Category: SCA Group

SCA Group Announce Acquisition of Access Scaffolding IOW

Businessman hand touching M & A - merger & acquisition concept

SCA have recently completed the acquisition of Access Scaffolding IW, and have formed a single division for our Isle of Wight operations that will become the largest provider of contract scaffolding on the island. Access Scaffolding IOW will exist as a wholly owned subsidiary of the SCA Group, with the existing owner, Ashley Palmer, excited to commit his future to the new venture.

Ashley Palmer’s scaffolding business, Access Scaffolding, has been a presence on the Isle of Wight for many years, and the business has undergone substantial growth under Ashley’s stewardship, forging some great partnerships and working relationships along the way. SCA recognises the potential in Ashley’s business, and the hard work that has gone in to creating such a fantastic company, and coupled with our resources, reputation and enhanced service provisions, we believe that we can further improve the offering to the Isle of Wight, and build upon some well laid foundations.

SCA also has vast experience of working on the Isle of Wight with local people and local businesses, and we can further establish the reputation of ‘SCA Access IOW’ through our accreditations and memberships, not to mention our network of contacts and customers. As full members of the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation, or the NASC (as one such example), we can demonstrate our dedication to high standards of workmanship, attention to detail, and ability to work to the highest levels of health and safety, something that can only bring additional benefits to the service we can provide.

Ashley’s focus in the past has been on delivering a high quality, access scaffolding service to his clients, which has served the market well. With SCA’s influence, we can expand on these capabilities, and offer a wider package including Rope Access and Industrial Painting as well, and we look forward to exploring these possibilities with Ashley on board.

With the formation of a single division now complete, it is essential to us that ongoing activities remain uninterrupted, and with this at the forefront of our minds, all existing customer contracts of Access Scaffolding will be fulfilled as scheduled as we look to not only maintain existing relationships, but build and strengthen them as well.

Should you have any queries or concerns or future requirements for the new division, please note all the relevant contact details below:

Mr Ashley Palmer
Contracts Manager
Mobile:                07917 132390

Mr Barry Westbrook
Divisional Director
Mobile:                07736 691184
Head Office:       01202 820820

SCA Group Lead Initiative to Create Local Jobs and Bridge Skills Gaps

Weymouth & Portland have the highest unemployment rate in Dorset with 3.8% of working age residents claiming benefits (September 2011). Many professionals living in the District commute out of the area and even out of the county to get to their place of work, and yet many trades, including engineering, remain in short supply of trained and qualified staff. The SCA Group, working with Weymouth College, intend to help bridge these skills gaps, while at the same time re-train existing staff at SCA and other local companies, and also local jobseekers.

SCA, a local company providing access solutions to the maritime industry, supported by Weymouth College, are leading a bid for £1m of funding from the UK Commission for Education and Skills. If funding is secured, this will mean Weymouth College can train the workforce needed to build and maintain a new offshore wind farm proposed locally but also meet the needs of a whole host of other local industrial and engineering positions.

Steve King (Managing Director SCA Group) said “We are very proud to be working with Weymouth College, re-skilling our workforce and the local community. With skills shortages in various engineering roles in the renewable market, the SCA Group are delighted to play a part in re-training local people.”

It is expected that thousands of jobs will be created during construction of the proposed wind farm project, with several hundred permanent positions becoming available once operational. SCA and Weymouth College, subject to securing this available funding, will help keep the labour force local, vital to Dorset in times of high unemployment and in keeping with a wind farm’s positive environmental impact.

Kate McGoey, Employer Engagement Lead from The Renewables Training Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK’s leading trade association RenewableUK said “This is great news for upskilling Dorset’s workforce. The UK is leading the way in renewable energy with the creation of 1000s of jobs expected in the wind, wave and tidal industries over the next 10 years, both directly and across the wider supply chain. With a number of wind farms planned for Dorset and the surrounding counties, many specialist trades will be needed over the coming years”

Both the Local Enterprise Partnership and Portland Ports have a similar take. Dr Ross Kay (Dorset LEP’s Employment and Skills Board) said “This couldn’t come at a better time to help support Dorset’s unemployed and local businesses that are still suffering following the recession, and marine engineering and renewables are one of the key priorities for the Local Enterprise Partnership.”

 Sandie Wilson, Portland Port’s Environment and Planning Manager said “Marine renewables like wind, wave and tidal are most certainly the next big thing to watch out for with the environment off Dorset and the South West coast offering a globally significant energy resource.  The local area is very much in need of highly skilled and well paid jobs on an all year round basis, and we need to do everything we can to take this opportunity that the renewable industry has to offer. It is great to have something positive to look forward to that not only provides jobs but has environmental benefits too.”

Sandie Wilson and Steve King

Rob Jones, Vice Principal Enterprise and Employability at Weymouth College commented “The College is excited to be working on a project that could have such a positive impact on jobs in Dorset.  We’re confident that by working closely with SCA, we will be able to provide people with the skills to gain meaningful employment.”
 Rob Jones Weymouth College

Information

 

Statistics from Dorset for You, http://www.dorsetforyou.com/331625

 

Pictures taken 21st December 2012 at initial bid planning meeting:

Rob Jones, Vice Principal from Weymouth College

Sandie Wilson, Environment and Planning Manager and Steve King, Managing Director of the SCA Group

Are you looking to re-skill your work force? UKCES Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot

Wind park

SCA Group, Navitus Bay Wind Farm, Weymouth College, Portland Port and Dorset LEP are now progressing their bid proposal for £1m in funding from UKCES to re-skill workers to work on Wind Turbines.

During January 2013 other businesses with renewable energy training needs will be able to join the bid.

The £3bn proposed wind farm off the south coast will provide about 1,000 temporary jobs and 100 permanent posts.

A 1,000 temporary jobs will be created during the construction period, which would start in 2017.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19978951

There will be 218 Wind Turbines, it will be the largest offshore wind farm in the World but bigger wind farms are currently being planned.

There are almost 1,000 turbines being built in the UK offshore and onshore and a further 2,300 with planning consent.

Eventually the Government hope to have up to 6,000 onshore and 4,000 at sea.

UKCES Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot

The Employer Ownership of Skills pilot is a competitive fund open to employers to invest in their current and future workforce in England. Employers are invited to develop proposals that raise skills, create jobs, and drive enterprise and economic growth. Government will invest in projects in which employers are also prepared to commit their own funds in order to make better use of our combined resources.

http://www.ukces.org.uk/ourwork/employer-ownership

steve@bicknells.net