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PPR: Staffing solutions for construction projects
Industry experience & technical excellence
PPR are construction industry specialists. We connect Principle Contractors and Sub-contractors with qualified and skilled industry operatives. We work across the construction industry with a key focus on rail, airports, and mechanical & electrical engineering. We have supplied skilled staff for major infrastructure projects in London and the South East, and provide both clients and candidates with a comprehensive compliance and vetting process to ensure that we always deliver on quality.
If you’re looking for construction workers, civil engineers, or skilled driving and warehouse operatives, PPR can help. Alternatively, if you’re a construction worker or engineer looking for employment, we can connect you with the best companies and largest projects in the industry. We work across London and the South East, helping to increase employment throughout the region. From Essex to Kent and throughout Greater London, we have an extensive network of industry professionals. From our head offices near Uxbridge, West London, we provide a personalised service with a focus on customer care. Give us a call on 01895 80 81 88 or contact us online to find out how we can help you today.
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Our Core Values
At PPR, we are proud of the service we provide. We believe that by promoting excellence and upholding industry standards, we can help to create a better working environment and deliver better results. As such, our core values include: Integrity, Passion, Collaboration, Ambition, and Customer Focus.
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Customer Focus
Work For Us
Working for PPR is an excellent way to progress your career. We offer both our clients and candidates temporary and fixed-term contract work, permanent positions, temporary to permanent placements, training opportunities, career advice, and a simple to use payroll facility. For employees working directly for PPR, you can expect: motivational incentives, career progression opportunities, a lively and positive working environment, a highly positive work place culture, and regular dress-down days. In 2018, we were included in the Recruiter Magazine ‘Fast 50’. This is a list of the fastest growing UK recruitment companies, across all disciplines, in the UK.
Industry Updates
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What qualifications do you need to be a tradesman?
Mary Williams |
26-05-2021
Specialising in a particular trade, tradespeople are typically skilled workers who've worked their way up through 'on-the-job training' schemes such as apprenticeships, as well as specific vocational college courses. Some trades don't have any formal entry requirements, whereas others offer a clear route to becoming a qualified tradesperson. Become a qualified tradesperson takes time and there are no shortcuts, so it's also important to be wary of any 'fast track' or 'independent course providers' - if it seems too good to be true it generally is! How do I become a tradesman? In the UK, to get intermediate or advanced qualifications in a specific trade, you will need at least 5 GCSE's ranging from A* to D. So, if want to get into a particular trade, we’ve looked at some of the most popular ones and the qualifications needed to get into that specific line of work. What qualifications do I need to become a builder? Builders often begin their careers in entry-level roles or as an apprentice, where no qualifications are needed. That said, employers will look for a good general standard of education, e.g. GCSEs (A-C) in maths and English, as well as any previous experience in the construction industry. Almost every building site requires CSCS Card Certification (Construction Skills Certificate Scheme), to ensure high standards of safety and compliance on-site at all times. Other common qualifications and certificates in the construction industry include: Asbestos Awareness CPCS card (plant operation) SSSTS Certification (site supervision) SMSTS Certification (site management) First Aid at Work (site management) What qualifications do I need to become a plumber? Plumbing apprenticeships take up to 4 years to complete. Those that don't have enough work experience for an apprenticeship often take the traineeship route (work placement) to develop the relevant skills required. The minimum qualification to become a plumber is the City & Guilds 6035 Level 2 Diploma in Domestic Plumbing. Other qualifications include: Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating T level for Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians Gas Safe registration Asbestos Awareness What qualifications do I need to become an electrician? Most electricians get into this career through an apprenticeship scheme, usually taking 2 to 4 years to become fully qualified. You will need: Industry recognised level 3 qualification e.g Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Services Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations if part of an apprenticeship Asbestos Awareness What qualifications do I need to become a roofer? Often considered one of the most physically demanding trades, roofer apprenticeships can take up to 2 years to complete. To become a roofer, you’ll need: Level 2 Diploma in Roofing Occupations Level 2 Diploma in Roof Slating and Tiling T level for Roofers Asbestos Awareness What qualifications do I need to become a plasterer? Another trade that's often accessed through apprenticeships or college courses, you can also get into plastering through onsite experience as an assistant plasterer. Advanced apprenticeships