Movember 2013 Winner

After a hairy month of growing, shaping and a fair bit of itching, we find ourselves at the end of another brilliant Movember. Well done to all of you that worked hard to change the face of men's health, but there's only so many iPad Airs we can afford to dish out so it's time to announce the winner...

CSCS Test in Other Languages

The CSCS Health, Safety and Environment test is only available in English, but there is a voice-over option available the following languages:

How to get a Replacement CSCS Card

If you lost your CSCS card and need a replacement ASAP, you need to call CSCS directly on 0344 994 4777. Make sure you have your credit / debit card with you to pay the fee of £30 and it will make things easier if you have details of your CSCS Registration number too.

One Thing You Must do in a Job Interview

Turn up!!

Just kidding! But that would be a good start! Actually it's how you end the interview that this vital tip comes into play.

UK Construction PMI - October 2013

UK construction activity grew at its fastest pace since September 2007 in October, amid rising confidence in property market and fuelling optimism over the country’s economic outlook.

Last month’s PMI increased to 59.4 from 58.9 in September, where economists had predicted no change. Any figure greater than 50 indicates expansion. The construction PMI has now been above that level for six months in a row.

Movember 2013

After the success of Construct Movember competition in last year, we thought let's do this bigger and better in 2013, so we've decided to team up with the one and only Kiwis in London to do our bit for this worthy cause.

Same rules apply as last year - join the team here, shave off all the fluff on November 1st and then sit back and enjoy the artwork that begins to grace your face.

At the end of the month, a team of highly skilled Mofessionals in the Construct office will select one lucky winner to receive a brand new iPad Air - based not only on the monster growing on their face, but the amount of money they've managed to raise due to it.

UK Construction PMI - September 2013

The UK construction sector activity fell marginally in September to 58.9 from 59.1 in August, where economists had expected a rise to 59.2.

Well above the 50 mark, construction activity saw healthy growth across all three sub-sectors last month. with the residential sector seeing the sharpest rise in nearly a decade, in spite of recent concerns of a new housing market bubble.

Changes to UK Immigration Rules - October 2013

As of today, October 1st 2013, a number of changes to the UK Immigration rules will come into effect. These should lead to more flexibility for businesses and workers as well as benefits for tourists and business visitors.

Here's an outline of these changes:

National Minimum Wage to Increase 2013

As of October 1st 2013 the National Minimum Wage rates will rise for all workers and apprentices, including a 12p per hour increase for adult workers.

The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay rate per hour that workers in the UK are entitled to. This rate depends on the age of the worker and if they are an apprentice.

What is 5 Point PPE?

If you've worked for us a few construction sites you'll know some jobs will require "5 point PPE". This means:

• Hard Hat
• High Visibility Vest
• Steel-capped Boots
• Gloves
• Safety Goggles

Most other sites will only require the top 3 but if you're unsure what PPE you need for the job, just ask!

Tool List - Hammerhand

A complete list of tools needed to work as a Hammerhand in the UK.

UK Construction PMI - August 2013

The U.K.'s construction sector expanded at its fastest pace in August since September 2007, with a PMI of 59.1, up from 57 in July.

Underpinned by steep expansions of both output and new orders this is a clear sign that the UK's economic recovery is gathering pace.

Weird and Wacky Hangover Cures

After a Friday night like that... you might be willing to try anything to cure the stinking hangover you've inherited, so we've collected a list of the 5 weirdest hangover cures for you to attempt in only the most desperate of times.

Tool List - Carpenter

A complete list of carpentry hand and power tools needed to work in the UK.

UK Construction PMI - July 2013

The UK’s construction PMI jumped up from 51.0 to 57.0 last month, its highest level in over 3 years.

Driven primarily by a surge in residential activity, the figure was far exceeded economists’ forecasts, with sudden shift leaving suppliers struggling to keep up with the demand. To give and indication of this, Construct Recruitment saw the demand for temporary carpenters more than double from the first week of June until the last week of July.

How to get your UK National Insurance (NI) Number

Aussie / Kiwis that are planning on working in the UK, listen up! The HMRC have made a couple of changes to the process of the getting a National Insurance (NI) number which means you don't need to go in for an interview anymore.

I called them up directly to get the facts straight and these are the steps:

The Top 10 Reasons People Hate Their Job

"How's work?" "It's alright."

Ever heard (or said) that? That usually translates to "work sucks, but it's money"! You might also have come across "I hate my job", "I hate my boss" or "I hate the company" - not everyone bothers with the niceties!

