< Previous20 Business Link www.blmforum.net ENGINEERING Net Zero In the wake of COP26, the engineering sector’s role in helping the country reach Net Zero has only become more important. Re-engineering for 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:37 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 21 ENGINEERING P roducing urgent challenges, the Coronavirus pandemic pushed the engineering profession to its limits. The design and manufacture of ventilators, PPE, testing kits, Nightingale hospitals, and logistic supply chains all placed fresh demand on engineering. With existing products and supplies at the time not capable to meet the crisis, a fast response was necessary. In reaction engineers were quick to take on the pandemic, their expertise was accessed to solve problems, and calls for ideas were sent out resulting in engineering solutions with applications from reducing the spread of COVID-19 to reprocessing PPE to maintain supplies and limit waste. Engineers got to work 3D printing visors, helping set up vaccine manufacturing facilities, and updating IT systems. Meanwhile use of robotics for disinfection and in patient care were suggested, optimisation achieved to scale up ventilators - while engineers built ventilators in record time - social distancing tech was developed, air cleaning and ventilation technologies have been improved, and engineers have done much more to fight COVID-19. They have also been vital in keeping other industries up and running, helping distribution centres keep up with rapid expansion in online ordering with updated systems and new buildings for instance, and engineers have embraced digitisation in diagnosing machinery issues through video calls and employing data from the production process. Concurrently the pandemic hit businesses in engineering in a number of ways, forcing some to pause trading, halt exporting and importing, find new suppliers, deal with project cancellations, and sectors such as aerospace have significantly cut staff numbers. Now on our way to recovery from the pandemic, the focus for engineering is shifting to other key challenges - perhaps one of the most urgent being the engineer’s role in fighting the climate crisis and in assisting in the race to Net 22 Á © stock.adobe.om/ipopba 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:37 Page 222 Business Link www.blmforum.net ENGINEERING Zero, re-emphasised recently by COP26. As we look to mitigate climate change, engineers play an important part in developing solutions, which is already being taken into account with the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) beginning a programme of work to explore, inform, and advise policymakers on some of the hardest cross-cutting challenges and opportunities that must be addressed regarding reaching Net Zero by 2050, back in January 2020. With transformation across housing, transport, heavy industry, and more (most aspects of the modern economy) critical to achieve the UK’s goals, technology needs to be deployed rapidly and most things re-engineered. Different sectors will require engineers to cut emissions for different purposes. In transportation for example they are central to the expanding electrification of rail, as well as for designing electric cars, vans, aircraft, and the electric vehicle (EV) charging network, in addition to biofuels and decarbonising air travel. In energy engineers are addressing problems in generating affordable and sustainable energy, designing wind turbines and photovoltaics, developing low carbon hydrogen, and utilising wave power. Furthermore engineers are decarbonising heating systems, helping in the production of low carbon cement and steel, and creating easily recyclable products. As the sector looks to assist in the journey to a Net Zero, sustainable Britain, it is simultaneously looking in the mirror to improve itself. Reducing waste (and addressing that that produces pollutants that enter the atmosphere and water) and reusing materials, minimising carbon footprint and tackling emissions from machinery, vehicles and related hardware, are all parts of this. With the transition to Net Zero, new jobs are set to appear in the engineering sector, for carbon reduction (people will be needed to work with the tech required to capture and store carbon from industrial processes), wind energy (offshore wind especially and in facilitating use of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels), energy efficiency (to adapt current systems and make for example homes’ central heating more environmentally friendly), hydrogen (to advance hydrogen power and new nuclear energy options), et al. With this comes the need to ensure a large enough supply of future engineers, and that this future generation has the novel skills that will be required for ever- changing green challenges and new technologies. This may mean changes to © stock.adobe.om/New Africa 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:37 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 23 ENGINEERING engineering syllabi, courses, apprenticeships - formed from a conversation between Government, education, and industry - for young people and those reskilling. There is already a growing skills gap in engineering and a high number of vacancies. The Autumn Budget offered some skills funding, and money has been allocated to improve apprenticeships, T Levels (which are closely connected to the sector with many qualifications falling under vocational education), and more T Levels are rolling out, but more is required to enhance STEM education in schools. When it comes to decarbonisation, the Royal Academy of Engineering has asked the Government to invest in a Net Zero skills plan to facilitate quick and affordable re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities for the existing workforce to meet the short-term skills needs for transition to Net Zero, as well as longer term skills needs. In acquiring talent and skills there is also a need to bolster diversity in the sector, to boost the number of women and BAME candidates. In the case of the former, showing slow improvement, new analysis from EngineeringUK has indicated 14.5% of those working in engineering are female, which is an increase from 12% as reported in 2018. Cool winter air can deliver up to 80% cost savings on free cooling solutions With energy costs rising and increasing pressure on companies to reduce their carbon footprint, businesses are being challenged to increase manufacturing efficiency, whilst reducing energy consumption and operating costs. With the onset of winter introducing cooler outside air temperatures, free coolers offer an enhancement to air-cooled chillers. Using fresh air to provide partial or 100% free cooling, they