FIS has refreshed its Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning to reflect the most up-to-date advice and guidance, to support specification writers in fully understanding the key criteria involved when preparing partitioning specifications, including those for movable walls and pods.

The Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning was first written in 2022 by the FIS Partitioning and Pods Working Group which comprises representation from manufacturers, designers and contractors working in the sector. Pulling together decades of experience, this guide is designed to help specifiers and designers understand the questions that should be addressed before the specification can be produced and then how the specification should be structured, and which standards referenced.

The 2026 update includes a significant expansion of guidance on pre-cycle agreements, reuse considerations, and end-of-service-life planning. It also reflects recent and forthcoming changes to fire resistance and reaction-to-fire classification systems, alongside updates to UK and EU conformity marking requirements. In addition, all references have been revised to align with current BS/EN standards and established industry best practice.

In addition to the written update, the guidance has been developed into a CPD e-learning course available via the FIS Academy. This digital format allows individuals to work through the content at their own pace in a structured, interactive way, reinforcing key principles and making complex technical requirements easier to understand.

Commenting on the guide, Chair of the FIS Partitions and Pods Working Group and FIS member Peter Long said:

“Partition systems of all types are always interfaced with adjacent construction products and many of these are critical interfaces, particularly in safety-critical applications like fire resistance and resistance to collapse under loading. This requires building design and the specification of construction products, like partitioning, to be considered holistically and not in isolation. This Specifiers’ Guide aims to support specifiers in this holistic approach.”

The guide explains the vast range of product options and how careful specification can help with relocatability in the building as well as enjoying enhanced tax benefits. The guide also has reference material to regulations for safety, fire performance and standards.

This Specifiers Guide sits alongside other FIS guidance that relates to partitioning:

Best practice guide for installing Partitioning

FIS Acoustic Verification Scheme

Servicing Operable Walls

These guides work well when they are included in proposals and project plans to demonstrate how to best approach a project. They are also good differentiators when someone is in competition with non-members, and are an excellent introduction to new members of the team and any trainees and apprentices.

You can download the Specifiers’ Guide to Partitioning from the Publications Library on the FIS website here.

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The Industry Task and Finish Group (ITFG) has today published its guidance on Managing Competence in the Built Environment: An industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles, providing practical, proportionate and risk-based support for organisations operating across the built environment.

The ITFG is an industry‑led, time‑limited group formed in June 2025 in response to the new Building Safety Regime’s requirement to manage competence in organisations. It brings together more than 50 professional bodies, industry organisations, regulators and assurance bodies, with the shared aim of translating high‑level principles for managing competence in the built environment into a practical day‑to‑day application that is recognised across the sector and helps drive up competence and building safety outcomes.

The guidance sets out what effective organisational competence management looks like in practice for organisations of all sizes and risk profiles, SMEs, micro-businesses and large organisations alike, enabling them to demonstrate that people working for them, or on their behalf, are competent for the work they undertake.

Its flexible and proportionate approach means that the guidance can be used alongside existing management systems, or as a foundation where no formal approach is yet in place. Although prompted to meet competence management requirements set by building safety reforms, it can be used more widely across the built environment.

The guidance has been developed alongside, and is fully aligned with, the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) publication Setting Expectations on Competence Management. Used together, the ICC advice sets out what good looks like at a high level, while the ITFG guidance explains how organisations can put those principles into practice.

The guidance looks at the role of organisational leadership and governance, while emphasising that actively managing competence is not simply about qualifications or training records; it is about ensuring that organisations have enough people with the right skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours for their role.

Using the principles set out in the ICC document, the ITFG guidance sets out the key elements organisations, SME’s and large organisations alike, should think about when putting effective competence management in place, defining what competence is needed for different roles and activities, assessing and verifying competence, and making sure competence is monitored and maintained over time.

Sofie Hooper, Chair of the ITFG comments:

“With competence being a critical determinant of health and safety, building safety and quality outcomes, the management of competence by organisations is not only a requirement for building safety, but it actively underpins the safety, performance and reliability of structures through the built environment.

“This important document will provide much needed guidance across the sector on how to manage competence well and it could not have been done without the cross sector support and the dedication of the experts in the Steering Group. We would also like to thank the ICC for the collaboration so that we could align our guidance- making a difference together.”

