Future-proofing is no longer about thinking how we might repurpose a building in twenty years’ time.

It immediately places you within the workplace where you learn practical skills, whilst engaging in the academic work needed to gain professional qualifications.So a great choice for young people who like to be hands on while they learn.. Apprenticeship progression within Bryden Wood.

Our apprentices are part of a learning culture where all non-chartered staff are supported in gaining their chartership through a CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) training scheme.(In fact, some senior staff members from Bryden Wood sit on the CIBSE Training and Diversity Group, helping to audit CIBSE accredited training schemes at other companies.)Our commitment to learning means that everyone here has the opportunity to study for qualifications, leading to membership of professional bodies.

And there is a clear pathway for each apprentice, though to Chartered Engineer level.It’s to attract young people and develop their talents that, for the last few years, Bryden Wood has been taking on apprentices.

We currently employ apprentices at all levels: including those working towards an HND and university degree.. Our first apprentice, Kane Axten, tells us about his time here.. Why an apprenticeship, not university?.

“When I left school, after A Levels, I knew I was interested in the construction industry, but didn't feel university was right for me.Digitising planning is an emerging technology and way of working, and it’s hoped that learnings will be shared as things develop in different areas of the world.

While we’ll never get rid of the subjective element of planning, and certainly not the need for people, digitising planning could help reduce administrative burden, freeing up time for planners to do the more valuable, judgement based planning work and enabling us to make better, and more holistic, sets of decisions.. Another benefit it’s hoped will arise from digitising the planning system is to make planning more accessible to members of the public.Being able to engage with and interpret a 3D model is much more helpful to people than being presented with unrealistic CGI imagery depicting permanent sunshine and few cars.

Currently, trust in the planning system is at a low.If we can help people feel more in control of what they’re being consulted on, and give them a better sense of what a development will really look like, it should help to alleviate a lot of concern.. At present, ten Pathfinder projects are being undertaken by various local authorities.