by Clair Mooney | 9 Mar, 2022 | Building Safety Act, Technical
The leading trade bodies representing fire protection, the fit-out and interiors sector and plasterboard manufacturers have come together to warn of the dangers in passing cables and pipes through firewalls used for compartments in buildings.
FIS joined forces with the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) and the Gypsum Products Development Association (GPDA) to launch a labelling initiative to provide instant guidance on what to do when considering whether and how to pass cables and pipes through compartment walls.
One of the biggest issues facing M&E contractors who are employed to pass services through a building, is that they may not be aware that the partitions they need to pass through are fire rated, and any holes cut into them will negate the performance of the partition. This may allow smoke fumes and fire to pass through from one compartment to another, which could lead to loss of life, extensive damage to the building and have huge impacts on any business.
Often the route for these services is at high level through the void above ceilings, so the new labels will be placed on the firewall in the ceiling void by the contractors so that any facility manager, M&E or cabling contractor will be instantly aware of the performance of the compartment wall and importantly, where to find guidance in future.
The labels can be printed from a downloable pdf available at www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub/technical/fire-protection/firestopping/fire-labelling/
ASFP, FIS and GPDA all believe that this simple initiative is not only good practice but has the potential to save lives and property.
by Clair Mooney | 7 Mar, 2022 | Health and Safety
Managing sickness absence within a business has always posed a large obstacle for employers. FIS Associate Member Citation has received a surge in sickness absence concerns from employers over the last few weeks, ranging from employees testing positive with COVID-19 and employees being reluctant to return to work due to health concerns surrounding the pandemic, to more typical start-of-the-year sickness absence issues.
With more and more employees experiencing long COVID-19 symptoms, employers are losing increasing amounts due to work long-term sickness and, without the appropriate policies and procedures, this could be a huge loss for employers.
To help FIS members, FIS Associate Member Citation has created two guides on how to manage both long and short-term sickness absences.
Managing long-term sickness absence
From creating a policy and return-to-work processes, to avoiding a discrimination claim, this includes important advice from our experts on how to best manage long-term sickness absence, in a world which is consistently evolving due to COVID-19. Guidance available at https://tinyurl.com/fislongtermsickness2022
Managing short-term sickness absence
The government reports that two-thirds of small businesses (62%) do not have formal sickness absence policies in place. In order to manage this in the best possible way it is important that you, as the employer, consider implementing a fair and clear process to help identify repeat offenders, deter other employees from not turning up to work, and ultimately retain as many employees as possible in the workplace. This guidance covers what processes you should put in place, managing recurring absences and more. Guidance available at https://tinyurl.com/fissickness2022
by Clair Mooney | 3 Mar, 2022 | Main News Feed
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the UK’s technical authority on cyber security, have issued
guidance for organisations on the steps they need to take to bolster the UK’s resilience against the heightened risk of malicious cyber incidents in and around Ukraine. We know many organisations and businesses in the UK have well laid out plans and good cyber security measures in place. However, due to the nature of online global networks, attacks that occur overseas could have an impact on UK institutions, services and systems. This is why organisations and businesses are being urged to take action now.
While the NCSC is not aware of any current specific threats to UK organisations in relation to events in and around Ukraine, the guidance encourages organisations to follow actionable steps that reduce the risk of being impacted by cyber attacks, including:
- patching systems;
- improving access controls and enabling multi-factor authentication;
- implementing an effective incident response plan;
- checking that backups and restore mechanisms are working;
- ensuring that online defences are working as expected, and;
- keeping up to date with the latest threat and mitigation information.
For further information visit: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/actions-to-take-when-the-cyber-threat-is-heightened where you will find the relevant advice, actions and resources.
by Clair Mooney | 3 Mar, 2022 | Main News Feed
Following the lifting of the remaining coronavirus restrictions in England, Build UK has updated its COVID‐19 flowchart to reflect the latest Government guidance. Individuals who test positive are now advised to stay at home, rather than it being a legal requirement, and they are no longer required to tell their employer if they need to self‐isolate.
Following the end of routine contact tracing, the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme has ended. Individuals who were required to self‐isolate before 24 February can still submit an application for payment up to 42 days after their first day of self‐isolation until 6 April.
The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will close on 17 March, and employers with fewer than 250 employees can submit claims for up to two weeks of coronavirus‐related SSP until 24 March.
Face coverings are no longer mandatory on the London transport network but customers are still strongly recommended to wear them.
by Clair Mooney | 1 Mar, 2022 | Drylining, Technical
FIS has today launched its Specifiers’ Guide to Drylining to help specification writers fully understand the criteria when writing a specification for drylining, including partitions, wall linings and shaft wall systems.