The guidance will next play a key role in shaping the development of a future British Standard on managing competence in organisations.

Available from supporting organisations’ websites, the ITFG and ICC documents are both also available from the BSI Competence hub, where organisations using the guidance can share their feedback and practical experience of the guidance. The ITFG will next be developing case studies and encourages organisations wanting to contribute to get in touch with Sofie.Hooper@aps.org.uk.

FIS is proud to announce the launch of its new Drylining Design Engineer Competency Framework, a significant step forward in defining professional standards, improving quality, and supporting career development across the interiors sector.

Developed in collaboration with industry experts, contractors, manufacturers, and training providers, the framework establishes a clear benchmark for the knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours required of drylining design engineers.

As construction projects grow increasingly complex, the need for qualified and competent design professionals has never been greater. This new framework aligns with broader industry initiatives around competency, including post-Grenfell regulatory reforms, and reinforces the importance of robust design processes in ensuring building safety.

The framework outlines core competencies across several key areas, including:

• Technical design knowledge and system understanding
• Regulatory compliance and building safety
• Risk management and problem-solving
• Communication and collaboration across project teams

Commenting on the launch, FIS Technical Director James Parlour said:

“Competency frameworks are required urgently across the industry, and we are grateful to our members for helping to identify and fulfil this critical gap where competency in delivering what seems to be a relatively narrow function is holding up the design of the entire interior system due to its wide ranging interfaces with other packages. It is also a prominent area of risk where contractors design portion is often defined and constrained poorly, and competent design management is key to mitigating this risk for the supply chain.”

The development of this competency framework reflects FIS’s ongoing commitment to raising standards and driving continuous improvement across the sector. It adds to a growing suite of installer competency frameworks that are already available from FIS, including:

• Ceilings

• Drylining

• Fibrous Plastering

• Moveable Walls

• Solid Plastering

• Raised Access Flooring

• SFS (Steel Framed Systems)

The Competency Framework is available to download from the FIS website at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/competency-frameworks/drylining-design-engineer-competency/

To underpin the Competence Frameworks, CITB, in partnership with Build UK and fire industry experts, have developed a free Fire Safety in Buildings e-learning course to improve an individual’s knowledge of fire safety measures in buildings. The course is suitable for anyone working in the design, construction, or maintenance of buildings, with a specific focus on installers and can be accessed here https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/training-offers-for-members/fis-training-modules/fire-safety-in-buildings/

The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has published ‘Setting Expectations on Competence Management’ setting down clear principles for managing both individual and organisational competence under Building Regulations.

The ICC was formed under the Building Safety Act 2022 to provide strategic leadership, assistance, and encouragement to facilitate the improvement of competence in the built environment industry. It advises both the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and industry on matters of competence.

The ICC has set out clear expectations for industry by sharing clear principles on how organisations should manage the competence of those working for them.

This document is aimed at organisations who:

• Carry out any design or any building work (in all buildings)
• Manage buildings, and particularly those that manage Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs)

The advice builds on feedback received from industry consultation in May and September 2025. It establishes ICC’s expectations for how organisations should manage competence, setting out the common principles that should be in place across the sector.

The ICC will build on this advice during 2026 by developing case studies and examples, to assist industry at a more practical level

FIS has been involved in the drafting of this document and commends this resource to members.

The document can be accessed via the Built Environment Hub Setting Expectations on Competence Management – ICC Advice for Industry

Conflict in the Middle East and its potential impacts on the global economy, the UK economy and the construction industry cast a dark shadow over the forecasts for 2026 and 2027. It appears increasingly likely that the second half of this year will see a drop in demand and sharp cost rises. How long the global disruption and high oil and energy prices last remains uncertain at the time of writing, and the CPA has had to make assumptions about the extent and duration of the supply shock.

However, based on the CPA’s assumptions, construction output is now forecast to fall significantly in 2026, with growth in 2027 also adversely affected. The largest of the conflict impacts are likely to be felt on both the demand and supply side for private housing and private housing repair, maintenance and improvement (rm&i), the two largest construction sectors. In addition, the risks to the forecasts remain heavily skewed to the downside, although potential upside risks remain if the government provides stimulus to boost demand and reduces its additional cost burdens on the construction industry. In addition, all construction forecasters continue to highlight the major problems with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) construction output data on which construction forecasts are based, so users should treat the historical data with extreme caution.

