Last Thursday everyone at Advance TRS got together at our Guildford office for an update on how the business is performing and the presentation of our new company charter.

We were very pleased to hear how well both offices had done over the past six months, already outperforming the previous 12 months by some measures! Some of our colleagues broke their own performance records and many team members are well on their way to securing a ticket to Las Vegas, next year’s company incentive trip – our biggest one yet!

The second part of the conference was dedicated to our new company charter, put together by the Board of Directors and our Marketing & Development Manager. It covers values that are important to us as a business and which we believe should be reflected in our day-to-day work and interactions with clients and colleagues.

We pledge to focus on delivering a quality service, respecting one another and doing what we say we do which ties in well with our Core Values of Quality, Commitment, Integrity, Honesty and Loyalty.

While maintaining our strong reputation as dependable, effective and honest, Advance TRS continues to grow and therefore we are always looking for driven and ambitious individuals to join the team. If this is you and you would like to work for a business that values its employees’ contribution to its success then we would love to hear from you!

To find out more about our current opportunities, visit our careers page, or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Cheshire West and Chester Council to build 737 new homes

Cheshire West and Chester Council have planned to build 737 new homes across six sites in the Borough to meet local housing needs, including affordable homes. Read more…

Funding announced for next generation of new towns in England

New development corporations are being given funding to kick-start work towards creating new towns and communities in England on a scale not seen since Milton Keynes and Canary Wharf were build. Read more…

New roads funding announced that will lead to over 20,000 new homes being built

The Government has announced more than £250 million of funding for infrastructure that it says will unlock over 20,000 homes nationwide. Read more…

Browse our latest Property jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Welsh Water appoints new director for water services

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has strengthened its water services operational team by appointing Dr Simon Earl as its new director for water services. Read more…

Thames Water publishes environmental statement

Thames Water has published its second Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) statement. Read more…

AI technology being adopted by water companies

Stantec and AECOM have both agreed partnerships with EnginSoft in an effort to help water companies adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technology to accelerate the water network assessment process. Read more…

Eric Wright Water expands team to support framework

Eric Wright Water has made a number of key appointments following its appointment to three frameworks for Yorkshire Water. Read more…

Yorkshire Water appoints Smith Brothers for £55m AMP7 high voltage electrical framework

Electrical engineering firm, Smith Brothers Contracting, has secured a position on Yorkshire Water’s high-voltage (HV) electrical design, build, and specialist studies services framework – which carries a total forecast value of up to £55 million. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

BAM wins Port Talbot art deco cinema conversion

BAM Construction has secured a pre-contract deal to restore Port Talbots art deco cinema which has been left derelict for 20 years. Read more…

Willmott Dixon wins £13m Daventry cinema deal

Willmott Dixon has won the starring role to deliver a £13m project to create Daventry’s new Mulberry Place Cinema complex. Read more…

Morgan Sindall and Lovell on hunt for new subcontractors

Morgan Sindall and Lovell are inviting West Wales construction firms and tradespeople to find out about opportunities to work with them at a free networking event next week. Read more…

BAM dives in with £36m Chiltern leisure centre

Chiltern District Council has named BAM Construction as its preferred bidder to deliver a new leisure centre in Amersham. Read more…

Major contractors trial flexible hours for site workers

Bam Construct, Bam Nuttall, Skanska and Willmott Dixon are trialling ways of making working hours more flexible on site. Read more…

McLaren lands £30m Manchester Airport job

Manchester Airports Group has chosen McLaren to build a £30m warehouse and logistics facility on the site of a former WWII aircraft hangar. Read more…

BAM to deliver £35m Glasgow health centre

BAM Construction has been appointed by hub West Scotland to build Scotland’s biggest health centre in Parkhead, Glasgow. Read more…

Browse our latest construction jobs or register for job alerts now.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Telent awarded Network Rail station wi-fi contract

Network Rail has awarded Telent Technology a contract to roll-out free passenger wi-fi with ‘seamless connectivity and single sign-on’ at the 20 major stations which it manages directly. Read more…

New uncertainty over status of HS2 review

The ‘make or break’ review into the future of HS2 being carried out by Douglas Oakervee and Lord (Tony) Berkeley may have been delayed by wider political uncertainties, including the possibility of a General Election, according to the Government’s critics. Read more…

Keighley station set for £4m upgrade

Network Rail has announced an investment of over £4m into the upgrade of Keighley station, improving services and experiences for the 1.7 million annual passengers. Read more…

Network Rail closes in on appointments for East Coast ETCS partners

Network Rail is in the final stages of appointing traffic management and system integration partners for its Digital Railway Transformation programme on the East Coast Main Line. Read more…

London’s Docklands Light Railway will receive New Thales technology

122 million passengers are set to have their journeys improved following Thales’ signing of a new contract to support DLR’s rolling stock replacement programme, which will help bring more regular and reliable journeys in East London from 2023. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs or register for job alerts.

