Watch the recording of CPA’s webinar here
FIS members can access the recording of the CPA’s latest webinar on the Building Safety Act. Peter Caplehorn summarised the key changes of the Act and with the secondary legislation coming into place later in the year, CPA will be hosting another webinar to discuss it – watch this space!
The latest weekly update from CPA is available to members here. The updated issues are in Pages 1-6 of the weekly update whilst subsequent pages have existing data and information that remain relevant. This update includes:
FIS has access to a wide range of market data from sources including the CPA, Barbour ABI and Builders’ Conference. In addition, FIS produces a state of trade survey specifically for the finishes and interiors sector.
Public consultation launched by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) on planned new employer-focused approvals system for level 3 technical qualifications.
IfATE want to hear from employers on their proposals to approve the next generation of technical qualifications. The consultation runs from 30 June until midnight on 10 August.
Why employer views matter
A truly integrated skills system brings employers (or their representatives) into the heart of product design, ensuring that employers’ skill needs, across occupations, can be fully understood and met. IfATE share the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) ambition that, in future, the qualifications landscape should be streamlined, offering clear career progression opportunities and giving confidence that qualifications are high quality.
A fundamental part of this will be IfATE’s employer-led occupational standards, alignment to which ensures that students are gaining the knowledge, skills and behaviours employers tell us are needed to be competent in an occupation. The occupational standards are presented in the IfATE occupational maps; these underpin their work, setting out the occupations that can be accessed through technical education. This is an opportunity to share your views and support IfATE to achieve their ambitious plans by helping them shape the approvals process for qualifications submitted as part of the revitalised technical education landscape.
You can access the consultation via this link: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/reviews-and-consultations/consultations/post-16-consultation/. For any questions in relation to this consultation, please contact Ifate.POST16@education.gov.uk
FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia will be taking part in a seminar focussing on fire door compliance and their surrounding supporting constructions. This seminar is a collaboration between Selo | Riser doors & Concealed frame doorsets, Knauf and FIS, to help the whole industry progress.
Understanding the issues and interface between the supporting structure, and the fire doors is key for a compliant installation, yet things can be missed especially in the construction phase when temporary doors are installed.
The event is being held on 14 July and can be attended in person, or online. For more details and to register visit https://selo.global/seminar-doors-walls-under-review/
The Building Safety Act has now taken effect, introducing the most significant changes to building safety regulation in a generation, including:
The Government has published a series of factsheets to help dutyholders and the wider industry understand the new requirements.
The latest statement from the CLC Product Availability Group confirms that average inflation for products and materials so far this year has been around 23% with further increases to come, particularly for energy intensive products. Cost escalation is now the key issue facing Build UK members across the supply chain. To help address this, Build UK has piblished comprehensive guidance on Managing Price Inflation with the support of Wedlake Bell LLP, which covers fluctuations clauses, negotiating new and existing contracts to take inflation into account, and how to mitigate its impact on projects. All members are encouraged to find ways to work together to manage the current pressures in the interests of projects and the supply chain.
The changes within Government this week have included the resignation of Construction Minister and CLC Co‐Chair Lee Rowley and the sacking of Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, who had oversight of building safety and the response to the Grenfell Tower fire. Following the appointment of new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, it remains to be seen what actions will now be taken by the Government to tackle rising inflation.
FIS has been successful in its application to work with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute), The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and The Office for Students (OfS) in the quality assurance of the apprentice End-point Assessments. As an Employer Directory Organisation FIS represent the employer’s voice working primarily with the Institute.
The commitment for FIS is to support a network of subject matter experts known as Employer Directory Experts who will work with Ofqual and/or OfS on assuring end-point assessment in order to provide insight, intelligence and expert resource. Each individual will be approved for this work by FIS. The work will be commissioned by Ofqual and/or OfS and individuals will be paid for the service they provide.
This system is about improving the End-point Assessment for the Interior Systems Installer, Dryliner and Ceiling and Partitions Installer and Plasterer, Solid and Fibrous so that it remains relevant and accurately assesses an apprentice’s competence.