in plastering can take up to 3 years to complete, involving a mixture of onsite training and classroom-based learning. Other qualifications to consider include: Level 1 Award in Construction Skills – Plastering Level 2 Diploma in Plastering Asbestos Awareness What qualifications do I need to become a carpenter? One of the oldest trades around, carpentry apprenticeships can take up to 3 years to complete. To become a carpenter, you’ll need: Level 2 Diploma in Bench Joinery Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery T level for Carpentry and Joinery What qualifications do I need to become a painter and decorator? Painter and decorators don't need to be qualified but making a living with no experience will be difficult. Initial work experience can be gained as a painter and decorator's labourer. As well as apprenticeships, painting and decorating qualifications to look out for include: Level 1 Award/Certificate in Basic Construction Skills (Painting and Decorating) Level 1 Certificate in Construction Crafts - Painting and Decorating Level 1/2/3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating Asbestos Awareness What qualifications do I need to become a landscape gardener? There are no formal requirements to become a landscaper, but most employers will expect a decent level of horticulture knowledge and experience. The following qualifications will provide you with the relevant skills needed to become a successful landscape gardener: Level 1 Diploma in Skills for Working in Horticulture Industries Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture What qualifications do I need to become a double glazing installer? Those that have GCSEs in maths and English and/or previous experience of carpentry and joinery can often apply directly, starting as a fitter's 'mate' (assistant) and working their way up. Helpful qualifications to have include: Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills Level 1 Award in Carpentry and Joinery T level for Fenestration Installers Asbestos Awareness Tradespeople wanted - find more work with PPR Recruitment The construction division of PPR provides an extensive range of industry professionals for a variety of projects. We source and place qualified tradespeople, skilled operatives, and more general workers to various UK construction projects. If you're looking for tradesman vacancies, contact PPR today to find out more about our current career opportunities. Call 01895 80 81 88 or contact us online for more information or specialist advice and support.
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What is the difference between white and blue collar operatives?
John Smith |
25-05-2021
White collar and blue collar are terms used to describe different kinds of employment. Understanding the difference between white collar and blue collar workers can help you to tailor your job search within different industries. Blue collar workers are traditionally associated with manual work. The term blue collar comes from the hard-wearing blue clothing many workers wear when carrying out manufacturing, construction, or trade-focused tasks. Originally workers would have worn strong clothing, often made from denim which was robust enough to withstand physical work. White collar workers, on the other hand, are associated with office working environments and professional employment. White collar refers to the white shirts that businesspeople often wear underneath suits, and the term has come to represent any desk-based forms of employment. To give you a clear picture of the difference between white and blue collar operatives, here are some examples of popular areas of employment in each sector. White collar jobs Traditionally, white collar jobs were carried out by professionally qualified people. As office working environments became more common, workforces became more diverse, with many unqualified people working in office environments and often undertaking training to develop and progress within a company. White collar jobs are usually office based and are sometimes carried out from home. Clerical duties are commonplace as are communication, accounting, and computer-focused design and implementation. White collar workers often work a standard 40-hour week and receive an annual salary. Bonuses are common and companies often use a pay scale as an incentive for employee success. Some white collar job roles include: Software engineer Accountant Data analyst Marketing executive Financial adviser Secretary Market researcher Administrator Company manager White collar jobs are diverse but all share similarities such as working environment and potential for training and development. Blue collar jobs Blue collar jobs are perhaps even more diverse than white collar roles. They range from unskilled manual labourers to highly qualified technicians and skilled tradespeople. Blue collar jobs take place in a wide variety of environments. These can include factories, offices, homes, public spaces, workshops, and outdoor areas. On-the-job training is often offered and some blue collar work is accessible via apprenticeship schemes and in conjunction with vocational colleges. Blue collar workers often carry out shift work and may be paid an hourly rate. Contract work is common with a blue collar operative often working on a project alongside other tradespeople working for a main contractor. In some industries, such as the home improvement sector, blue collar workers are often self-employed. Self-employed workers who run their own business will either have to employ white collar workers to complete their financial responsibilities or carry out the tasks themselves. Some blue collar job roles include: Warehouse operative Electrician Mechanic