ABERGAVENNY: Robert Price Builders’ Merchants has presented sets of trade tools to three building trainees currently working for the Housing Association, Newport City Homes (NCH) as part of the Future Jobs Fund project.

LONDON: Last month's successful Builders' Merchants Federation's Sustainable Conference highlighted the need from members for a straightforward training day for staff to explain the expanding market for renewable energy products.

OXFORD: Grafton Merchanting GB has launched a ‘new look' online academy. Developed by Cortexa, it will deliver training to over 3000 Grafton staff, “providing a more focused and relevant experience across 600 branches nationwide", said managing director Kevin Middleton.

WEST MIDLANDS: Specialist shower enclosures company, Aqualux, has launched a series of short online videos.

LONDON: Wickes won the 'Now is the Time' category at the 23rd annual National Training Awards.

LONDON: A sudden change in government funding policy will mean that the price of the Builders’ Merchants Federation’s MOL Product Knowledge modules are set to soar.

HIGH WYCOMBE: Chiltern International Fire and sister company, BM TRADA Certification, have announced the 2010 dates for their 'Timber Fire Doors Explained' training days.

LONGBRIDGE: EH Smith has opened a Porotherm Training Centre at its Birmingham depot.

SAFFRON WALDEN: Ridgeons is funding courses in construction and the built environment at Saffron Walden County High School Skills Academy.

MANCHESTER: Following the UK launch of its engineered clay block system, Porotherm, earlier this year, Wienerberger has opened a dedicated training centre for skilled brick and block layers. Developed in partnership with Midlands-based builders’ merchants, and Porotherm System Distributor E H Smith, the new Porotherm Training Centre is in Longbridge, Birmingham.

BERKSHIRE: Glow-worm has opened its latest Training Centre of Excellence in Slough to serve installers, merchants, specifiers, social and private housing developers in London and the southern counties.

ASHFORD: Putting the needs of its customers at the heart of its business, the latest Fusion Care seminars held by leading CAD software specialist Planit Fusion were well received by all who attended.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS: The Freight Transport Association is running twelve seminars across the UK for transport manager this autumn.

Attendees can win three-day, all-expenses paid trip for two to Maranello, Italy to visit the Ferrari factory and museum, courtesy of sponsor, truck maker Iveco.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS: The Freight Transport Association is running a series of seminars in various locations for transport managers.

COLCHESTER: Six hard-working young staff members at East Anglian building materials supply company Kent Blaxill were recently presented with certificates for the Institute of Learning and Management (ILM) Level 3 award in First Line Management.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: Dunlop Adhesives, the innovative manufacturer of tile adhesives, grouts and finishing products, launches new online training initiative, the E-Learning Portal.

FRANCE: Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, have announced the debut of Energy University by Schneider Electric, a vendor-neutral, online educational community that provides the fundamentals needed to implement successful energy efficient solutions scaling various applications.

NEW HOLLAND: Arbor Forest Products has launched a new online training academy for the Timber Trading Industry.

KETTERING: Construction businesses must carry out risk assessments on the use of mobile phones in company vehicles – and consider banning them. 

SURREY: Whirlpool UK's launch of 'ATHOME', the company's training centre based at the group's headquarters in Croydon, incorporates all four of the company's brands in a multi-functional display and presentation area.

SHEFFIELD: Jeld-Wen has received international safety awards at two of its manufacturing sites from one of the world’s leading training and advisory bodies.

SCOTLAND: A business support organisation is urging construction businesses to stay positive and start planning for the coming upturn.

COVENTRY: Jewson, in partnership with Birmingham City University, has launched the first Foundation Degree in Builders’ Merchanting.

GRAYS: Fitted furniture manufacturer William Ball is launching a series of seminars covering all the essentials of marketing and sales to help its customers boost their sales performance.

LEAMINGTON SPA: When it comes to studying a practical trade like plumbing, being shown how to do something, rather than being told in a classroom, can make all the difference. Getting out in the field is not always possible for students, so being able to see how it is done in DVD is the next best thing.

LEICESTER: A new CPD accredited programme has been launched by the Concrete Pipeline Systems Association. The material consists of an updated presentation “Choosing the right pipeline system – now and for the future” and an official text book accompanying the presentation highlighting the many advantages of concrete and covering pipeline design, costs, installation, quality and sustainability.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Ridgeons has received top honours at the regional round of the National Training Awards which recognise business success through investment in training.

US: Every manager has at least one difficult employee, the one who crushes the morale of all who cross their path. There are proven discipline strategies that can change people like that, creating a more productive work environment.