The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Dame Janet Paraskeva to lead RICS’ new Standards & Regulation Board

The woman credited with opening up the legal profession to commercial ownership has been appointed to lead RICS’ new Standards and Regulation Board. Read more…

John Belgrove, Senior Partner at Aon, appointed Chair of Investment Leaders Group

John Belgrove, Senior Partner at global professional services firm Aon, has been appointed Chair of the Investment Leaders Group (ILG), a group of 12 leading pension funds, insurers and asset managers convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). Read more…

ISG names new UK construction chief

ISG has promoted Zoe Price to the role of chief operating officer for its UK Construction business. Read more…

Arup and Network Rail publish innovative report on ‘Tomorrow’s Living Station’

Arup, in partnership with Network Rail, have published their ‘Tomorrow’s Living Station’ report, exploring the exciting part that stations will play in our towns and cities. Read more…

Paradigm adds OneFamily to lender panel

Paradigm Mortgage Services has announced that it has partnered up with OneFamily and made the lifetime mortgage provider the latest member to join its rapidly expanding lender panel. Read more…

Speakers inspire Women in Water campaign

Delegates to the second Women in Water conference organised by British Water have embraced the trade association’s campaign to support women in the industry. Read more…

Interserve set for £36m Walsall hospital A&E upgrade

Interserve has been named as the preferred bidder for a £36m redevelopment programme for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. Read more…

Ilford and Romford station enhancement contract

Network Rail has awarded VolkerFitzpatrick a £20m contract to complete the upgrading of Ilford and Romford stations in east London for the Crossrail project. Read more…

Browse our latest jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

Going for an interview can be a daunting experience, however, a little practice can make you feel much more prepared and at ease. Below is a list we collated of some of the interview dos and don’ts that go beyond doing your homework and researching the company.

What you should do

Arrive early

We recommend being at the place of the interview around 5 to 10 minutes prior. That shows that you have good time management skills. Be mindful that arriving too early can come across just as bad as being late.

Pay attention to your position

Make sure that you face your interviewer and are sitting up straight, not slumped in your chair. This will automatically make you feel more confident and help the interviewer form a positive opinion on you. It is also a good idea to make eye contact throughout, however, don’t overdo it.

Consider your answers

While you shouldn’t leave too long a gap between a question being asked and giving your answer (to the point where it gets uncomfortable), do take time to consider what you want to say and how to word it.

Be authentic

The interviewer, your potential new manager or colleague, needs to be able to get a feel for whether you will fit well into the company not only because you have the right skill set, but also the right personality. Be approachable and take time to smile.

Dress appropriately

If you’re not 100% sure what the dress code will be, it is always a good idea to dress smart. It is an interview after all, even if you will be able to wear more casual clothes on a day to day basis.

What you shouldn’t do

Don’t stress yourself out before the interview

Most people find interviews to be nerve-wracking, however, try not to stress yourself out too much before your appointment.

Don’t fidget too much

Try to keep your hands visible rather than starting to click a pen under the table. Interviewers will understand that you are nervous but fidgeting too much might not give a good impression of yourself.

Don’t forget that anyone you meet could be your future colleague

So be kind to everyone you encounter at the company.

Don’t speak ill of previous employers

It never comes across well to speak negatively about previous colleagues, managers or employers.

Don’t make up answers

If you don’t know the answer to a question it is better to admit it rather than trying to come up with one.

For more interview tips and techniques take a look at the Advance Advice section on our website.

