Career Advice

Morson Launch 50th Anniversary Celebrations with '50 Weeks of Giving' Campaign

Morson launch 50th anniversary celebrations by pledging to donate to 50 different worthy causes throughout the year. In 2019 Morson will celebrate half a century in business. To honour this land mark we have embarked on a programme of events, with charity and community at the heart. During the next 12 months we plan for every office worldwide across the Group to take part, nominating a charity in that region to support. Closer to home we are embarking to help the local community as part of our ’50 Weeks of Giving’ programme by providing donations each week to help schools, homeless shelters, elderly care homes, youth projects, animal welfare shelters and many other institutions in the Manchester area, beginning in January. In addition we will be working to raise money for our 2019 employee-chosen charities, Motor Neurone Disease Association and ABF The Soldier’s Charity. As part of the Armed Forces Covenant and a recipient of the Ministry of Defence Gold Award one of our charity nominations this year reflects our continued work towards helping ex-forces veterans into civilian careers. Through this activity we aim to have our best ever year of fundraising, giving £500,000 throughout the year and surpassing the record of £160,000 raised in 2016. In the last 10 years we've raised over £2million for worthy causes throughout the UK such as Salford University, the Seashell Trust, Destination Florida and Alzheimer's Society. Morson Group was formed by Gerry Mason, the late father of our current CEO Ged Mason, in the family home in Salford in 1969. Since formation, the head office of the company has never moved more than two miles away from its original location. We now occupy state-of-the-art premises on Centenary Way on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, and this relationship with the local area is something that we are keen to celebrate throughout the year. “Manchester has always been a fantastic and vibrant place to conduct business. From our first office at our family home, to our current corporate headquarters, we have enjoyed working within the diverse and exciting business culture Manchester provides and we are proud of our roots.” - Ged Mason, CEO Growing to become the third largest technical recruiter in the world and the UK’s leading aerospace and rail recruiter, turning over more than £900million, we have a proud history, providing talent to many major engineering projects such as Channel Tunnel, Crossrail, Airbus A380, A350 and Eurofighter aircraft as well as nuclear power stations Sellafield and Sizewell. To mark our land mark anniversary we will be releasing a commemorative book which will chart both the history of the business as well as the growth and development of Manchester itself with interviews and features from several famous Mancunians – many of whom are associated with Morson. A digital time capsule will amplify the celebration of our achievements through an immersive online experience, which will take the user through the company's past, present and future. Both of these initiatives will bring together Morson’s sporting ambassadors; from horse racing, to ex-Manchester United players, to former world champion boxers Ricky Hatton and Anthony Crolla and the newly-crowned WBA super middleweight world champion Callum Smith, to Sale Sharks and more. To give back to the people who make Morson a success, a celebration event in July will bring our employees from all over the world together. Ged is keen to take the opportunity of our 50th year to reflect on how the business has grown and look forward to the future. “It’s great to live up to the company core value of giving and sprinkling some star dust where we can. I'm very proud of the Morson family and where we are now. As much as we are looking back when we celebrate our birthday, it's important that we look forward and keep driving on, at all times remembering that our greatest asset is our people. As my father used to say, 'there is no finish line, and that is the challenge.'” Morson have been re-thinking recruitment since 1969. Click here to find your next opportunity with us. For the latest updates on our 50th celebrations follow us @MorsonGroup #WeAre50
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How to become a Concrete Finisher

