by Clair Mooney | Sep 8, 2021 | Main News Feed, Sustainability
FIS and the Supply Chain Sustainability School are collaborating to help deliver Net Zero in the finishes and interiors sector through a new virtual training portal hosted on the Supply Chain Sustainability School website.
This sustainability training hub is another output of the FIS Sustainability Working Group, which has been established within the FIS community to support a focus on individual change, collective focus and supply chain engagement. The working group has five core objectives:
- Increasing knowledge and understanding within the supply chain
- Setting targets and standardisation (including monitoring and measuring impact)
- Providing an active network and encouraging collaboration
- Highlighting individuals and approaches that help inspire and inform change
- Informing design and encouraging better asset management
FIS Board Member Phil Brown from Meronden Ltd who has been supporting the FIS Sustainability Working Group said:
“In our supply chain there is a growing understanding, not only of our responsibilities, but also the potential of the sector to support change. Our Working Group really starts with a focus on helping individual businesses in the sector to take the first and identify the next step to being better in terms of sustainability. In the true sense of sustainability there is absolutely no point in reinventing the wheel. The collaboration with Supply Chain Sustainability School was quickly identified as a priority, the School has a amazing wealth of resource that can help educate and inform our supply chain and we just needed as a first stage to curate this and help set up some suggested learning pathways. This launch is the first step, but we have ambitious plans together to develop the content and with it the understanding of sustainability through our supply chain.”
Graham Edgell of Morgan Sindall who is a Board Member of the Supply Chain Sustainability School added
“Collaboration is key to driving change. The School exemplifies this with an open source approach that makes content, developed by experts, available to all. It is great that we have teamed up with FIS, one of the more dynamic bodies in our sector and a key sector within construction to really help drive knowledge and capability on sustainability issues. With an improved understanding of the issues we can all individually and collectively help companies and the sector deliver more sustainable outcomes and play our part in the CLC CO2nstruct Zero programme and the national Net Zero effort”.
With construction accounting for 40% of UK carbon consumption, the construction industry is critical to supporting the UK Net Zero Effort. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Roadmap to Recovery has laid out proposals to secure the future of construction businesses nationwide, while setting the industry on a sustainable path towards recovery. The goal of the strategy is to:
Improve design, product selection and manufacturing and construction processes to deliver built assets that achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases as part of the pathway towards net zero.
With the finishes and interiors sector estimated to be responsible for 40% of energy consumed by a building and an estimated 300 tonnes of fit-out materials going to landfill every day, FIS is working to rally the sector and, in addition to work with the Schoo,l has recently signed up as a partner organisation to support the delivery of the Co2nstruct Zero strategy.
You can view the Finishes and Interiors Sustainability Virtual Training here Finishes & Interiors | Supply Chain Sustainability School (supplychainschool.co.uk)
You can visit the FIS Sustainability Hub here.
by Clair Mooney | Sep 7, 2021 | Sustainability
Learn how the construction industry is taking action to tackle climate change. The Construct Zero Youth ‘BUILDING OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE’ event invites young people to think differently about the construction industry and explore the innovative solutions it is proposing to achieve high levels of sustainability across three main areas: materials, heavy plant and methods of construction. These areas are already evolving and inspiring people to join the movement in disrupting the industry and in changing its behaviours.
The event, scheduled for 23rd September is a hybrid event where you can hear from industry-leading speakers who are shaping the future of Net Zero in the construction industry and learn about the innovative new technologies which are transforming the way we build.
When: 23rd September 3-5pm
Where? : Hybrid event. Choose to attend and engage in person (Building Centre, 26 Store St, London WC1E 7BT) or online.
Why?: Understand how you can make a difference in driving the sustainability agenda in the construction industry; engage with our speakers, challenge each other, and be part of the movement for change.
Further details are available here and you can register via this link available here
CO2NSTRUCTZERO Youth is a group of nine young individuals from the CLC’s Net Zero Champion businesses in the construction industry. They are using their expertise to create an exciting programme to showcase how the sector is tackling climate change. The climate emergency requires a response with the greatest urgency and the industry is stepping up to address this with increasing focus.