At the end of last year, with the uncertainty created by the government’s Autumn Budget out of the way and with an expected slight acceleration in UK growth this year, there was a degree of cautious optimism over prospects for many key construction sectors in 2026 and 2027. However, the start of this year was already challenging for construction, with persistent rain affecting activity, particularly outdoor work and the start of new projects. The hope was that better weather in March and April would lead to stronger activity, and this appeared to have occurred, although there was little evidence of any significant ‘catch-up’ activity delayed at the start of the year. But the Middle East conflict is likely to raise its own challenges for the UK economy and the construction industry in particular. Even if there was a resolution to the conflict on the day of the forecasts being published, a degree of permanent damage would be done to oil production, shipping channels, and additional global uncertainty and risk would be priced in, which is likely to lead to both a spike in CPI inflation across the economy and construction product price inflation due to oil, energy and input cost rises.

Privately funded construction sectors are most likely to be affected by these cost increases. In addition, privately funded construction sectors will be affected by increases in mortgage and financing costs, which will hit homebuyers and site viability, respectively. Publicly-funded and regulated sectors are likely to be less affected by these issues and with strong pipelines of activity in some areas, clients may be more willing to accept cost rises on projects over the next 12-18 months. However, if not, these sectors may also suffer from project viability issues and major contractors’ and consortia’s unwillingness to sign up to large projects in an uncertain cost environment, given the increasing risk.

Due to the uncertainty over how long the disruption will last, how high oil and energy prices will peak, and how long they will remain at those peaks, the CPA’s forecasts are based on oil prices remaining above $100 per barrel for four months, which occurred in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The CPA also has an Upper Scenario, which assumes oil prices remain above $100 per barrel for 2 months.

In the CPA’s forecast, construction output volumes are expected to fall by 2.5% in 2026, due to a weather-affected Q1, followed by a slowdown in demand and a sharp upturn in cost inflation in H2, driven by the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East. This is a major revision down from the 1.7% growth forecast in the CPA’s Winter forecast, and the only precedents for such large downward revisions to the forecasts were during the global financial crisis in 2008, the initial Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, and the energy commodity price spikes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Output is still forecast to rise by 1.2% in 2027, but this is a significant revision down from the CPA’s Winter forecast of 2.8%, and the growth would be from a lower base. In addition, the risks to the 2027 forecast remain firmly on the downside, as the lagged impacts of borrowing rate increases and cost rises feed through to the ground, affecting consumer confidence and spending, as well as business confidence and investment. Aside from issues arising from the recent conflict, the fundamentals in key construction sectors remain unchanged. However, as with the impacts of the energy and commodity price spikes in 2022, the recent conflict is likely to affect the cost bases of firms throughout the supply chain.

FIS has launched a new e-learning module, Building Regulation Compliance: Contractor Roles, designed to help construction professionals understand and meet their responsibilities under the latest regulatory changes.

Our new competency-led e-learning module provides clear, practical guidance on what compliance really means and how it applies to you. It has been designed for directors, managers, and senior leaders within contracting organisations, while also offering valuable insight for project teams and supervisors responsible for maintaining standards on the ground.

Challenging misconceptions and clarifying responsibilities

A key focus of the course is addressing a widespread misconception across the industry that roles such as Principal Contractor and Contractor apply only to Higher Risk Buildings. In reality, these roles are mandatory across all regulated works, making a clear understanding of responsibilities essential for compliance.

The course breaks down these requirements in a straightforward, accessible way, helping contractors understand exactly where they fit within the regulatory framework and what is expected of them.

Practical, competency-led learning

Developed through our close collaboration with members and industry experts, the module is built around real-world application. It aims to demystify complex regulatory requirements and support organisations in embedding best practice.

Designed primarily for directors, managers, and senior leaders within contracting organisations, the course is also highly relevant for project teams and supervisors responsible for maintaining standards on site.

Learners who enrol will:

• Build confidence in the requirements of the new regulations

• Drive their understanding of the Building Control process

• Strengthen their organisation’s competence and capability

• Gain CPD points to support their professional development

Supporting a culture of competence and compliance

Competence sits at the heart of compliance and understanding how regulations apply at both an individual and organisational level is critical to managing risk and delivering safe, high-quality projects.