The Specifiers’ Guide – Drylining was produced by the FIS Drylining Working Group which comprises representation from manufacturers, designers and contractors working in the drylining sector. Pulling together decades of experience, this guide is the third in the series of guides and 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.
Commenting on the guide, Iain McIlwee, Chief Executive of FIS said:
“Specifying drylining seems, on the face of it, simple enough: consider the look, performance and cost, and there it is. If only it were that simple there would not be cases where evidence of fire compartmentation could fail or fail to perform because the issue wasn’t apparent during the specification process.”
The guide includes top tips when specifying drylining, as well as reference material to regulations for safety, fire performance and standards.
“A well written specification not only ensures the installation meets the client’s requirements, but it also means the specifier’s requirements are less open to interpretation, which is key for the whole supply chain if they are going to deliver the quality and detail first time, on time,” added Iain McIlwee.
The guide sits alongside other FIS best practice guides that relate to drylining:
Installation of Drylining
Site Guide:Drylining
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.
FIS plans to have CPD material to accompany the guide later in the year.
by Clair Mooney | 25 Feb, 2022 | Skills
FIS is excited to announce the return of Regional Workshops, with the first event since before the pandemic scheduled for Central London on the 22nd March. This will be followed by a series of events in Bristol, Leicester, Dartford, Manchester and Glasgow running through to May.
With labour shortages and recruitment a key challenge within the sector, the core theme for these events is a collective response to labour shortages and attracting the next generation of workers. Time will be allowed for open discussion and networking.
The core aim is to look individually and collectively at how we can better target recruitment through schools, colleges and local networks, develop local training networks and access all available funding to build a sustainable workforce. Focus will be on understanding local need and opportunities, developing a network of ambassadors and looking particularly at apprenticeships, but also the wider vocational qualification landscape and competency in the existing workforce.
The FIS team will be supported by representatives of CITB and local speakers aiming to give members fresh ideas, a clear plan of action and understanding of the support available to attack their skills gap. This will include ideas and resources to support approaches to local schools, how to work more effectively with the Department of Work and Pensions, case studies and a list of initiatives and funding that can support your recruitment efforts and induction and development of workers. Details of the support available from CITB for recruiting and qualifying people will also be given and there will be plenty of time for questions.
Six events have been scheduled to be held across the UK. These are breakfast events 07:30 until 09:45 so employers can attend, get a bit of breakfast discuss recruitment and qualification needs and identify how FIS can help prior to starting the working day.
Locations
London – 22 March
Leicester – 30 March
Bristol – 5 April
Dartford – 26 April
Manchester – 10 May
Glasgow – 11 May
Please look out for your individual email invitation from FIS or reserve your place via the FIS Events page. If you would like more information contact Skills and Training Lead George Swann on 07553 874838 or email georgeswann@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 25 Feb, 2022 | Main News Feed
The Prime Minister has announced the Government’s Living with COVID‐19 plan, which will see the remaining coronavirus restrictions in England lifted from 24 February 2022. Emphasising the need to ‘begin to treat COVID‐19 as other infectious diseases such as flu’, the Government has confirmed the restrictions will be withdrawn as follows although the updated guidance has not yet been published:
Different restrictions remain in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
by Clair Mooney | 25 Feb, 2022 | Labour
Temporary changes to right to work checks introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic have been extended again and will now end on 30 September 2022. Employers can continue to undertake checks via video calls and use scanned copies rather than original documents until this date.
by Clair Mooney | 25 Feb, 2022 | Main News Feed
Mitchell will step down as co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council in Spring 2022.
Andy Mitchell, who co-chairs the CLC alongside the Minister for Business and Industry Lee Rowley MP, was appointed in October 2018 and has since guided the sector through the considerable challenges of Covid-19 while establishing the CLC as a powerful and recognised driver of change for the sector.
With this increased presence, the CLC continues to deliver positive change with priorities in 2022 including Construct Zero, Building Safety, meeting the Skills Challenge, and implementing the Construction Playbook.
The CLC is now seeking nominations for Andy Mitchell’s successor, which will include working directly with Government, chairing a range of its industry-wide meetings, alongside acting as a spokesperson for the CLC.
Announcing his decision to step down Mr Mitchell said:
“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together in the last 3 years, and it is clear that not only did we play a major role in leading the industry through the pandemic but in the process we have managed to get a unity and coherence in the industry not seen before – and we are now with credibility and confidence laying out plans for the industry’s development in the future. With a little over 18 months to go before we start commissioning on Tideway, it is right that I now dedicate my full focus to the project, but I wish the CLC the very best for the future.”
FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee said:
“I would like to extend, on behalf of all the FIS Community, our gratitude to Andy for the sterling work he has done and the time he has given, notably during the pandemic when we started to see the CLC in a whole new light. Andy embodied good leadership, approachable, committed, open and dynamic and his contribution to helping our sector through one of its most challenging periods is a testament to this and will not be forgotten.”
CLC Co-chair Lee Rowley MPadded:
“On behalf of the CLC and the Government I want to express our thanks to Andy for the extraordinary commitment that he has provided to the CLC for the past three years. His leadership of the Council through one of the toughest challenges that the industry has faced has been exemplary and has set UK construction on a positive course for the future”
About the Construction Leadership Council (CLC)
The CLC’s mission is to provide sector leadership to the construction industry. The expanded CLC has twelve workstreams that operate collaboratively to address the biggest issues facing the sector. Workstreams include skills and inclusion, building safety, Net Zero and business models. The CLC is co-chaired by Lee Rowley MP, Minister for Business and Industry, and Andy Mitchell CBE, CEO of Thames Tideway.
The CLC was created in 2013 to work between industry and government to identify and deliver actions supporting UK construction in building greater efficiency, skills and growth. The CLC is Co-chaired by the Minister for Business and Industry (Lee Rowley MP) and an Industry representative (this role), who provides the overall leadership and co-ordination of the CLC. The Co-chair is appointed by the Industry and BEIS.
The primary function of the Co-Chair is to provide leadership and strategic direction to the Council, facilitate the operations and deliberations of the Council and lead the Council’s functions and responsibilities under its mandate. The role will require the candidate to have an excellent understanding of the industry and its challenges and be able to represent the industry as a whole from large to SME, design to aftercare, including specific issues such as Building Safety. They must be a champion for industry change and promote inclusion, diversity and improving the image of industry, as well as understand future trends and requirements to address industry change, i.e. sustainability, innovation, productivity and skills.
The job description is available here with details of the selection timetable. The selection process will be led by members of the CLC’s Steering Co-Ordination Group. Expressions of Interest should be emailed to construction.enquiries@beis.gov.uk.
Deadline for applications: Thursday 31 March
Interviews: Mid/late April
Appointment: By end of April
by Clair Mooney | 25 Feb, 2022 | Market data
Fourth-quarter surveys of the construction supply chain showed that the industry ended 2021 on a positive note. Construction product manufacturers, SME builders and chartered surveyors all reported further growth in sales or workloads in Q4. Despite falling from Q3, the net balances for SMEs’ workloads and product manufacturers’ sales remained positive, taking the current sequence of growth to nearly two years.
As has been the case over the past 18 months, private housing and RM&I remained the main drivers of growth as demand proved resilient due to the ‘race for space’ among those seeking larger properties or planning renovations to accommodate home or hybrid working lifestyles. Given the pipeline of major projects and programmes within infrastructure, the balance of civil engineers’ workloads rose to a seven-year high in Q4 and so did the orders balance, signalling continued strength in 2022. Product manufacturers’ and chartered surveyors’ sales and workloads expectations for the year ahead also remained upbeat respectively, but the SMEs’ enquiries balance fell to a one-year low.
The CPA’s Construction Trade Survey brings together results from surveys of building contractors, specialist contractors, civil contractors and product manufacturers. It provides a pan-industry assessment of current and expected conditions.
by Clair Mooney | 24 Feb, 2022 | Sustainability
Are you a leader working in the Construction, Manufacturing or Transport sectors seeking to drive and influence meaningful change in relation to Net Zero ambitions?
Fully funded, CPD certified training is now available to ensure that you are upskilled with climate emergency principles to enable informed workforce planning and skills development to support Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions. For more information and sign-up page: https://transitioningatpace.com/
by Clair Mooney | 22 Feb, 2022 | Health and Safety
Hazards and risks are present in any workplace. The truth is, accidents happen and are sometimes unavoidable. But, as an employer, you do have certain legal obligations when it comes to recording and reporting near misses, accidents, and incidents in your workplace.
To help you get to grip with your responsibilities, FIS Associate Member Citation, has put together a handy checklist of everything you need to know about accident reporting. The free checklist outlines how to report an accident for your employees, how to log accidents and indicates in your accident book, your RIDDOR reporting obligations, and how and when you need to report to the Health & Safety Executive.