If you’re a driven individual currently looking to take the next step in their career then we’d love to hear from you. Advance TRS is growing quickly, so we are always looking for new people to join the team. If you are interested to find out more about our current opportunities, visit our website or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Dame Janet Paraskeva to lead RICS’ new Standards & Regulation Board

The woman credited with opening up the legal profession to commercial ownership has been appointed to lead RICS’ new Standards and Regulation Board. Read more…

Developers in London not put off by uncertain environment

Developers in London continued to operate in an uncertain environment during the second half of 2019, with Brexit still unresolved, a new Prime Minister, and a challenging planning environment, says a new analysis. Read more…

Government reveals new plans for shared ownership scheme

The government has revealed its plans for a new shared ownership scheme which aims to get tenants on to the housing ladder from as little as £2,000. Read more…

Developers offered incentives to build more eco-friendly homes

Specialist development finance lender, Magnet Capital, has announced it is offering developers an incentive for the construction of eco-friendly homes. Read more…

Paradigm adds OneFamily to lender panel

Paradigm Mortgage Services has announced that it has partnered up with OneFamily and made the lifetime mortgage provider the latest member to join its rapidly expanding lender panel. Read more…

Browse our latest Property jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

John Belgrove, Senior Partner at Aon, appointed Chair of Investment Leaders Group

John Belgrove, Senior Partner at global professional services firm Aon, has been appointed Chair of the Investment Leaders Group (ILG), a group of 12 leading pension funds, insurers and asset managers convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). Read more…

Anglian Water starts work on new £6.5m Norwich to Ludham pipeline

Anglian Water engineers will begin work next week to install nearly 3km of new pipeline which will enable the company to move water from its Water Treatment Works in Norwich to Ludham in order to maintain water supplies to 3,000 homes. Read more…

NI Water awards £25m contract for Software System Engineers (SSEs) services

NI Water has awarded a contract for Software System Engineers (SSEs) services worth an estimated £25 million in total. Read more…

Speakers inspire Women in Water campaign

Delegates to the second Women in Water conference organised by British Water have embraced the trade association’s campaign to support women in the industry. Read more…

Yorkshire Water awards £4m AMP7 telemetry equipment contract

Yorkshire Water has awarded a contract for network telemetry pressure and flow loggers worth an estimated £4 million. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

ISG names new UK construction chief

ISG has promoted Zoe Price to the role of chief operating officer for its UK Construction business. Read more…

Westridge Construction wins Brighton Dome redevelopment

Brighton & Hove City Council has chosen Westridge Construction as the preferred interim contractor to continue essential redevelopment work on Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre. Read more…

Interserve set for £36m Walsall hospital A&E upgrade

Interserve has been named as the preferred bidder for a £36m redevelopment programme for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. Read more…

London council to overhaul £370m housing upkeep

London’s Lambeth council is planning to overhaul its housing repair, cleaning and major works contracts. Read more…

Aecom takes lead design role on Heathrow T2 expansion

Consultant Aecom has secured a multi-million pound contract with Heathrow Airport as lead designer for its Future Terminal 2 Programme. Read more…

B+K wins £42m landmark Sunderland civic hall

Sunderland City Council has awarded Bowmer + Kirkland a £42m contract to build the new city hall. Read more…

Browse our latest Construction jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Arup and Network Rail publish innovative report on ‘Tomorrow’s Living Station’

Arup, in partnership with Network Rail, have published their ‘Tomorrow’s Living Station’ report, exploring the exciting part that stations will play in our towns and cities. Read more…

Welsh SMEs invited to bid for £738M South Wales Metro project

Transport for Wales (TfW) has launched plans to involve local firms in the delivery of the £738M South Wales Metro. Read more…

Ilford and Romford station enhancement contract

Network Rail has awarded VolkerFitzpatrick a £20m contract to complete the upgrading of Ilford and Romford stations in east London for the Crossrail project. Read more…

HS2 JV reveals how it fast-tracked Birmingham design

Consultants working for the Balfour Beatty/Vinci joint venture (BBV JV), which has won the High Speed 2 (HS2) N1 and N2 main works civils contract, have revealed how they fast-tracked the stage 1 design. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

Advance TRS are delighted to be shortlisted as Finalists in the Property Management Awards 2019 for the Recruitment Company of the Year Award.

The team are delighted to be recognised for their dedication to delivering premium quality recruitment solutions to their clients and candidates alike.