Construction worker Unskilled/semi-skilled and skilled labourers HVAC technician Telecoms engineer Painter and decorator Railway maintenance worker Blue collar jobs are diverse but have many transferable skills between sub-sectors. For example, a domestic electrician could easily retrain as a motor vehicle electrician. Working as a blue or white collar operative In today’s employment landscape, there is much interaction between blue and white collar employment. As mentioned above, a self-employed blue collar worker will often need to perform tasks usually undertaken by a white collar worker. The new skills that a self-employed blue collar worker learns in running their own business can then be applied in a white collar working environment. Conversely, white collar workers may spend years in a traditional office environment, studying technical information and gaining industry specific knowledge and expertise. They may then choose to take this expertise and apply it directly in a different environment and become a blue collar worker. For example a civil engineer may be involved in the planning of a large scale infrastructure project. Their expertise may then be needed within the live site environment which will become their place of work. In both white and blue collar work, there is always opportunity to develop and diversify. If you’re looking for your next role as either a blue or white collar operative, contact PPR today to find out more about our current opportunities. Call 01895 80 81 88 or contact us online for more information.
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What are the top 3 skills for airport ground staff?
John Smith |
14-05-2021
The air travel industry has been hard hit by the Covid pandemic. With planes grounded and restrictions on international travel, it has been a difficult year for anyone working in the industry. As we head towards a reopening of air travel, it’s time to look to the future and rebuild the dynamic and progressive airport industry. At the heart of any airport are the airport ground staff team. Airport ground staff includes all airport workers who are involved in land-side employment. This could be working in airport security, organising schedules, customer facing roles, and aircraft management and maintenance. As airport ground staff roles are so diverse, the skills required are equally varied. Three skills, however, which are vital for almost all airport ground staff, and are fully transferable to other industries, are as follows. 1. Planning and organisation An airport is run to precise and time-sensitive schedules. To ensure that the flow of people, goods, and aircraft is as smooth as possible, an airport environment must be efficiently organised. An airport incorporates many diverse areas which come together to function as a whole. Check-in staff must work closely with runway workers and flight controllers to ensure the safe movement of people and possessions, while management will oversee the entire process, ensuring that all procedures are in place when delays occur. Within the area of planning and organisation, an airport ground worker must be able to work as part of a wider team and be flexible when required, to ensure business success. 2. Soft skills These are the personal qualities which are vital for any airport ground staff but which can also be transferred to roles in other sectors. Transferable skills required to work as a member of airport ground staff include flexibility, problem solving skills, teamworking, interpersonal skills, communication, and responsibility. The airport environment is a constantly changing eco system. It is essential, as an airport ground worker, that you are quick to adapt to any changes to schedule and are flexible to undertake extra working hours where necessary, including sometimes unsociable working patterns. All the skills mentioned above will hold you in good stead for employment outside aviation. 3. Communication Although mentioned above as a soft transferrable skill, communication within an airport scenario is perhaps the most important skill to possess. As an airport is reliant on many areas working together to ensure a smooth workflow and efficient transportation of goods and passengers, excellent inter-departmental communication is essential. An airport is also a large physical space. This means that various methods of communication will be used between different airport areas. The ability to communicate clearly and concisely is essential as is a fluent level of the international language of communication: English. As a member of airport ground staff, you will likely communicate through various methods including, internal intercoms, telephone systems, e-mail, face-to face, and various other specialist computer systems. Communicating within an airport environment will also include inputting the correct information regarding passenger and luggage details and completing any documentation which may be required. As you can see, working as airport ground staff is a diverse and fast-moving career choice. It is also a job that can take you to various locations both nationally and internationally. All airports are different; however, they all share similar ways of working because, of course, they are all inter-connected. As an airport ground staff employee, your role may involve communicating with various other international locations and liaising with your counterparts on a global scale. If you’re considering a career in the airport industry or you’re an experienced airport ground worker looking for your next role, contact PPR today to find out what current vacancies are available. For more information about finding employment with PPR call 01895 80 81 88 or contact us online.