This new module forms part of our ongoing commitment to support the sector through regulatory change, providing timely, practical training that reflects the realities faced by contractors today.

Members can access the e-learning for free here. The courses are available to non-members for a fee. Visit the FIS Academy here.

From 1 July 2026 a new building safety regime will come into force in Wales, introducing fundamental changes to how building work is regulated, approved and enforced. While closely aligned with the principles of the Building Safety Act 2022 introduced in England, the Welsh system is not identical and will operate through different regulators, processes and documentation requirements.  To support members in understanding and preparing for these changes, FIS has launched a short, targeted e-learning module: The Building Safety Act Wales 2026.

What is changing in Wales?

Wales is introducing a dutyholder‑led regulatory framework that applies to all regulated building work, with additional and more stringent requirements for higher‑risk buildings (HRBs). The system has strong parallels with the English regime, but there are important practical differences that contractors, designers and specialists need to understand.

Key features of the Welsh regime include:

• a dutyholder framework similar to England, applying to clients, designers, contractors, principal designers and principal contractors
• mandatory competence requirements for individuals and organisations carrying out design or building work
• replacement of the traditional “deposit of plans” system with a new application‑based building control approval process
• strengthened enforcement powers, including compliance notices, stop notices and extended enforcement periods
• a separate staged approval system for higher‑risk buildings, administered through local authority building control rather than a Building Safety Regulator

A significant difference is that Wales has not created a standalone Building Safety Regulator. Higher‑risk buildings and enforcement remain within the jurisdiction of local authority building control, with different approval routes, statutory declarations and appeal mechanisms to those used in England.  Additionally the Welsh regime:

• uses staged approvals rather than England’s gateway process
• defines higher‑risk buildings more broadly, capturing buildings with at least one residential unit as well as hospitals and care homes with overnight stays
• requires specific prescribed documents, including competence declarations, construction control plans, change control plans and golden thread information
• introduces formal change‑control categories for HRBs, with major changes requiring fresh approval before work can proceed

Understanding these changes and the distinctions will be essential to helping avoid delays, rework, rejected submissions or enforcement action once the new regime is live.

What the FIS Wales 2026 module covers

The new FIS training module draws out the differences in Wales and is targeted at those who have already completed the Introduction to the Building Safety Act and now need to understand how the Welsh system works.

The module provides: 

• a clear explanation of how the Welsh building safety regime has evolved
• an overview of the dutyholder and competence requirements applying from July 2026
• practical guidance on the new building control approval process
• detailed insight into higher‑risk building procedures, staged approvals and prescribed information
• clarity on enforcement powers and what they mean in practice
• a plain‑English explanation of transitional arrangements for projects already underway

Preparing for July 2026

Transitional provisions mean that some projects already in the system before 1 July 2026 will continue under the current arrangements. However, any project that has not deposited full plans or secured acceptance of an initial notice by that date will need to comply with the new Welsh regime from the outset.  With increased emphasis on competence, accountability and documented compliance, now is the right time for organisations to ensure their teams understand how the Welsh system operates.

FIS remains committed to supporting the finishes and interiors sector through the biggest regulatory change in a generation. Alongside this new Wales‑specific module, FIS continues to provide guidance, training and practical tools to help members manage risk, improve safety and remain compliant.

To access the course, visit the FIS E-Learning Academy.  For any questions about the regulations contact the FIS team at info@thefis.org or 0121 707 0077.

The energy market continues to present challenges for businesses across the UK, and for companies operating within the finishes and interiors sector, controlling overheads remains as important as ever. With wholesale prices still reacting to global events, changing demand levels, weather patterns, network costs and policy updates, energy procurement is no longer something businesses can afford to leave on autopilot.

For FIS members, having the right strategy in place can make a significant difference to both short-term costs and long-term stability. That’s where Enexus Energy can help. As part of your FIS membership, you have access to expert support designed to help you better understand the market, review your current contracts, and identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Whether you’re approaching renewal, unsure if your current rates remain competitive, or simply want clearer visibility over your utilities spend, Enexus can provide independent guidance tailored to your business needs. They will work with you to simplify what can often be a complex market, helping you make informed decisions with confidence.

