Skills Shortages
The finishes and interiors sector provides employment to around 250,000 people in the UK, annual recruitment to sustain this workforce is estimated to be over 2,500 workers. FIS has a dedicated team working to support the recruitment and training of a competent workforce.
Fixing a broken skills system
Blueprint for Better Construction: Installer Skills and Training
Construction is facing a major skills shortage due to a lack of new entrants, problems with suitability and quality of skills of new entrants, changes in immigration rules, erosion in the availability and quality of provision and some deep-rooted cultural challenges.
CSMB was launched in summer 2025 as an industry initiative, working in partnership with UK Government to make sure that the sector has the skilled workforce required to deliver its future workload. The Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB) Operations Group, meeting weekly to review progress against the targets. By 2029 it will target bringing in the 100,000 per year new workers needed by the sector to deliver Government’s built environment, net zero and infrastructure commitments.
In all our dealings with Government and the wider industry, FIS carries a clear mandate developed through research and engagement with members.
Competence
Competence is now a requirement of compliance with Building Regulations and Standards. FIS has been working to develop core industry standards, guidance and frameworks an active member of the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) and working closely with the Industry Competence Committee (part of the Building Safety Regulator). FIS has both chaired and supported a number of working groups established to support industry through this transition.
Immigration
FIS has repeatedly raised concerns that the points based immigration system fails to recognise core trades as “skilled workers”, lacks flexibility and has not factored in the impact of COVID on “shortages” in the sector. It is not currently equipped to support evolution in the sector.
The latest FIS Statement and submission to the Home Office on Skills Shortages can be viewed here
Access the FIS Right to Work Toolkit here
FIS wider work to support skills in the sector
FIS is running a number of programmes to help attack the skills shortage in the finishes and interiors sector you can find out more about that work on the FIS Skills Hub here. This work is all co-ordinated by members through the FIS Skills Board.
Making use of Sector Based Work Academies
Sector-based work academies (SWAP) are another DWP Funded programme that can support individuals transitioning into a new field of work. They provide training and education for those currently receiving unemployment benefits. The goal is to equip them with the skills...
Government Focus on UK Recruitment
In a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has set out plans to reduce net migration in favour of sectors “sourc[ing] the skills they need here at home”. Promising a new approach that “links migration policy and visa controls to...
Supporting your recruitment and getting ahead of labour shortages
With new home building targets and a pent up pipeline of high rise residential and commercial projects, the respite from labour shortages in the sector are likely to be short lived. FIS is exploring two interventions that can support members in finding work ready...