notice boards, where they can access this important information. This will be an annual requirement and will also enable CPD, management of company-wide training and provide efficiencies whilst ensuring legal compliance across both our office and site operations.

The induction must be completed by ALL who work for and on behalf of Moortown, including sub-contractors and agencies so they will be expected to complete the induction. Once an occupation and you are registered you will have to completed a “passport” which is essentially your induction.

For all site based occupations there are 4 modules to watch with questions after each one whilst office related occupations have 1 module which is then followed by a series of HSEQ Statements including Covid and medical questionnaires which require reading and then signing to confirm acceptance.

After all the passport elements have been completed you will have completed the Moortown induction and this will then enable training cards/certificates to be uploaded to form our new training matrix which will be available to all managers as “superusers” to access and search for operatives training and help in planning with resources.

There are also a range of CPD course which is e-learning and ROSPA approved and on completion you will be issued with a certificate. Ideally the induction should be done prior to arriving on site ( which will streamline morning operations ) and provide the new starters with information about Moortown and the standards that are expected on site with a consistent message delivered.

We have recently installed several new electric car charging points in our private office car park space for any of our staff to use. The BASICCHARGE:EV pedestal is an affordable and adaptable EV charging solution. As a conscious effort to move towards greener energy resources, we feel it is important to do our bit for the environment wherever possible and provide this resource at our office location.

Specification:

• Mode 3 (IEC 61851-1) fast charging

• Available in 1way & 2way versions

• 3.6kW (16A) & 7.2kW (32A) charging speeds

• Type 2 (IEC 62196) charging socket(s) c/w security hatchlock(s)

• Photocell controlled LED amenity lighting head

• Surface or root mountable

• Built-in AC overload and fault current protection

• Built-in DC sensitive protection

• Built-in LED charging status indicator socket halo(s)

• Easy to install & maintain

• IP rated

• UV stabilised

• Corrosion resistant