With continuous investment in infrastructure, there are good opportunities in the UK road construction industry for workers at all levels. Read on to find out more about the skills you’ll need and discover whether concrete finisher jobs are the right fit for you. RATES £16-40k dependent on experience HOT SPOTS Hinkley Point C / HS2 QUALIFICATIONS Driving Licence, NVQ, City & Guilds What do concrete finisher jobs involve? If you can handle physically demanding work in all weathers, a career as a concrete finisher might be for you. The work can involve periods away from home, staying in sites all over the country. On busy carriageways, a lot of work is carried out overnight and at weekends to minimise disruption. You’ll be operating heavy machinery and will need a good eye for interpreting technical plans and drawings. Typical day-to-day tasks for concrete finisher jobs: Building, widening and resurfacing roads, including repairing cracks and potholes Laying pavements, maintaining roadside verges and central reservations Painting road markings, and erecting crash barriers, road signs, traffic lights and street lamps Digging trenches for cables and pipes Gritting roads and clearing snow in winter What is a concrete finisher’s salary? Average salaries vary according to location and the scale and nature of projects. Entry-level pay is in the region of £16,000 – £20,000 per year. This can rise to between £30,000 and £40,000 with training and experience, for those in supervisory roles. These figures are intended as a guideline only. What skills do I need? A driving licence is usually essential, plus the following additional skills and expertise: Qualifications to operate plant and machinery including backhoe excavators, dumper trucks, bulldozers and tracked vehicles. Physical resilience to cope with the demands of heavy outdoor work in all weathers and throughout the year. Practical skills to operate power tools and lighter machinery. The ability to read and interpret technical drawings and plans. What qualifications do I need? You’ll need a driving licence and if you’re operating heavy plant and machinery, you’ll need a Level 2 NVQ Certificate and Diploma in Plant Operations (6561). Many of the core skills are covered by City & Guilds 6157 ‘Streetworks Excavation and Reinstatement”. The course covers essential topics such as location and avoidance of underground apparatus, safety signage, lighting and guarding, with two “key certificates” in the above for supervisors. Completing an apprenticeship in construction and the built environment or construction civil engineering opens up wider opportunities in specialist road construction for bridges and tunnels. What are the hours and conditions? Concrete finishers usually work around 37 hours a week, starting early in the morning. In addition, you may have to work overtime during evenings, nights and weekends, although this creates an opportunity to boost your earnings. Road construction work goes on in all weathers. It can be noisy, dirty and physically demanding. As well wearing ear protectors, a hard-hat and safety boots, you’ll need to wear hi-vis clothing, especially if you’re working close to open carriageways where traffic is still passing. It’s not uncommon for road builders to travel the country to different sites, staying overnight close to the work location. Career progression With the right training and experience, you could become a roadworks team supervisor, known as a ‘ganger’. In addition, there may be opportunities for the right candidates to progress into roles in planning and engineering, working for larger contractors, government agencies and local authorities. Areas of specialism There are good prospects for progression into specialist fields like bridge building, tunnelling and motorway construction and maintenance, especially for those with the right training and qualifications, including apprenticeships in aspects of civil engineering and the built environment. To search for opportunities across the sector click here. Or, browse our dedicated HS2 and Hinkley Point C pages for more information.
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Brighten Up Your Blue Monday | Find a New Job with Our 10 Step Checklist

