CAREER ADVICE | 3 MIN READ Find out how to fall back in love with your job Read our top tips for getting the most out of your career Valentines Day is a day for love, romance, chocolates, flowers and personalised biscuits decorated with hearts. But what if you fall out of love with your job? We spend on average, 7.5 hours a day at work so we’ve put together our top tips on how to rekindle that spark and help you remember why you love your job! 1. TRYING SOMETHING NEW When you start a new job there’s so much to take in for the first few months you are constantly learning. But once you’re fully settled and you’ve mastered your current workload, you can find yourself feeling bored, under stimulated and unchallenged on a daily basis. In any role, there are some tedious, repetitive tasks that just have to get done. But you can leverage your job as an opportunity to expand your professional or personal skills. Ask for training on a new piece of software you would like to learn, attend industry events to gain inspiration or investigate how you could dabble with new responsibilities without entirely jumping ship from your current role. 2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE BENEFITS With more competition in the industry, we are hearing the term “candidate driven market” more than ever. In simple terms, it means that you are in the driving seat and are able to demand and negotiate on more than just your salary. A new trend that has surfaced in the recruitment industry is offering a candidate package. Along with the salaried job offer which includes the standard holiday entitlement, pay and maybe a company car, companies are looking at what else they can offer to attract and retain the best talent. Things like study support, development plans, flexible working and earn while you learn schemes are all benefits that you can take advantage of if your employer offers these schemes. 3. TAKE REGULAR HOLIDAYS AND BREAKS Often you find yourself stressed and hating your job when you’re burned out. An easy way to avoid work-related stress and fatigue is by taking regular holidays and breaks. By holidays we mean a total office shut off, no emails, no phone calls and most importantly, no worrying! 4. ORGANISE A SOCIAL OUTING WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES This is especially important in this day and age, where it’s easy to avoid face-to-face contact. Instead of emailing your colleagues physically, go and talk to them in the office. Go and have lunch in the breakout area where you can talk to people. You spend most of your time with them, so you might as well try to enjoy their company. But when it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit, so If you’re ready to try something new, search our latest jobs here.
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SAFETY MATTERS | 3 MIN READ Since its official launch in March 2018, we have received c.200 close calls The app is available on both Android and Apple devices and can be downloaded by searching ‘Morson’ in the App Store or Google Play Download our latest issue of Safety Matters to read more about everything from health and safety innovation and project wins to top tips and case studies In our last edition, we announced the launch of our new Safety Matters Close Call App, which is transforming the way we maintain safety trackside by giving our entire workforce another simple way to report unsafe behaviours and working conditions. The app is available on both Android and Apple devices and can be downloaded by searching ‘Morson’ in the App Store or Google Play. As well as the ability to report close calls anonymously, it also offers the added functionality of using the app whilst offline and submitting the details once your internet connection is restored, so it can be used in any location. The information that we receive is crucial to reducing and eliminating accidents and incidents. Since its official launch in March 2018, we have received c.200 close calls. The number reported each month continues increasing, with 14 recorded in April compared to 51 in September. During Period 7, the greatest number of close calls centred on the following safety issues and concerns: Lack of equipment or equipment that is broken or not working Delivery that is either late or failed to complete altogether Trip or trip hazard Poor or inadequate lighting on site Issues concerning members of the public Platform protection either not in use or inadequate Other close calls reported during this same period included disagreements/arguments, dust/fumes on site, faulty or lack of head torches, instructions/RAMS not listened to or followed, operatives not being clean shaven, and rubbish left on site. If ever in an unsafe situation, you should immediately report your concerns through the app, which is flagged instantly to our health and safety team. We also want to remind everyone of their shared accountability for each other’s actions, with health and safety not only the responsibility of the PWTs and inspectors. This collective responsibility and the encouragement to speak out and rectify problems before they become an issue, rather than ignoring it or viewing it as ‘someone else’s responsibility’, ensures that we work safe and go home safe every day. Here is a selection of close calls reported through the app during October 2018 and the subsequent actions that were taken: Download our latest issue of Safety Matters to read more about everything from health and safety innovation and project wins to top tips and case studies. Or, to search for our latest jobs, click here.
