Save lives through engineering

Misunderstanding has long plagued the engineering industry, something we in the demolition sector know only too well.

For years, there has been misconception among school children that science, technology engineering and maths (STEM) subjects are boring or geeky – and certainly not something you want to profess to enjoying around your mates.

Higher up the education ladder, the barriers are much the same. Courses are seen to be long and hard, requiring high grades to succeed.

Luckily, a new initiative has been launched by the Tomorrow’s Engineers career group.

The 'Save Lives As An Engineer' poster and accompanying teacher booklet are for use with Key Stages 3 and 4. Related to the theme of disaster relief, the resources demonstrate the different ways engineers can be employed in rebuilding and revitalising communities affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and avalanches.

The humanitarian aspect to engineering is often overlooked, and the materials show both girls and boys that a career in the sector can be very rewarding, potentially saving thousands of lives.

The teacher booklet presents classroom discussion topics, links to other useful resources and curriculum-linked lesson plans with student worksheets (KS3 Physics and Design and Technology).

C&D Founder John Woodward has committed a lot of time to promoting demolition as a career choice to school children by taking part in the government-backed initiative Inspiring The Future and writing and publishing his own children’s book called My Dad Does Demolition.

“There is a huge skills gap in the demolition industry as a whole, particularly when it comes to young people. Last year’s announcement of the UK’s first demolition degree was a step in the right direction, but now initiatives such as SaveLives can supplement this by promoting engineering to children of a younger age,” explained John.

He continued: “Many children today are intent on becoming footballers or pop stars, which is fine, but there are also a large percentage of youngsters spending hours on end playing construction-based games like Minecraft. This is the audience we should be looking to attract.”

“If school initiatives can help children understand that there is a direct connection between games like Minecraft and the basic principles of engineering, we may be able to inspire the next generation.”

More information on the SaveLives resources can be found on the Tomorrow’s Engineers website: http://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/savelives/

C&D features twice in latest PDI magazine

We are very happy to report that C&D Consultancy features twice in the latest edition of Professional Demolition International Magazine. The first article is on Page 12 and discusses the My Dad Does Demolition book going global. The second article is on Page 48 and regards the Tarfside Oval demolition project in Glasgow and "C&D Consultancy’s low-key, behind-the-scenes support."

PDI Magazine can be viewed for free online, simply click this link and start reading in your web browser.

C&D customer ECY Haulmark like "My Dad does Demolition"

ECY Haulmark are always looking to engage with current and future customers so it was no surprise when MD Rick Yarwood ordered a few copies of "My Dad does Demolition" for the workforce to see the reaction and to test whether the book would be useful at trade events in the future.

Rick's comments were:

"Thanks very much for the books. I thought they were very well written and enjoyable. Both my son and daughter read them and enjoyed them.

I liked the bit at the end about the young lad dressing up. Please see attached picture."

We think the picture sums up what we wanted the message from the book to be.

My Dad does Demolition crosses the pond

Joint authors of My Dad Does Demolition--John Woodward & Mark Anthony--are delighted that Bill Moore (judge of the World Demolition Awards in Amsterdam in November) liked the book so much that he ordered one for his grandson Jake.

Here is what Bill said when he sent through a picture of his grandson with the book:

"As promised, here's a picture I had taken yesterday after giving your book to my grandson, Jake, at his 8th birthday party.

My son, John, is 36 and is the general superintendent for Alpine Demolition, a suburban Chicago demolition contractor.

Jake may be the 3rd generation "wrecker"?

Thanks again for the great book!"

We've also received picture proof from our friend and explosive demolition expert Fabio Bruno that My Dad Does Demolition has now reached Brazil!


You can still obtain copies via eBay.

My Dad Does Demolition gets school approval

Regular readers of this site will know that John Woodward recently co-wrote a children's book with Mark Anthony of Demolition News to try to encourage children to consider demolition as a career and sales have been very good.

The idea was to get schools to encourage children to read the book and it looks like that idea has started to work.

Paul Burley of Burley Demolition recently purchased a copy of the book to read with his son Ollie, and Ollie was so delighted with the book that he took it into Suttons Primary School in Hornchurch to show to his teacher. The teacher then gave Ollie a special assignment as homework.

He had to get to meet John, get his copy of the book autographed, and then take the book back to school. A tall order as Ollie is in London and John is in Wolverhampton!

However his Dad had a plan!

Ollie and Paul were attending the IDE/NFDC DemoExpo2015 in Reading and knew that John would be there so Ollie arrived, book in hand, and got John to sign it (with a photo to prove it).

Homework assignment completed!

If you'd like your own copy of the book, it's available right now for $4.99 on eBay.

Fantastic coverage lately for our children's demolition book

We are very pleased to see that our recently published children's book dedicated to the demolition industry is receiving some fantastic coverage in the press. The three stand out examples include some coverage in the Express & Star, which you can read by clicking on the image below:



The book has also received coverage in BDaily, with an article titled "Demolition industry brought to book by Wolverhampton expert." and on The Midlands Business, with an article titled "Demolition industry brought to book by Wolverhampton expert."

If you have yet to read My Dad Does Demolition, then it's easy to pick up your very own copy for £4.99 + postage on eBay.

My Dad Does Demolition - Exclusive Book Trailer

If you'd like to buy a copy of the book, further details can be found here.

New children’s book highlights the core values and potential hazards of the demolition business.

C&D Consultancy is proud to announce the publication of a new children’s book dedicated to the demolition industry.

My Dad Does Demolition is the brainchild of former Institute of Demolition Engineers’ president and industry training leader John Woodward.

Ideally suited to children from five to eight years old, the book has been developed to encourage children to consider a career in demolition from an early age.

“I wanted a book that showed children what demolition was all about, how safety is vitally important, and how materials could be recycled and re-used. Perhaps the biggest challenge was making demolition sound as interesting as possible without making it sound so intriguing that children viewed demolition sites as potential playgrounds.”

“Many children today are intent on becoming footballers or pop stars. I wanted to show them that there was an alternative within the demolition industry,” he explains. “Understandably, we try to keep children at arm’s length because of the potential hazards on demolition sites, but this makes it difficult to engage with children that might consider working within the sector. Hopefully, this book will go some way to helping children understand what goes on behind the site hoardings and encourage them to consider a career in our industry.”

The book, which is available for sale priced £4.99 + postage and packing, has also been designed to allow parents, grandparents, carers and teachers to read it with children, to look more deeply at the subjects covered, and to encourage children to ask questions.

“The book ticks all the key industry boxes. Obviously, I wanted to explain just what demolition is, but I also touch upon materials recycling and the role of demolition in making progress possible. And, of course, there is an over-riding safety-first message.”

To purchase the book, just click here.