During the state opening of parliament earlier this Summer, the government announced the creation of a new organisation called Skills England. This initiative has been launched with an aim to address the skills gap in the UK and to help create a national strategy for improving skills development. It has ambitious goals to put lifelong learning at its core, encouraging continues learning and development for all workers to stay up to date with the ever-changing job market.

A benefit of the Skills England initiative is that it should help to enhance and strengthen apprenticeships, something we at Woodward Group are particularly passionate about. Encouragingly, the initiative plans to expand the availability of apprenticeships and introduce an employer-led approach, tailoring the apprenticeships on offer to specific skills that businesses require

Aden Woodward, managing director at Woodward Group, said:

“Over Woodward Group’s 35 year history, we have remained passionate about training the next generation of mechanical and electrical engineering professionals through our active apprenticeship programme, and are proud of the many success stories that we have been a part of. Indeed, some of our senior management team members originally joined us as apprentices many moons ago.

“We firmly believe that apprenticeships play a crucial role in workforce development, and that they offer countless benefits for both individuals and the broader economy. Additional schemes and funding targeted at meeting the needs of budding apprentices, employers and training providers can only be a positive thing.”

Apprenticeships: what are the benefits?

1. Hands-on learning

Apprenticeships provide people with practical, on-the-job experience. Often more effective than theoretical learning alone, this hands-on style of training allows individuals to develop real-world skills and knowledge in a specific trade.

2. Skill development

Apprenticeships focus on developing specific skills required for a particular job or industry. This targeted training ensures that individuals gain the practical skills and knowledge needed to truly excel in their chosen field, which might not necessarily be able to be taught in a standard classroom.

3. Workplace integration

Apprenticeships allow individuals to integrate into the workforce gradually. They work alongside experienced professionals, gaining insights into the industry, company culture, and workplace expectations.

4. Earning while learning

Unlike traditional education pathways, apprenticeships offer individuals the opportunity to earn a wage while they learn. This financial support can help reduce the financial burden often associated with education and training.

5. Industry-relevant training

Apprenticeships are designed in collaboration with employers, ensuring that the training provided is directly relevant to the needs of the industry. This helps bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical workplace requirements. 

6. Reducing skills gaps

By focusing on specific skills needed in the workforce, apprenticeships contribute to reducing skills gaps in various industries. This is particularly important as technological advancements and changing business landscapes require workers to possess up-to-date and relevant skills.

Looking for an apprenticeship opportunity?

If you’re considering undertaking a mechanical or electrical engineering apprenticeship, we’d love to hear from you. Woodward Group is always open to new talent joining our team and adding value to our clients. If you’d like to be part of our growth, please send us your CV or give us a call on 01283 819379.

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Introducing Matt Brooks

Having started out as an electrical apprentice when he was 16, Matt worked for a local electrical company for over 10 years. He qualified in 2012, and began managing projects, chiefly specialising in BMS, for one of the industry leaders in this field. In 2014 Matt became a qualified supervisor, responsible for all NICEIC paperwork.

He joined Woodward group in February as the next step up in his career, with the goal of growing our Energy Solutions division even further and continuing to build on our strong reputation as being one of the best in the industry.

A ‘right first time’ approach

As senior supervisor, Matt’s role involves making sure all our engineers are working safely and in line with the site programmes, ensuring all materials are on site, and that work is being carried out to the highest standards, on time, in budget, and with a ‘right first time’ approach.

Friendly, calm under pressure, and with an excellent work ethic, Matt is detail-orientated – he sweats the small stuff, so our clients don’t have to – and likes to lead from the front. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking his dog, and going to the gym.

Commenting on joining Woodward Group, Matt said: “After chatting to Aden and Matt, I felt really positive about the culture at Woodward Group. Their commitment to investing in their workforce is impressive, and seeing the incredible growth over the past few years made me eager to be part of their future.”

Aden Woodward, MD at Woodward Group, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Matt Brooks to our team. His extensive experience and dedication to the highest standards align perfectly with our culture of excellence and growth. Matt’s expertise in BMS, alongside his strong leadership qualities, will undoubtedly drive our Energy Solutions offering to new heights.”