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP | 2 MIN READ A new era of business culture has introduced new ways of working with more flexibility, better benefits and a focus on employee satisfaction more than ever before Find out how embracing the digital culture can help your business improve and grow In this competitive age, companies are having to work harder to attract the highest calibre of candidates. Culture in a business is an important factor when candidates are deciding whether your company is right for them. A new era of business culture has introduced new ways of working with more flexibility, better benefits and a focus on employee satisfaction more than ever before. But when a company has an ingrained culture, how does it then diversify and change the way they have worked for 10, 20, even 30 years to attract new talent? Embracing the Digital Culture The extent of technology in business has accelerated during the last two decades and is now a major factor in defining business growth. In the past it was perceived to be rude to have lengthy mobile phone calls during work hours, now mobile phones play a vital role in the running of any business. Technology touches every business from recruitment to healthcare, we simply could not be without it and so the benefits of digital culture no longer need to be justified. There is no question that adopting technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud data and embracing remote working tools can help a business improve and grow. But embracing other cultural trends such as flexible working now is dependent on the introduction of technology. Taking flexible working as an example, employees require a suitable laptop or desktop based at home, they require a good internet connection and access to their files and folders which are (usually) held within the businesses networks. “Providing all of your employees with Apple Macbook’s and a Superfast Broadband connection is not going to completely transform your business and provide an instant solution to high productivity and engagement. But, it’s a good building block to be able to provide other services that will ensure a happier workforce.” All of this requires investment into both software, hardware and also manpower to be able to implement and manage these systems. However, it’s important to note that providing all of your employees with a laptop and a Superfast Broadband connection is not going to completely transform your business and provide an instant solution to high productivity and engagement. But, it’s a good building block to be able to provide other services that will ensure a happier workforce. If you would like to find out more about how to engineer cultural change, download our free guide which explores what cultural change is, why it is so important for your business and how to engineer a cultural change as part of a successful growth strategy.
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Alison Charles has worked for engineering design consultancy Morson Projects for many years. The daughter of a French teacher and an art teacher, stress engineer Alison Charles is breaking the family mould with her career at Morson. She’s also proving that you don’t have to work in a traditionally ‘creative’ sector to have a job that involves creative thinking. “I never enjoyed subjects that involved essay writing at school. I always preferred things like maths where the answers were black or white. As a result I studied maths and physics at ‘A’ Level and went to the University of Leeds to do a Mechanical Engineering degree. My friends and family were quite surprised about my choice of degree because I think there’s still a perception that engineering involves getting your hands dirty onsite. In fact, I work in a comfortable office and one of the things I love about my job is that it combines my maths skills with design requirements and a creative approach to finding engineering solutions.” After starting her career with Morson on the aviation engineering team, Alison moved onto an Energy from Waste (EfW) project in Derby as a stress engineer. She is currently working on the decommissioning of Dounreay Nuclear Power Station, calculating the effects of different forces and loads on pipe work to assess how the pipes will respond in a real world installation, specifically considering dynamic effects due to a seismic event. “I’ve been with Morson for six years now and in that time I have worked on three different aircraft and two different pipe stress projects. With lots of nuclear projects on the horizon, there’s plenty of scope for career development as a pipe stress engineer and I’m really enjoying the problem solving, analysis and creative thinking required for the job.” Indeed, Alison enjoys her job in engineering so much that she is keen to encourage other young people to pursue similar career paths, particularly girls. “When I was at university, male students massively outnumbered female students on my course. There were just four female students out of a total of 100! There was a feeling that we had to prove ourselves and, though old-fashioned attitudes to women in engineering are changing gradually, there’s still a lot to be done to alter perceptions and break down stereotypes so that girls feel confident about aiming for a career in engineering and no-one’s surprised about the jobs female engineers do.” Alison is taking an active role in bringing about that culture change. She has been appointed as a STEM ambassador as part of a programme designed to encourage young people to enjoy STEM subjects, supporting teachers in the classroom by explaining current applications in industry or research. “Around 40 per cent of STEM ambassadors are women because so many women in STEM-based sectors are evangelical about the variety of careers available and the opportunities for young women. I recently attended an International Day of the Girl event at the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester in my capacity as a STEM Ambassador, explaining simple aviation engineering concepts to visitors. Young girls are really engaged and excited about opportunities in engineering and, hopefully, within the next few decades we’ll see much more gender parity in the sector.” Find our more about our work with diversity here
