by Clair Mooney | 6 Nov, 2023 | Skills
To help members recruit overseas skilled workers to fill the skills gaps being experienced in the industry which is inhibiting growth, FIS has partnered with specialist immigration lawyers, Migrate UK.
This partnership enables members to explore whether hiring overseas skilled workers is a viable route for them. Members will be supported with immigration legal guidance and advice on how to apply for a Sponsor License, Certificate of Sponsorship applications and compliance and record keeping.
Migrate UK will be offering all FIS members a 10% discount on all legal fees and offer an initial consultation free of charge. You can find details on this new member benefit at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/memberbenefits/immigration/
Migrate UK are hosting a webinar on Thursday 23rd November 2023 to look at Unlocking Global Talent: How to Employ Overseas Workers in the UK.
You can register for this webinar here
by Clair Mooney | 2 Nov, 2023 | Main News Feed
Business Models and Fair Payment Workstream – Pilot project to cut defects
CLC is running a pilot project on a scheme developed by the contractors’ umbrella body ActuateUK to tackle project defects at source with the long-term aim of removing the need for payment retentions. It takes previously successful data gathering schemes used to address health & safety concerns and late payment as its inspiration, with a similar focus on using anonymous data to tackle the root causes of our defects ‘culture’.
Both these earlier schemes produced tangible results and had a profound impact on the prevailing culture. Clients and contractors are invited to take part in the pilot by sharing their project data, which is non-attributed and will help to build up a picture of why defects come about and how we can set about eliminating them. Defects will be collected from completion certificates using processes developed by the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI).
They are compared and rationalised against the overall value of the contract, to enable comparison between projects and produce a score that can be used to evaluate a solution. This initial stage working with Cranfield University is strictly a proof of concept, a test that the data can be collected and collated from projects. But getting this right could unlock benefits for all parties.
Please use this link to submit your data.
For further information and questions please contact the CLC.
by Clair Mooney | 31 Oct, 2023 | Building Safety Act
In a written statement to Parliament this week, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove confirmed the transitional arrangements for second staircases in new residential buildings in England above 18 metres. From the date when the Government formally publishes the changes to Approved Document B, there will be a period of 30 months during which new Building Regulations applications can meet either the existing or the updated requirements. At the end of that period, all applications will be required to meet the updated requirements.
We understand that approved applications that have chosen to follow the existing guidance will have a further 18 months for construction to ‘sufficiently progress’. There will be no requirement to add a second staircase at a later stage provided they are built in accordance with the existing standards, well‐maintained and properly managed.
The Government has also published additional guidance on determining whether a building is a Higher‐Risk Building (HRB) as the definition varies for new buildings, existing buildings, and those ‘in occupation’. It confirms that military accommodation which is over 18 metres or at least 7 storeys and has two or more residential units will be brought into scope of the HRB regime.
by Clair Mooney | 30 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed, Skills
This year’s SkillBuild event is taking place from 21 -23 November 2023. You can watch the national finalists battle it out during the competition, attend a Continual Professional Development session, hosted by an expert panel of judges, in one of the 10 competition trades, and have go at a range of inspiring activities that highlight construction trades at the designated careers experience hub, the Construction Showcase
SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices, and as competitors progress through each stage, they are tested on their technical abilities, time management, character, and commitment. The competition is viewed by many as an opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem, and life skills. The winners of the SkillBuild UK National Final are classed as the best in the UK.
Book your ticket here
Featured this year is the Construction Showcase, an interactive event on 22 November designed to encourage young people to consider a career in construction and to have some fun with the construction have-a-go activities!
The event will include construction-based activities suited to all age ranges, skills games, quizzes and videos showcasing the variety of construction occupations available. Also featured is a series of curriculum-related resources, from Key Stage 2 through to Key Stage 5, as well as STEM Ambassadors from the industry, to support and answer questions from those curious about construction.
Not only will groups take part in the Construction Showcase, but they will also be able to have a guided tour of the competitions by a SkillBuild expert, and take home some goodies too! If you know a youth group who would be interested in attending, they can claim their free tickets to attend here.
by Clair Mooney | 24 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
The FIS Partitions and Pods working group is made up of members who manufacture supply and install glazed, and industrial partitions, and meeting pods. The group meet to discuss issues and develop initiatives such as the acoustic verification scheme, the classification of pods and produce guidance for specifiers and installers.