Offering flexible, green solutions

Woodward Group’s Energy Solutions division builds energy efficient and environmentally friendly spaces for our clients, without compromising on aesthetics. From Building Management Systems (BMS) to Ground Source and Air Source Heat Pumps, our team can advise on a number of flexible green solutions tailored to your business.

To book your free consultation or find out more, please call 01283 819379 or email us on enquiries@woodwardgroup.net.

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What is EPLAN?

The EPLAN Platform is a software solution for designing, documenting and managing electrical-engineering automation projects.

From preplanning, electrical engineering, and fluid-power engineering, to the design of control and switchgear systems or wire harnesses, EPLAN provides us with the perfect tool for the job.

EPLAN integrates seamlessly with various engineering workflows, enabling a cohesive approach to project management and design at Woodward Group. This integration enhances collaboration among our different engineering disciplines, ensuring that every aspect of the project aligns with the overall objectives and standards.

What are its benefits?

As well as accelerating workflows, reducing errors and saving time, the EPLAN Platform has several key advantages. At a glance, it provides our Control & Process division with:

• Standardised project structure, symbols & labelling to relevant standards IEC 81346, EN 61355-1, ISO 1219-2, NFPA & Company Standards
• Detailed schematics, including part numbers, locations, and device settings
• Easy navigation, through hyperlinked cross-referencing
• Templates for project consistency
• Efficient turnaround of designs
• Bill of Materials produced
• Panel Layouts
• Critical spares
• Terminal schematics
• Equipment/Network overview schematics
• Electrical schematics, including conversion from paper copies to full EPLAN/AutoCAD drawings
• The ability to produce electrical drawings from equipment that currently has no drawings

EPLAN in action

Since the purchase of the software, our Controls Division Manager, Greg Haigh, has completed parts one and two of the eight-day, ‘Electric P8’ training course, and has also undertaken an EPLAN training course with a local design engineer. So far, he has completed two design projects using the software, as well as a project that involved converting old paper copy drawings to EPLAN.

By investing in EPLAN and ensuring our team is well-trained, Woodward Group is committed to maintaining the highest standards of engineering excellence. The integration of EPLAN into our workflow not only enhances our efficiency but also ensures that we can deliver high-quality, reliable solutions to our clients. This strategic investment aligns with our mission to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the engineering field, providing unparalleled service and expertise.

What can businesses and individuals do?

Both businesses and individuals are being asked to help support net zero efforts and to play their part in reducing emissions. This could involve many different actions, such as:

• Installing a Building Management System – a BMS can analyse and monitor your energy use, control your assets and ultimately optimise the way energy is used in order to cut carbon emissions and lower business costs.
• Visiting the UK Business Climate Hub in order to find practical tools and resources to help them understand and reduce emissions.
• Installing energy efficient lighting.
• Switching to electric transport options and installing EV charging points in your business.
• Installing Ground Source and Air Source Heat Pumps – which take heat from the ground and air and use it to warm your home.

To book a free consultation or to learn more about our Control & Process services, please call 01283 819379 or email us: enquiries@woodwardgroup.net.

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The Government’s Net Zero Strategy

The UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy sets out how the country will unlock £90 billion in investment to reach ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050. It outlines the support that will be provided to businesses and consumers in the transition to clean energy and green technology – including reducing the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels and switching to low carbon travel options like electric vehicles.

Are we on track for 2050?  

While the UK has been successful in the reduction of its carbon emissions, there is concern that it might miss future targets. There is, arguably, a lack of urgency in reducing emissions, with the majority of reductions from the last decade having been from the electricity supply sector alone. There needs to be significant progress in agriculture, land use, and waste areas in order to meet the targets set out in the Net Zero Strategy.

What progress has been made?

Despite concern that the UK might miss its net zero targets, a few areas of promising progress have been made, including:

• A three-quarter reduction in carbon emissions from electricity generation since 1990, caused by the growing popularity of renewable energy.
• Electric cars are slowly gaining popularity, accounting for 16.5% of new car sales in 2023. This is likely to increase with further public charging points continuing to be added.
• Meat consumption has fallen by 17% in the UK over the last decade, and environmental land management schemes mean farmers can apply for public money to support activities that benefit the environment.

What can businesses and individuals do?

