The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is holding a ‘mini consultation’ as part of the route review of construction.  The consultation seeks stakeholder views on the occupations currently represented on the occupational map for construction.

The finishes and interiors sector currently has three apprenticeships standards aligned to core trade occupations with two options in each:

  • Interior Systems Installer ST0388 with options for Dry Lining and Ceilings and Partitions.
  • Plasterer ST0096 with options for Fibrous and Solid Plastering.
  • Carpentry and Joinery ST0264 with options for Site Carpenter and Architectural Joinery

The occupational map also includes apprenticeships aligned to the finishes and interiors sector such Painting and Decorating, Construction Site Supervisor, Design and Surveying.

Comments received to date indicate concerns related to the Drylining requirements in the Plasterer apprenticeship, duties 10 and 11 (Drylining fixing, boarding and finishing), which detract from the moulding and trowel skills needed by a plasterer.  Concerns have also been expressed that the training programme for Plaster is too long at three years (the Interior Systems Installer apprenticeship training is 18 months).  In the original Plastering qualifications drylining was an optional choice for plasterers and still is in Scotland and Wales.  It is also unlikely Fibrous plasterers will use drylining skills once the apprenticeship is completed – views are sought particularly on whether the Plastering Standard should be simplified.

What are your views on this?
FIS will feed in a sectoral response on your behalf so to support this we would like to you to email George Swann (georgeswann@thefis.org) on the three points below and include any additional concerns you have on apprenticeship qualifications and specifically your view on the plastering concerns.  In addition it is vital that IfATE hear directly from employers.

Yes/No – please provide details

  • Are there any occupational standards (or options within) no longer used by the sector?

Yes/No – please provide details

  • Can you see any of the occupations represented working better as core and options and/or merged standards?

Yes/No – please provide details

As well as sending your responses to georgeswann@thefis.org, views can be contributed via an online questionnaire.  The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2021 and FIS encourage all members to submit their views.  The details of all the available apprenticeship standards can be found here.