New Builds ~ Building Schools for the Future

NewBuildsLink

New Builds ~ Project Management Services ~ Design & Planning

Introduction

TechSoft’s sales and training team spends pretty much every day in schools and colleges, working with teachers in every part of the country to provide training, inspiration and advice about CAD/CAM systems and how best to incorporate them into the Design and Technology curriculum. Our regionally based personnel have nearly eighty years of classroom teaching experience between them, and four have led workshop re-development programmes in their former roles as heads of department. They all remain passionate about Design and Technology education in its widest sense.

CAD/CAM resources are, of course, only part of the picture when designing and equipping coherent workshop layouts. TechSoft has exactly the right blend of experience, vision and skill to create stimulating and safe working environments for students and efficient, well resourced facilities for teachers. Getting it right for the teacher is always the primary aim and, in so doing, we will invariably achieve cost-effective solutions and a sustainable legacy for the school or college management.

Our many years of teaching experience comes into its own at the earliest stage of consultancy, through managing the installation to training and support at the end of the project. TechSoft provide a level of service that is unbeatable from the teacher’s perspective and we strive to be exemplary partners with fellow contractors in larger projects.

We provide a full solution including traditional hand and machine tools as well as the latest technology. In discussion with the people who will be using it, we can advise on and specify benching, furniture and storage solutions and will provide initial layout drawings for further refinement. These can be easily reviewed using TechSoft’s own 2D Design software that is already in use in many schools and colleges. Formats more suitable to the construction industry are also available.

We have strong working relationships with equipment manufacturers so trouble free installation is virtually guaranteed. A permanent management presence on site allows any issues to be nipped in the bud and projects are thereby finished on time and to budget.

Many clients look to a ‘green’ solution and TechSoft can supply a refurbishment and re-installation service for old machines. This often saves capital costs and can make a significant contribution to the sustainability agenda typically attached to refurbishment and new-build projects.

All installed equipment is commissioned prior to handover and familiarisation on every item is arranged at a time to suit the teachers who will be using it.

The post installation period can be fraught with difficulties. Teachers are working in a new and unfamiliar environment with new equipment and support is of the essence. The vast experience of the TechSoft team goes a long way in providing that support

“TechSoft was very accommodating with regards to machine specifications and amendments needed prior and post installation. We also feel that the company have and continue to support us with further training and excellent INSET on site with the new machines especially with the CAD/CAM and software training ensuring that the teacher and teaching and learning is at the centre of the project. I would have no hesitation with recommending the company for future projects of this type.”

The Head of D&T at North Liverpool Academy, Neil McCarthy

Andrew Gregory
Sales, Training & Marketing Director
01745 535007
07813 094922
andy@techsoft.co.uk

Tim Elderton
Sales & Training Manager (SE)
07989 947016
tim@techsoft.co.uk

Martin Rogers
Sales & Training Manager (NW)
01745 535007
07912 274096
martin@techsoft.co.uk

Dave Stockton
Sales & Training Manager (SW)
07595 565790
dave@techsoft.co.uk

Alex Wood
Sales & Training Manager (E)
07912 274097
alex@techsoft.co.uk

Years of experience in “getting it right for the teacher” applied to Project Management Services

Case Studies

When TechSoft, the leading educational CAD/CAM supplier, decided to enter the Project Management Services market in mid 2008 thoughts of immediate success would have seemed premature. However, after a successful year, it seems that the corporate ethos of getting things right for the teacher has been carried across to the new division.

North Liverpool Academy

North Liverpool Academy, was bid for in the closing days of 2008, leading to selection and a pre-start meeting with the developers in early February 2009. The contractual formalities, including intense scrutiny by the developer, were completed by early April and a start date of June was agreed.

Liaison with suppliers and the construction team on site prior to the start date meant that an excellent working rapport had been established, elevating TechSoft to the position of one of the leading sub-contractors on site. This proved to be time well spent as many of the usual issues that arise during the roll-out of a project were either avoided or quickly overcome due to the level of trust established early on.

Supplying, installing and commissioning such a broad based list of equipment required the addition of new skills and qualifications but the new team took this completely in its stride and the project was completed to time and entirely as planned.

“It has been a pleasure to work with TechSoft’s Project Management Services team. Their professional and co-operative approach, timely execution and the quality of their workmanship has made them stand out as a sub-contractor that we would happily work with again.”

The Design Manager for Wates Construction Ltd, Graham Murphy

“Many thanks for doing such a great job. The NLA look forward to TechSoft’s continued support in our search for excellence in Technology.”

The Client’s Representative and Project Manager at North Liverpool Academy, Ken McCandless

North Liverpool Academy

Monkseaton High School

Monkseaton High School, was bid for and accepted in March 2009; a smaller, but no less taxing, project in the North East of England. Once again the groundwork of liaison with suppliers and developer was conducted and a start date of July was agreed.