DOWNLOAD: https://tinyurl.com/fisaccidentreporting
FIS member benefit
If you’d like to chat about how Citation can help with the HR and Health & Safety side of your business, just give them a call on 0345 844 1111, or fill in their call-back form and they’ll get right back to you.
Please quote ‘The Finishes and Interiors Sector’ when enquiring to access your member benefit and preferential rates.
by Clair Mooney | 22 Feb, 2022 | Main News Feed
FIS is pleased to announce that Philip Brown has been elected as Vice President of its executive board.
A member of the FIS board of directors for six years, Philip has more than 45 years’ experience in the construction industry. He started out as an electrical apprentice before going on to project manage numerous interior works, gaining in depth knowledge and experience within the industry before joining Meronden Ltd in 1997 as director.
“I am looking to build upon the good work that the board has achieved by actively encouraging the increase of new members whilst maintaining the high standards achieved within the membership,” said Philip. “I am also keen to increase the profile of the association within the industry, ensuring it is associated with quality, commitment and prestige.”
Philip continued: “I believe that as a specialist industry, by working in association with one another we are able to share information, ideas, trends and best practice which will enable each member to succeed in today’s challenging and ever-changing market.”
Commenting on the new appointment, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:
“Philip has already made a huge contribution whilst on the board and has been instrumental in the development of a number of key projects. Add this to his exceptional track record across the finishes and interiors sector, and we have the ideal Vice President. Philip will play a crucial role in taking FIS onto its next chapter of growth and success.”
For further information or for any questions please contact the FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077.
by Clair Mooney | 17 Feb, 2022 | Skills
Apprentices are a vital investment in the future. A well managed programme can help enhance productivity, improve business performance and develop a committed and competent workforce.
To help support businesses in taking on an apprentice, FIS has created a useful guide detailing the support and funding available to help you to make your apprenticeship programme a success. It provides employers with the information needed to recruit, register and secure funding for apprentices. The guide includes information on the apprenticeship funding pledge and receive system and details on the CITB Grant ‘Travel to Train’.
The guide also includes access to the CITB Apprenticeship Recruitment Toolkit, which provides further guidance for recruiting and supporting apprenticeships. The toolkit details the various routes to hiring an apprentice across England, Scotland, and Wales. There is also, a choice of four other sections to explore, including support available from CITB. This includes assisting employers with completing paperwork, or financial support, with a breakdown on how to claim funding and CITB grants for apprentices.
If you would like to talk through the options for employing apprentices give us a call, 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org we will be happy to help.
by Clair Mooney | 11 Feb, 2022 | Skills
National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is well underway and this year’s theme ‘Build the Future’ provides an opportunity for organisations to inform young people in England and Wales how they can pursue a rewarding career in construction and showcase the contribution they are making to the future finishes and interiors workforce.
It also ensures as a sector, we come together and celebrate apprenticeship journeys and successes as well as to say ‘Thank You’ to everyone who makes them possible.
We are thrilled to have seen so many members get involved showcasing their apprentices. If you haven’t already done so, it’s not too late to get involved!
• Celebrate your apprentices ‐ Put your apprentices front and centre of your business and on social media using the hashtag #NAW2022
• Use your Apprenticeship Levy ‐ make sure you are using your Apprenticeship Levy or pledging it to other employers in your supply chain via the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer to help them deliver their apprenticeships.
• Promote your apprenticeship vacancies ‐ Ensure all your apprenticeship opportunities are registered on the FIS JobSpot and let us know about work placement opportunities.
Support and advice
The FIS website has a range of tips and advice on how you can look at taking on apprentices, including our FIS Apprentice – Guidance for Employers.
We can also support you in taking on an apprentice and accessing the appropriate funding. Contact the FIS team on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org to start the conversation.
For updates during the week follow FIS on Twitter or FIS on Linkedin and if you are sharing an apprenticeship story, please tag us in so we can help amplify on behalf of our community.
by Clair Mooney | 11 Feb, 2022 | Main News Feed
by Clair Mooney | 10 Feb, 2022 | Skills
Employers in England that pay the apprenticeship levy can transfer their unused apprenticeship funds to help other organisations pay for apprenticeship training. The employer that receives the funds can only use them to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment. You can transfer up to
25% of your apprenticeship funds.
Prior to sign up you will need an apprenticeship service account
Create an account to manage apprenticeships – Manage apprentices (manage-apprenticeships.service.gov.uk)
Transferring Your Apprenticeship Levy to Another Business
Transferring your apprenticeship levy to another business – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
An apprenticeship levy paying employer can transfer up to 25% of their annual levy funds to another employer to pay for the training and assessment costs for apprenticeship standards. Transfers can support new apprenticeship starts, this includes existing staff starting an apprenticeship or where the apprentice’s employer has changed. Transfers may be used to support the skills gaps and shortages within locations or sectors.