Commenting on the appointment FIS CEO Iain McIlwee commented “It is vital that we get the qualifications to work for us as a sector and this is only possible if we roll up our sleeves and get stuck in to the reform process. We are crying out for people, we have ever more onerous qualification requirements and fundamentally we want to elevate the perception of the whole sector, so people see what we see – a professional, skilled sector that attracts people and that people are proud to be part of. To do this we need of practitioners, employers who know what they need from new entrants, to sit on the various working groups to ensure that the qualifications are relevant and have pathways that are deliverable for businesses in the finishes and interiors sector. It is great to be, through this appointment, part of the process, but this is only the start – the work starts now and we need the industry to get behind us.”
FIS is also working on apprenticeship reform in Scotland, where the Carpentry and Joinery and Dryliner Apprenticeships are currently starting a review process. If you are interested in supporting qualification reform in England or Scotland please contact George Swann 07553 874838 or email georgeswann@thefis.org.
Find out more about qualifications in the finishes and interiors sector here.
As a result of the FIS Regional Events FIS has made an effort to address some of the key points raised by audiences. This is detailed in our report which is available to download here.
With labour shortages and recruitment, a key challenge within the sector, presentations and discussions focused on the scale of the problem, local opportunities and provided ideas to support recruitment, retention, social responsibility, competence and funding. A summary of the key point and potential actions taken from these events has been linked to the FIS Skill and Competency Strategy for 2022 to show what is being done to support the sector. Thanks go to all who attended, with particular thanks to CITB who sponsored the events and all of the guest speakers. We know from the feedback received many took away useful information and we look forward to seeing you at the next round of FIS regional events later this year.
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has completed negotiations with trade unions GMB and Unite the Union and reached agreement on a 5.0% increase in all pay rates, which will take effect from Monday 25 July 2022. Non‐taxable elements of pay, such as travel and subsistence allowances, will also increase,
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement – sometimes referred to as ‘The Pink Book’ – is an agreement between employers and Trade Unions setting out terms and conditions, including national pay rates, that are applied in principle by ‘adherent bodies’ and others across the industry. The aim of CIJC is to help avoid industrial disputes, and simplify the process of negotiating terms between employers and workers. In addition to standard rates of pay, not taxable expenses such as travel and accommodation costs, are incorporated into the agreement.
FIS is represented and the Board were consulted and fed vies in via our membership of Build UK. Other organisations involved in the negotiations include Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), Home Builders Federation (HBF), National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), National Federation of Builders (NFB), National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), Painting & Decorating Association (PDA), Scottish Building Federation (SBF) and Trades Unions Unite the Union and GMB.
The statutory review of the Duty to Report regulations published in April highlighted the ‘positive impact’ that Build UK’s benchmarking of payment performance has had across the sector, with Build UK contractor members now taking an average of just 32 days to pay invoices. Ahead of the Building Safety Act coming into force this week,the Working Group 2 report was delivered, benchmarking the competence requirements for six occupations identified as priorities for ensuring fire safety in buildings. Along with the CSCS Smart Check app launched in April, this represents a major step towards ensuring that individuals deemed competent have the appropriate knowledge, skills and training to undertake their role.
FIS has partnered with My Professional Pass to provide a platform where an individual’s competence can be stored digitally all in one place, and shared with employers or others that require proof of competence. The FIS Competency Passport is free to individuals and FIS members receive a substantial discount off the cost of the platform.
The scope of the standard is to lay out the requirements for the implementation and approach to value based decision making taking into account the project lifecycle.
The screen grabs below provide some commentary which will help you understand the background and scope in more detail.
Commenting on Standards before publication provides BSI with instant feedback on the viability and benefits of the standard which we expect to be implemented by the public sector and in turn through procurement routes.
To get involved please follow this link to register on the portal. You can the access the draft and share your comments using this link: https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/9022-07261#/section
The closing date for comments is 20 July.
NB the draft can not be copied or downloaded.
Statement from John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation and Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products Association, co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group
In general, product availability is improving. Some products, including bricks, aircrete blocks, some roof tiles and semi-conductors, which are extensively used in building services products and gas boilers, remain on allocation or subject to longer lead times. Otherwise manufacturers are mostly keeping up with demand and, as stated in our last report, the market has become adept at managing supply with planned delivery times.
Generally, demand is expected to remain positive into the second half of 2022, though some sectors such as private housing RM&I appear to be coming off their highest levels for certain products. Market participants suggest that a slight slowdown in demand may in fact serve to allow stocks to be rebuilt and improve availability.