This building was slightly less well advanced when the equipment was installed and maintaining a clean environment was essential. The project consisted of supplying, installing and commissioning equipment for the Metalwork Room, the Prep Room and the Woodwork Room. Yet again, the strong working relationship with the developer and the other sub-contractors on site came into its own with access to the rooms, once completed, being restricted to protect the installed equipment.

The work was completed in August and included upgrade work, necessitating the addition of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) extraction kits, foot switches and key switches, to equipment that needed to be transferred from the old school to the new. The modifications were successfully carried out and the equipment was installed in the new school.

“We have been highly impressed with the professionalism of the TechSoft team on site and would be happy to have them work with us again.”

Managing Planner for Shepherd Construction (Monkseaton High School), Dave Patan

Design & Planning

Equipment guidance

TechSoft Project Managers are keenly aware of new developments and methodologies in practical curriculum areas and are able to advise and specify the right range and level of resources to support learning in Design & Technology, Art & Design, Textiles and Engineering. These areas have developed probably more than any other in recent years and are likely to continue to do so. We design and equip learning spaces to meet current needs but, where possible, with sufficient flexibility to accommodate timetable shifts and different emphases as national and local priorities dictate. The right mix of hand, machine and CNC equipment will be specified with care to provide best value and a safe, efficient and inspiring workspace for students and teachers.

View / Download the
New Build Product Guide

We only specify resources from suppliers we have total confidence in. If a particular brand of equipment is requested by teaching staff (and it is not listed in our New Build Product Guide) we remain happy to discuss options. We are confident, however, that our New Build Product Guide contains a comprehensive selection to meet all likely needs.

Design

After initial consultation meetings, TechSoft will prepare outline layouts and machine specifications to meet the agreed design objective. Due regard will be taken of statutory regulations and particularly DfES Building Bulletin 81. Initial layouts will highlight where additional services are required and further drawings and specifications will be prepared for M&E contractors if appropriate. Where services are fixed, layouts will be created to optimise work space and minimise costs. Designing learning spaces with the right layout, furniture and equipment will set the scene for exciting, creative student work. To achieve this, we keenly recognise the need for co-operative working with teachers, architects and consultants. TechSoft will actively seek a shared vision with partners and lead the process of design and refinement to arrive at an agreed solution.

CAD Drawings

Furniture and machinery requires floor or bench space, sometimes space for moving parts and (crucially) a safe working area (SWA) for the operator. Many of these details are the subject of statutory guidance. TechSoft have prepared CAD drawings showing the ‘footprint’ and SWA for all items in our New Build Product Guide where these dimensions are critical. FF&E contractors, design managers and consultants preparing room layouts will find these an invaluable tool. A CD containing all the drawings in DXF, DWG and DTD (2D Design) format is available from TechSoft on request.

	Overlap of Space These areas can be overlapped and shared between items of the same type (ie., machines or furniture)
	Clear Working Space These areas should be kept clear at all times. The exception to this rule is Prep room machines where clear working spaces can overlap (based on the assumption that only one machine will be operated at a time).

Training & Support

Training

Our commitment to ‘getting it right for the teacher’ continues long after commissioning and handover. TechSoft’s Project Managers actively seek a dialogue with teachers and technicians at an early stage so that any technical or training issues can be dealt with swiftly. Commissioning will always involve familiarity training and includes free lifetime phone or email support. Most of our CAD/CAM equipment is supplied with free, detailed training material (see CAD/CAM INSET Packs opposite) and some larger items have on-site training courses included.

To help teachers to get the best from their new resources, we recommend a phased on-site training package is considered alongside the equipment schedule. This could include advanced operation, curriculum applications and project ideas. Any such package would be bespoke but would typically be run (by mutual agreement with teachers) in the first and second years after handover.

CAD/CAM INSET Packs

All our main CAD/CAM machines are supplied with a comprehensive Inset Pack which teachers tell us is the quickest and most helpful way possible to really get to know a machine. Each pack contains basic tooling, sample materials and example projects on CD to enable teachers to generate an inspiring set of projects and get the machine earning its keep with the minimum of fuss. The course booklet distils set-up and technical information into easy-to-follow reference material. Operational instructions are demonstrated through a series of project-based hands-on tutorials which include tips for success and any important Health and Safety issues to be aware of.

To create these packs we exhaustively test any new machine and, where required, liaise with the manufacturer and write software enhancements to ensure that operation is as straightforward as possible.

Maintenance and Servicing

Keeping workshops and machinery in optimum condition is essential for safety and for efficient work. All workplaces, including educational establishments, have a legal obligation to carry out servicing and compliance checks, and need policies and maintenance records in place to demonstrate this. TechSoft are able to arrange thorough inspection and service schedules for all workshop machinery installations.

Checks are carried out in-line with statutory requirements, electrical checks and adjustments will be made as required and any minor mechanical or electrical issues will be attended to as part of the service. A full service report will be provided and this will satisfy the need for record keeping, will give a condition report on each machine and will highlight the need for any remedial work should it be required.