We are now looking for a new chair, to help lead this group, provide guidance on direction and ensure that the meetings run efficiently and are in accordance with the competition act and our code of conduct.
To be FIS Working groups are chaired by members and are re-elected every two years.
The role is open to FIS members only. If you would like to nominate yourself for the position of Chair please send a brief application telling us why you would be an ideal chair to JoeCilia@theFis.org no latter than 31 November.
by Clair Mooney | 23 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
According to the latest CPA Construction Industry Forecasts, construction output is expected to fall by 6.8% in 2023, similar to the 7.0% contraction forecast three months ago, before a further marginal fall of 0.3% in 2024, a revision down from the 0.7% growth forecast in the Summer. Both private housing and private housing rm&i are forecast to be the worst affected by the prevailing economic conditions of flatlining growth, stubborn inflation and interest rates remaining at peak throughout 2024. Infrastructure activity remains strong down on the ground due to work continuing on major projects but there are signs that more roads projects are being pushed back or cancelled than anticipated previously, limiting the sector’s growth over the next 12 months.
“With only a couple of months left in a difficult year for construction and looking forward to 2024, the evidence suggests it will still be a while before the clouds begin to lift. Both new build housing and rm&i have taken a significant hit from rising interest rates, falling real wages and weak economic growth and demand is expected to remain subdued for house purchases and improvements.”
CPA Head of Construction Research, Rebecca Larkin
FIS members can download their copy of the Forecast here.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
The Home Office has increased the fees for most types of visas, including the ‘Skilled Worker’ visa used by most workers from outside the UK in construction.
- For those applying for a visa from outside the UK, the fee is £719 for up to three years and £1,420 for more than three years.
- For those already in the UK extending, switching or updating their visa, the fee is £827 for up to three years and £1,500 for more than three years.
- For occupations on the Shortage Occupations List, the fee is £551 for up to three years and £1,084 for more than three years, regardless of whether applying from in or outside the UK.
From early 2024, the fine for employing illegal workers will increase from £15,000 to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first offence and from £20,000 to £60,000 for repeated offences. Depending on the individual, employers have the following options for ensuring they have right to work in the UK: a digital check via a certified Identity Service Provider, an online check via the Home Office online service, or an in‐person manual document‐based check.
by Clair Mooney | 18 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
The FIS team have been hard at work and achieved some brilliant results across our Technical, Business Development, Sustainability. Skills and Training, and Lobbying efforts. Here’s a short look back at Q3 of 2023
Key technical work
- Reviewed raft of newly published secondary regulations and launched the FIS simple overview of theBuilding Safety Act and Wider Building Regulation Reform
- Ran fire walls and penetrations webinar co-ordinated with the Passive Fire Knowledge Group
- Ran promotional campaign on fire walls and fire labels to Tier 1 Contractors
- Key technical guidance issued covering: Reporting non-confirming installations; Top 10 risks to avoid when procuring and installing fire resistant drylining and Plastering to floor level with applied skirting
Business support and guidance
- FIS community strengthened by record number of applications
- Launched new new risk management offering via a webinar
Lobbying and representation
- FIS responds on behalf of its members to:
the Morrell and Day Report (recommendations to improve and strengthen the testing regime forconstruction products),
the Industry Training Board Review
the proposed changes to taxation of umbrella workers
the Government consultation on addressing carbon leakage risk to support decarbonisation.
the Procurement Bill
- FIS declares support for the new Quality Charter in Scotland calling for better procurement andcontinues to support the Conflict Avoidance Coalition across the UK.
- FIS CEO Iain McIlwee invited to join expert panel of the Home Builders Skills Partnership looking atsupply chain relationships.
- FIS lobbying success on Late Payment with new measures on value, disputed invoices and retention tobe included in the Duty to Report
Skills and training
- Collaboration with Skills Development Scotland, CITB and Scottish members on the review anddevelopment of existing apprenticeships in ceilings and partitions, providing a structure for any futurereview and development of apprenticeships and vocational qualifications.
- FIS supported the launch of the new Rockfon Training facility.
- Finalised the Drylining Competency Plan and started work on developing SKEB statements for all coretrades and supporting roles.