Our property services recruitment experts have first-hand experience within the sector, where they gained the very best knowledge of the roles they recruit for and the challenges clients and candidates face. This first-hand experience allows us to fully qualify our candidates, ensuring they only put forward the very best calibre.

Group Founder and Managing Director, Andy Ridout explains;

“The team is committed to finding only the best candidates for our clients and ensure they are carefully qualified and suitable for the relevant role. I’m absolutely delighted to see the team’s hard work and efforts recognised in the Property Management Awards shortlist.”

The rapidly growing recruitment company, specialising in the provision of highly-skilled technical professionals for the built environment employs some of the industry’s most experienced professionals and MD Andy plans to more than double the workforce in the next couple of years and open offices in further locations.

Whilst continuing to grow and improve the business, Advance TRS maintain committed to providing excellent customer service to both candidates and clients alike. With business development plans firmly rooted in our five Core Values of Quality, Commitment, Integrity, Honesty and Loyalty, Advance TRS aims to continue this pattern of growth whilst maintaining our strong reputation as dependable, effective and honest.

“Advance TRS’ success has proven that hard work and a dedication to delivering excellent service pays off” Andy explains.

“Now, the team and I continue to be more motivated than ever and are excited for what the future brings.”

If you’re a driven individual who likes to contribute to their brand’s success then we’d love to hear from you. Advance TRS is growing quickly, so we are always looking for new people to join the team. If you are interested to find out more about our current opportunities, visit our website or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Swansea BS latest member to join Paradigm lender panel

Swansea Building Society has announced that it has become the latest lender to be added to the Paradigm Mortgage Services’ lender panel. Read more…

Bellway announce record number of completions

Housebuilder, Bellway, has announced that it has delivered a record number of housing completions in the year ending July 31 2019 with 10,892 homes completed in the year, up 5.7% from 10,307 last year. Read more…

Browse our latest Property jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Two Network Rail leaders internationally recognised among most influential women in engineering

The Financial Times has selected two Network Rail leaders to appear on the most influential females in engineering list. Read more…

Crossrail’s Paddington service plans revealed

Trains from London Paddington Crossrail station to Shenfield will begin six months after trains start serving the low-level station from other destinations. Read more…

Coming soon to a station near you?

Robots could be guiding passengers around stations in the future, under plans revealed by Hitachi this week. Read more…

Transport secretary approves Northampton rail depot plans

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has given the green light to plans submitted for the Northampton Gateway Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, a huge rail depot located to the south of Northampton. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

There are many ways offices can become more sustainable and thus be more environmentally friendly. We have collated a list to name just some of the steps companies can take.

Turn off computers when they’re not in use

Make sure when you leave the office that you switch off your computer rather than just locking it. It’s also a good idea to set a relatively short time for your PC to go into standby mode when not in use, for example when you leave your desk to go to lunch.

Use fewer paper towels

Where possible, use hand dryers instead of paper towels and make sure that taps are turned off so they are not left running for a long period of time. Make sure they are turned off completely and don’t drip. A tap that leaks at a rate of one drop per second can waste more than 25 litres of water a day!

Turn off lights when you leave the room

If you’re the last one to leave the office, make sure to switch off all lights and don’t leave them on overnight. Ensure to do the same when you leave rooms.

Cut down on paper

While going paperless might not be possible for every business, try to cut down on printing and encourage paperless meetings, where the agenda and presentations can be displayed on a screen instead.

Recycle and reuse

Another great way to help the environment is to recycle any waste and go for reusables instead of disposables. It’s much better to give your plate and cutlery a quick wash than throwing them away – they will just end up in landfill!

There is much more that can be done but even if you can’t make all the changes, a few small ones can make a big difference!

We care about the environment

At Advance TRS we are making more and more changes, including the above, to make sure that we minimise our impact on the environment. We remind colleagues to print off only the necessary and use projectors instead where possible. To make implementing the changes more fun and get everyone involved, we are even looking at turning some of them into challenges. For example, if we see a colleague use disposable cups and cutlery on a regular basis and throw them away, they might be asked to put some change in a jar. The money collected can then go towards buying everyone Advance TRS branded travel mugs.