Receive a Levy Transfer from another Business to Fund an Apprenticeship
Receive a levy transfer from another business to fund an apprenticeship – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Transfers is one way of receiving funding to support the costs of apprenticeship training and assessment. By receiving a transfer, if you do not pay the levy then you will save the 5% employer co-investment. Also, transfers do not count towards reservation of funds. Apprenticeships are not just for new employees; they are available to upskill existing employees too.
by Clair Mooney | 10 Feb, 2022 | Skills
Way to Work is a new partnership between government and employers to get 500,000 jobseekers into work by the end of June 2022.
This partnership will help fill the large number of vacancies and help job-ready people into the labour market. If you are looking to fill a vacancy, Jobcentre Plus can offer you a named employer adviser in your local jobcentre, or a dedicated national account manager if you are a national employer.
For more information- Way to Work – JobHelp (campaign.gov.uk)
by Clair Mooney | 7 Feb, 2022 | Main News Feed
The Construction Leadership Council has set out four priorities to deliver a better UK construction sector in 2022.
The Council has picked issues where there is the greatest need for collaborative industry action, and the greatest opportunity to deliver positive change. The four priorities for 2022 are:
- Net Zero Carbon
- Building Safety
- Meeting the Skills Challenge
- Implementing the Construction Playbook
The announcement of the four priority areas comes as the CLC published its Annual Review for 2021.
Having established itself as the leading force for the industry in 2020 with its response to Covid-19, in 2021 the CLC built on this success. It led UK construction’s work ahead of the COP26 climate change summit with CO2nstructZero, while also responding promptly to the emerging threat of materials shortages to improve product availability nationwide. It launched a single hub for all new entrant jobs – TalentView Construction – while setting out the first ever Skills Plan for the whole UK construction industry.
Among its objectives this year it is targeting apprenticeships, aiming to return numbers to pre-Covid levels to meet future skills needs. It will publish quarterly data to show the sector’s journey to zero carbon. On Building Safety, it will work with partners to roll out frameworks to ensure that those working on buildings have the competence to build and maintain them safely. And it will continue its work to promote the Government’s Construction Playbook, boosting awareness and implementation among clients and suppliers.
CLC co-chair Andy Mitchell CBE said:
“Having lit the spark in 2020, and watched it grow last year, the CLC can deliver transformational change for UK construction in 2022. We know that some of the threats facing our sector are daunting, but we are now working together as a sector, talking on challenges with a united approach. I hope that when we come to write our Annual Review for 2022 the whole sector will be able to judge us by our successes in delivering real change”
CLC co-chair and Construction Minister Lee Rowley MP said: During 2021, the industry demonstrated its ability to adapt to manage the ongoing challenge of COVID-19, and also its willingness to improve, and to start to tackle the need to transform the sector so it can consistently deliver better-performing, safer and more sustainable buildings and infrastructure.
However, we can’t rest on our laurels. We will continue to face challenges during 2022. Only by working together collectively, will we continue to meet these challenges, and truly build back better, faster and greener for future generations.
by Clair Mooney | 2 Feb, 2022 | Main News Feed
Half of Build UK Contractor members now pay in an average of 30 days or less, according to the latest results published under the Duty to Report on Payment Practices and Performance.
Despite the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID‐19 pandemic, payment performance has improved again over the last six months, underlining how the increased transparency provided by the Build UK table is transforming the industry culture around payment. Contractor members are now reporting an average of 32 days to pay invoices, down from 34 days last July and 45 days when Build UK first published the information in July 2018. On average, they now pay 95% of invoices within 60 days, up from 82% three years ago, and 82% of their invoices are paid within terms, compared to just 61% in 2018.
FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee said “There are some good signs here, but let’s not get complacent – we know from our work with the Small Business Commissioner that most complaints against the Prompt Payment Codes still relate to construction and that the payment issue is more nuanced than when the invoice is raised and paid.
Basically these numbers, whilst positive, don’t present the full picture. We have been working with colleagues in the CLC to highlight this and look at the potential to include value as well as volume of invoice to provide a clearer picture and limit the potential for companies to distort their figures by paying a high volume of small invoices via credit card and also to look at how compliance and the data provided is monitored.”
Build UK’s table features more than 100 of the industry’s largest companies, including contractors, clients and housebuilders, to provide a picture of payment practices across the construction industry.
