Platform to Connect SMEs with Leading Contractors Launches

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14 August 2020

Work Radar, a new platform connecting individual tradespeople, SMEs and social enterprises with leading contractors, has launched today. 

The service will help thousands of construction workers find local work and supports the government's plan to progress “shovel-ready” projects in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim is to improve the diversity of supply chains by creating a level playing field for all those seeking work.

It’s been developed by Local Supply Chain, a cloud-based supply chain platform, which is already used by thousands of organisations, including Work Radar founding partner Morgan Sindall Construction.

Other registered firms already posting their projects on Work Radar include Chesterfield-based Melfort Construction Services Ltd and Derby’s M J Robinson Structures Ltd.

“By providing integrated support in local communities, much like we’re doing across our nationwide network of jobcentres, we’re helping people get into key sectors and find new employment allowing us to build back better and stronger.”

–Mims Davies MP 

Minister for Employment 

Alerts for Contract Opportunities

The platform allows small businesses and individual operators to access work opportunities on specific projects in their region, while simultaneously enabling large construction firms to develop their local supply chains and improve their social value outputs. Contractors will instantly be able to review the health and safety certifications of potential supply chain members and regularly monitor KPIs.

Work Radar’s aim is to contain the details of projects around the country being undertaken by large contractors, which will specify what services and trades are required on their schemes. Tradespeople, social enterprises and micro-businesses (firms with less than ten employees and a turnover of less than £1.5 million annually) will receive alerts to opportunities in their area. When an opportunity matches they can then express an interest in delivering the work.

The platform also aims to help address some of the most pressing issues in construction such as the skills shortage and will support the reduction of unemployment through healthy supply chains.

Picture: A graphic showing a desktop computer with various icons, demonstrating construction contractors, graphs and a bar chart

The founders hope that the platform will enable workers to connect with local projects in an efficient and timely manner, and will additionally enable the reduction of carbon emissions. 

Morgan Sindall Construction has launched the scheme with projects currently listed on Work Radar including the £18 million Eden Girls Leadership Academy and the £6 million Kings Heath Boys Secondary School, both in Birmingham.

Work Radar is funded by subscriptions from contractors, and is free-to-use for all organisations registering interest in finding work.

Working Together to Ensure a Sustainable Future for the Construction Industry

Richard Ratcliffe, CEO of Local Supply Chain, said: “We’re very proud to launch Work Radar, a high quality, innovative tool that will allow contractors to develop increased efficiencies in their procurement processes in a manner which will enhance their ability to support social value outputs within their wider operations. For microbusinesses, social enterprises and SMEs, it offers a streamlined way to register interest in work opportunities on their doorstep.

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: “Ensuring our workforce is agile and importantly can meet the needs of employers is vital to our pandemic recovery, so it’s great to see Morgan Sindall Construction and Local Supply Chain come together to provide an effective route into construction. 

“By providing integrated support in local communities, much like we’re doing across our nationwide network of jobcentres, we’re helping people get into key sectors and find new employment allowing us to build back better and stronger.”

Picture: A photograph of a person on a construction site, wearing a high-vis vest with "Morgan Sindall Contractor" on the reverse.

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 14 August 2020

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