offer a far more energy efficient and cost-effective way to provide chilled fluid to manufacturing processes. When ambient air temperatures are low enough, a free cooler starts to dissipate the system heat, allowing the chiller to reduce its power consumption. Free coolers reduce the annual total system energy consumption, enabling the savings made to be reinvested elsewhere into the business. Richard Metcalfe, Director for temperature control and humidity experts, Newsome, explains: “Free Cooling is a fast and effective way to reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint on refrigerated, process water cooling applications. Depending on the external air temperatures and the temperature you want to achieve, chillers can typically be partially or fully offloaded for up to 90% of the year.” The ROI for implementing a Free Cooler in a traditional chiller system is truly impressive, depending on location, some companies could have a payback period of as little as 12 months. The system not only reduces the energy consumption and contributes to a greener profile for companies – but can also extend the chiller lifespan. Traditionally, free cooling systems are generally only available to purchase. However, for a limited period - Newsome plans to offer companies the opportunity to rent a free cooling system to allow them to evaluate the potential cost savings available, before investing in a solution that is fully tailored to meet their individual business requirements. For more information visit the website https://newsome.ltd.uk/ For enquiries email: enquries@newsome.ltd.uk or call 01422 371711. 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:37 Page 4charge! During the sessions, the advisor can help to break down business challenges and will work with the business to develop an action plan, or to help with identifying new opportunities for the business. What kind of mentoring is offered by the Productivity HUBs programme and how time-consuming is it? The Accelerator programme takes place 2 mornings a week for 7 weeks. On some days the sessions are just an hour long, but other days, like when we’re covering business strategy, the sessions are 3 hours long. In addition to the 2 morning sessions, the businesses are also offered 1:1 sessions with a business advisor, where they can discuss specific business issues or ask for advice about their application for grant funding. Towards the end of the programme, the businesses submit a written application for the grant funding and are then invited to present a pitch for funding to a panel of judges. It may seem like a big-time commitment, but every session has been carefully thought through, is delivered by an expert, and is designed to be highly interactive, practical, and valuable for those taking part. We take a maximum of 8 businesses in each 24 Business Link www.blmforum.net PRODUCTIVITY HUBS Q&A What is the Productivity HUBs programme and what does it do? It’s part of the University of Lincoln's Productivity HUBs Programme and is funded by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund). It’s designed to help and support businesses in Greater Lincolnshire – especially those based in or near Boston, Grimsby and Scunthorpe. There’s 2 parts to the programme. Firstly, we have an Accelerator programme which is for businesses in Manufacturing, Advanced Engineering and Logistics. It’s aimed at people with growth ambitions but who need help to get going and it’s all free of charge. The people accepted onto the Accelerator have access to a range of interactive business masterclasses, all delivered by our team of consultants. At the end of the programme, there’s an opportunity to pitch for a grant of up to £10,000. The grant is designed to help pay for some of the costs associated with business acceleration, for instance, new equipment that allows scalability or marketing support to drive sales. The second thing we have is a programme of business advice. Again, this is for businesses in Greater Lincolnshire. Businesses that are eligible can get 12 hours of business support from a business advisor – all free of Accelerator to make sure that every business gets a very tailored experience. The people that we’ve had on the programme so far have all been ridiculously busy, like all business owners, but they have all made the time because they want to take their businesses to the next level and have recognised that they need to invest the time to do this. Without fail, they’ve said that it’s been worth it. It’s a cliché, but many business owners are too busy working in the business to work on the business, and this makes it difficult for them to drive the business forwards. This Accelerator prorgamme is a fantastic opportunity to take some time out and focus on developing the business in an extremely supportive environment. I should mention that our 2021 Accelerator programmes have been delivered online, so it’s been easy for the businesses to get stuck back into work as soon as the sessions are over. Our 5th January 22 and March 22 are also online programmes, after that, we’ll have to see. How difficult is it for businesses on the programme to access funding? Businesses that successfully complete the programme and who send in their Q&A Securing the funding necessary to pursue new opportunities is not always a simple matter, but the Productivity HUBs Programme run from the University of Lincoln offers local businesses a chance to earn a grant of up to £10,000. We had a chance to sit down with Rebecca Webster from the University of Lincoln to find out more. 24-25.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:39 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 25 PRODUCTIVITY HUBS Q&A application for grant funding by the deadline are invited to present their pitch for funding to our panel. Funding is not guaranteed. However, we work with the businesses to maximise their chances of success at the pitching event. A business may walk away with everything that they asked for; with part of what they asked for or with no funding. Conditions may or may not be attached – for instance, if the money is to fund a marketing programme, we may ask to see a more detailed proposal first. They may be asked to provide matched-funding, where they have to invest an equivalent amount in their business, or they may get the grant without having to provide any matched funding themselves. It depends on how convinced the panel are by the business, about the growth plan, the business’s long-term prospects and the return on investment expected as a result of the funding. A good business that is serious about growth, who invests the time into the programme and who can demonstrate a well thought through plan for growth has an extremely good chance