Global building envelope specialists SFS opens the doors to its industry leading innovation hub, with the aim of ‘Connecting the construction industry of today and tomorrow’.
The Academy, situated at SFS’s Leeds head office, launched on the evening of Thursday 2nd May, with a packed-out audience of construction professionals, architectural leaders and influencers turning out to the opening.
To mark the launch, SFS hosted an evening to discuss key trends affecting the construction industry. An exclusive panel of speakers addressed challenges such as skills shortages, the future of construction, smart cities and more. Included on the panel was Tom Dyckhoff, architectural historian, broadcaster and writer.
Dyckhoff said, “It’s fantastic to be a part of this exciting and important initiative with SFS. The Academy is truly inspiring, with knowledgeable experts from SFS on-site to deliver training, CPDs and collaborate with. This space is a focal point for construction and thought leadership, and I’m sure it and SFS will go a long way to helping solve the challenges that lie ahead for construction.”
(Left to Right) Fraser Brown, David Wigglesworth, Dr Bilal Kaddouh, Jo Evans, Tom Dyckhoff, Professor David Barton, Hariharasudhan Ganesan
Alongside Dyckhoff, other members of the panel included the managing directors of Tata Building Systems and specialist façade contractor Speedclad, as well as speakers from the University of Leeds.
Fraser Brown, Director of Speedclad, said “We were delighted to join the speakers for the Academy launch and it’s exciting to have a dedicated space to train fresh entrants into the industry. There’s plenty of opportunity for those in construction already too, with a variety of courses to upskill and provide career progression from site installers through to construction managers.”
SFS’s innovation hub will hold regular hands-on training courses, RIBA-approved CPDs and technical seminars. Courses and topics include fall protection, cladding systems, fixings, fasteners, roofing and more. People in the south of UK also have easy access to the hub and its events, with a replica version of The Academy in SFS’s Welwyn Garden City offices.
On top of the regular activity, SFS will hold bespoke talks with industry leaders on emerging trends, with the next event being planned around off-site construction, earmarked for November 2019.
David Wigglesworth, Managing Director of SFS, said, “Helping the built environment and those connected to it perform better is what we are about, and with the academy, we’re on the path to achieving this with our peers in construction. Not only will we be providing best practice through our expert team here, but the space is open to the next generation of professionals to use too. We want to help expand careers, encourage people into construction, and be at the forefront of this exciting industry for years to come.”
To find out more about SFS, upcoming events at The Academy and how to book, please visit SFSintec.co.uk.