Blue Monday is considered the most depressing day of the year due to the promise of miserable weather, the likelihood of us already failing with our New Year’s Resolutions and the long wait until the post-Christmas payday. So how do we combat it? We think that January should be a time to get excited about the opportunities we could have throughout the year. A new role can bring a fresh new start with new challenges and better progression opportunities. So, to kick-start your job search and turn that frown upside down, check out our 10-step checklist to landing your dream job. ✔ Write Your Ideal Job Description/Career Plan Most of the time, the hardest part of job hunting is knowing where to start but It’s much easier to get a job if you know exactly what you’re looking for. Try and make a high-level plan of where you want your career to go, what you want to learn and what kind of company you would like to work for. This will help you narrow down potential roles and give you a more focused job search. ✔ Draw Up a Timeline Do you have a timeline in mind? Maybe your current contract is coming to an end? Either way, it’s a good idea to write up a timeline of key milestones in your job search. Decide when you want to have your CV and cover letter ready when you want to have your applications completed Keeping your CV concise, making sure you contact the right recruiters and researching different companies may seem like obvious tips, but along with everything else you need to do in your job search, it’s inevitable you may forget at least one – so write it all down! ✔ Sign Up for Job Alerts and Register Pretty self-explanatory but equally as important. Make sure you sign up to job alerts via email, it couldn’t make the process easier as effectively the jobs are sent to you. You can sign up to Morson job alerts here. ✔ Network, Network, Network If you’re looking to progress your career you want to be using as many of your contacts as possible. Make the most of industry events by making new connections which ultimately could lead to job opportunities. ✔ Spruce up your CV Before you leap in to sending your CV to recruiters and submitting it as part of applications, give it a once-over to make sure the content is still relevant and that your work history is up-to-date. You may wish to tailor your CV to the role or the type of role that you are applying for which is also a great way to impress future employers. ✔ Revamp your LinkedIn Profile Similarly, it’s worth giving your LinkedIn profile a once over too. A recruiter or potential employer may fact check your LinkedIn profile to make sure it’s consistent with your CV. ✔ Talk to Some Recruiters Working with a recruiter to find your next role can be the most efficient way to find your next job. Well-connected recruiters know about forthcoming opportunities and can advise you on industry trends and what type of company would suit you the best. For more information on how to work with recruiters, read our guide. ✔ Search for the Opportunities Keep on track by setting aside some time every day or even every week to search for opportunities. There will be so many jobs out there, but it takes time to find them. ✔ Start Prepping for Interview Questions Whilst you’re waiting for the hiring managers to call you back, use the time to familiarise yourself with the most common interview questions such as “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”. Click here to see our top interview tips ✔ Research the Company Whether you’ve secured a role or you’re still looking, researching some companies is always a good idea. It enables you to familiarise yourself with the company, the industry and what your job entails. Another added benefit is that at the interview stage, you will look and feel more confident, knowledgeable and most of all, prepared! Ready to put the checklist into action? Stay happy and productive and browse the current opportunities with Morson now.
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Current Business Culture Trends: Flexible Working | Download the Whitepaper

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP | 2 MIN READ Find out about the latest business culture trend, flexible working We speak to Kelly Singleton, HR Director at MAG-O about how she has successfully implemented flexible working One of the biggest business culture trends at the moment is flexible working and companies have seen an increase in employee retention by introducing it as a modern corporate culture change. “Roughly 70% of Millennial s see themselves as working independently at some point, rather than being employed within a traditional organisational structure” Flexible working is exactly what it says on the tin, its flexible. It can be introduced in the form of adapted working times meaning employees can start and finish at a time of their choice or employees may have the opportunity to work at home. These arrangements are favourable to employees as it gives them the opportunity to fit other commitments and activities around work and ultimately, make better use of their free time. “A study by Forbes revealed that companies with strong cultures saw a 4x increase in revenue growth attributable to the strength of their company’s corporate culture highlighting the significance of this often-overlooked issue.” As an employer, you can define what flexible working looks like in your business based on what arrangements suit the business and what IT systems and policies you already have in place to support the flexibility. Not only will embracing flexible working help towards ensuring you have a happier workforce, but it also makes good business sense in a number of other areas. Most importantly, it can aid greater cost-effectiveness and efficiency such as saving on overheads when staff are working from home and give the chance to incorporate longer operating hours. It can also reduce the number of absences to attend doctors appointments and even reduce the number of sick days your staff take due to longer rest periods and a healthier work/life balance. All of the above ensures a more productive workforce which in turn creates an increased level of customer satisfaction and that all-important edge on your competitors. A direct correlation between the retention of staff and flexible working has been identified and candidates are now looking for roles which have added benefits such as flexible working before applying for a job. However, to fully incorporate flexible working into your business you need the technology to be able to support it… We spoke to Kelly Singleton, HR Director at MAG-O about she helped her company embrace digital culture to aid flexible working and employee satisfaction: “Our tech was really limited so as we designed and moved into a new building as one of the core facets of how we were going to develop it. Ultimately, we needed really good tech. When people join us they tell us what tech they need for flexible working and for office working - for example, if they want Apple, they get Apple, if they want Lenovo, they get Lenovo - it doesn't really matter to us as long as it enables them to do their job.” - Kelly Singleton, HR Director - MAG-O If you would like to find out more about how to engineer cultural change, download our free guide below 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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How to Become a Joiner | Career Advice