You can visit the FIS Sustainability Hub here
by Clair Mooney | Sep 7, 2021 | Sustainability
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has today announced a new Dragon’s Den competition targeted at young industry professionals, accelerating the drive to net zero.
The competition aims to:
• bring forward practical ideas which are almost ready for implementation on sites/in factories, and suitable for wider industry adoption;
• capitalise on the collective political, industry and societal demand to reduce our emissions levels; and to,
• harness the power and voice of young professionals already working in the sector, providing support to accelerate their practical ideas to implementation.
Shortlisted applicants will present their ideas to the Construct Zero Dragon’s Den for debate and discussion, with the winner receiving a range of prizes including a £1,000 cash award. This is an exciting opportunity for young industry professionals to pitch existing ideas to the heart of Government. Further details including how to apply can be found here.
The CLC’s sector leadership role and its Construct Zero programme is today recognised by the United Nations Climate Champions Team’s announcement of the CLC becoming a Race to Zero Accelerator. This marks a key step in our journey, providing a platform to build on existing UK and global engagement across Government and with industry partners.
Through the Construct Zero industry-change programme, the Construction Leadership Council has accepted the challenge of decarbonising the industry, bringing the sector together to deliver tangible actions and sustainable change across the construction supply chain. It’s change programme will: i) measure the sector’s performance; ii) share knowledge and best practice between businesses and; iii) engage firms and communicate the sector’s role in reducing carbon emissions.
Sector’s Performance
CLC has committed to holding the sector to account on progress through quarterly updates on its Performance Framework, with the first update due for publication in late October, prior to COP.
Knowledge and Best Practice
Construct Zero has led in bringing together businesses across the whole construction supply chain, through its Business Champion programme, ranging from SMEs e.g. Adair and Peak Construction, operating locally, to large scale companies, delivering major international infrastructure projects, e.g. Saint-Gobain, Costain and Multiplex.
We are also seeking to share knowledge globally- our joint event with Mace at New York Climate Week, will bring together major clients, contractors and consultants from across the US and UK to showcase the best of Anglo-American collaboration; exploring success stories where joint UK/US expertise is helping to address the huge climate impacts of the built environment across the globe; and form the first step on the road towards better trade links and net zero knowledge sharing to reach a brighter future.
Communications and wider engagement
Construction is one key element of a wider, complex business eco-system. That’s why we are working with key partners, including EDF Energy and CBI, to reach beyond our sector, ensuring our aims, message and approach reach a much wider audience. Construct Zero is committed to this challenge, and will be presenting at key events in the run-up to COP, as well as providing specific practical advice for construction SMEs on reducing emissions, which will be published shortly on the Business Climate Hub.
The call to do more and take steps to reduce our emissions is an immediate one, to ensure we leave a sustainable impact that will live long beyond our immediate future generations. Construct Zero is engaging directly with young industry professionals, drawn from our Business Champion programme, who are already playing a key role in meeting this challenge this head-on. We are delighted they are hosting an event on 23 September to discuss and debate the key issues as part of the Italian Government’s series of virtual summits in the run-up to the Youth COP Summit in Milan.
Finally, and most crucially we are working closely with the COP Unit to finalise our presence at the COP Green Zone.
For COP to truly leave its legacy, it’s imperative we continue to drive forward both the high-level actions and commitments that emerge from COP, together with the enthusiasm and drive companies have and are continuing to generate.
Only by working together in step and at pace, will we truly be able to rise to the challenge and build back better, faster and greener.
Construction Minister Anne Marie Trevelyan said:
“Engaging talented young professionals in the construction industry is key to the future of the sector by developing the highly skilled workforce that will accelerate its drive to net zero.
“This competition, and recognition from the UN as a Race to Zero Accelerator, shows the Construction Leadership Council is continuing to take its role seriously in offering the sector the direction and leadership it needs to build back better and greener.”
Net Zero Business Champion Andrew Griffith MP said:
“This competition is a fantastic opportunity for young professionals to make a mark on the construction industry by offering them the chance to have their innovative ideas to make the sector more sustainable
“Today’s competition launch shows the Construction Leadership Council is continuing to champion a cleaner, more sustainable sector – so it is right that they have been recognised by the UN as a Race to Zero Accelerator.”