Support can include:
* Reviewing current electricity and gas contracts
* Benchmarking rates against the wider market
* Procurement support and renewal strategy
* Invoice validation and billing support
* Identifying energy-saving opportunities
* Guidance on sustainability and future planning

In a market that remains uncertain, having a trusted energy consultant on your side can provide reassurance and real value. If you’re an FIS member and would like to explore how Enexus can support your business, get in touch with the Enexus Energy team today.

Andy Radcliffe
FIS Energy Expert
01253 966964
Andy.radcliffe@enexusen

The skills shortage in the Finishes and Interiors Sector isn’t going away and addressing it will take a more joined-up, practical approach across our industry. That’s exactly what we’re working to deliver.

FIS has partnered with The Skills Centre to run a series of Skills Bootcamps designed to produce job-ready individuals who are trained, motivated, and ready to start work immediately.

Each candidate completes an intensive four-week programme, developed with industry input, combining hands-on training with the core practical skills required for dry lining and interior fit-out roles.

How you can get involved

We’re now looking for employers to support the next stage by helping these candidates transition into the workplace. You’ll be fully supported in structuring your involvement.

We’re seeking employers who can offer:

• Interviews
• Two-week work placements
• Job opportunities

What you’ll gain

• Early access to motivated, entry-level talent with relevant training
• A direct pipeline into your workforce
• Support in meeting social value and local employment commitments

When

You can visit and get involved during the following dates:

• 25 May and 05 June
• 29 June and 10 July

Where

Build East Skills Centre
Bassett Lane, Stratford
London, E9 5EN

This is a great opportunity to see the training in action, understand the process, and meet potential future employees.

We’re aiming to roll this model out more widely across the UK but its success depends on industry engagement.

If not you, who?

We need to build the workforce our sector needs – together.

If you’re interested in attending, or would like to learn more, please contact Marie at FIS marieflinter@thefis.org

FIS has conducted a review of two pieces of guidance to ensure they remain accurrate and aligned with current requirements of our community.

Technical Note: Spontaneous breakages of toughened glass

Listening to our members and the wider community, FIS has noticed an uptick in reports of glass breakage being attributed to Nickel Sulphide (NiS) inclusions. We have consulted with expertise within membership in order to revise and re-publish our existing guidance on spontaneous breakages of toughened glass which can be downloaded here.

It is important to recognise that failure in glass due to NiS inclusions is often difficult to formally diagnose, and there are other factors that can cause apparently spontaneous breakage or stress that will contribute to breakage, and these should not be overlooked to avoid NiS inclusions becoming an easy scapegoat for other more complex design issues.

When diagnosing failure and organising replacement works it is important to consider the full range of contributory factors that could have caused breakage in order to minimise the risk of future breakage.

FIS Best Practice Guide: Servicing Operable Walls

We have also updated the FIS Best Practice Guide, Servicing Operable Walls, following a review of current guidance.

Developed by the FIS Operable Wall Working Group, the guide supports facility managers and building owners in maintaining operable walls safely and effectively. It highlights the importance of regular servicing to ensure correct operation, preserve acoustic performance and protect users.

Operable walls are widely used across education, leisure and commercial settings, but can be prone to damage or reduced performance if not properly maintained. The guide outlines servicing requirements, helps identify wall types and stresses the need for competent engineers.

With some panels exceeding 6 metres in height and weighing up to 500kg, FIS also emphasises the importance of appropriate training and compliance with health and safety regulations.

The Servicing Operable Walls guide is available free to FIS members and can be downloaded here.

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) today published its biennial report, setting out its key priorities for 2026 and detailing the significant progress made during 2025 under each of the CLC’s four strategic pillars: building safety; net zero, resilience and circular economy; people and skills; and next generation delivery.

Over the past year highlights include:

• Establishing the Construction Skills Mission Board to support the delivery of the £625m Construction Skills Mission, and developing over 40 competency frameworks through the Industry Competence Steering Group;
• Working closely with the Building Safety Regulator, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Health and Safety Executive to implement the Building Safety Act across the industry;
• Responding to the consultation on tackling late payment and to reform the practice of retentions;
• Growing the CO2nstructZero programme to involve over 300 companies;
• Continuing to embed the use of the Information Management Initiative Framework across the industry and Government.