- Collaboration with DWP to develop material which aims to upskill DWP staff and showcase theopportunities available in our sector.
- Exploratory work with Prisons and DWP (Dept for Work and Pensions) in preparation for a pilot withBuild UK Open Doors programme in 2024.
Key Events
- Scottish Awards Lunch – celebrating the scottish sector
- Hosted working groups for steel framed systems and partitions
- FIS Birmingham event featuring expert speakers from the Deeley Group, the world of Risk Managementand Insurance as well as a lived experience mental health presentation that silenced the room
- Delivered webinars covering risk when selecting fire walls and penetrations, flexi-job apprenticeshipsand managing organisational risk
Sustainability
- FIS published a new pre fit-out audit standard to support a common approach to managing strip-outto deliver optimum net zero results.
- FIS Schools Research conducted with Class of Your Own fed into the City of London Skills for aSustainable Skyline Taskgroup work. FIS continues to support this ongoing project looking at theneed to upgrade offices across the City.
Download this document here
by Clair Mooney | 17 Oct, 2023 | Building Safety Act
FIS has today launched new guidance – Introduction to the Golden Thread and Digital Information Plans – to help businesses in the finishes and interiors sector get to grips with all the jargon and new regulations associated with the golden thread and digitalisation of construction.
A recent FIS Digitalisation Survey found that 60% of contractors and 44% of product manufacturers and suppliers do not understand what is needed to meet Digital/Golden Thread Requirements in the Building Regulations. In light of these findings, this new FIS guide has been designed to help product suppliers and contractors operating in the finishes and interiors sector cut through the complex terminology and begin to form their own digital plan of work. It draws on published information and principles set down in a myriad of technical and information standards and aligns this to the requirements set down in the Building Safety Act and wider reform of Construction Regulations.
The new guidance provides an overview of the Building Safety Act 2022, the golden thread of information and the new regulatory framework. There is an emphasis on Stage 4 (Technical Design) and Stage 5 (Construction Information) of the RIBA Plan of Work. The guide brings clarity to digitalisation, the new common data environment (CDE) responsibilities and explains how to manage product data and what is needed in order to create a digital information plan. It also explores BIM, digital twins and the role of artificial intelligence.
Commenting on the guide, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of the FIS said:
“At the heart of this document is the principle that no one company and no one solution will or should deliver the golden thread alone. It is inherently a collaborative process that should ensure essential information is shared effectively and understood thoroughly. This is the responsibility of all in the supply chain.”
We hope that this new FIS guidance brings clarity and provides an understanding of what is required for companies to form their own digital plan of work.”
You can download the Introduction to the Golden Thread and Digital Information Plans at https://www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub/digital-toolkit/
by Clair Mooney | 16 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
The Scottish Government has published the Scottish Social Housing Tender Price Index (SSHTPI) quarterly report. The report measures the movement in construction costs of social housing in Scotland and is based on analysing the construction costs in accepted tenders for affordable housing. Having fallen over the previous two quarters, tender prices for social housing in Scotland in April to June 2023-24, as measured by the SSHTPI, rose 1.3% compared with the previous quarter and 6.9% compared with the same quarter in 2022-23. Underlying construction costs of labour, materials, and plant rose 0.7% quarter-on-quarter in the same period and by 2.8% compared with the same quarter a year earlier. The latest data for housing starts in Scotland are nearly 40% down on the same period a year earlier, when 647 social houses were started, and private sector starts were down 23%. Alongside the SSHTPI, a general description of the index has been published.
by Clair Mooney | 12 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
The New Hospital Programme is holding an Autumn Market Update on Thursday 9 November from 11:00am to 5:00pm in London and online.
The market briefing will be a chance for Industry to hear about Programme developments and its approach to delivery with further details to be shared around key strategic areas of the Hospital 2.0 standardised design approach, the Programme Digital Strategy, and the overarching Commercial approach.
You can register your interest here, with in‐person places limited to one per organisation.
by Clair Mooney | 12 Oct, 2023 | Skills
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended to Government that just eight occupations across the whole economy should be on the Shortage Occupations List (SOL) going forward, including three in construction (bricklayers and masons; roofers, roof tilers and slaters; and construction and building trades not elsewhere classified).
