Latest ICM Southern Region Newsletter available

The November 2017 issue of the ICM Southern Region Newsletter is available to download and read for free. You can grab it by visiting the ICM website.

Included in this issue is news of Mountjoy and Tew agreeing a £20 million Council term, JCB securing a major deal in the UK with rental company A-Plant for 1,200 machines, and our personal favourite, a piece on the Demolition degree launched at the University of Wolverhampton.

At just a couple of pages long, it's a perfect lunchtime read.

IDE calls for visiting lecturers at the University of Wolverhampton

The launch of the world leading Demolition Degree gets ever closer with the first students commencing their study at the University on Thursday, 28th September this year.

The content of the course has now been agreed by the IDE Education Committee. Dr. Terry Quarmby and our own John Woodward are on-board to deliver the relevant lectures. However, there is a need for additional lecturers to assist with the course and anyone interested in offering their time should contact Richard Dolman with a copy of their CV and relevant training qualifications.

Please note, lecturers will need to make themselves available on various dates throughout the academic year.

To contact Richard Dolman, please email info@ide.org.uk

John F Hunt Demolition Ltd Carlton School Career Day

2017 sees the launch of the first Demolition-focused degree, but in order for that degree to garner interest from students, who form the future of our industry, we need kids to know about demolition. That's why we're pleased John F Hunt Demolition Ltd attended a career day at Carlton School last month.

The IDE website has a full write up of the visit which is well worth a read. The only part we'll share here is the questions that the children asked, which included:

1. Why is demolition needed?
2. What’s involved in demolition?
3. What’s best about working in demolition?
4. What types of buildings have been destroyed by the company?
5. What do you have to do to be a manager?

Source: IDE

Matt Birch chats about the UK's first Demolition Degree (on camera)

C&D's very own Matt Birch featured in this video chatting about the UK's first Demolition Degree, which starts next year at Wolverhampton University. Matt will be attending!

A chat with Matt Birch about the Demolition Degree

Last week we brought you the news that the UK’s first ever demolition degree had been announced.

C&D’s very own Matt Birch, trainee demolition engineer, was one of the first people to sign up for the course, which will be officially launched at the University of Wolverhampton in September 2017.

Here we speak to Matt about his journey with C&D so far and to find out what he hopes to achieve from the course.

What made you want to pursue demolition as a career?

It all happened when John Woodward (C&D founder) came to Smestow School in 2014 to do a talk as part of an initiative called ‘Inspiring the Future’. He spoke really passionately about the demolition industry and its use of ground-breaking technology, which I found very interesting.

Feeling inspired, I contacted John a couple of days later to ask if I could do a week’s work experience with C&D. He agreed and following that I returned for a further four week placement in 2015. Then earlier this year, I joined C&D full-time as a trainee demolition engineer.

Why did you want to sign up for the degree?

When I first heard about the degree, it was a very easy decision to put my name forward.

I enjoy learning and I have developed a real thirst for knowledge during my brief time working in the demolition sector and this gives me the ideal opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge even further, not to mention the chance to secure a national qualification in the process.

What impact do you think these developments will have on the sector as a whole?

There is a lack of understanding about the complexity of the industry as a whole, there is a lot more to it than just knocking down buildings and clearing the rubble. No two projects are the same.

Now is an incredibly exciting time to break into the demolition industry. Hopefully the course will go some way towards eliminating the common misconceptions surrounding the sector as well as presenting demolition as a viable alternative to other engineering career choices such as mechanics or architecture.

Will you continue to work at C&D during your studies?

Yes. The degree is going to have a big emphasis on working in industry, so the hands-on experience will only benefit my studies.