Average inflation for products and materials so far this year has been around 23%; with more significant price increases in energy intensive products such as insulation, cement, concrete and many steel products. Further price increases for those products are anticipated in the second half of the year owing to rising energy prices and input costs, and some have already been telegraphed to customers.
Concerns have arisen that volatile inflation has led to the failure of relevant indices to reflect market reality. Some contractors are engaging in dialogue to use prime cost, provisional sums and target price-based contract mechanisms to mitigate the risks.
Timber prices, however, have largely stabilised from the highs of last summer. This is largely due to easing demand and strong stocks of structural timber on the ground in the UK making supplies readily available for contractors and merchants. The price of structural timber in Europe and America remains firm to strong and, as a consequence, UK imports of structural timber are reducing. Some panel products have even seen reductions since the first quarter but structural Plywood prices remain firm. Birch Plywood and it potential substitutes have seen little or no availability due to Russian sanctions causing significant upwards price pressure for these products.
Recruitment, retention and related wage inflation continue to present serious concerns across UK construction and may supplant product availability issues in 2023 among the key risks facing the industry. For example, there is clear evidence from the PAG’s participants that skills shortages are making some SME builders reluctant to take on projects, as they don’t have the trades to complete the work.
The UK Government made a major announcement regarding the transition to the UK marking ahead of the ending of recognition of CE marking on 31 December 2022. The change will allow manufacturers with existing type tests from EU notified bodies under AVCP System 3, where the product was tested by 31 December 2022, to affix the UK mark to their products, and to continue to supply them to the GB market without needing to be retested. Further government guidance is here.
The announcement has been welcomed by industry, as it helps alleviate some concerns amongst manufacturers about the ability to place their products on the UK market in 2023. That said, there are many questions and risks still outstanding and industry is awaiting further details from Government. The PAG points out that the Construction Leadership Council is studying the announcement and guidance closely, with the aim of highlighting any outstanding areas of concern and the potential impact on product availability.
Members may also be interested in this Commodities Flash Report of May 2022
The Building Safety Act introduces a set of new roles and responsibilities for people who manage occupied, high-rise residential buildings.
Although the Act has become law, the duties it describes for existing occupied high-rise residential buildings have not come into force yet. Registration of existing buildings is expected to begin in April 2023, with the Building Assessment Certificate process expected to begin in April 2024.
A toolbox has been created to help those who will have duties under the Act to get ready for the new regime and manage risks effectively.
If you manage a high-rise residential building, you’ll need to take all reasonable steps to:
The Act defines a building safety risk as the spread of fire, or structural failure. The spread of fire includes the spread of all forms of combustion, for example smoke, fumes, and heat.
In the Act, those responsible for occupied, high-rise residential buildings will be required to:
BSR will be publishing case studies and examples of proportionate responses to common situations as we develop the new regime.
The following series of pages will help you to prepare for the new regime. They contain information and advice on what the Building Safety Regulator is likely to need in any submission.
Safety case information in more detail
For a full explanation on the Building Safety Act and how it relates to FIS Members click here
FIS is supporting this year’s Inspiring Change Conference and Awards Ceremony, which is taking place on Wednesday 6 July in London. If you haven’t yet booked your place, this is your last chance. You can register here
The Inspiring Change Conference 2022 is part of the FIR in Construction Programme, sponsored by CITB. It is your opportunity to hear inspirational speakers from diverse backgrounds, including politicians, industry stakeholders, and representatives from other sectors, who have promoted culture change within their organisations to create more inclusive workplaces and communities.
Hear from those who attended our last event
On the day you will:
The conference will incorporate the Inspiring Change Awards which highlight and reward organisations within the construction and infrastructure sector that have created more inclusive cultures in their workplaces, education, and the community.
The conference will be followed by Drinks Reception until 6pm.
Who should attend:
Those who can influence culture change within their organisation – Directors and Senior managers such as Chief Executives, leaders in Business Improvement and Business Development, Supply Chain and Procurement, HR and EDI Managers, Community Engagement, FIR Ambassadors and advocate on equality and inclusion.