We are currently recruiting, so if you want to work for a company that places the environment as a priority send us your CV or take a look at our latest vacancies.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Severn Trent named in top three in UK Social Mobility Index

Midlands water and waste company Severn Trent has been named as one of the top companies for helping social mobility in the country. Read more…

South West Water takes major step in controlling bursts and reducing service interruptions

South West Water has become the first UK water company to become self-sufficient in installing Advanced Valve Technologies’ (AVT) EZ Valve™ kits, acquiring new equipment and expertise to help control burst situations and reduce service interruptions to customers. Read more…

Yorkshire Water awards £1bn AMP7 MEICA Frameworks

Yorkshire Water has awarded £1billion AMP7 Complex and Minor MEICA Frameworks, covering new build and refurbishment works for all mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation assets. Read more…

South West Water completes work on new scheme to protect Plymouth’s bathing waters

South West Water has completed upgrade work on the sewer network in Lipson Vale to protect Plymouth’s bathing waters. Read more…

Amey announces 5% spending commitment with social enterprises by 2023

Leading infrastructure provider and consultancy Amey has announced an ambitious four-year spending target with social enterprises, making it the first strategic supplier to commit a percentage of its addressable spend to businesses who use their profits to create positive, social change. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

New A14 bypass to open a year early

A key section of UK’s biggest road upgrade between Cambridge and Huntingdon is to open a year ahead of schedule. Read more…

Kier/Graham JV wins £17m Bassingbourn Barracks job

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has awarded a contract worth £17m to Kier Graham Defence joint venture to ready Bassingbourn Barracks for the relocation of the British Army’s Mission Training and Mobilisation Centre. Read more…

Contest for £500m decarbonisation framework

Procurement group Fusion 21 is on the hunt for firms for its latest generation national heating and renewables framework. Read more…

Native Land commits to £1bn London Bankside scheme

Developer Native Land has committed to the first speculative office building at its £1bn Bankside Yards mixed-use development next to Blackfriars Bridge in London. Read more…

Alun Griffiths lands £85m Cornish link road

Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd has been chosen to build a new 3.9 mile road linking St Austell to the A30 in Cornwall. Read more…

Thirteen Group seeks trio for £110m housing upkeep deal

North East housing association Thirteen Group is preparing to invite bids to select three firms to deliver maintenance and upkeep of its stock over the next five years. Read more…

SES wins £42m contract for build to rent scheme in Leeds

SES Engineering Services (SES) has been awarded a £42m contract with Sir Robert McAlpine for a mixed-use build to rent scheme in Leeds. Read more…

William Birch lands York housing scheme from local charity

York based William Birch & Sons has landed a contract for local charity The Wilberforce Trust to build a new specialist extra care housing and Living and Learning centre. Read more…

Browse our latest Construction jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Macho culture blamed for ‘toxic masculinity’ within engineering sector

Masculinity is a “prison” burdening male engineers with unrealistic expectations and causing a mental health crisis within the industry, a study has concluded. Read more…

Pioneering autism centre is the UK’s ‘Project of the Year’

Over 90 of the UK’s most outstanding and community beneficial property schemes went head-to-head for top national accolades at the RICS Awards Grand Final, where the UK’s first purpose-built centre for the diagnosis, support and research of autism took the esteemed UK Project of the Year title. Read more…

Systra UK hires former Galliford Try Infrastructure boss

Former Galliford Try Infrastructure managing director Nick Salt is joining consultant Systra to head its UK business. Read more…

Barhale to divert water mains for HS2 access

Barhale has been appointed by Affinity Water to direct water mains in West London ahead of High Speed 2 construction. Read more…

App cuts carbon emissions on Severn Trent contract

A smartphone and tablet app which allows supervisors to remotely collect real-time data has helped Amey cut CO2 emissions by 75 tonnes, according to the infrastructure firm. Read more…

Privately-owned housebuilder to gift 200 homes to tackle homelessness

Essex based housebuilder, Hill, has announced that it will gift 200 homes to the homeless, as part of a new charitable foundation it has established. Read more…

‘Quick-thinking’ ScotRail employee nominated for lifesaver award

On World Mental Health Day, a ScotRail employee has been nominated for a top award after his rapid response to noticing and helping a vulnerable person. Read more…

Scottish Water reaches energy milestone

Scottish Water has reached a milestone in energy self-generation at its water and wastewater treatment works across Scotland. Read more…

Browse our latest jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

Today six of our colleagues braved the firewalk for World Mental Health Day 2019 and raised an amazing £559.25 for Surrey-based mental health charity Oakleaf Enterprise. A big thanks to everyone who donated so generously! 