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What are the 7 sectors of engineering?
John Smith |
30-04-2021
Engineering is a popular career choice with many opportunities for growth and development. Many engineering students will begin by studying engineering in a broad sense before selecting specialist areas to study in subsequent modules of their course. Broadly speaking, engineering, particularly building systems engineering is often split into seven sectors. These sectors contain various sub-sectors and engineering exists in many forms outside these sectors. To provide a concise view of the seven sectors of engineering, we’ve compiled a list of their various characteristics to help you to find your next engineering role. 1. Civil Engineering Civil engineering involves the design, construction, and maintenance of various large-scale-built environments. The construction of new transport networks such as airports, roads, and railways are all parts of civil engineering. Canals, dams, pipelines, sewerage systems, commercial building structures. These all fall under the remit of civil engineering. Civil engineers will often work on large-scale projects in collaboration with various other professionals. 2. Electrical Engineering Electrical engineering is a broad and diverse field. It involves any project where electricity is key to functionality. Electrical engineers may work on vehicles: cars, planes, trains, and boats. They may be involved in domestic and commercial electricity supply or work in an electrical power station where electricity is generated. Electrical engineering is a fast-moving area where new advancements in technology are continually demanding increased levels of electrical support. 3. Mechanical Engineering A more traditional area of engineering, mechanical engineering involves the production and maintenance of machines. This could involve motor vehicles, factory-based machinery or mechanical systems located in buildings such as air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems. Mathematical theory plays an important part in mechanical engineering where a good knowledge of various formula and physics-based calculations are required. Mechanical engineers will often undertake a high percentage of maintenance roles as machines must be kept in excellent working order. 4. Structural Engineering Closely connected to civil engineering, structural engineering refers to the design, construction, and safety of a building or large edifice such as a bridge, dam, or dock. Structural engineers must have a good knowledge of architecture and the characteristics of various materials. Structural engineers will design buildings and structures to meet a certain purpose eg. A multi-storey car park. They must consider both strength and aesthetic during the design phase and often use collaborative software such as CAD design programmes and BIM (Building Information Modelling). 5. Modern Technology Often considered a sub-sector of electrical engineering, a technology engineer will be involved in the development of cutting-edge software, appliances, and computer systems. Technology engineers will often work on high-tech security systems, CCTV networks, internet access technology, IT systems, communication networks, and business-specific technology. A technology engineer will often specialise in one of the above areas or an even more niche area such as developing the next generation of fingerprint or retina scanning security systems. 6. Water systems and plumbing Plumbing engineers can be involved in any water management systems. These can vary from domestic heating appliances to industrial waste management systems. Water systems engineers often work closely with civil engineers and mechanical engineers. Projects often require a collaborative approach where the different sectors of engineering work together to find the best project solution. A good knowledge of physics is required to understand the importance of pressurised systems and water flow calculation. 7. Energy production and supply Energy engineering is currently undergoing drastic changes. As a society, we are moving away from relying on traditional fossil fuels for energy production, with a focus on more sustainable methods. A modern energy engineer will most likely work on developing the next generation of green energy production and supply. This could be as a wind turbine engineer or as a specialist solar panel technologist. Lithium battery technology is also at the forefront of recent energy developments as is the nuclear energy sector. As you can see, engineering is a broad and diverse area. It is also an excellent choice in terms of career prospects and salary expectations. If you’d like to find out more about our current opportunities within engineering call PPR on 01895 80 81 88 or contact us online.