Both businesses and individuals are being asked to help support net zero efforts and to play their part in reducing emissions. This could involve many different actions, such as:

• Installing a Building Management System – a BMS can analyse and monitor your energy use, control your assets and ultimately optimise the way energy is used in order to cut carbon emissions and lower business costs.
• Visiting the UK Business Climate Hub in order to find practical tools and resources to help them understand and reduce emissions.
• Installing energy efficient lighting.
• Switching to electric transport options and installing EV charging points in your business.
• Installing Ground Source and Air Source Heat Pumps – which take heat from the ground and air and use it to warm your home.

Practicing what we preach

At Woodward Group we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint while providing high-quality products and services. We maintain an Environmental Management System with due reference to the standard BS EN ISO 14001:2004 and strive for environmental best practice throughout our business activities. We have also installed roof mounted solar panels at our office, as well as EV chargers for staff and customer use.

Woodward Group also made the decision to switch our company vehicles to plug in hybrids, and we are in the process of moving to a fully paperless CRM system.

Read our environmental statement to learn more.

How Woodward Group can help

At Woodward Group we are committed to helping build energy efficient and environmentally friendly spaces without compromising on aesthetics. Our Energy Solutions team can advise on a number of flexible green solutions for your business, including energy efficient lighting, Building Management Systems, electric vehicle charging and more.

To book your free consultation or find out more about our Energy Solutions, please call 01283 819379 or email us on enquiries@woodwardgroup.net

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While it may seem that shifting to LEDs will only benefit the planet, there are other essential reasons a business should consider adapting.

Cost-Effective

The first benefit of switching to sustainable lighting is its positive impact on the overall costs of a business.

In 2014, the UK government stated that low-energy lighting enhancements could result in 39% savings for non-residential buildings in England and Wales. This percentage corresponds to a total of £3.7 billion. 20% of this accounts for lighting—a huge potential cost-saving endeavour every business should explore.

In essence, shifting to LED lighting results in less energy consumption, leading to less operational expenses.

LEDs also have longer durability and lifespan. While fluorescent lamps can last up to 10 years, LEDs can withstand wear for up to 25 years. As repairs and replacements are minimised, overall long-term costs are also reduced.

Cost savings can further increase when a company qualifies for Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA). With the government’s approach to encouraging investment in sustainable technologies, ECA allows businesses to deduct some of their investments in low-carbon initiatives from profits.

Environment-Friendly

With climate change at the front and centre of global discussions in recent years, there is a pressing need for everyone to lower their carbon footprint.

In 2018, 18% of all carbon dioxide emissions in the UK were generated from business sectors. Furthermore, it is estimated that 20% of the world’s energy usage is accounted for lighting. Since LEDs consume less energy, the shift will significantly reduce carbon emissions and decelerate global warming.

LEDs’ longer lifespan also decreases the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. On average, three fluorescent lamps will likely be discarded in the lifespan of 1 LED bulb.

Safer

With incredibly small ultraviolet (UV) radiation, LED lighting has become the best option for storage facilities, warehouses, and industrial plants with UV-sensitive commodities and goods.

Unlike fluorescent lamps, LEDs do not contain mercury—making them safer for human usage.

Increased Productivity

Lighting plays a vital role in setting the mood of an establishment. LEDs emit better quality luminance, optimising the productivity of a space. While traditional lights offer very white and harsh lighting, LEDs offer versatility from warmer tones to cooler whites. This allows you to create a suitable ambience from cosy restaurants and flashy retail stores, to productive offices and industrial plants. 

Switching to energy-saving technology will benefit not just the planet but, your people and your business.

Book a free consultation by calling us at 01283 819379 or emailing enquiries@woodwardgroup.net to find out more about energy-efficient lighting.

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Other than legal obligations and being vital with insurance claims, there are other key reasons why a business needs to have an EICR.

Prevention is Better than Resolution

An EICR seeks to provide early detection of problems that may arise in the future. Detecting these issues early on helps prevent possible downtime and loss of earnings for the business as it protects you from any untoward incidents.

Commitment to Safety

While acquiring an EICR is a requirement by law, this is first and foremost a company’s commitment to its people’s safety. One of the best ways of protecting your organisation is by making sure all systems are in place and people are safe.