Before the walk, the team received an hour’s training where they learned how to master the walk. It also involved snapping arrows on their necks.

Since establishing, charity work and fundraising have been a key priority for Founder Andy Ridout and the wider Advance TRS team and everyone did really well today and made it look so easy!

The charity

Oakleaf Enterprise is a Surrey-based mental health charity which also works as a social enterprise to provide vocational training for those suffering from mental health issues.

It was registered as a charity in 1997 and has since then worked hard to benefit people in need. Their main focus is delivering vocational training and work experience in upholstery, horticulture and IT, enabling clients to gain new skills, as the first step on their return to the workplace.

About mental health

Mental health issues are common and can present in a wide variety of ways. One in four people suffers from anxiety and stress which can have a considerable impact on their work life. Recognising problems early and implementing initiatives to support staff and colleagues will be of real benefit to them. 

At Advance TRS, we prioritise the mental wellbeing of our staff and understand that reducing work-related stress can be hugely beneficial to all. We take our obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees seriously. Our comprehensive wellness programme and mental health awareness training have recently been recognised as Advance TRS were shortlisted as finalists in the Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing category in the Solent Business Awards 2019. 

Follow our fundraising activities on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn for the latest news and take a look at our Advance Advice on Mental Health for further information.

The latest news this week in the Property Industry:

Developers regard the North of Britain as having best opportunities

Nearly two thirds of British developers say they are set to invest more in the North of England by 2021, driven by the Northern Powerhouse initiative. Read more…

Association selects four contractors for £160m development framework

A large housing association has selected four construction companies to deliver a £160m development framework. Read more…

Pioneering autism centre is the UK’s ‘Project of the Year’

Over 90 of the UK’s most outstanding and community beneficial property schemes went head-to-head for top national accolades at the RICS Awards Grand Final, where the UK’s first purpose-built centre for the diagnosis, support and research of autism took the esteemed UK Project of the Year title. Read more…

Devon housing association appoints new chief executive

Exeter’s largest housing association has appointed a new chief executive to replace its previous boss, who is stepping down after 34 years with the organisation. Read more…

Privately-owned housebuilder to gift 200 homes to tackle homelessness

Essex based housebuilder, Hill, has announced that it will gift 200 homes to the homeless, as part of a new charitable foundation it has established. Read more…

Browse our latest Property jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Construction Industry:

Galliford Try takes first place in Top 50 Contractors league table

Galliford Try has jumped 21 places to steal first place in Barbour ABI’s Top 50 Contractors league table for September 2019. Read more…

McAleer & Rushe starts 17-storey Manchester hotel

Builder McAleer & Rushe starts construction today of a 17-storey Maldron Hotel in central Manchester. Read more…

Final beam lifted into place for Ebbsfleet Garden City’s £16m bridge

The final beam has been lifted into place for the £16m Springhead Bridge that will connect part of Ebbsfleet Garden City with Ebbsfleet International station. Read more…

Macho culture blamed for ‘toxic masculinity’ within engineering sector

Masculinity is a “prison” burdening male engineers with unrealistic expectations and causing a mental health crisis within the industry, a study has concluded. Read more…

NMCN acquires Lintott Control Systems

Construction company, NMCN has acquired Norfolk-based business, Lintott Control Systems (LCS) for up to £3.7m subject to a three-year earn-out. Read more…

Morgan Sindall appointed to Southern construction framework

Morgan Sindall has been appointed to deliver the Stoneham Park Primary Academy, as part of the Southern construction framework. Read more…

Systra UK hires former Galliford Try Infrastructure boss

Former Galliford Try Infrastructure managing director Nick Salt is joining consultant Systra to head its UK business. Read more…

Willmott Dixon headlines another major heritage job

Willmott Dixon has clinched another grade II listed heritage building restoration with a £27m revamp of the Globe Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees. Read more…

Browse our latest Construction jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

The latest news this week in the Water & Utilities Industry:

Black & Veatch appoints leakage services manager

Black & Veatch has appointed Stuart White to the newly-created role of leakage services manager. Read more…

App cuts carbon emissions on Severn Trent contract

A smartphone and tablet app which allows supervisors to remotely collect real-time data has helped Amey cut CO2 emissions by 75 tonnes, according to the infrastructure firm. Read more…