As part of its 2026 strategy, the CLC has announced a major change in its strategic priorities. Following the successful launch of the Information Management Initiative in 2025, the ‘Next Generation Delivery’ priority has now been retired, and two new priority areas have been established: ‘Digitalising Planning and Building Control’ and ‘Business Model Reform’.

Isabel Coman, the Industry Sponsor for Next Generation Delivery, has stood done from her role, and two new Industry Sponsors will be appointed in the coming months. This will be alongside a formal process that will be run to appoint a new Deputy Co-Chair for the CLC.

Looking ahead, the CLC’s 2026 action plan focuses on delivering progress in relation to key issues for the industry. These include:

Net Zero, resilience & circular economy:

• CO2nstructZero: Align the CO2nstructZero Performance Framework and strategy with the Climate Change Committee’s 7th Climate Budget and embed it across industry.
• Green Construction Board: Enable and enhance procurement decisions to systematically identify and prioritise low-carbon solutions in infrastructure.
• Building safety: Working with industry and Government on the implementation of the Single Construction Regulator to ensure that the future regulation of the sector is effective and efficient.
• People and skills: Convene industry around the challenge of how we design and implement a digital skills passporting eco-system for the built environment.
• Digitalising planning and building control: Refocus the efforts of the workstream to prioritise progress on the digitalisation of the planning and building control systems, in partnership with MHCLG and wider industry stakeholders.
• Business model reform: Convene and facilitate engagement between the Government, key stakeholders and industry on recently announced legislative proposals to address late payments and abolish retention clauses in construction contracts.
• Health, Safety and Wellbeing: Publishing the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Action Plan in May 2026, followed by a Mental Health Action Plan and Joint Code of Practice in the summer providing advice to employers on creating a more supportive environment for employees.

In addition, work will continue under the digitalising planning and building control workstream to advance broader digital and data-led innovation across the sector — including the accelerated rollout of the CLC’s Information Management Initiative.

The report itself sets out detailed 2026 objectives and 2025 achievements for each of the CLC’s five core priorities and five industry working groups: Housing, Infrastructure, Domestic Repair, Maintenance and Improvement, Place, Commissioning and Assets and Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
The CLC will fully utilise its expanded board to maintain – and further strengthen – engagement with major Government departments that shape policy and outcomes for the industry.

Mark Reynolds CBE (Executive Chairman, Mace Group and CLC Co-Chair) said:

“The CLC’s latest report highlights a successful and productive 2025 but also recognises that significant work still lies ahead if the sector is to meet its long term ambitions.

“What remains unchanged is the critical importance of collaboration between Government, regulators and industry — and ensuring that organisations of every size are part of that effort.

“By working together, we can accelerate progress in 2026 on the issues that matter most, from improving skills, safety and wellbeing to enhance industry performance and helping Government to achieve its growth objectives for housing, infrastructure, retrofit and remediation.”

Chris McDonald MP (Industry Minister and CLC Co-Chair) said:

“This new report shows how vital the Construction Leadership Council’s work was to our construction sector in 2025, including establishing the new Mission Board to oversee £625m of skills investment, supporting delivery of the Building Safety Act, and growing CO2nstructZero to involve more than 300 companies.
“Construction is central to the UK’s growth and as Co-Chair of the CLC I’m proud to back its 2026 action plan, which will streamline regulation to boost productivity, improve health and safety for workers and double down on sustainability so the sector can play its part with our natural environment.”

FIS recently visited Les Compagnons du Devoir in Strasbourg, alongside representatives from Locker & Riley, George Jackson Limited, and Saint-Gobain Formula, to gain first hand insight into one of Europe’s most renowned vocational training and apprenticeship systems.

Founded in the Middle Ages, Les Compagnons du Devoir has built a long-standing reputation for delivering high quality apprenticeship programs across construction, metalwork, woodworking, and other skilled trades. Its model, combining hands on experience, structured classroom learning, mentorship, and mobility across regions is widely regarded as a benchmark for vocational education.

Its influence extends well beyond France, with European trade bodies, governments, and 21,000 employers often looking to Les Compagnons as an exemplar of structured, effective skills development that produces highly capable, versatile tradespeople.

