黑洞社区

Partnerships for Schools has just advertised the new 拢4bn, four year framework for academy schools, amid hopes the SME and regional contractors will benefit.

The original four-year framework deal expires in 2010 and is made up of contractors Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Kier, Laing O鈥橰ourke, Skanska and Willmott Dixon.

This time, Construction News reports on its website that the framework will be split into two geographical areas: The North and Midlands, and the East of England and South. PfS is looking for up to 12 contractors for each region.

Contract Journal writes that the new framework opens up work opportunities fro SMEs and regional contractors., following hard lobbying by the regionals.

Duncan Rarity, head of national frameworks at Shepherd, told Contract Journal that non-national contractors had a lot to offer. 鈥淢edium-sized contractors can work more efficiently with a local authority than bigger operators. This will help deliver best practice and best value for the framework.鈥�

Schools minister Jim Knight has announced that 拢499m due to be spent on school modernisation projects in 2010/11 has now been brought forward to this financial year, as reported in Construction News.

In addition, the headteachers of every school in England will share another 拢390m of capital funding for use on small projects such as fitting out school halls.

Laing O鈥橰ourke plans to take on an extra 200 apprentices this year with plans for 800 more places across its supply chain, in a move that responds to the government鈥檚 plans to make local authorities and BSF contractors take on additional trainees.

Speaking to Contract Journal, an O鈥橰ourke insider said: 鈥淲e have seized the initiative on this one, and it must be an advantage in the light of the government鈥檚 statement on apprentices for education jobs.鈥