CAREER ADVICE | 2 MIN READ Find out how to become a Joiner Read more about what a career as a joiner might involve and if it's the right fit for you There is a wide range of fantastic joinery job opportunities in the UK construction industry for joiners, from homebuilding to major projects in the commercial sector. Keep reading to find out more about the skills and experience you’ll need and discover whether a joinery career in the right fit for you. RATES £8-13 per hour HOT SPOTS Hinkley Point C / HS2 QUALIFICATIONS NVQ, City & Guilds What do joinery jobs involve? Joiners construct the wooden components of a building, creating things by joining pieces of wood. You could be working on anything from interior and exterior doors and windows to stairs, tables and pieces of furniture. You could also be involved in repairs and maintenance work on flooring, roofing, skirting and ceilings. What is a joiner’s salary? Starting salaries for joiners will usually range from around £17,000 up to £24,000. As you progress through your career, gaining more experience, your salary will increase to reflect this. More experienced joiners can expect to earn from £25,000 to £35,000. If you plan to be self-employed, you can set your own rates, meaning your annual salary could vary. These figures are intended as a guideline only. What skills do I need? You’ll need an excellent eye for detail and the ability to follow complex technical drawings and plans as you’ll often be involved in intricate, ornamental work. You’ll also need a solid grasp of maths and arithmetic in order to work out measurements and angles and minimise any wasted materials. You’ll need a degree of physical strength and fitness, as joinery jobs involve a good amount of heavy lifting and carrying. It’s also important to be confident in using a range of hand and machine construction tools, ranging from hammers to bench saws. What qualifications do I need? There are a number of different entry routes to a career as a joiner. Many people opt to complete a college course in joinery to gain some essential knowledge and skills before they look for a role. Suitable courses include: NVQ (level 1 or 2) or City & Guilds 6217-02. Some employers will offer introductory roles as a labourer or joiner’s ‘mate’, giving you on the job training. Alternatively, an apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to gain important skills and experience, while getting paid at the same time. You may require some existing qualifications in order to start an apprenticeship – usually five GCSEs, or a basic vocational diploma like a BTEC. If you want to work on a construction site, you’ll need to apply for a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) competency card. What are the hours and conditions? Your standard working week would usually be between 39 and 45 hours, Monday to Friday. However, sometimes you’ll be expected to put in overtime on evenings or weekends to ensure deadlines are met. This will be as and when projects require it. This overtime and extra shift pay could help boost your income. A lot of your time will be spent in a workshop, with some visits to the job site. This means there may be an element of travel involved and you may have to spend time away from home. Working in a workshop means you’ll encounter lots of dust and noise and will engage in physically strenuous and often hazardous activities like climbing ladders, heavy-lifting and operating machinery like saws and drills. Protective clothing, like helmets, ear-defenders, googles and boots are essential. Career progression If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, there are various opportunities for progression in your career, including: Freelance: If you can develop a network of connections with sub-contractors and build a reputation for yourself as doing high-quality work, you could become a freelancer. This gives you the chance to negotiate your own rates and offers greater flexibility. Company Director: If you succeed as a freelancer and acquire your own workshop, you could start your own business, employing other joiners. Specialist: With enough time and experience, you could become a specialist in a certain field, such as creating bespoke fitted furniture. Again, building connections in the industry and making a name for yourself will help with this. Areas of specialism There are a number of areas skilled joiners can specialise in as they progress in their careers. Many will opt to specialise in bespoke furniture, both for individuals and for the private and luxury sector. Another route to take is stairs, as an increasing number of people decide they want a bespoke staircase in their home. Alternatively, there are opportunities in the film production and theatre industries, where you can help with building stages and sets. To search for opportunities across the sector click here. Or, browse our dedicated HS2 and Hinkley Point C pages for more information.
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The Future of IR35 in the Private Sector | What Contractors Need to Know