The reason cited is:
“Whilst respondents provided evidence of shortage, there was insufficient evidence provided by stakeholders about measures that had been taken to try to attract more workers. The occupation is of clear public value but attempts to fill the shortages should be made by the industry with the tools available, such as efforts to increase direct employment, creating attractive terms and conditions and benefits packages, and using the existing SW route. Only if these attempts are made but do not solve shortages, should the SOL be considered as a next step.”
However, the MAC is calling on Government to confirm whether or not the Skilled Worker route should be expanded to include low‐wage RQF 3 occupations in order to determine the future of the SOL.
In what would be a significant change of policy, the MAC proposes that the SOL should be either abolished or heavily reformed if Government does not support such occupations being included, in order to meet the demand for labour whilst ensuring that low‐wage workers are protected. The CLC is currently considering its response to the MAC report.
Commenting on the recommendations FIS CEO stated:
“At this stage these are only recommendations and I hope that Government show a bit of pragmatism and leadership. The reality is that they have only just, in August!, added key trades like Dry Lining and Plastering to the Shortage List following consultation at the start of the year. We are moving in to farcical terriotory here, not much is going to have changed in six weeks!!
It is true that there are serious shortfalls in construction training, but they are not limited to construction. Apprenticeship targets have been missed then removed across the economy as employers are being stifled by educational policy that just isn’t fit for purpose – the fact Government have trousered £4.3 billion of unclaimed apprenticeship levy is testament to this.
This is compounded in construction by procurement practices that only encourage shortermism and don’t reward vital things like investment in training. It would be more helpful for MAC to focus on the shortages and needs and Government look inward to encourage reform in education and support for training or as construction picks up the rapant wage rate inflation in wake of cronic shortages will mean construction works and vital investment in the UK will be jeopardised.”
by Clair Mooney | 12 Oct, 2023 | Skills
FIS Training Provider member DMR has a suite of funding available for FIS members in Greater Manchester, Greater London and England.
- Greater Manchester: Greater Manchester Combined Authority Funding
NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Drylining, Joinery, Fitted Interiors, Passive Fire Protection and more.
- Greater London: Mayor of London Funding
NVQ Level 2 & 3 for Insulation and Retrofit Firms.
- England: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Funding
Fully funded NVQ 2 & 3 in Insulation. Funding covers all Insulation and Retrofit trades and is available to eligible firms in England including those seeking PAS 2030 certification for ECO4 work.
For more information and the terms and conditions that apply to these funding options, please contact Marie Flinter on 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 12 Oct, 2023 | Sustainability
According to Defra, the construction industry is responsible for 68 million tonnes of construction and demolition wastes each year. While 92% of those wastes are recovered, that still leaves 5 million tonnes going to landfill. It is also understood that most of construction and demolition wastes are crushed and used in low value applications. Products installed in buildings, in particular, in fit out projects, are often taken out of buildings before the end of their useful life because, for example, a new tenants moves in. this generates large amount of unnecessary wastes.
As the pressure on the sector is growing to reduce its environmental impact, there is a need to identify products before the building is stripped out – this can be done through a visual audit which can identify type, quantities and locations of the products.
To support this, FIS has published a document, based on the CIWM pre-redevelopment audit protocol, to guide contractors through the best practice approach of carrying pre-fitout audit. The document explains who is best placed to do it, why it is important, when is best to do it and what the audit should contain.
by Clair Mooney | 11 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
As part of our service offering, FIS provide a contract, QS and legal helpline service. Demand for this helpline has increased in recent months and concerns have been highlighted related to the level of risk (particularly around design and delay associated with the new regulatory environment) being passed through the supply chain. In response to this we have identified the need to introduce a new FIS Contract Review Service.
Unlike the helpline, which reacts to member enquiries once a problem has been identified, the contract review service provides pro-active support that will seek to identity onerous contract clauses before work starts, thus seeking to avoid contract issues further down the line.
The subsidised service will be staffed by a panel of four experts, and it will be the member’s choice as to which panel member they choose. The starting price will be £450 for an initial review and written summary and an additional £150 if a virtual meeting is required to go through the contract in more detail. Prices will be tiered around size of contract.
The panel will use the collective wisdom generated through this work to isolate trends, identify onerous clauses and update on the state of the contractual market for regular reporting purposes. They will offer guidance to FIS and its membership, through a series of advisory articles. This work builds on our ongoing commitment to support the RICS Conflict Avoidance Process (more details in our Legal and Contractual Toolkit) .