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IT and digital skills that will help your CV post-Covid
John Smith |
19-04-2021
IT and digital skills are an essential aspect for many job roles. As more and more people move towards some level of home working, having the necessary IT skills to ensure that you can perform your role remotely are becoming increasingly attractive to potential employers. To help you to give your CV an overhaul and maximise your chances of landing your next career placement, we’ve compiled a list of the essential IT and digital skills to help your CV post-Covid. Basic digital skills Basic digital skills are essential for almost every job in the 21st century. Having basic digital skills is also a requirement in our personal lives as so much of our time is spent online. Depending on the job role you’re applying for, you may not want to list basic digital skills on your CV as these are going to be expected as a minimum competency by most employers. Basic digital skills include: Using the internet for research purposes and accessing reliable websites via various devices Communication via e-mail and social media including sending documents as attachments Setting up accounts to enable online purchasing and payment methods Using secure passwords, safe internet practices and taking precautions against viruses and scams These skills are transferable between your personal and professional life and may be relevant to certain roles or experiences. For example, a role in the financial sector will require an excellent understanding of setting up and maintaining online banking/payment accounts and the related passwords, security, and anti-virus technology. Advanced digital skills The IT and digital sector is broad and diverse. It encompasses everything from office-based roles to construction design, electrical and mechanical work, all forms of telecommunications and a wide range of service-based industries. While each sector will have its own specialist IT and digital systems and approaches, there are certain IT and digital skills which are useful in all areas of employment. Digital marketing With so many transactions being completed online, todays’ shop floor or showroom is often complemented by a company website. In many cases, companies no longer have a physical shop environment, and all transactions are purely digital. Whether you’re working for a construction company selling building products or an online clothing store, knowledge of digital marketing will be an attractive attribute to add to your CV. Some specialized digital marketing skills include: Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising Search engine optimization (SEO) E-mail marketing Experience in any of these areas is a great strength for your CV in a post-Covid world. Being able to demonstrate bringing these areas together in an overall marketing strategy will also be an attractive feature of any CV. Social media Social media plays an important part in almost everyone’s lives. People connect on a personal level through platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram on a daily basis. On a professional level, social media can help a business to sell their products, promote their services and build their business’ reputation. With a global reach, social media can be a powerful tool for any business owner. Professional experience in social media management is therefore an extremely sought-after skill for many business owners. Social media skills which will look great on your CV include: Social media management using tools such as Hootsuite and Canva Performance measurement analysis New channel research Brand awareness and promotional campaigns Influencer engagement Social media in the professional world is all about connecting with potential customers and building an online relationship which leads to more sales. User experience (UX) and analytics Traditional shops and showrooms are designed to be attractive for customers and well-laid out to ensure customers can find what they are looking for. The same can be said for a company’s website. Websites should be as user friendly as possible to ensure that potential customers find what they are looking for as easily as possible. User experience looks at ways to improve a website’s functionality by improving load speed, navigation, and ease of interaction. Digital UX experts will perform site analyses to ensure that mobile apps, websites, and any associated chat/customer interaction tools are functioning to their optimum level. Web analytics plays an integral part in any company’s digital marketing strategy. Specialists will use precision software to track customer behaviour patterns and predict outcomes. Experience using web analytic tools will help you to land your next role in IT/digital. Some of the most popular and powerful tools include: Google Analytics Adobe Analytics Crazy Egg SEMrush Digital and IT skills are becoming increasingly essential in the modern workplace. If you want to make the most of your CV in a post-Covid world, there are loads of online courses you can take to improve your digital and IT skills and give you a better chance of landing your next role. If you’d like help finding work with PPR, you can register your details with us and we’ll match your CV, skill set and experience with any vacancies we are currently advertising. Alternatively, you can give us a call to discuss the best options for your career development on 01895 80 81 88.
