Uniting Modern Skillsets for Modern Construction Projects
As Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) become more common, the types of skilled worker involved in construction projects—onsite and off-site—is changing. Adapting to new technologies and ways of building means multi-trade expertise is now a necessity.
Modular specialist Volumetric Building Companies (VBC), with their arrival in Ireland, exemplifies this approach to gathering cross-functional expertise.
The new facility, opened in Co. Monaghan, is VBC’s ‘International Design Centre of Excellence’ to develop modular building products for Irish, UK, and European markets. This opening also meant appointing a team of 27 product designers, architectural technicians, building systems and cost experts, and other support staff.
This assembly of a multi-functional panel of skillsets is critical to the way VBC works. While many of the skills needed in traditional building are also needed for MMC-led building, MMC projects can require notable additions.
On a recent hotel construction project in Krausnick, Germany, VBC provided rooms in the form of 155 steel-framed modules assembled off-site. Unusually when compared to a traditional build, VBC has a chief welder in its manufacturing facility to inspect each steel cage. Mark Kane, Senior Director of VBC, says this ensure product integrity.
We are very high end when it comes to quality control; we visually inspect 100% of our welds.
Senior Director of VBC
Once the steel cages are ready to be fitted out, a wider variety of skilled professionals are called on to finish these units. This includes carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and more. Crucially though, these many workers all operate out of the modular factory, rather than on the build site itself. This makes for a far safer working environment. It also means staff in the modular factory never have to work in inclement weather.
Because they are working on a module-by-module basis, more than 70% of their work is done standing at ground floor level. And it can be sub-zero or 30 degrees Celsius outside; it doesn’t matter.
Senior Director of VBC
On a five-storey building project, being able to work safely entirely at ground level and without exposure to the elements is remarkable.
Gathering skilled professionals with multiple areas of expertise for more effective building is one element of MMC that VBC is embracing. Another is the new industry jobs that MMC is bringing to the fore. For example: procurement, traditionally the kick-off point for any project, is now becoming more sophisticated as digital technologies make real-time management and purchasing possible. This will require procurement personnel with different and more digitally savvy backgrounds to step into these roles.
If you come from a procurement background and have a just-in-time supply chain management qualification, there are great opportunities with MMC.
Senior Director of VBC