The visit offered FIS a unique opportunity to see how Les Compagnons du Devoir combines hands on experience, structured classroom learning, and mentorship to develop highly skilled tradespeople across construction and other sectors.

We were particularly interested in how the model integrates work placements with personal development and mobility, enabling apprentices to gain experience across multiple regions and companies.

During the visit, we toured training facilities, observed workshops in action, and met with tutors and apprentices to understand the balance between practical skills, theoretical learning,professional culture and equally as important, the way they live and eat, in building those life-long skills and community. They also discussed the organisation’s approach to quality assurance, skills certification, and career progression.

FIS Head of Skills and Training Beena Nana said:

“With ongoing skills shortages, it’s inspiring to see a structured, practical approach that combines practical experience with high quality training. Learning from proven models like Les Compagnons du Devoir provides real opportunities to explore how similar systems could be implemented in the UK. Collaboration and knowledge sharing like this will be key to building a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future.”

FIS is exploring how key elements of the Les Compagnons du Devoir model could be adapted to the UK context to strengthen skills development across the sector.

By combining practical experience with structured classroom learning, mentorship, and opportunities for mobility between companies, the UK could develop a more flexible, skilled, and resilient workforce.

While the approach would need to reflect UK industry needs, regulations, and apprenticeships, learning from this proven European model offers practical insights into how a structured, high quality training system can address current and future skills shortages.”  

On Monday 23 March Government opened a consultation on proposals to merge the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) into a single, unified Industry Training Board (ITB). The consultation closes on Sunday 14 June 2026.

The new ITB would serve both the construction and engineering construction sectors, replacing the separate roles currently fulfilled by CITB and ECITB.

Purpose of the consultation

The aim is to create a single body better equipped to support employers and address the skills challenges facing the construction and engineering construction sectors.

The proposal sets out:

• The rationale for ITB reform, including the skills challenges it seeks to address.
• The proposed approach to ITB reform and the intended benefits of a single, unified ITB.
• Technical details of creating a single ITB, including implications for governance, levy arrangements, and training provision.
• Alternative approaches to ITB reform that were considered.

The consultation also seeks views on two potential areas for future reform:

1. Whether further changes should be made to the employer activities covered by a single ITB.
2. Whether the maximum period for an ITB Levy Order should be extended beyond three years.

Your voice. FIS is encourages members to respond

FIS will be consolidating response via our Skills Board.  Members are encouraged to feed their views in and welcome to attend the next meeting to take part in deeper discussions. 

In response to the launch of the consultation, FIS Head of Skills Beena Nana said:

“Since becoming a Prescribed Organisation nearly a decade ago, we have consistently raised concerns about the CITB levy and how it delivers for our community, for you.  We welcome this consultation as an opportunity for our members to have their say on how we can rethink the future levies and the support the sector actually needs.

We encourage all members to review the proposals and respond. This is your platform and FIS is here to help raise your concerns and where possible, to bring change.

Your feedback will help ensure any reforms improve training, better target skills gaps, and support a workforce equipped for the evolving demands of the construction and engineering construction industries.”

The consultation comes at a critical time as workforce shortages and skills gaps continue to challenge the sector. FIS is inviting all members to take part to ensure the finishes and interiors sector is fully represented in shaping the future of the levy and training boards.

Details of the proposal, the consultation and how to respond can be found here: Industry Training Board reform – GOV.UK

Find out more about the FIS Skills Board

We are inviting members to take part in the ongoing government consultations on Construction Product Regulatory Reform.

Construction Products White Paper
This consultation follows the green paper consultation last year and seeks views on the broad reform proposed by Government to construction products to ensure that there are obligations on those placing products on the market. Members can respond directly to the consultation here before 20 May 2026, or complete and return the questions in this form and return to damianhill@thefis.org by Friday 8 May 2026.

General Safety Requirement on Construction Products
This consultation more narrowly covers the proposed regulatory regime for products not covered by a designated standard under a new General Safety Requirement (GSR) . Members can respond directly to the consultation here before 20 May 2026, or complete and return the questions in this form and return to damianhill@thefis.org by Friday 8 May 2026. 

If you have questions about the difference between these consultations, how they apply to you or the best way to respond, please feel free to contact jamesparlour@thefis.org, or damianhill@thefis.org

A ban on construction retention, interest on late payments and fines for perennial offenders are amongst a a stack of hard-hitting legislative interventions announced today by the UK Government as they set out to clamp down once and for all on payment abuse.