According to a recent survey by caterer.com, nearly 70% of people are completely miserable at work and 1 in 2 think about quitting their jobs on a daily basis. Here are the top 10 reasons why people hate their job:

Djokovic vs Murray - Head to Head

With the likes of Federer, Nadal and Tsonga already out at this years' Wimbledon, it's looking quite likely that we'll be seeing Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in the Finals - and why not? They were the 2 top seeds going into the competition!

This pair have only played each other once on grass - that was at the London 2012 Olympics, where Murray beat the world #1.

UK Construction PMI - June 2013

The UK's construction sector grew for a second straight month in June, easing concerns over the country’s economic outlook.

Economists said the positive data raised the chances of stronger second-quarter growth than the 0.3% in the first three months of the year.

The construction PMI rose to 51.0 in June, the highest level since May 2012 and up from 50.8 in May.

Wimbledon 2013 - Top 7 Male Tennis Players

Nadal's wedgies, Murray's muttering and Federer's overworked trophy polisher - that's right, it's Wimbledon time!

Here are the 7 top seeded male tennis players going into Wimbledon 2013:

Wimbledon 2013 - Top 7 Female Tennis Players

Time to get those ear plugs out because here come the girls!

Here are the 7 top seeded female tennis players going into Wimbledon 2013:

Freelance Builder Pay Trends - June 2013

This month's average pay for freelance construction Trades and Labour in London and the South East

• Significant drop in pay rates for Roofers
• Increase in pay rates for Demolition workers and Shop-fitters

UK Construction PMI - May 2013

Britain's construction sector returned to growth in May for the first time in 7 months, the latest sign of a tentative recovery in the UK’s economic outlook.

For the first time since October 2012, the construction PMI rose above the 50-level that divides contraction and growth, rising to 50.8 from 49.4 in April.

Race For Life 2013

Last November, the men of Construct got behind the Mo and almost effortlessly sported some epic flavour saving lip rugs to raise awareness and money for the fight against Cancer.

6 months later... it's time for Construct's ladies to show us what they're made of!

Cockney Rhyming Slang

Adam and Eve	= Believe
Apples and Pears	= Stairs
Ayrton (Senna)	= Tenner (£10 note)
Bacon (and eggs)	= Legs
Barnet (Fair)	= Hair
Bees (and Honey)	= Money
Berk (...ley Hunt)	= C***
Bird and Time	= Time
Boat (Race)	= Face
Borassic (Lint)	= Skint
Bristol (Cities)	= T******
Brown Bread	= Dead
Bubble (Bath)	= Laugh
Bull and Cow	= Row (argument)
Butcher's (Hook)	= Look
China (Plate)	= Mate
Cobbler's (Awls)	= Balls
(Cream) Crackered	= Knackered (tired)
Crust (of Bread)	= Head
Current Bun	= Sun (newspaper)
Daisy Roots	= Boots
Deep Sea Diver	= Fiver (£5 note)
Desmond (Tutu)	= 2:2 (degree)
Dickie (Bird)	= Word
Dog and Bone	= Phone
Donkey's (Ears)	= Years
Elephant's (Trunk)	= Drunk
Frog and Toad	= Road
Ginger (Beer)	= Queer
Gregory (Peck)	= Neck
Half Inch	= Pinch (steal)
Hampstead (Heath)	= Teeth
Hampton (Wick)	= Prick / D***
Hank Marvin	= Starving
(J) Arthur (Rank)	= W***
Khyber (Pass)	= Arse
(La-di-da)	= Cigar
Loaf (of Bread)	= Head
(Mince Pies)	= Eyes
(Mutt 'n' Jeff)	= Deaf
North and South	= Mouth
Jack (Jones)	= Alone
Pat (Malone)	= Alone
Tod (Sloan)	= Alone
Orsen (Horse and Cart)	= Fart
Oxford Scholar	= Dollar
Pen and Ink	= Stink
Gone Pete Tong	= Gone wrong
Plates (of Meat)	= Feet
Porkies (Pork Pies)	= Lies
Rabbit (and Pork)	= Talk
Raspberry (Tart)	= Fart
Richard (the Third)	= Turd
Rosie (Lee)	= Tea
Ruby (Murray)	= Curry
Scarper (Scarpa Flow)	= Go
Sexton (Blake)	= Fake
Sunday (Roast)	= Post
Syrup (of Figs)	= Wig
'Taters (in the Mould)	= Cold
Tea Leaf	= Thief
Titfer (Tit-for-Tat)	= Hat
Trouble and Strife	= Wife
Uncle Bert	= Shirt
Weasel (and Stoat)	= Coat
Whistle and Flute	= Suit

Construction CV Template

Click below for a free CV / resume template tailored for construction trades and labour candidates:

UK Construction PMI - April 2013

Hopes for a rebound in the UK construction industry were given a boost earlier this week when the PMI figures revealed that the sector almost returned to growth in April.

