AB Access Scaffolding Ltd is a leading contract scaffolding and temporary access solutions provider based in Cork. We spoke to Contracts Manager Derrick Enright about the company’s meteoric rise and his involvement with the National Association of Scaffolding and Access Contractors (NASAC).
At the forefront of delivering scaffolding services to the industrial, residential, heritage / restoration and commercial sectors, AB Access Scaffolding was established less than a decade ago by Managing Director Brian Rodgers and had grown to employ 22 staff directly and 60 indirectly. Boasting 30 years’ experience in the scaffold industry, Brian has travelled the length and breadth of the country working on high-end scaffolding projects, and has also worked offshore on gas rigs. His reputation for service, professionalism and safety made him a sought-after name within the industry which in turn has helped him to make his company the success it is today.
Derrick Enright, who joined the company as Contracts Manager five years ago, is also a well-known and respected name within the industry, being a former Chairman of the NASAC. The combined experience of Brian, Derrick and their team of top-class scaffolders ensures a service which is second to none. They insist on a working partnership with their clients and as access solution professionals, are able to take on intricate work that others shy away from.
Quality, safety, service, agility, value-for-money and reliability are the hallmarks of this well-oiled machine!
Asked why clients such as PJ Hegarty & Sons, Elliott Group, O’Flynn Construction, Irish Distillers and Cfield Construction choose the Carrigtwohill-based company time and again, Derrick replied: “We’re involved in all sectors and are the only company in Munster that employs a full-time Design Engineer and Safety Officer. This allows us to provide an agile and rapid response to our clients needs, put a full package together and deliver a turnkey solution with regard to scaffold.
“We also employ people who can deliver the most technical of projects. Most of them are long-term employees which says it all about the company and the man who owns it. Furthermore, we enjoy an excellent relationship with our clients. We deliver on our promise and clients appreciate that.”
AB Access Scaffolding is currently engaged in several projects in the Cork area as Derrick explains: “We have a constant presence in Irish Distillers in Midleton and have men working on maintenance and projects as well as restoration in The Heritage Centre with PJ Hegarty’s and the Dungourney Warehousing project.
“We’ve just started work on the new Premier Inn Hotel in Morrison’s Island for Elliott’s. We’re also involved in the largest housing project in Cork with O’Flynn Construction in Ballinglanna, Glanmire. In addition, we’re working with Cfield Construction on an accommodation contract in Lancaster Gate, nursing home projects in Glanmire and Boherbue with Blueprint Construction and environmental retrofit works with SE Systems.
“We also have projects ongoing with Bridgewater Construction, OBR and Cahalane Brothers.”
The scaffolding solutions provider is taking nothing for granted, despite having come through the pandemic with flying colours.
“With the majority of sites closed due to Government restrictions and no revenue, Covid-19 had a considerable impact. But we run a good business here and were able to navigate our way through it,” Derrick continues.
“Business is going well, but there is uncertainty about what lies ahead. Costs have risen so dramatically that it’s bound to affect the industry and our long-term plans.”
Derrick served four years as NASAC Chairman, during which he was at the forefront of re-writing a new Code of Practice for the scaffolding industry and creating a new scaffolding training programme which is run in collaboration with the CIF, Laois & Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB) and the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, Co. Offaly.
Mount Lucas has constructed a 650m2 purpose-built scaffolding unit, welcoming Larry Henry and Fergus Sheerin on board as new instructors. Under Derek’s chairmanship, NASAC contractors were keen to formalise training to match the evolution of industry needs. This included providing specific knowledge, skills and competence, which the apprenticeship offers. Health & Safety also continues to be a major concern as the trade involves working at height and keeping other trades safe onsite.
NASAC approached LOETB to develop the apprenticeship and the proposal was submitted to Solas. A consortium steering group was formed with the apprenticeship going into development and validated by QQI in October 2020. The apprenticeship offers a Level 5 two-year programme with apprentices working on the job with their employer, coupled with training in Mount Lucas. Year one covers modules in basic scaffolding principles and developing industry skills such as erecting and dismantling scaffolding. In the second year, the apprentice will progress to management and control of scaffolding and complex structures, culminating in a capstone module which encompasses their overall learning.
To employ an apprentice, a scaffolding company must firstly contact their Solas Authorised Officer (AO) in their local Education and Training Board. The AO will schedule a site visit to assess employers and complete the Suitability to Train form. The employer must demonstrate the capacity and the ability to provide quality, relevant on-the-job training to apprentices as per the requirements of the national apprenticeship system.
Upon approval, the employer will be registered as a National Apprenticeship Employer. The employer must also provide a mentor who is responsible for overseeing the apprentice. The mentor is required to have a minimum of five years’ scaffolding experience, hold a valid CSCS card or equivalent, and must have undertaken the one-day workplace mentor programme.
The training allowance is paid by the employer both on and off the job with year one based on 50% of the current craft rate. Year two is based on 75% of the current craft rate. The apprentice must have three months’ site experience. The AO will arrange a visit to complete the Suitability to Train form.
Mentor qualifications, a copy of valid CSCS card, apprentice’s education transcripts, a copy of valid SafePass and a signed declaration of work experience must be provided.
“When I was originally asked to get involved with NASAC, I said it would be based on two things. The first was that we would go about writing a new Code of Practice as the old one was no longer fit for purpose. The second was that there had to be an apprenticeship developed for young people that wanted to get involved in the scaffold industry.
“I put four years into this, got both over the line, and then Keith Dwyer, Ger Crowley and Rob Downey went on to develop the apprenticeship. AB Access Scaffolding put two apprentices on the course last July and you’d like to think they’ll come out with safety and quality in mind.
“The apprenticeship programme is a very welcome development at a time when it’s getting harder and harder to attract young people to the trades. They aren’t encouraged by the system to go into trades anymore. It’s sad to see because there is a good career to be had. If you have a trade, you will always get by,” Derrick says.
As for the future of AB Access Scaffolding, the affable Cork man simply says: “We want to continue to do what we do best.”
AB Access Scaffolding Ltd
Ballintubber East,
Carrigtwohill,
Co. Cork,
T45 XH70.
Telephone: +353 (0)86 174 8534
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.abaccess.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August 2022, Vol 8 No 8