In what is undoubtedly the largest and most ambitious set of reforms in over a generation, this heralds a landmark day for construction.  The changes announced will include a new 60-day cap on payment terms on all large firms when paying smaller suppliers.  New mandatory interest on late payments will also be introduced, with a requirement for all commercial contracts to include statutory interest set at 8% above the Bank of England base rate.

For example, if a small business is owed £10,000 by one of its customers and is paid 60 days later than the agreed payment date, they will be owed £10,293.15 including mandatory interest (£10,000 plus £193.15 interest plus £100 compensation).

The Government also propose to ban the withholding of retention payments under the terms of construction contracts, consulting on its implementation. This will prevent small firms losing retentions to insolvency or non-payment.

In addition The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) will be given sweeping new powers to investigate poor payment practices and fine the worst offenders – with fines worth tens of millions for firms that persistently pay late or fail to comply with the new laws.  The SBC will also be given the power to adjudicate payment disputes, but FIS has been advised that this element will not apply to contracts currently covered by the Construction Act.

The measures, announced will be the toughest in the G7 and will build upon and strengthen legislation on late payments, first laid out in the 1998 Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act, over 25 years ago.  The stated aim is to boost the economy by giving small businesses better cashflow and ultimately tackle a problem that is estimated to be costing the UK economy £11 billion every year and address issues that are contributing to 38 businesses shut their doors every single day because they are not paid on time.

Responding to the announcement, Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive said:

 “This is a landmark day.  We have long called for retention to be abolished and the scourge of late payment to be addressed through regulation and here we are – a plausible set of recommendations laid out and a timeline is being set.  These issues have been a cancer at the core of our sector.  Negative behaviours have become the norm and have restricted capacity, inhibited workforce development and diminished the sector’s ability to perform.

We applaud Government for taking this stand and colleagues in the Civil Service for helping to champion the concerns of the supply chain and setting the wheels in motion for change.

We appreciate this is not the end, but we do very much see it as the beginning of the end for the worst of payment abuse and FIS has already committed to working with Government, the Small Business Commissioner and colleagues from across construction to make sure that the intent of these regulations is delivered and the opportunity to reshape construction is fully grasped”

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said:

“Far too many businesses are forced to shut down because they have not been paid – that is simply unacceptable.

“We are unveiling the strongest, most robust changes to payment laws in over a generation – laws that will transform the fortunes of small businesses for years to come and make their day to day lives much easier.”

Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, Blair McDougall said:

“I know first-hand how difficult late payments can be, forcing you to decide if you can afford to keep a business running, pay employees or even buy Christmas presents for your children.

“That is why I’m proud to be leading the charge on tackling a problem that has been left untouched for far too long.

“These are genuinely game changing measures that will ensure no business, no employer, no family has to endure the immense strain of being left strapped for cash they have already earnt.”

Emma Jones CBE, Small Business Commissioner said:

“We are on a mission to make life easier for small firms by getting money moving faster through the economy by tackling late payments. The measures the Government has announced today will strengthen the role of my office in taking on the worst payers alongside ensuring small businesses have a stronger voice on payment terms and late payment interest. These reforms will reduce the hours spent chasing debt allowing small businesses to focus on more productive and enjoyable growth.”

FIS has already met with officials to understand the extent and timline of this work and will keep members informed, but this is undoubtedly a positive day for all in the construction supply chain and a clear step towards a better payment culture in the sector.

You can see the published documents here: Late payments: tackling poor payment practices – GOV.UK

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The Construction Products Association Q4 Construction Trade Survey reports that the final three months of 2025 marked another quarter of downbeat reports from the construction supply chain.

For heavy side product manufacturers, the net balance that reported a fall in quarterly sales was the lowest since 2020 Q2, at the height of the pandemic lockdowns. Significantly, heavy side products and materials tend to be used in the earlier phases of construction, which adds to the picture of uncertainty stalling project starts seen throughout the second half of last year. Workloads were also reported to have fallen for chartered surveyors, extending a run of flat or negative growth to five quarters. Light side manufacturers and civil engineering contractors reported modest growth in sales or workloads.