The latest weekly update from CPA is available to members here. The updated issues are in Pages 1-5 of the weekly update whilst subsequent pages have existing data and information that remain relevant. This update includes:
The next CPA forecasts (Summer) will be published on Monday 25 July and there will be a CPA webinar on the forecasts at 11.00 on Wednesday 27 July.
FIS has access to a wide range of market data from sources including the CPA, Barbour ABI and Builders’ Conference. In addition, FIS produces a state of trade survey specifically for the finishes and interiors sector.
One of UK construction’s most recognised executives has been chosen to succeed Andy Mitchell as the new Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council.
Following an open recruitment process, an independent panel comprising industry, members of the CLC’s Senior Advisors Group and Government officials, recommended Mark Reynolds (Mace Group Chairman and CEO) to lead the CLC in partnership with Lee Rowley MP (BEIS Minister for Industry). The panel also recommended Richard Robinson (CEO, Atkins UK and Europe) for the newly created Deputy Co-Chair role.
Mr Reynolds has played a key leadership role in the CLC in recent years, including jointly chairing its People & Skills work stream; and co-ordinating its response to the Covid pandemic. As a member of CLC’s Steering Co-Ordination Group, he shaped the CLC’s 2022 Strategy with its focus on Construct Zero, Building Safety, meeting the skills challenge, and implementing the Construction Playbook. He also chairs the Government’s Construction Skills Delivery Group.
Mr Reynolds will be building on the four CLC priorities as he officially takes on the role today – 23 June 2022
Mr Reynolds commented:
“I am delighted to take on this exciting co-chair role following the great work by Andy over the last four years. During that time, I have seen first-hand how the CLC can make a real difference for companies across the whole of the industry”.
“We have faced – and continue to face – challenges that no one organisation can tackle on its own, such as the cost of inflation and impact of rising energy prices; global supply chain pressures and ensuring our collective progression to Net Zero. I am also very pleased to be working with Richard Robinson, CEO for Atkins UK and Europe, on this agenda; who will strengthen our collective leadership and capacity in his role as Deputy Co-Chair.”
“The CLC, working in partnership with Government, provides crucial leadership to the sector. We do this most effectively where we speak to, and for, all parts of industry. Whilst I will continue the CLC’s focus on its four priorities, I would like to engage and listen to the wider industry over the summer to ensure we continue to deliver on the issues that matter most to us as a sector. I want to take this opportunity to encourage organisations across construction to get involved with the CLC’s work.”
Commenting on the appointment, Construction Minister Lee Rowley MP said:
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Mark as the new chair of the CLC. He’s been a key part of the Council in recent years, helping coordinate the industry’s Covid response, as well as supporting job creation in his role with the Construction Skills Delivery Group.
Mark will play a vital role in the months and years ahead as we work to decarbonise the industry through Construct Zero, support it through the Building Safety Act’s introduction, and deliver the first sector-wide skills plan for construction.
I would also like to pay tribute to Andy Mitchell for his outstanding leadership to date, which puts the CLC in a strong position to keep delivering for the sector.”
Outgoing chair Andy Mitchell said:
“The CLC is in a great position to lead industry transformation, working together to overcome any issues that may affect companies nationwide. I am delighted that Mark will be driving forward the Council’s agenda, and look forward to seeing the outputs of its work in the future”.
The Construction Innovation Hub is celebrating the completion of the Value Toolkit, following a successful development programme with over 200 industry partners. The announcements include the launch of a new BSI flex standard to underpin value-based decisions making in the sector.
Bringing together those who have contributed to its journey, including government, clients and industry partners, the Hub is now sharing the transition phase to adoption.
The Value Toolkit is a pioneering suite of tools that will be used by industry to embed value-based decision making in the built environment sector. It is a government funded industry-led initiative – with roots in the Construction Leadership Council’s Procuring for Value report and set to deliver on the ambitions of the Construction Playbook and the IPA’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance Roadmap.
The Toolkit has been developed to reframe the definition of value, and how it can be evaluated and measured, capturing wider, whole-life considerations around net-zero, user experience, productivity and social impact.
Working with partners and collaborating has been critical to the success and there are few corners of the sector that the Value Toolkit has not touched – from local authorities to central government departments, consultancies, contractors and specialist SMEs. The ambition is now for widespread adoption, driven by government and underpinned by industry.