Atkins appointed as designer for Havant reservoir

Portsmouth Water has appointed Atkins as principal designer on the Havant Thicket Reservoir, which the first new reservoir to be built in the South East since the 1970s. Read more…

Severn Trent welcomes new starters onto leadership programme

Severn Trent has welcomed 20 starters onto its leadership programme. Read more…

Yorkshire Water signs up to Natural Capital Commitment

Yorkshire Water has signed up to the Natural Capital Commitment which will see the utility commit to working with partner organisations, and working with nature, to create better outcomes for the environment, together with sharing the outcomes of its natural capital assessments publicly. Read more…

NI Water completes £5m Belfast sewer project

NI Water has announced the completion of a major £5 million project which involved the upgrade of major sewers within the Ormeau Avenue/Lower Ormeau Road, Dublin Road, Bruce Street, Sandy Row and Joy Street areas of Belfast. Read more…

EA sets 2030 net zero emissions aim

The Environment Agency has set itself the aim of becoming a net zero organisation by 2030. Read more…

Scottish Water reaches energy milestone

Scottish Water has reached a milestone in energy self-generation at its water and wastewater treatment works across Scotland. Read more…

Browse our latest Water and Utilities jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Oakervee review looks at axing HS2 to Leeds

The eastern leg of HS2 from the East Midlands to Sheffield and Leeds could be scrapped, according to reports. Read more…

Macho culture blamed for ‘toxic masculinity’ within engineering sector

Masculinity is a “prison” burdening male engineers with unrealistic expectations and causing a mental health crisis within the industry, a study has concluded. Read more…

Barhale to divert water mains for HS2 access

Barhale has been appointed by Affinity Water to direct water mains in West London ahead of High Speed 2 construction. Read more…

Class 20s redeployed on railhead treatment train and freight duties

Class 20s owned by Harry Needle Railroad Company have been resurrected for hire duties after a long-term deal with GB Railfreight came to an end in the summer. Read more…

Jet-washing trains begin work in Kent and Sussex to remove leaves on the line

Network Rail have deployed jet-washing trains onto the lines in Kent and Sussex, where they will be travelling the equivalent of four times round the Earth in order to clean the railway. Read more…

‘Quick-thinking’ ScotRail employee nominated for lifesaver award

On World Mental Health Day, a ScotRail employee has been nominated for a top award after his rapid response to noticing and helping a vulnerable person. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.

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Mental Health issues are common, especially depression, anxiety and those associated with misuse of alcohol and other drugs. Research indicates that 1 in 4 people experience some form of mental health issue in a year.

There are many myths and misunderstandings about mental health issues stemming from a lack of knowledge. This may result in people avoiding or not responding to someone with mental ill-health or not seeking professional help themselves. With greater community awareness, people will be able to better understand their own mental health and feel more comfortable about seeking out professional assistance.

Early intervention initiatives target those with mental health issues or developing mental health issues to prevent difficulties from becoming more serious and reducing the risk of knock-on effects.

Take a look at our Mental Health Matters Magazine for more information.

What you can do to help your colleagues:

Look out for changes in their mood and behaviour

Are they late or absent from work more? Are they isolating themselves? Do they get agitated easily and often feel overwhelmed? These could all be signs that someone is struggling with their mental health.

Talk

If you are concerned about a colleague, check if they’re ok. Ask them if they want to go for a walk or a cup of tea. Create a safe environment so they can open up to you if they need to.

Invite them for lunch 

Especially in contracting, where someone might move roles and businesses regularly, it can help them to feel more included and maintain social contact at work.

Create an environment where mental health is spoken about openly

Let colleagues know that it is ok to ask for help and support and encourage it. An Intranet page with useful links and information on confidential support services that are available can also be useful. 

Do some physical or mindfulness exercises… 

…as a team once or twice a week during lunch. This might become a regular activity that helps your colleagues’ mental wellbeing and acts as a team bonding exercise at the same time.

If you or someone you know needs urgent help or support, there are a variety of services available. Your organisation may also provide you with confidential access to counselling and advice line services.

Remember, you are not alone! 

