Semi-Automated Truck Convoys…..not sure on this one but here’s a bit of a update

Semi-automated truck convoys get green light for UK trials The government has given the go-ahead for the first trials of convoys of semi-automated trucks on UK motorways and allocates £8.1m to trials of ‘platooning’ which proponents say could cut congestion and hauliers’ fuel costs  Up to three wirelessly connected HGVs will travel in convoy, with acceleration, braking and steering controlled …

BIPV – so innovative

PHOTOVOLTAIC GLAZING Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glazing can help buildings generate their own electricity, by turning the whole building envelope into a solar panel. Companies such as Polysolar provide transparent photovoltaic glass as a structural building material, forming windows, façades and roofs. Polysolar’s technology is efficient at producing energy even on north-facing, vertical walls and its high performance at raised …

Londoners given peek at abandoned Mail Rail Underground line

Londoners will soon be able to enjoy a unique rail experience – by riding a train going along the disused Mail Rail line.  This is of great interest to me as for many years I supplied staff to one of the main sites the mail left from. The 6.5-mile track runs deep under the capital, criss-crossing Tube lines and formerly …

How Long It Really Takes to Get a Job?

This week I have spent some time with applicants that have been submitted to roles and after 3/4 weeks are still waiting for feedback… I decided to look at the country’s average time it takes to get a job…. it makes for interesting reading!! For a job applicant, the path to getting an offer can seem endless. First you wait …

Great news with 16,000 jobs to support the HS2 Phase One announced today

UK announces £6.6bn worth of construction contracts for HS2 Phase One The UK Government has announced the winners of major construction contracts associated with the HS2 Phase One rail link, which are worth a combined sum of nearly £6.6bn.  The contracts are expected to support 16,000 jobs across the country. “This is a hugely important step in the construction of …

I spy interesting New Technology this week!!

Hiroshima University – When natural disasters hit, they often destroy bridges first. So engineers from Hiroshima University in Japan set out to build a quickly built, strong replacement. Inspired by origami, the new mobile bridge spans 56 feet and takes three people less than an hour to deploy. Often no foundation work is needed, making it ideal for areas affected …

A busy time in the Rail sector this week

This past week has been a busy one in the Rail sector, from a very interesting and informative site visit to the attendance of Rail Live at Long Marston on the Thursday with everything from traction & rolling stock, rail plant and infrastructure, electrification and signalling demonstrations; to displays of engineering, rail maintenance materials & product development/testing safety, digital products and innovation Over five years, the government plans to …

Sandie Moran – Director of Technical & Rail

After the first 13 weeks in my role (11 weeks in the office and a pre-booked holiday),  but having previously spent 7 blissful years recruiting in Technical and Rail and then 17 years in the Logistics sector, I can say that I am amazed at the changes in the Technical and Rail recruitment sectors, but will cover those changes in future blogs …

LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW!

With the cold snap continuing there is prediction of snow in Berkshire, although it is likely to be the wet, dirty, slushy, icy and horrible variety rather than the white, picturesque, fluffy Christmas card scene variety! The change in the weather has prompted Get Reading to have a look at Januaries gone by at some properly chilly and snowy weather from the past. With the help …