Speaking of the new service, FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee said:
“This new service has been developed in response to the procurement research we did earlier in the year that identified that specialist contractors often find themselves under significant pressure to sign amended forms of contracts in the absence of any legal advice. We have been monitoring this closely and continue to see unacceptable risk transfer through heavily amended standard form contracts. If anything, this practice seems to be getting worse and it is increasingly hard to understand how unwieldy schedules of amendments are sneaking risk through. This is being too readily accepted as normal behaviour, so much so that companies are at times not even reading the contacts. We have to ensure that businesses and individuals understand and manage the risks that they are signing up to.
This new contract review service is designed to bring a bit of structure to how we respond, ensuring our members have access to the best possible advice in their negotiation of and management of contract and at least understand and can mitigate any risks that they are contracted to. This forms part of our wider work in supporting the Conflict Avoidance Pledge. Conflict management starts before the contract is signed and sometimes we need to be ready with an informed and responsible “no”. Through this service we will be working with the reviewers to monitor contractual trends and ensure that we are responding effectively to them as a community.”
You can find out more about the Contract review service at the FIS Regional Meeting in Manchester on 28 November and via our dedicated webpage here
by Clair Mooney | 10 Oct, 2023 | Building Safety Act
by Clair Mooney | 10 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
The British Property Federation (BPF) has, through its Construction Committee, developed voluntary guidelines that all BPF members are encouraged to adopt in their approach to payment.
A fair and transparent approach to payment is essential for ensuring a successful construction industry. The Charter sets out a number of important areas where construction clients are well placed to drive up standards, including mechanisms to cascade fair payment down the supply chain and approaches to demonstrate transparency of payment terms.
More information can be found here.
by Clair Mooney | 9 Oct, 2023 | Building Safety Act
by Clair Mooney | 6 Oct, 2023 | Building Safety Act
FIS together with The Steel Construction Institute and members of the FIS SFS working group have agreed the following statement regarding industry research on mechanical fixings/fasteners to support Light Gauge Steel Framing [LGSF) infill walls to encased hot-rolled steel beams.
Please contact joecilia@thefis.org if you would like to be involved in this ongoing study.
by Clair Mooney | 5 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
In light of secondary legislation to the Building Safety Act and The Building Regulations (Amendment) which came into force on 1 October 2023, many people are looking to existing contractual arrangements and asking if they already fulfil new requirements, or in some cases presuming that they already do due to a resemblance.
This is of particular concern where provisions from the Building Safety Act apply to all building projects, not just to higher-risk buildings (HRBs).
As legislation does not prescribe the fine detail of processes, many of the mechanisms used to facilitate provisions under the legislation such as change control, information management, competence management and mandatory occurrence reporting already exist and are being used.
Whilst this can be viewed as a positive reflection of progress, consider that both compliance and non-compliance can both look very similar to what we are used to seeing on-site, but “business as usual” is by no means the way forward.
Considering the appointment of a “Principal Designer” and Principal Contractor” as an example, these are required by the amended Building Regulations and do not apply only to HRBs as follows:
11D.— (3) The appointments under this regulation must be made—
(a) in relation to a project which includes higher-risk building work for which an application for building control approval must be submitted to the regulator, before that application is submitted;
(b) in relation to any other project, before the construction phase begins.
Whist these roles need to be appointed, there is no text in the legislation that prohibits a party from sharing these roles and the associated liabilities, meaning that it is quite possible for a D&B contractor to act as both principal contractor, and principal designer.
The danger comes from the presumption that parties on site can fulfil these roles by their function alone without being appointed, or have been appointed when they haven’t, and it bears repeating that according to the Building Regulations:
11D.— (1) Where there is more than one contractor, or it is reasonably foreseeable that more than one contractor will be working on a project, the client must appoint in writing—
(a) a designer with control over the design work as the principal designer for the purposes of these Regulations, and
(b) a contractor with control over the building work as the principal contractor for the purposes of these Regulations.
Outside of the principal roles, it is important to remember that “designer” and “contractor” are defined only by function, and are not appointed, so consider that it is possible to fulfil these roles unintentionally.
SpecFinish – The Unintentional Designer
FIS – Introduction to the Building Safety Act