We take Mental Health seriously

At Advance TRS, we prioritise the mental wellbeing of our staff. To provide a first point of contact when needed, we have appointed qualified Mental Health First Aiders. We also offer a Wellbeing Hub, where confidential support via an EAP helpline can be accessed at any time. These are only some of the steps we have taken and we continue to improve our mental health awareness.

We are currently recruiting, so if you want to work for a company that places Mental Health and Wellbeing as a priority send us your CV or take a look at our latest vacancies.

The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Infrastructure is the foundation of everything, says chancellor

Chancellor of the exchequer Sajid Javid launched the first wave of an “infrastructure revolution” at the Conservative Party conference, as he announced a range of spending pledges on roads, buses and broadband roll-out. Read more…

United Utilities enters top 20 rank in FTSE climate change report

United Utilities has entered the top 20 ranking of a climate change business leaderboard for the UK which ranks FTSE 100 companies on sustainability performance reporting. Read more…

Skanska trials recycled plastic highways kerbs

Skanska is trialling the use of recycled plastic highways kerbing instead of concrete to reduce carbon by 40%. Read more…

New landlord group chief executive announced

Ben Beadle is to be the chief executive of the new National Residential Landlords Association in the UK. The organisation is formed from the merger of the National Landlords Association and the Residential Landlords Association and it will launch in January 2020. Beadle will join in November. Read more…

Target cost and timescale revealed for Coventry very light rail scheme

The target cost and timescale for a new very light rail (VLR) system in Coventry has been set out with the aim of having the first phase open to passengers by 2024. Read more…

Southern Water signs inclusion commitment

Southern Water has signed up a new commitment to become more inclusive and connect with underrepresented groups. Read more…

BTL rates reduced at Gatehouse Bank

Gatehouse Bank has announced that it has reduced rates across its range of Buy-to-Let products by up to 0.46%. Read more…

Browse our latest jobs here.
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Looking for a new job can be an exhausting and daunting prospect. What kind of salary can I get? Which companies are hiring? What are the people like? How do I update my CV? What do I say at an interview? These are all questions that can get in the way of you taking your next step in your career. 

It can also be a lonely process if you don’t want to let on to friends and colleagues that you are looking to move, you may be left feeling out on a limb. 

Recruiters can have a bad reputation, but fundamentally they can really help you to find your next role and hold your hand through the process, being a trusted advisor and confidant to help you make your next step the right one.

Here are just a few benefits of working with a recruitment consultant. 

1. Help with updating your CV

If you have been out of the job market for a while, the thought of updating your CV might be a scary one. By working with a recruitment consultant, they can help you through the process, giving you CV templates, tips and tricks or even writing it with you. Don’t hesitate to ask them for support and guidance – a good consultant will know how to make your CV stand out from the rest. Finally, remember this service is free for you! So make sure you get the full benefits of working with a pro. Read our CV writing tips or download our CV template

2. Bring you to life

No more battling to be the most eye-catching CV on the pile. Not only can a recruitment consultant help you look great on paper, but they can also bring you to life for the client. By getting to know you and understanding what you have to offer, they can sell you to the client so that before they have even seen your CV they want to meet you. This jumps you to the top of the pile and ahead of the competition. 

3. Finding hidden gems 

Good recruitment consultants have exclusive relationships with their clients, with access to roles that are not openly advertised on the job market. Simply put, your dream job might be out there but you may never see it unless you engage with a consultant well embedded in your industry, working with the companies you want to work for. So do your research to find the consultant representing these companies and let them unlock the hidden gem jobs you didn’t even know about.

4. Salary clarity 

From day one a consultant will know the salary information for roles you are applying for and will work to understand your expectations and value on the market. A consultant can also act as a great advocate in uncomfortable salary conversations to help negotiate on your behalf for the salary you are looking for so you won’t have to wonder if you could have got a higher salary in hindsight. 

5. Interview walkthrough 

Consultants know the client, the locations and their interview style. They are best placed to coach you through the interview process so you can put your best foot forward and feel confident and prepared. It is in the consultant’s interest that you perform well at interview stage if you’re the right person for the role, and having someone in your corner to coach you through the process can make it less stressful. Read our interview tips here

At Advance TRS our consultants work in a consultative manner and strive to act as your trusted advisor. Remember as a candidate our service is free and our team are here to help you through the process from start to finish. 

View our latest opportunities here or contact our team on 01483 361061 or info@advance-trs.com.