In episode 29 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, Jacob Austin interviews Mike Turlin, a seasoned construction professional and mental health advocate. Mike shares his personal journey, highlighting the evolution of the construction industry and its impact on workers, especially regarding qualifications and older employees. He stresses the importance of mental health, drawing from his own experiences with suicide loss to underscore the challenges in recognising warning signs. Mike discusses his commitment to suicide prevention, including investing personal resources and creating a database of mental health resources. The conversation also touches on the need for better working conditions, addressing workplace bullying, and providing adequate training and mentorship in the construction industry.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: CSCS Certification and Safety Assessment Discussion on the challenges and issues with the CSCS certification, including the pass rate, misleading questions, and time constraints. Promoting mental health and wellbeing in construction Mike emphasises the importance of promoting mental health and wellbeing in the construction industry and the need for better education and mentorship programs. Creating Positive Work Environments Importance of fostering a positive work environment, including examples of successful site management and the impact on worker well-being and productivity. Improving Site Standards Emphasis on the importance of maintaining high site standards, including cleanliness, organisation, and proper inductions, to create a positive first impression and improve worker satisfaction. Passion for Industry Improvement and Support Passionate commitment to improving the construction industry, supporting younger and older generations, and the importance of mental health support.   BEST MOMENTS: "In 2009, I looked at ways to end my life because of the stress I was under at the time." "Someone told me that it wasn't my time to die, and that was my turning point." "Every event I go to, I get people literally opening up about their mental health issues after they've heard my story." "We all think we're invincible, hiding behind this mask, but we're not." "We need to help the guys a bit more because this is not the way we should be doing the industry." "Whatever happens on this site today, we want you to go home safe."   Jacob is on a mission to help the 1 million SME contractors working within the construction industry. If you've taken something of value from this episode, please share the podcast with someone you know, and pass the value on.   HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.   GUEST BIO: Mike Turlin had an incredible career progression from labourer to site manager, to contracts manager, highlighting and is well placed to share experiences and challenges in the construction industry. He has founded Construction Buddies ( https://constructionbuddies.co.uk ) and ( https://bentleymentalhealth.com ) and is an advocate for mental health support and positive welfare in the construction industry. He is known as the Voice of Construction, using his knowledge and passion for the construction industry to fight the corner of tradespeople and improve education and site standards.   LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/ www.qs.zone/all-links