Category: Sectors

A worldwide pandemic has put the necessity of clean water into the spotlight; a basic essential that is not accessible to 1 in 10 people worldwide. On March 22nd, this year’s World Water Day is as important as ever to highlight the value of water and its accessibility to people across the globe. Regular handwashing has been reiterated over the last year as a vital way to stop the spread of disease, yet 3 billion people don’t have handwashing facilities at home. That’s 2 in 5 people. A number far higher than it should be.  

Starting in 1981, WaterAid has been a life-changing charity for millions of people as they help to provide toilets and clean water sources for areas deprived of it. They have reached 27 million people with clean water around the world, with their three steps to tackle the water crisis – clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene. By educating the people within the villages and towns to help them learn the skills required to maintain and build these facilities. WaterAid are able to build long-term solutions. People are able to gain knowledge, as well as being able to understand the importance of good hygiene and the value brought by decent toilets. This crucial step of education and support allows for strength to be built within communities, which provides growth for future generations.  

Learning the skills to create and fix toilets and handwashing facilities is critical for independence. Specialists with experience in the water industry play a key role in WaterAid’s tackle of the water crisis alongside many other charities and companies. Knowledge gained with these skills can not only help the health and hygiene of communities but also the stability and progression of their lives. With less time spent collecting and purifying water, children can go to school and women can go to work; improving the lives of families. A significant reduction in people suffering and dying from preventable diseases will be seen alongside these new opportunities for education and income. While charities like WaterAid and UN-Water are bringing these facilities to poorer communities, the water industry is prominent worldwide; therefore, skills are needed across the globe. Highfield has specialist consultants recruiting for this sector who are always searching for people looking to start or continue their careers.   

Along with the change in individual’s lives, UN-Water says ‘water is the primary medium through which we will feel the effects of climate change.’ With increased natural disasters like flooding and droughts, ‘water availability is becoming less predictable in many places.’ The devastation of these growing disasters threatens to destroy water points and sanitation facilities, alongside contaminating water sources. It is essential to provide assistance and education to communities as quickly as possible, using new designs and continuously developing technology to create efficient, sustainable methods.   

Looking closer to home, the Thames Tideway Tunnel is working on improving a 150-year-old sewer system that was built for a population less than half its current size and reducing its environmental impact. Currently, every year millions of tonnes of raw sewage spills, untreated, into the River Thames, impacting wildlife and the river environment. This new tunnel will capture the sewage before it goes into the river, allowing for it to be treated properly and no longer be ingested by wildlife and dirtying the water. Projects of various size like the Tideway Tunnel down to local maintenance are continuously looking for a range of roles.   

Water is a basic essential that many are without, or need help improving. If you’re looking to develop your skills, gain experience, or start a career in the industry then contact us. While the water crisis is being tackled across the world, you can get involved more locally too using the expert knowledge from our consultants to find out what jobs are available. Head to our website for a list of jobs currently active and to see what’s out there, or call us on 01489 774010.

How green do you view nuclear power? In a survey of just under 2000 people, nearly half neither supported nor opposed nuclear energy with what they know about it, so we’re hoping to shed some light on the details and processes of the industry. While some view it as a dangerous and therefore unsafe process, we should fully understand the pros and cons before making an opinion.

Granted, when an accident happens then it has the potential to be far worse than many other renewable resources like solar panels and wind farms, however, there are vast preventative measures in place to avoid such events. Three Mile Island in 1979, Chernobyl in 1986 and most recently Fukushima in 2011 have all caused uncertainty regarding the use of nuclear power.

So how does the nuclear power generation process work?

• The reaction is triggered

Small amounts of uranium are held in cylinders where neutrons are fired at in order to split the atoms and causing a chain reaction which generates heat.

• Water is heated

The water passes through the reactor vessel where the chain reaction heats it to 300°C. To keep the water from evaporating a pressuriser applies around 155 times atmospheric pressure.

• Hot water is circulated

A pump circulates the water from the vessel to a steam generator.

• Steam is created

The pressurised hot water flows through thousands of looped pipes. A second stream of water under much less pressure flows around the outside of the hot pipes, boiling it into steam.

• Steam energy is converted into electrical energy

The steam passes through and spins a series of turbines at around 3000 rpm, converting the steams heat energy into mechanical energy. A shaft connects the turbines to a generator which uses an electromagnetic field to convert that into electrical energy.

• Electrical energy is passed to the national grid

A transformer converts the electrical energy into a high voltage for the grid.

