Tag: CSR & Social Value News

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is an important day to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness of women’s equality, lobby for gender parity and fundraise for female-focused charities.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity. Together we can forge women’s equality and create a world that’s diverse and inclusive.

Today we are celebrating International Women’s Day by shining a spotlight on some of the amazing women at YMD Boon…

Shari Setayesh, Director & Architect

Shari has over 20 years’ experience in architectural practice and gained BArch, Dip Arch and MArch Degrees in Architecture at University of Nottingham between 2002-2009. Shari joined YMD Boon in 2013 as a Senior Architect and Quality Manager before being promoted to Associate Director in 2014 and then Director in 2015.

Shari is extremely passionate about Women in Construction. She regularly participates in mentoring programmes and holds workshops at local schools, colleges and Universities to educate younger women on the exciting opportunities of working in the Construction industry.

Shari said:

“This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #EmbraceEquity – one that I can certainly relate to. I have the pleasure of working with many supportive, fantastic women every day. As a proud Women in Construction ambassador, I will continue to champion that all women have the capability to excel in their career – no matter their background!”

Amtul Binaha, Architectural Technologist

Amtul studied at University of Derby between 2014-2017, gaining a First Class Honours in Architectural Technology. Amtul joined YMD Boon in May 2021 as an Architectural Technologist and is a valued member within our Nottingham branch.

Amtul works alongside our Architects & Architectural Technologists to produce high-quality models, drawings and designs relating to project requirements for a variety of clients across our core sectors.

Amtul commented:

“Throughout University and within my role at YMD Boon, I am lucky to have been supported and mentored by some fantastic women, and I am forever grateful for their support and guidance. As we head into International Women’s Day, I will continue to appreciate, congratulate and support women every day!”

Rebecca Kleios, Compliance Surveyor

Rebecca has over 9 years experience within the industry, joining YMD Boon last year as a valued member of our Market Harborough branch.

Rebecca operates our reliable Maintenance helpdesk, managing a range of planned, preventative and reactive maintenance services on behalf of our clients.

Rebecca said:

“In this male-dominated industry, I feel honored to work for a company that is committed to being an inclusive Construction company, and I have been fortunate to work with lots of supportive women throughout my career. Let’s continue to #EmbraceEquity!”

Interested in a career at YMD Boon? We’d love to hear from you! Visit our Careers Page for more information.

National Apprenticeship Week is an annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships, running from 6^th-12^th February 2023.

The theme for this year is Skills for Life. The week will reflect on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce.

Apprenticeships at YMD Boon

At YMD Boon, we are committed to investing in the next generation and supporting career development. Through our partnership with local colleges and universities, we engage with many young professionals in the form of:

– Careers Fairs
– Mentorships
– Work Placements
– CV Writing Workshops
– Mock Interviews
– Casual Tutoring

As part of this commitment, we provide fantastic opportunities across our Architecture & Building Surveying teams for young professionals, including school leavers, apprentices, and degree students. We have formal training routes mapped out and allocate an experienced mentor to each trainee to support them as they work towards their Chartership or qualification.

In light of National Apprenticeship Week, we sat down with two of our Degree Apprentices to discuss their current roles and the benefits of embarking on a degree apprenticeship.

Miles Lewis, Part 1 Architectural Assistant at YMD Boon

“Last year I enrolled onto the Architect Degree Apprenticeship (Level 7) at De Montfort University to gain my Part 2 & Part 3 certification whilst carrying out my role at YMD Boon as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant.

So far, the programme has been a fantastic opportunity for me to further my knowledge whilst gaining practical experience. It has given me an alternative route back into education whilst keeping a professional foot in the door.

YMD Boon have been very supportive of my degree apprenticeship, enabling me to manage my time effectively and supporting me financially. I’m extremely grateful for my apprenticeship mentor and fellow architects who are always on hand whenever I need advice or support with university work.

I would recommend undertaking a degree apprenticeship to anyone who is looking to progress within the industry without the financial burden.”

Aurora Micco, Building Surveyor at YMD Boon

“I am currently undertaking a Building Surveying Degree Apprenticeship whilst carrying out my Building Surveying role at YMD Boon.

I am extremely grateful for my apprenticeship journey and where it’s brought me today. The fact that I can put the theories I learn at university into practice whilst onsite is invaluable.

YMD Boon are very supportive of my career development, and I’ve felt trusted to solely manage projects of a large scale from day one. For example, currently I am responsible for the property management of National Grid’s North-East sub-stations on a contract basis. Opportunities like this have not only expanded my knowledge and helped me gain practical experience, but it also makes me feel like a valued member of the business and my team.

I would recommend a degree apprenticeship to anyone who is considering it!”

If you’d like to find out more about the career opportunities at YMD Boon, contact us here or visit our careers page.

Funding applications for the next round of Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for 2023/24 has been launched by the Department for Education (DfE), and there’s a few changes from last year.

The Condition Improvement Fund is an annual bidding round for eligible single academy trusts, smaller MATs, sixth-form colleges, and VA schools to apply for capital funding. The priority for the fund is to address significant condition needs, keeping education provider buildings safe and in good working order.

It is intended to address significant condition need, with the highest priority going to those addressing compliance and health and safety issues, including:

– structural safety

– fire protection systems

– gas and electrical safety

– emergency asbestos removal

– critical replacements of coal and oil-fired boilers with low carbon alternatives (new for 2023/24)

What’s new for CIF 2023/24?

1. New priority project type – critical replacement of coal and oil boilers with low-carbon heating systems

The CIF’s new Priority Project Type will include projects for replacing expired oil and coal boilers with low-carbon alternatives to prevent school closure.

2. Options appraisal

Where academies set out different options within their applications, the options appraisal should include consideration of a zero/low carbon/sustainable replacement option.

3. Environmental sustainability/energy efficiency across the school estate

The Environmental Sustainability statement criterion has been updated, and schools must now prove that they have performed, or will be performing, works that lead to greater environmental sustainability within the CIF project or elsewhere across the school’s estate.

4. Ventilation

School’s must consider the adverse impact on broader ventilation in relation to their CIF project. The portal form includes a section to confirm this has been considered.

Additional smaller changes have been made to how CIF bids will be assessed for the 2023-24 round, you can view them here.

Key dates for 2023/24

Launch of CIF 2023/24	13th October 2022
Deadline for new applicants to register	1st December 2022
Deadline for applicants to request a CIF portal password reset	6th December 2022
Deadline for all applicants to submit applications	7th December 2022
Applicants notified of outcome	Spring 2023

How can YMD Boon support you?

Due to the high demand for CIF funding, only schools that can demonstrate and evidence high project need are likely to be successful.

Advanced planning is critical to ensure that all surveys, project tenders, supporting evidence and assessments are completed and the application written in time. Therefore we advise starting your CIF Bid process as soon as possible, with an experienced consultancy such as YMD Boon.

We have a proven track record of successful CIF applications, securing millions of pounds for schools and Trusts across the UK.

Our dedicated team can provide a free site visit and bid appraisal to advise you on projects with the best chance of success. We will guide you through the entire funding process, from preparing high quality bids, to managing the works thereafter.

View examples of our recently completed CIF projects here.

To arrange an initial discussion, please contact us or call us on 01858 464482.