To be legally compliant, businesses should conduct Fixed Wire Testing every five years depending on the type of installation, how often it is used, and the risk factors surrounding it. While places like schools or offices may require this test once every five years, properties like swimming pools or industrial plants may require more frequent preventive inspections – once every three years.

If you are unsure how often your business should undergo Fixed Wire Testing or in need of one, you can book a free consultation by calling us at 01283 819379 or emailing enquiries@woodwardgroup.net.

The post Why It’s Time to Schedule a Periodic Inspection for Your Business appeared first on Woodward Group.

During these possible scenarios, your site’s lighting may malfunction or even cease working entirely. A good emergency lighting system ensures evacuation goes smoothly, and injuries are less likely to occur during such events.

To ensure your site is properly lit, make sure you have installed your luminaires in the following areas:

• Final exit(s)
• Junctions
• Corridors
• Stairways
• Alarm areas
• Escalators
• Toilets
• Lifts
• Control rooms
• Open areas
• Hazardous areas

Once your luminaires have been sited, check if you need additional lights to cover the space. Sometimes you’ll need additional luminaires to ensure proper light levels are achieved in the areas you wish to illuminate. To check if your luminaires are adequately lighting the areas listed above, use spacing tables to ensure your lights are properly spaced to achieve the minimum lux levels of any given area.

• For escape routes, corridors, and hallways – A minimum of 1 lux on the centre line
• In open areas – A minimum of 0.5 lux from the centre to within 0.5 meters of the walls
• Exit signs – Should be illuminated or have a backup luminaire within 2 meters of horizontal height

Exit signs should also adhere to the requirements of the European Signs Directive and should only follow one format throughout the site.

If you’d like to find out more about our fire suppression systems and fire alarm installations, visit our fire safety page, or book a free consultation by calling us at 01283 819379 or emailing us at enquiries@woodwardgroup.net.

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A fire can engulf even the largest properties in just a matter of minutes. To protect your important investments, a fire alarm system is integral as it detects the earliest signs of smoke, heat, and actual flames. Early detection is critical to prevent the loss of assets and, more importantly, the loss of life.

To find the fire alarm system that’s best-suited for your business, you must consider the following:

1. The size of your facility. Is your property small or large? Will it require separate systems for each building? How many floors will your fire protection system cover?

2. Your industry and the associated site risks. Different industries require different levels of assessment. For example, a chemical fire will need special instruments to detect and extinguish flames compared to an electrical fire, or there is a sleeping risk on site.

3. The location of your facility. Keep your property’s location in mind, as this can determine how your alarm system should be configured to ensure a quick emergency response.

4. System features. Your fire alarm system must be tailor-fit to your working environment. For instance, an addressable fire alarm system that can monitor different buildings all at once and contain a fire in one specific area would be recommended for a vast factory complex.

Once you consider these factors, the next step would be to choose between the different types of fire alarm systems available:

Automatic vs. Manual System

There are generally two types of fire alarms: manual and automatic. Automatic systems can automatically send notifications to an outside service provider if a fire is detected, while manual systems require a person to activate. You may want to consider an automatic fire alarm if your facility is often left unsupervised as this type of fire alarm can detect and notify you of an emergency without the need of human intervention. However, if your facility is normally occupied, then a manual system may be the better option as they provide a quicker response and are less likely to produce false alarms.

Conventional vs. Addressable System

Depending on your budget, you may want to opt for a conventional fire alarm. These are typically lower-cost, reliable systems used for simple facilities like retail stores and single-story structures. When the alarm is triggered, the system identifies the general area of the emergency and notifies emergency personnel where the alarm was activated. Meanwhile, an addressable fire alarm can cover a wider area than a conventional fire alarm. When the system is triggered, it shows the precise location of the fire as well as direct emergency personnel to the site of the emergency. Typically used for large complexes like hospitals, hotels and factories, addressable fire alarms cost more than their conventional counterparts. However, they are more accurate and can work even if the detection cabling is damaged. 

Expanded Options

Some fire alarm systems give you the option to add additional features which may help contain or alleviate the situation if a fire emergency does happen. These include automatic sprinkler systems, shutters designed to isolate affected areas, and ventilation mechanisms that can vent fumes away from the area.