The index rose to 49.4 in April, up from 47.2 in March, now only marginally below the 50 level that separates growth from contraction.

Converting your Aus / NZ Driving License for the UK

This is a question we get asked quite often, so we've thrown together a quick post to help you through it!

Please note that these instructions only apply if you're driving a car or motorbike - If you're looking to to drive a lorry, bus or minibus you have to sit the UK theory and practical test.

Will the UK Escape the Triple Dip?

The construction PMI has remained below the 50 no-change point for the past five months.

The manufacturing PMI has mirrored this contraction in the past couple of months.

Has the service sector demonstrated enough growth to save us from a triple dip recession?

UK Construction PMI - March 2013

The construction PMI rose to 47.2 in March, up from February’s 46.8 – indicating a contraction in the industry for the fifth month running.

Budget 2013 Summary

Yesterday, the Chancellor delivered his "Budget for an aspiration nation" and as with most political addresses, there was a whole load of waffle, so we're thrown together some of Mr Osborne's key points:

St Patrick's Day - Fun Facts about Ireland

We've put together a few fun facts about Ireland just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Before you say anything... yes a lot of them are about Guinness, but isn't that the point of St. Paddy's?

UK Construction PMI - February 2013

Last month, the PMI for the UK construction sector fell to its lowest level since October 2009, despite surprising growth in the residential sector.

The index dropped to 46.8, staying below the break-even point of 50 for the fourth consecutive month.

Interview Questions on Failure

Ever faced that tricky interview question asking for "an example of when you've failed at something"?

Do you say you can't think of one or give a pretty lame example because you're obviously a perfect employee? Or do you desperately try throw in that time old cliché of "I wouldn't call it a failure because I learnt something from it".

In most cases the later is exactly what your interviewer is looking for - it's not a test of your intelligence, it's a test of your attitude. Really, they're looking to see if you have the potential as of one of these people...

Beer beats Water after Working Out

You've hit the gym hard (or done one sit-up too many on your bedroom floor) and now you're thinking you deserve a reward. An ice cold beer would hit the spot the perfectly... but then your health conscience kicks in!

But those days are over thanks to some ingenious scientists at Granada University who have discovered that beer rehydrates the body better than water or Gatorade after a workout.

UK Construction PMI - January 2013

January’s PMI remained unchanged from last month’s six month low of 48.7, falling just shy of experts’ forecasts of a climb to 49.1.

Although business activity fell for a third month, primarily due to weak demand and a lack of new projects, the pace of decline in new orders eased noticeably and business outlook improved from a four year low.

Waitangi Day in London

February 6th is a date all Kiwis will know as a significant day in the history of NZ - Waitangi Day - And even though the national holiday doesn't quite reach us here in London – we've definitely got our own spin on it!

Australia Day 2013 in London

Kangaroo steaks, Aussie beers, Jumbucks pies and all the Bundy and cokes you can manage. No, this isn't just a typical Friday night out for an Aussie! We’re talking about a night of mass destruction – 'Straya Day!!

We've done a bit of research to find you some of the best Australia Day parties going on in London this weekend. So here it goes...

UK Construction PMI - December 2012

December’s PMI dropped to a lower than expected 48.7, down from 49.3 in November.

The latest figures raise some alarm bells as not only do they show the fastest rate of contraction since June 2012, contraction in new orders was the fastest since April 2009!

Job Interview Tips - Common Non-Verbal Mistakes

Why do so many companies still insist on a face-to-face interview? They can already see if you've got the right qualifications and experience from your CV and if they're good, they can judge how confident, honest and likeable you are from a phone interview - so what's the need for that extra step?

Even if you've got through all those stages, you should think of the face-to-face interview as starting all over again. The first impression you give makes a huge impact with research showing that 33% of interviewers know if they would hire a person within the first 90 seconds! That's just enough time to walk into the room, greet your interviewers and shake hands.

Your most noticeable attributes here are non-verbal - the things you may not even be aware of doing. Things like what you're wearing, how you stand and the way you shake hands convey a lot to those around you.

This video highlights the most common non-verbal mistakes candidates make during job interviews: