Apprenticeships and Qualifications
Below we explore the range of apprenticeships and vocational qualifications that support competence and career progression in the finishes and interiors sector and provide tools to support employers, training providers and individuals through their career in our sector.
FIS have a dedicated team to support your training needs and competency plans
For advice on process or funding for getting yourself or your workforce qualified view our Skills and Funding page contact the FIS Team on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org
Apprenticeships
Guidance for Employers
Apprenticeships combine work with study to develop competence an individual’s competence. Apprentices must spend 20% of their time in off-the-job training.
Apprentices can be new or current employees. Funding is available for anyone over 16 in England and Northern Ireland and 16 to 24 in Scotland and Wales (there can be exceptions for those over 24 years old).
Guidance for Individuals
An apprenticeship is a job, with training. Your employer will give you tasks to perform and a training provider will give you the skills to perform those tasks.
You will earn as you learn and in a structured way will building the knowledge and skills you need to be a successful trades person and set you up for a career in the construction sector.
FIS STEPs Vocational Knowledge Programme for Drylining
This specialised e-learning programme has been designed to support baseline competence for apprentices and those working towards Vocational Qualifications (VQs) in Drylining. This course helps candidates with the Knowledge Requirements for the VQ and Apprenticeship and was developed with CITB support and subsidised through the FIS to reduce costs to FIS Members and Accredited Training Providers. It has been aligned to the Apprenticeship Syllabus and allows for progress to be monitored by both the candidate and their mentor.
FIS Apprenticeship Training Specifications
With the support of Employers and Training Providers, FIS has developed a block syllabus to assist training organisations in the formulation of a course programme for Apprenticeships in the Finishes and Interiors Sector. It shows the minimum duration of each subject as expected by the Employer Development Group. Subjects do not need to be delivered in the order shown, organisations are encouraged to produce a progressive programme.
Find an Apprentice Provider
A full directory of training courses available from the FIS Approved Training Provider Network is available here. This directory is supported by a range of continuing professional development courses available directly from FIS and through our supplier network.
Remember – there is a CSCS Card for Industry Placement specially for T-Level and Traineeship students and FIS can help advise you on any insurance implications (insurance should not be an excuse in terms of providing opportunities and supporting our efforts here).
Vocational Qualifications
VQs provide a method to assess competence against National Occupational Standards (NOS) which provide a benchmark for competent performance. The NOS underpin vocational training, apprenticeships, frameworks and qualifications across the UK, in all sectors and occupations.
Guidance for Employers
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) in Scotland provide the criteria for assessment to achieve and gain qualifications. VQ’s are competency based and the candidate must produces evidence of what they do at work. Candidates must demonstrate their skills are current and prove their competency.
Guidance for Individuals
A Vocation Qualification
It is a flexible route to becoming qualified in the workplace with no examinations. It is a requirement for gaining an experience worker CSCS card, required to work on site.
FIS STEPs Vocational Knowledge Programme for Drylining
This specialised e-learning programme has been designed to support baseline competence for apprentices and those working towards Vocational Qualifications (VQs) in Drylining. This course helps candidates with the Knowledge Requirements for the VQ and Apprenticeship and was developed with CITB support and subsidised through the FIS to reduce costs to FIS Members and Accredited Training Providers. It has been aligned to the Apprenticeship Syllabus and allows for progress to be monitored by both the candidate and their mentor.
Find a Vocational Provider Assessor
A full directory of training courses available from the FIS Approved Training Provider Network is available here. This directory is supported by a range of continuing professional development courses available directly from FIS and through our supplier network.
Career and Competency Pathways
The FIS Careers Pathways are built on the FIS SKEB Framework, measuring competency and recognising gateways at each point in your career through a focus on the required Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours:
Skills: The practical application of knowledge learnt through on and/or off-the-job training.
Knowledge: The information, technical knowledge, and ‘know-how’ the individual needs to successfully carry out their duties.
Experience: The enhanced knowledge or skill acquired through practical experience.
Behaviours: The mindset or approach required for competence, across the entire occupation.
Careers and Competency Pathways in the Finishes and Interiors Sector
The FIS Careers and Competency Pathways help to map qualifications and training to the various stage of progress within the core trades from inductees through to supervisors.
You can download an example template for the Career and Competency Pathway for:
Further pathways are currently being developed through the work of the FIS Skills Board and core FIS Working Groups. Email info@thefis.org for more details
Competency Management Plans in the Finishes and Interiors Sector
Changes to the regulatory environment in construction have renewed the focus on individual competency for all roles in our supply chain and organisational capability. To support compliance and help raise standards in the supply chain FIS has developed a Competency Management Plan for the sector and template tools to support companies in meeting these requirements. More
For more information on developing your competency management plans, click here
Integral to monitoring competence through the supply chain is the CSCS card. Find out more about the CSCS card and how it is used within the finishes and interiors sector, here.