Follow up any of the construction vacancies on s1jobs and chances are you’ll find a company exploring offsite building work.
And who better to ask about this growing sector than Calum Murray?
Calum is a Director of CCG (Scotland) Ltd and Chairman of Offsite Solutions Scotland, a consortium of construction firms working with the Scottish Government on accelerating the application of factory-based building solutions.
What is offsite construction?
It’s the creation of components, modules or entire buildings in a factory setting, which are then assembled onsite. You wouldn’t build a car in a field, so why treat a house any differently?
What are the advantages?
Speed, efficiency, consistency and sustainability. The offsite manufacturing process is highly efficient through the use of CAD/ CAM technology. Precision is guaranteed every time and, with greater tolerances, this ensures quality and improved environmental performance.
Are there companies building offsite in Scotland?
Yes and it’s clear Scotland is ahead of the curve in offsite construction in the UK. CCG is at the forefront of offsite manufacturing in the country. We foresaw changes to the market and invested in our own offsite manufacturing facility, CCG OSM – a £12 million centre of excellence in Glasgow where we manufacture the ‘iQ’ closed panel timber frame system as well as bespoke components such as floor and roof cassettes.
What offsite projects has CCG been involved with?
We are currently working on over 1200 homes across Scotland and our projects have included a one-off luxury home on the Isle of Harris, where, using our system, property was built with ease in a harsh, remote environment, to the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village where 237 of the 700 homes were fully completed in 15 months using our flexible iQ system of design and construction.
Can offsite construction help narrow the gap between supply and demand for new homes?
The Scottish Government has committed to building 50,000 affordable homes by 2021– a 67% increase in affordable housing supply. That’s an ambitious target and offsite construction has a vital part to play in achieving it.
Both industry and Government must embrace offsite manufacturing and the emerging technologies being used alongside it to create homes fit for the 21st Century.
Offsite is undeniably the game changer but we also have a skills crisis so to deliver on our targets we must do more to entice the younger generation to the construction industry and develop their skills.
Are offsite construction methods being adopted across the industry?
There’s a lack of understanding about offsite systems and the advantages brought by their use. Too often we’re seeing traditional methods utilised over timber frame.
Offsite at times has been given a bad name by contractors not sufficiently experienced in working with timber frame and this is why CCG has come together with nine offsite manufacturers and academic partners in Scotland to form Offsite Solutions Scotland to shape understanding and foster a culture of change in the industry.
Offsite or on, you can find all of the best vacancies in Construction on s1jobs.