The rules for the taxation of those individuals providing their services through a personal service company (“PSC”) Limited Company Contractor introduced under the Finance Act 2000 (more commonly known as IR35) will be changing from April 2020. Changes to how IR35 is applied in respect to the provision of off-payroll working in the Public Sector (any organisation covered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000) were made in 2017. The intention is to make ‘similar’ changes for the Private Sector. > How IR35 works IR35 is intended to catch any individual who but for the supply of their services through a PSC (treated, for tax purposes, as an ‘intermediary’), would otherwise be regarded as an employee of the end-client to whom the services are being provided. Payments received by a PSC, if caught by the IR35 rules (often referred to as operating “inside” IR35) would be subject to tax and NI as if the individual were a PAYE employee of the end client. The resulting tax liability would fall upon the PSC. Whether an individual is operating “inside” or “outside” of IR35 has been previously determined in the first instance by the PSC itself. If HMRC disagree with the PSC’s initial determination and cannot reach agreement with the PSC, then the tax tribunals/courts would decide the position. > Changes to IR35 The main changes to the way in which IR35 is implemented will include: - a simplification of the determination of status of the individual through use of a tool developed by HMRC known as CEST (short for Check Employment Status for Tax). This is commonly used in the Public Sector and has a number of limitations the responsibility of determining status will lie with the end-client, rather than the PSC (excluding potentially any end-client that is a ‘small business’, in which circumstances the PSC would retain responsibility). Whilst there are concerns over the simplification of how to decide when IR35 applies, the considerations for the end-client should not differ fundamentally to those which would be applied under the current legislation. > What are Morson doing? Morson are aware of the proposed changes and indeed have experienced the challenges presented by this legislation when rolled out to the Public Sector April 2017. The original consultation closed August 10th 2018 and both Morson and our clients and associated Trade Bodies (APSCo & The REC) responded to the consultation document, we now await the detailed consultation from Government to be published. Once we have such detail we will be able to work with both clients and contractors to establish processes and procedures for establishing the tax status associated with the various roles undertaken by our contractors prior to implementation 6th April 2020. We will endeavour to keep all parties updated to ensure a fully compliant supply chain. For more information please contact the Morson IR35 Team at ir35@morson.com
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It’s All About Your Company’s Future Leaders | Download Our Cultural Change Whitepaper

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP | 2 MIN READ Find out what makes our future leaders tick Read about how to develop millennial's into your firm's next generation of leaders Download our cultural change whitepaper Generally born between 1980 and 2000, Generation Y is a contentious group, facing a career that is vastly different from their predecessors. Not only are the industries, technologies and fields that are on offer, changing the perception of what leadership is and how to best foster it within an upcoming workforce that is more mobile than ever. These millennials are the people that businesses now need to impress in order for them to attract the best talent into their company, with a long-term plan of them working their way up to leadership. The market is extremely competitive and incorporating culture into the mix makes it a much more complex. The key characteristics of Gen Y are very different, they show less loyalty to their employers, unlike their predecessors who would follow a strict route of education into long-term employment. “Millennials, who are already emerging as leaders in technology and other industries and will comprise 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025, want to work for organizations that foster innovative thinking, develop their skills, and make a positive contribution to society” They are more short-term focused and extremely tuned into their own needs and wants in order for them to progress up the ladder to leadership. The fact that they will be our future leaders is not the only reason to take this prospering group of people seriously, their niche skills, creative ideas and social status is also something to note. They pose a number of strengths of which can be beneficial to a company’s strategy both short and long-term. “It is clear that top talent want to work innovatively and organisations must foster innovative thinking. This will not only help retain the best talent but It will drive high-performance and efficiencies to gain a competitive advantage” - Ben Fitzgerald, Head of Professional Services, Morson If you would like to find out more about how to engineer cultural change, download our free guide below 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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From One Crane in 2011 to 78 Construction Sites – Manchester is Thriving