To book your free consultation or to find out more about our Fire Alarms or Maintenance services, please call 01283 819379 or email us at enquiries@woodwardgroup.net.

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Career background

Working at several well-established companies over the years, Sudhir has amassed a wealth of purchasing expertise as well as deep industry knowledge throughout the course of his career. His previous roles include Operations Manager for AWEBB, an independent electrical purchasing consortium, which involved working closely with and supplying to electrical wholesalers within the buying group. Having lived in Shenzhen, China, for periods of his career, Sudhir also worked as Product Development Manager for ML Accessories, one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of lighting products and electrical wiring accessories, where he was responsible for creating and developing the company’s Knightsbridge brand and sourcing LED lighting products from the Far East. He was previously Director of TSF Technology, a role which also involved working closely with Far East manufacturers.

Working at Woodward Group

As Purchasing Manager at Woodward Group, Sudhir is responsible for supply chain initiatives around purchasing, purchasing systems, and logistics to ensure seamless business delivery for the team. Putting his growing list of contacts to good use, Sudhir will use his flair for building and maintaining relationships with key suppliers alongside his good understanding of rebates and pricing within the industry to help develop and implement a purchasing strategy for Woodward Group.

Commenting on his appointment, Sudhir said:

“I am excited to be in a position in which I can put my buying experience and deep product knowledge to good use with both current and future projects. I also look forward to making intelligent buying decisions on behalf of Woodward Group, using my trusted contacts and connections in the Far East.”

“Woodward Group has a wealth of experience and a strong track record of delivering successful solutions and projects for our clients. A well established, family run business, it has fantastic ethos, and I can already see there is a great sense of morale amongst the team. I am thrilled to have accepted the position of Purchasing Manager.”

Woodward Group is always open to new talent joining our team. If you’d like to be part of our growth, please check out our current vacancies here.

The post Sudhir Sehdeva joins Woodward Group as Purchasing Manager appeared first on Woodward Group.

As an employer, it is your responsibility to make sure every step is being taken to ensure the safety of your employees and everyone on your premises. One of these steps being regular maintenance of Fire Safety Systems and Alarms.

Fire alarm tests are an essential and critical exercise as they have to be consistently working at their optimum in case the worst happens. Everyone in the building should know how they sound, with you or another competent person logging the time and date of the test. If a fault is found, immediate corrective action must be taken.

Frequency of Fire Alarm Tests

Government legislation states that all commercial premises are required by law to carry out Fire Alarm Maintenance at least twice a year. This is to check that it is working as it should.

Carrying out regular Fire Alarm Maintenance will help give you confidence that your workplace has effective fire safety, thus reducing false fire alarms which can lead to a loss of man hours with staff having to exit the building.

How Testing & Inspection Works

They can help you to ensure that your workplace is fire-safe, meets the legal requirements, has fire safety equipment such as emergency lighting and extinguishers checked, and follows the standardised process for maintaining Fire Alarms.

What’s Included in A Fire Alarm Maintenance service:

• Maintenance completed in accordance with BS5839
• Minimum of 2 visits per annum, on a 6-monthly basis
• Dedicated 24/7/365 call-out facility, should your system develop a fault
• Fully FIA (Fire Industry Association) trained and BAFE qualified, multi-skilled Fire Alarm Engineers sent to your business, anywhere within the UK.
• Advice on system maintenance or improvements
• Expert knowledge and friendly customer service should there be any queries

Proud to be Third-Party Accredited to BAFE SP203-1

BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) is an independent registration body for third party certified fire safety and protection companies and a register of quality fire safety service providers across the UK.

Woodward Group is proud to be third party accredited to BAFE SP203-1 for our Fire Detection and Alarm Design, Installation, Commissioning/Handover and Maintenance.

The scheme recognises the importance of compliance for fire detection and alarm systems. We are regularly audited by BAFE to ensure we’re working to required standards, including paperwork inspections and random checks on properties where we have worked.

This scheme offers assurance that we work to the highest standard and pride ourselves in providing a 100% reliable service for our clients with regular audits on our processes.

To book your free consultation or to find out more about our Fire Alarm Maintenance service, please call 01283 819379 or email us at enquiries@woodwardgroup.net.

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