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INDUSTRY NEWS | 2 MIN READ Scottish space firm, Orbex revealed a prototype of the world’s largest 3D printed rocket engine Plans to develop the UK’s first spaceport in Sutherland, Scotland The first test flight is planned for 2021 Scottish space firm, Orbex revealed a prototype of the world’s largest 3D printed rocket engine at the opening of its new headquarters and rocket design facility in Forres in the Scottish Highlands. The company is involved in plans to develop the UK’s first spaceport in Sutherland, Scotland. The rocket is designed to deliver small satellites into Earth’s orbit and the Orbex Prime is a two-stage rocket that is claimed to be 30% lighter and 20% more efficient than any other vehicle in its category. It is also the first commercial rocket engine designed to work with bio-propane, a clean-burning, a renewable fuel source that cuts carbon emissions by 90% compared to fossil hydrocarbon fuels. The completed engineering prototype is made from lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium composite and includes the world’s largest 3D printed rocket engine. Click here to watch the video and find out more Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of Orbex said: “Orbex’s new rocket design facility brings Britain one step closer to having its own domestic commercial launch capability and firmly positions the UK as Europe’s frontrunner for those looking to Earth’s orbit and beyond for new opportunities. The new facility and future spaceport operations will help unlock vast economic and societal benefits not just in Scotland but right across the UK.” The first test flight is planned for 2021 where it will carry out an experimental flight from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. This launch will represent an important first for the UK commercial space industry, demonstrating the UK’s end-to-end launch capability with a UK rocket launching a UK satellite from a UK spaceport. Interested in reading more about rocket engineering? Click here to read about the Bloodhound project. Orbex CEO, Chris Larmour added: “Orbex has been on an incredible journey, largely behind-the-scenes…that is changing today, as we publicly reveal the company’s technical and commercial momentum. Not only do we have a full engineering prototype of the complete Stage 2 of the Prime rocket, but also a growing roster of customers hoping to be among the first to launch satellites from Scotland.” (Image credit: Orbex) Ready for a new challenge and opportunity? Search our latest jobs here. Or if you need a little help along the way, check out our top CV tips here.
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Morson are marking the fourth week of our ’50 Weeks of Giving’ campaign with an additional donation of £3,888 to Manchester Settlement. Manchester Settlement helps, supports and empowers people in the local community to improve their lives, focusing on nurturing children and working with young people to enable them to positively contribute to their wider communities. In December 2018, Morson donated £15,000 to Manchester Settlement to help deliver more bed spaces as part of the Pledge150 campaign launched by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in partnership with LandAid. The charity have been looking to provide safe accommodation on Wilfred Street in Manchester for six young people who are at risk of homelessness. According to the Pledge15 campaign, over 80,000 young people in the UK will be homeless this year. The partnership aims to deliver 150 bed spaces to young people in need across the UK. As part of the Morson 50th anniversary local community charity activity for 2019, an additional donation of £3,888 has been made in order to pay for broadband internet packages for the homes for 18 months in total. Ged Mason, CEO of Morson Group, said “Charities that support young disadvantaged or homeless people, like Manchester Settlement, are vital, and it’s important that our industry does it all can to help support them. Stephen and I are delighted the funds raised from Pledge150 will go towards helping such a fantastic local cause to home more of our city’s young vulnerable people and giving them the support they need to live a healthy, happy life.” Manchester Settlement offer an individually tailored package of support which includes help with budgeting, form filling, claiming benefits, introduction to facilities and services, how to be a good neighbour and live independently and successfully in the community. Their experienced support staff also intensively support young people around budgeting, paying bills, accessing education, employment and training. Our '50 Weeks of Giving' programme has seen us provide an individual donation each week to help worthy causes in the region. Coupled with our core annual charity activity, we aim to raise and donate £500,000 in total as we celebrate our 50th year in business. Our core charity activity will see us work to raise money for the employee-chosen charities in 2019, Motor Neurone Disease Association and ABF The Soldier's Charity. In the last 10 years we've raised over £2million for worthy causes throughout the UK such as the Seashell Trust and Destination Florida. To find out more about our commitment to charity, click here
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