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2 MIN READ Manchester overtakes Los Angeles and Chicago in the building boom 14,480 residential units are currently under construction, double that of two years ago Find your next opportunity by contacting Morson’s construction recruitment team New research from Deloitte states that Manchester is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe and even overtakes the construction project numbers for Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago. The annual crane survey revealed that Manchester has 14,480 residential units currently under construction, double that of two years ago. Not to mention 2,129 hotel rooms and 2,006,897 sq ft of office space being built. Just three large hotel completions in the city centre include easyHotel’s budget Bradley House (115 rooms), Motel One’s second opening on Cross Street (302 rooms) and StayCity in Gateway House (182 rooms). Partner and Regional Head at Deloitte Real Estate, Simon Bedford said: “If Manchester had featured in the recently published North American Crane Index, it would have ranked number two – behind Toronto but in front of Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago. That might have seemed like a remarkable stat a few years ago given Manchester only had one crane in the sky in 2011, but today the figure is a massive 78 sites under construction.” It is clear that gradually, Manchester’s skyline is transforming with international building designers leaving their mark on our vibrant city. Many of the construction projects have been backed by significant investment, a strong business community and an influx of new talent wanting to live and work in Manchester. Rhys Harris, Associate Director at Morson International said: “This is great news for Manchester and yet more evidence that the construction industry is booming. Coupled with the increase in cranes in the city, we are also experiencing a significant increase in the number of construction jobs available, giving candidates the perfect opportunity to progress their career with Morson.”
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Morson Breaks Down Barriers with the Latest Accessibility Technology | Morson Equals Opportunities

Because everyone should have the opportunity to find their dream job… We are excited to announce that we are kick-starting our accessibility journey by adding Recite Me’s web accessibility software to our website to ensure our online recruitment process is accessible to everyone. As a global technical recruiter, we operate in sectors hardest hit by imbalances and we are dedicated to improving diversity within the industries we work. By educating our clients and providing an inclusive candidate journey, we are committed to improving the lives of our contractor base and our own employees. We work hard to attract talent from untapped pools, and by introducing ReciteMe to our website, we are ensuring that there are no barriers in place to hold talented people back. About ReciteMe Recite Me is an innovative cloud-based web accessibility tool that lets you customise how your website looks offering a suite of accessibility tools, including solutions for visitors with dyslexia, visual impairment and learning difficulties. “This software will enable 27% more of the UK population to access our online content than could previously.” When you click on the ‘Accessibility Tools’ button at the top of our website, the Recite Me toolbar opens with a range of language and accessibility options and settings. You can use the Recite Me toolbar’s unique range of functions to do things like: Change font sizes and colours Options to have text read aloud (including PDFs) Customise background colour Access a fully integrated dictionary and thesaurus Translate web content into more than 100 different languages If you would like to learn more about ReciteMe’s features, visit our dedicated accessibility page. Morson Equals Opportunities Morson is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process and because of that we have developed the ‘Morson Equals Opportunities’ campaign to power this initiative. This campaign is set to be one of our most important projects to date and is close to the heart of many of our colleagues. Adding Recite Me’s web accessibility software to our website is the cornerstone of the campaign, revolutionising the way we engage with clients, contractors and candidates online. This campaign utilises the latest technology to enhance the candidate journey. Our new Group website was the first step to this exciting project which ensures our website is as easy to use as possible through quick apply tools, saved preferences and tailored job alerts. We propelled ‘Morson Equals Opportunities’ further into the spotlight through an event we held with Liverpool’s most famous boxing family. Champion boxer Callum Smith and his brothers have worn the word ‘autism’ on their shorts throughout their careers in a bid to raise awareness of the condition that their sister lives with. Our public Q&A with the brothers raised £1000 for their sister’s specialist autism school and our coverage ensured that the message reached over 100k people on social media, raising awareness further. Great journeys are often made up of many small steps, and we aim to by the end of 2019 to continue our work and be a leader for accessible recruitment that is changing lives for people with disabilities. To find out more about our Morson Equals Opportunities campaign, click here. Or click the 'Accessibility tools' button on our homepage to search our latest jobs using ReciteMe.
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Safety Matters | An Update on Morson’s Close Call Reporting

