CIBSE is an institution for everyone who is passionate about building services engineering, and the good it does in society; and we’re firmly of the opinion that the more people we can encourage into our exciting, ground-breaking, life-saving industry, the better. A big part of what we do is to spread the public benefit of building services engineering, and to do that to the best of our ability without engaging more than half the population is an unachievable task.

That’s why we’re so excited by the work of a fellow engineering organisation – the Women’s Engineering Society – and their big event: National Women in Engineering Day. They describe it as an “International awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering and focus on the amazing career opportunities available to girls in this exciting industry”, and it’s certainly making a splash. With over 500 events across the country last year, as well as the involvement of Prime Minister David Cameron and the Prince of Wales, trending on Twitter worldwide and discussed on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour programme, it’s doing a great deal to raise women in engineering in the public consciousness.

It’s not just up to professional organisations to make a difference though. To truly change the experience for women in engineering, it requires the participation of everyone involved in the industry. In order to help raise awareness and highlight the fantastic work of women engineers now and throughout history, we’re asking you to nominate your greatest inspirations of today and yesterday.

Female engineers have been behind some of the most awe-inspiring achievements in human history, but often their contributions are overlooked. There are also thousands of brilliant, dedicated women working in engineering right at this moment – at the top of their game, blazing trails and showing young women starting out just what is possible with a career in engineering.

Between now and National Women in Engineering Day, we’re looking for your views on the most inspiring women engineers in history and now, via our online poll. Click the link below to access it, fill it in, and we’ll announce the results on National Women in Engineering Day on 23 June. Click here to take the survey

Our "Get Wales Building" message is working, and over the next 5 years we can expect to see a major increase in housebuilding and home improvement across the country. But how do you get involved?

These half day events will give you the opportunity to keep right up to date on the latest matters that will shape the future of your business.

You will hear  from a range of speakers including  Welsh Government , Building Alliance, NHBC, LABC as well as seeing a live demonstration of a new fast tried and tested building system from Wienerberger. If you are in anyway involved in new homes building, extensions or improvements this a must attend event. A full agenda will be published shortly.

In terms of refurbishment and improvement, Wales has specific issues as opposed to England. Wales has the oldest building stock in the UK with 34% traditionally built compared to 22% in England. The traditionally built category is defined as those buildings constructed before 1919 and are categorised as built with solid masonry walls compared to modern cavity walling.

For many decades’ traditional buildings have been misunderstood and treated as modern buildings, with many unintended consequences. Traditional buildings are vapour permeable in that moisture ingresses into building fabric and dries out in cycles, whereas modern buildings rely upon impermeable layers to keep moisture out. The tendency to apply impermeable layers into traditional permeable structures has led to some disastrous consequences across the UK.

Watch out for more information on this, but meanwhile book your place at the What's new in Welsh Housing event in Llandudno on 12th July.

How to Book: To reserve your place please email CEWales Events stating your full contact details and the names of all delegates wishing to attend.

Non-attendance by any registered delegate will be charged in full unless you have informed us prior to the event.

In order to reduce wastage at our events, CEW operates a policy of only notifying venue details when issuing registration confirmation. This ensures that we only cater for delegates who have registered and don't over-order for individuals who may or may not turn up on the day.

A free iPhone app has been launched by Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW) to help divert waste from landfill when builders and trades people carry out renovation and repairs for homeowners.

Called Skip Advisor, the app gives advice on what their responsibilities are, estimates how much waste each project will generate and highlights where to find Green Compass waste management companies across Wales.

“Much of the waste from building projects is classified as ‘mixed waste’ and we recognised that we could do more to help people take reasonable steps to ensure that it is managed properly. Wales has made great strides in reducing landfill and we’ve created Skip Advisor as a useful tool for the building trade as it locates your nearest Green Compass waste management company, which set out clear and accurate data on how much waste is being kept out of landfill” explains Paul Jennings of CEW.

The app also has a useful project estimator which lets users assess how much waste a renovation / new build is likely to generate, so that skip disposal can be allowed for before work begins. Best practice guidance is also available on the app.

Download Skip Advisor today at iTunes - https://appsto.re/gb/ZmQH_.i


  

If Wales is to continue to build itself out of recession and create a world class built environment, it needs to recruit, train and then retain talent – so where better to begin than with apprentices?

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and a consortium led by The University of Wales Trinity Saint David, will establish the Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC) to offer state-of-the-art facilities and world-class training for individuals and construction companies. With its proposed headquarters at the Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter, the CWIC will also have sites at colleges across Wales, including Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion, which are part of the UWTSD Group, and Coleg Cambria in North Wales and Coleg y Cymoedd in South East Wales. Construction is due to begin towards the end of 2016 with the CWIC's opening targeted for September 2018.

Cyfle Building Skills is a Multi Award Winner Regional Shared Apprenticeship Scheme, that currently employs over 140 apprentices. It is a Shared Apprenticeship Scheme that was launched by South West Wales Regional Shared Apprenticeship Ltd (SWWRSAL) and CITB in 2013 which is currently the largest Shared Apprenticeship Scheme in the UK. The aim is to provide a service which supports young adults into sustainable employment within the construction industry. This will help young people further their careers and their chances of gaining employment. They will have the opportunity to gain an NVQ level 2 & 3.

Following the presentations, the South West Wales Best Practice Club will be holding their AGM which you are very welcome to attend.

How to Book: To reserve your place please email CEWales Events stating your full contact details and the names of all delegates wishing to attend.