• Electricity sent to homes

Using power lines to connect homes and business to the national grid.

• The steam is cooled and recycled

Back at the reactor, the steam is passed over pipes of cold water pumped in from the sea, which cools the steam and condenses it back into water to be reused.

There is no dependency of natural weather in order to produce electricity unlike renewable sources such as wind and solar, meaning there is constant generation of power as opposed to the intermittent sun and wind. This consistency allows for homes to be uninterrupted and have easy access to electricity whenever needed. In 2016 nuclear power plants generated almost 20% of the United States electricity with an average capacity factor of 92.3%. This meant they operated at full power on 336 days of the year, with the other 29 days being taken off grid for maintenance. This is compared to the hydroelectric system in the US which produced power for 138 days a year, wind turbines for 127 days, and solar electricity for 92 days.

Showing clear benefits of reliable production alongside producing no greenhouse gas emissions during operations and throughout its life-cycle. Clean air surrounds nuclear power plants. It’s therefore considered a clean energy for its lack of CO2 creation, however, it is regarded as less environmentally friendly due to the nuclear waste created and out of fear of major accidents. We are stuck in an extreme balance where nuclear works incredibly well as a producer of energy with neutral carbon emissions but with the potential for negative environmental impact if things go wrong.  Having a big ‘what if’ hanging over the nuclear sector’s head makes it often hard to see the benefits, while it is certainly understandable that an accidental event could be just as environmentally damaging as using fossil fuels if not worse. However, there has been plenty of electricity produced safely without these negative impacts, with around 440 nuclear power stations active around the world. At Highfield, we believe the nuclear industry is a way forward and helps support people in creating jobs throughout the lifetime of each station. This is why we are a part of the Sizewell C Consortium. Helping to get 25,000 employment opportunities and support British businesses with the construction of the proposed Sizewell C.Head to our jobs page to see what positions are available in the nuclear sector.

There is obviously a risk to everything we do in life, like getting on a plane or driving a car, and nuclear power stations are no different. However, 44% of people in March 2020 agreed overall that nuclear power provides a reliable source of energy compared to 15% who disagreed. While it may not yet be the optimal resource with current designs, it can be a viable source to bridge the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Around 10% of the world’s electricity -2657 TWh – is generated by nuclear power, including France getting around three-quarters of its electricity from nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants can have a bad reputation, often due to a lack of understanding and education, but if we can increase the interest and participation within the industry it could lead us to a greener future.

New designs and concepts are being investigated surrounding the nuclear industry, with thorium being considered as an alternative fuel due to being three times more abundant than uranium and creates less nuclear waste. Alternative reactors such as Molten Salt Reactors are seen as promising, especially combined with using thorium and using spent LWR (light-water reactor) fuel.

Being a part of this positive future and making breakthroughs in designs and builds could be something you’re interested in. Or maybe you’ve never considered it. Now is a better time than any to be a part of this process and we can happily help you find your way. Contact us to find your next opportunity in energy and nuclear.

With such a large construction project, HPC will be the provider of 25,000 jobs as well as socio-economic benefits with a target of £130 million investment for the local community; keeping HPC a great supporter of the UK workforce and residents. All of this provided in just the construction phase alone. Once the power station is complete, Hinkley Point C is estimated to produce 26TWh every year in its predicted 60 year lifetime which is enough to power 6 million households. For those looking for work or experience within the nuclear or construction industry or if you’re just a curious person wanting to learn more about cleaner energy, Hinkley Point power stations are a good start and can provide potential opportunities.

The country needs energy, that’s the simple fact of it all. With such a high demand, there has to be preparations for the future and relying on fossil fuels will only get us so many years. This requirement of energy is only going to increase with the early decommissioning of Hinkley Point B, meaning a replacement will be needed sooner rather than later. Construction having already started on Hinkley Point C shows the action already being taken to keep energy production growing and providing around 7% of Great Britain’s expected electricity demand in the 2020s.

Although there may be concern with the costs of HPC rising by almost £2.9 billion more than the original estimate, however, EDF Energy’s strategy director, Paul Spence said “The important point for me to make is that those costs are not costs that hit the consumer, they are costs that come to us as shareholders in the project.” Meaning that while there may be some delays and adjustments to funding, it is still a construction that is designed to benefit the energy sector, economy, and importantly the workers.