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 (function () { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.type = 'text/javascript'; e.async = true; e.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https' : 'http') + '://btn.createsend1.com/js/sb.min.js?v=3'; e.className = 'createsend-script'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(e, s); })(); 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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4 Ways to Fall in Love with Your Job Again | Career Advice

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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Attracting the New Generation in Rail

SAFETY MATTERS | 3 MIN READ Morson Vital Training (MVT) is using its sponsorship of a grassroots team at West Freestyle Martial Arts Club as a vehicle to instil better rail safety behaviours into children. MVT will run a series of events to spark the pupils’ interest in engineering and the rail industry, including an introduction to life on track by visiting its Salford training hub. Download the latest edition of our Safety Matters magazine. (function () { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.type = 'text/javascript'; e.async = true; e.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https' : 'http') + '://btn.createsend1.com/js/sb.min.js?v=3'; e.className = 'createsend-script'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(e, s); })(); Morson Vital Training (MVT) has a rich history of building the rail industry’s talent pipeline, especially through its outstanding apprenticeship provision. To build on its work, training support manager, Andrew Robinson, has launched an employer engagement programme with a local school to offer young people a direct link into successful rail careers. Andrew has been an enterprise advisor with New Park School in Eccles for a number of months, working closely with young people and staff to support outcomes and give them increased visibility of career paths. The school provides specialist provision for young people aged 7-16 assessed as having social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties, which are often linked to learning or communication difficulties. MVT will run a series of events to spark the pupils’ interest in engineering and the rail industry, including an introduction to life on track by visiting its Salford training hub. Students will also receive manual handling training and learn the essential skills required within rail, such as teamwork, timekeeping and communication, as well as taking part in an interactive ‘Morson Engineering Challenge’. Andrew explains: “Pupils have an increased chance of becoming NEET adults (not in education, employment or training) once they leave New Park School and this is a cycle that we’re focused on breaking. “As well as learning essential skills and having exposure to the range of employment and training opportunities available to them, each pupil will receive a certificate at the end of the programme to include in their CV. Many of the pupils are also from benefit-dependent families, who without people like us getting involved, would remain unemployed and lack all future employment prospects and ambitions.” Female sport stars from the all-girls under 11’s football team, the Treowen Stars have also scored a vital deal. Vital Human Resources is now sponsoring the inspiring football team who are based in South Wales. The team play in a non-competitive league throughout Gwent and the young girls now proudly carry the Vital name on their shirts. Read more about how Morson Vital Training and the Girls Network spark engineering interest in a new generation of young people. Morson makes sensei of grassroots sponsorship Morson Vital Training (MVT) is using its sponsorship of a grassroots team at West Freestyle Martial Arts Club in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, as a vehicle to instil better rail safety behaviours into children. The grassroots club delivers high energy kickboxing that combines martial arts kicks with boxing style training to help keep young people fit, confident and happy. As well as disciplines in martial arts, the students learn teamwork, patience, motivation, leadership as well as the importance of health and safety towards themselves and one another. To build on this health and safety angle, MVT recently took the Morson Vital Safety Unit along to the Club to talk to the children and their parents about rail safety. The fun, interactive event focused on level crossing and foot crossing safety, giving children food-for-thought on how to keep themselves, their friends and their family safe on the UK rail network. Jane Hepburn, HSE advisor delivered the talk and said: “We want our young people to become safety conscious adults when using the rail network and that means understanding the dangers present. “The children were so engaged in what we had to say, giving them first-hand insight into the dangers around the railway, with a focus on level crossing safety, the roots of risky behaviour and how peer pressure can impact their decision making, to really drive home these important safety messages.” 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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Attracting the New Generation in Rail