Keith Waller, Programme Director at the Construction Innovation Hub, said:
This is a landmark moment for the Hub and our industry partners, and a gamechanger for construction and the built environment.
Decision making in construction has been historically driven by how much something cost, or how long it took to build. The Toolkit delivers a laser-like focus on project outcomes that delivers value beyond the bottom line, and positively affect communities and those who live in them for decades to come. It will ensure a more collaborative relationship between clients and suppliers throughout the whole life of a project”.
Construction Minister Lee Rowley MP said:
It’s good to see this new initiative come to fruition after a successful pilot. The Toolkit reflects the Government’s desire to ensure we embrace a construction procurement process that has clean, green innovation at its heart.
It complements our commitment to boost the productivity of this vital industry as part of our plans to grow the economy and create good quality jobs. I look forward to continuing to work with the Construction Leadership Council to realise this ambition.”
Rory Kennedy, Value Toolkit Strategy Board Chair and Director of Capital, Department for Education said:
This is a proud day for the many individuals, businesses and organisations who have worked tirelessly through huge collaborative effort to develop, evolve and shape the Value Toolkit.
The Value Toolkit is a powerful initiative that enables value-based decision-making – that best reflect the full range of commonly desired benefits, including better social, environmental and economic outcomes. Government, clients, and the industry all agree that a different approach to value is needed. An approach that reflects a shared ambition for a built environment that delivers more – one that provides a springboard for economic growth, enhances communities, and sustains the environment. The Value Toolkit is this new approach.
I look forward to seeing the Value Toolkit go from strength to strength as Government and industry drive wider adoption”.
Andy Mitchell, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) commented:
For far too long now we have talked cost with little or no reference to value; we have talked outputs not outcomes. The Value Toolkit seeks to see an end to this by providing a comprehensive suite of tools that will help clients and suppliers alike develop a real understanding of what is actually important as we specify, design and deliver infrastructure for people and society.
I would like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point, and encourage everyone else to understand, use and help develop this Toolkit going forward”
More information about the Value Toolkit and how to get involved is available here.
With the industry facing inflationary pressures not seen in the UK for 40 years, cost escalation is a key issue for members across the supply chain. Last week, the Bank of England raised interest rates for the fourth time this year to 1.25% and reported that “construction output growth weakened modestly as rising materials costs and labour shortages caused projects to be delayed or cancelled”.
Against this backdrop, companies need to find ways to manage the risk of cost inflation during a project and Build UK has worked with Wedlake Bell LLP to publish guidance, which is available to FIS members. Managing Price Inflation includes practical advice on fluctuations clauses, negotiating new and existing contracts to take inflation into account, and how to mitigate its impact on projects. As with COVID‐19, all parties are advised to collaborate in finding solutions, as more time spent planning ahead and thinking strategically about procurement is likely to be the first step towards successful cost management.
Reminder on accepting digital SICCS cards
CSCS is reminding industry of the need to be prepared for digital cards at site gates, which should always be accepted so long as they bear the CSCS logo. This follows reports that holders of SICCS cards have been turned away from site. Read more.
CIC launches new e-learning Health & Safety course
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has today launched a new cutting edge e-learning Health & Safety Certification course which on passing, has been agreed by CSCS as an acceptable alternative to the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. Read more.
Closure of Personal Fall Protection Installer Permanent Solutions courses
CSCS is to withdraw recognition of the Kee Safety and HCL Personal Fall Protection Installer Permanent Solution courses from Friday 30th June 2022. Read more.
The Government has made an announcement regarding the transition to the UK marking ahead of the ending of recognition of CE marking on the 31 December 2022. You can find that announcement here.
The change will allow manufacturers with existing type tests from EU notified bodies under AVCP System 3, where the product was tested by the 31 December 2022, to affix the UK mark to their products, and to continue to supply them to the GB market without needing to be retested. You can find the latest government guidance here.
This is a welcomed move as it helps to keep products flowing while industry wrestles with many other significant challenges.
It is important to recognise, however, that there are still a number of significant questions that need to be worked through, such as the persistent shortfall in capacity of the UK certification and testing sector; ensuring that investment and innovation continue to be attracted in to the UK; and a range of more detailed and critical technical matters. Through the Construction Products Association, we will be pressing for further clarity on a number of pressing issues in particular:
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org