of success. We’ve awarded grants to 80% of the business that have pitched for funding so far. Whilst it is obviously very disappointing when a business does not get a grant award, they do not walk away with nothing, because during the programme they have developed their plan for growth, had help and advice from experts and learnt about other funding sources. The growth plan may take a little longer to deliver and will need to be financed another way, but as one business told me, “one bump on the road won’t stop me achieving what I want in the business.” What kinds of businesses can apply? Does a company need to be of a certain size to qualify? Businesses can apply to the Accelerator if they’re based in Greater Lincolnshire, and if they’re in Manufacturing, Advanced Engineering or Logistics. We’re especially keen to hear from businesses in and around Boston, Grimsby and Scunthorpe. Businesses also need to: • employ fewer than 250 people • have an annual turnover of less than €50m To find out more contact Gary Mumby on 07989 868 968, email gmumby@lincoln.ac.uk or visit www.productivityhubs.co.uk • Be in receipt of less than €200k of De Minimis state aid in the past 3 years. We have 4 programmes planned for 2022 and we’re currently accepting applications for the programmes that start in January 2022 and March 2022. For businesses that are not eligible for the Accelerator, I would encourage them to apply for the 1:1 business support instead. Any business in Greater Lincolnshire can apply, so long as they meet the same size/turnover/de minimis requirements above, and so long as they’re not in the following industries: agriculture, coal, steel, shipbuilding, synthetic fibres sector, school-age education, banking, insurance, retail. Rebecca Webster, Productivity HUBS Manager 24-25.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:39 Page 226 Business Link www.blmforum.net HEALTH & SAFETY Despite the return to work mandate from government, many companies have evolved their workplace practices since the start of the pandemic. Now, rather than operating entirely from an office environment, many workers have transitioned to homeworking, either fully or in part, of a permanent basis. Indeed, homeworking has become a common perk on job listings as companies use COVID as a catalyst for change. For some companies, it means reducing overheads and operating costs by downsizing into a small office. But regardless of intent, homeworkers cannot be forgotten about when it comes to workplace health, safety and hygiene. Although we are coming out the other side of COVID, its impacts will remain with us for years. Many of these, including more robust pandemic planning and supply chain support, will be welcome, while the shared cultural trauma will take generations to heal. One of the most important lessons to remember is the importance of health, safety and hygiene in the workplace. As we’re not out of the crisis yet, we all of us have a responsibility to curb the spread of infections, but by normalising this heightened hygiene, we’re making sure that clean, safe workplaces are standard for the next generation of workers. As the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states: “As an employer, you have the same health and safety responsibilities for home workers as for any other workers.” When someone is working from home, an employee therefore needs to consider: how long you will keep in touch with them; what work activity will they be doing and for how long; can it be done safely; and do you need to put control measures in place to protect them. Maintaining As the number of homeworkers reach an all-time high, bosses must ensure that they don’t get forgotten about when it comes to health, safety and hygiene. 28 Á first first People 26-31.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:41 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 27 HEALTH & SAFETY © stock.adobe.com/Kings Access 26-31.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:42 Page 228 Business Link www.blmforum.net HEALTH & SAFETY contact with home workers is advised as much to maintain and safeguard physical health as mental health as, if contact is poor, workers may feel disconnected, isolated, and even abandoned. Obviously, this can negatively impact stress levels and mental health. As is the case with the traditional office environment, the health and safety concerns for home workers aren’t always necessarily what immediately springs to mind. It’s easy to imagine employees tripping and hurting themselves, but one of the most prevalent risks comes from the long-term use of display screen equipment (DSE). HSE state that the risks associated with using DSE must be controlled, and this includes employers undertaking workstation assessments at home. However, it’s worth noting that there is no increased risk from DSE work for those working at home temporarily. It’s also important that employers provide workers with actionable advice on completing their own basic assessment at home (a HSE checklist can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ck1.pdf). However, there are some simple steps that people can take to reduce the risks from display work. It might sound obvious but breaking up DSE work can have a profound impact on healthcare. HSE advise taking a break of at least five minutes every hour where possible. Another benefit of taking breaks is increased eye health. Frequently staring at screens and other near objects all day can lead to myopia which, in turn, will likely require corrective lenses as well as dry and strained eyes. Official advice is the 20-20-20 rule – every twenty minutes, look at something twenty feet away for twenty seconds. As well as preserving eye health, musculoskeletal health should also be a priority. Therefore, workers are advised to avoid awkward static postures by regularly changing position. It’s simple advice that could have a major impact on a worker’s comfort day-to-day and in the long-term. It might therefore be worth investing in a transforming desk that allows for standing. On a similar subject, workers should get up and move around by doing stretching exercises. There are hundreds of short and easy tutor-led yoga exercises on YouTube that can even be done in a suit if needed. Just search work or desk yoga and try one that jumps out at you. Although a person is unlikely to have © stock.adobe.com/saksit 30 Á 26-31.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:42 Page 3HERE FOR YOU OVER CHRISTMAS Supporting LIVES ensures we can be there for the next 999 call. Should you need us, we will be there when minutes matter. H all. RESPONDING TO 999 EMERGENCIES info@LIVES org.uk - 01507 525 999 392 patients 43 patients 26-31.qxp_Layout 1 01/12/2021 16:42 Page 4Next >