£1.1 billion in contracts have already been given to companies in the North and Midlands, allowing British businesses and workers to gain knowledge and experience with high-quality nuclear construction. We have been helping search for a wide range of skills and experience to fill these positions throughout the construction period, looking from specialists to those who have barely begun on their journeys, creating opportunities to progress and develop. Having already placed planners, supply chain managers & EC&I engineers with more roles and positions yet to fill, we have helped get many people secure work on this project up to this point and continue the search for more. No matter the skills or experience, see what one of our expert consultants can do for you on 01489 774 010.

As a part of the £130 million investment in the community there will be support for education, local training, and infrastructure improvement, showing a backing for the surrounding area alongside the support for the country as a whole. The inspire program is a part of this concept, encouraging young people into science, technology, engineering, and maths with the creation of meaningful opportunities and engagement with students. There is often so much focus on attending university and doing well in certain curriculums in school, but many people have untapped skills within STEM subjects where they may normally struggle to find the support and are now being advised and guided into a wider range of opportunities within the construction and nuclear sector. Helping to create a new generation within cleaner energy and renewable futures.

Hinkley Point C is a replacement of current nuclear power stations already in the area, taking over the role of the soon-to-be decommissioned Hinkley Point B and continuing to provide support and opportunities to people from school age to experienced engineers and specialists. Careful funding has been placed into the hands of British workers with the creation of jobs throughout the life of the power station. We are already filling positions and working hard to get more people placed within the site and roles required to build this nuclear power station, whether that is someone looking to continue their skills within the sector or start fresh.

Contact Highfield Professional solutions and speak to a consultant 01489 774 010

Construction Trends is always a talked about topic and 2019 is expected to be a breakthrough year for the Construction Industry. With the industry continuously evolving and the skills and technology developing at the pace they are, there is no doubt we are going to see some groundbreaking trends for 2019 and beyond.

Construction Technology in the last year alone has increased by 30% and that is only set to be on a rise over the next decade. So, what are the top construction trends set to make 2019 the breakout year?

Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is going to open many new opportunities for the construction industry due to its ability to provide a lot of information. One of these is through accuracy, as it will be able to show the entire project before it even starts, saving a lot of time and money. It will offer everyone that is part of the project the ability to finalise details before the construction begins, providing a much more efficient process.

Self-healing Concrete
Many of the industry’s experts believe we will start seeing self-healing concrete being used on roads, buildings and homes. Self-healing concrete is a concrete that heals itself when it comes into contact with air and water that then produces an outer protective layer. This is going to save the industry a lot of time in the years to come. They even predict that by 2030 there will be 5 billion metric tonnes of concrete used in the industry.

BIM Technology
It is said that BIM technology will be the catalyst for a fundamental change in how we manage, design and develop a construction project. 85% of construction stakeholders believe that BIM can enable a better design insight.

Drones
Drone technology continues to rapidly evolve in its accuracy and precision due to its ability to save time, increase safety and keep projects on constant track. It will enable you to keep clients up to date on projects at any time of the day because it will be able to take images on an ongoing basis throughout the project, getting views that are not possible by a human. The use of drones will enable projects to run much smoother due to being able to send them into a building instead of a person, which will improve the safety of the industry.

Wearable Technology
Wearable technology is going to be a big part of the future of construction. It is said to be able to provide better health and safety on site and boost the efficiency of the lifecycle of a project. It is predicted that 250 million smart wearables will be in use by the end of the year.

Do you think these construction trends are going to be a breakthrough for 2019 and continue to evolve and develop the industry? Are you using any of these already? Tweet us @highfieldrec and let us know!

This evening we are proudly sponsoring the Women in Rail event which is taking place in Wiltshire, this event is to celebrate the launch of the WR South – Wiltshire regional group.

Women in Rail was created to improve diversity in the UK rail industry through providing networking opportunities and support for all women within the sector.

“With just 16% of jobs in rail filled by women, we need to understand how we can encourage others to join our industry and not just attract women to the railway, but also to keep, develop and promote them.  We need more women – not just directors and managers but engineers, signallers, graduates and apprentices too – helping us to build the better, more modern railway that Britain needs.” – Women in Rail

The event will be hosted by Anna Delevecchio, commercial Account Director for Amey and lead of the Women in Rail – South alongside Ebony Soltani-James. The event will include a number of speakers from influential people in the Industry as well as Q&A session.

There are a number of events going on in the UK for the next couple of months so don’t miss out on the opportunity to network with influential people in the Rail Industry. Check out the Women in Rails website for more information on events and latest news. http://womeninrail.org/

Are you attending the events put on by WR? Tweet us @highfieldrec to let us know what you think.