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How does the future look for warehouse automation?
John Smith |
06-04-2021
Warehouses and factories across the country have long featured automated conveyor belts and robotic picking and packing machinery. Human workers often work alongside machines, known in the industry as cobots, which can be beneficial in terms of safety and productivity. With the Covid 19 pandemic changing the way many of us work and placing increasing demand on products purchased through online ordering, what is the future of warehouse automation? Let’s take a closer look. How is online shopping affecting warehouse supply chains? As more and more purchases are made remotely, warehouses are forced to hold higher levels of stock. Reductions in purchases in retail environments are having a huge and instant impact on the way warehouses function. With increase in demand comes the need for improvement in processes. Many smaller warehouses are simply not equipped to accommodate the increasing demand for online shopping. With customers increasingly expecting next day delivery on a wide variety of items, businesses must act quickly to keep up with the online shopping revolution. One way that is helping businesses to adapt is a more collaborative way of working. The importance of integrated warehousing Many large-scale corporations such as Amazon and Ocado are streets ahead of their competitors in terms of storage capacity, distribution efficiency and incorporation of technology into their processes. Many retailers are, therefore, forming strategic partnerships with these larger corporations in order to fulfil their orders. Warehouse capacity management is at the heart of maximising capacity and improving efficiency. In the future, with increasing transparency between businesses, it looks likely that on-demand warehousing will become a popular way of working. Larger businesses using data tracking technology will be able to offer warehouse space to rent during off-peak times to accommodate temporary demand for more storage space. Robotic software applications When people think of automation, they often imagine a futuristic warehouse where robots have replaced humans. The reality is perhaps, quite different. One of the biggest uses of warehouse automation looks likely to be an increased use of robotic software for planning and logistics. Technology such as data analysis applications and artificial learning technology will be used to find the most effective methods of planning and distribution and will also play an integral role in warehouse and factory safety. In the physical warehouse environment, drone technology is now being used safely alongside human workers to accurately move and organise stock and deliveries. Types of warehouse automation In the next few decades, it looks like warehouses will steadily become more and more automated. Some of the automation innovations we’re likely to see are: Goods to Person (GTP) technology – GTP includes any automated technology which is designed to improve efficiency and decrease congestion eg. Carousels, lifts, conveyors etc. Digital automation systems – Automatic identification has dramatically speeded up warehousing processes. Systems such as barcode scanning technology can be expensive to implement but beneficial in the long run. Robotic lifting devices – Manual lifting can have a negative impact on the health of a human worker. Certain robotic devices are designed to assist humans with certain warehouse activities for the benefit of both employer and employee. Automated vehicles – Forklifts, drones and other vehicles use GPS and laser guidance systems to navigate safely around a warehouse environment alongside human workers. Benefits of warehouse automation Warehouse automation can be beneficial for business owners, customers, and employees. The ultimate goal of automation is not to replace human activities but to work alongside them. Some potential benefits of warehouse automation include: Reduced labour and operational costs More efficient and productive processes Reduced handling and human error Improved data analysis and accuracy Enhanced customer service Optimisation of available warehouse space Better working environment Improved logistical capacity Better levels of workplace safety Warehouse automation has been a part of our lives for many years. As technology advances at an increasingly rapid rate, warehouse managers must embrace new technologies in order to maximise their full potential. It seems unlikely that automated technology will ever replace human initiative and manual handling skills. The future of warehouse automation is, indeed, predicted to be a better environment for human workers as technology becomes increasingly integrated alongside better working standards. At PPR, we regularly work with employers and employees in various warehousing job roles. If you’re interested in a career in warehouse work or you’re looking for your next placement in a warehouse environment, contact PPR today. For more information about our current vacancies or to register your interest with us, call 01895 80 81 88 or send us a message online.
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