Join the conversation #FISNetZeroChallenge
by Clair Mooney | Sep 7, 2021 | Building Safety Act
Proposed revision of BS8000-8 Workmanship on construction sites – Part 8: Design and installation of dry lining systems – Code of Practice
You are invited to comment on the proposed changes to this British Standard which was last published in 1994, which along with BS8212:1995 Code of practice for dry lining and partitioning using gypsum plasterboard they provide guidance and tolerance used in the specification and inspection of drylining.
The purpose of BS 8000-8 is to encourage good design and workmanship by providing:
- guidance for designers on the selection of systems;
- guidance for installers on the correct sequence and method of installation; and
- updated tolerances reflecting use and material installation and methods of measurement.
This is a full revision of the standard, and introduces the following principal changes:
- clarification of tolerances;
- advice when installing dry lining to SFS frames;
- testing of dry lining systems; and
- expansion of relevant performance requirements.
You are welcome to review the draft and to comment upon it if you wish. The draft can be accessed at https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2018-01823#/section
The document is available for review until 27 October.
FIS held an online meeting on 7 September to discuss the proposed changes – a recording is available here.
by Clair Mooney | Sep 7, 2021 | Sustainability
As part of a wider commitment to Net Zero, FIS has announced that it will become a Partner to the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) CO2nstructZero initiative.
CO2nstructZero builds upon the way that the industry united last year as a single force to tackle Covid-19, ensuring a consistent approach is taken by the whole sector while avoiding duplication of work. The initiative focusses on three key areas Transport, Building Performance and Construction Activity and sets down 9 priorities for change focused on measurement, specification, procurement construction and waste management and cultural change.
A company who is supportive of CO2nstructZero and has committed to the following:
- Signposting and support
- Provide support/guidance to one or more of the 9 priorities which can be signposted from the CLC’s Construct Zero website
- Report back to the CZ programme board on areas of missing advice and guidance which could be developed to support your members/network
- Communications and engagement o Use the range of your comms channels to cascade out CZ news and industry progress
- Host events for your members/network that focus on one or more of the 9 priorities, which support and are in collaboration with the CZ change programme
- Performance metrics o Assist with the collection of data from the industry that will form part of the performance framework and quarterly reporting
- Support members in selecting the appropriate metrics and commitments to sign up to
- Monitoring organisations within your network who have signed up to ‘Race to Zero’, to encourage their continued commitment to reducing their emissions targets
- Business Champions
- Support members to become business champions working with them to develop their initial case study.
- Finding an appropriate emerging leader to partner across your network with, if not able to find one internally
- Feature your business champion and emerging leaders in your comms, forums and events to help share their learning across your network to their peers
Commenting on the partnership Iain McIlwee, FIS CEO stated:
“Like so much of the CLC work in the past 12 months, CO2nstructZero provides a framework that we can collaborate around, the three key focal points and 9 priorities make sense and it is up to us now as sectors to prioritise and structure our work so that we can feed into the bigger industry effort. I am grateful for the work done by colleagues so far and we are looking forward to getting stuck in, with our own leadership group, and helping to deliver change”.
Speaking on behalf of CO2nstructZero and co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council, Andy Mitchell said:
“We have an open call for partners and are keen to see dynamic and progressive organisations like FIS to help co-ordinate efforts in their own community so that as a wider construction sector our efforts are joined up, and amplifying the broader work of the sector in this space. Collaboration is key to change and it is fantastic to have the support of FIS in this work”
More on the CO2nstructZero framework here
You can visit the FIS Sustainability Hub here
by Clair Mooney | Sep 6, 2021 | CSCS, Skills
The Industry Placement card is to be made available by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme and a number of other partner schemes on 1 September 2021, in time for the new academic year.
Initially announced back in June, the card is for learners aged sixteen or above on qualification or training programmes requiring a minimum of 30 days’ work placement, which is intended to ultimately lead to a job in construction and the built environment.
The card is designed to support learners transitioning from the classroom to the workplace and mirrors changes to educational policy in the UK, which have seen an increased focus on vocational education.
This includes the introduction of the Traineeship Skills Development Programme and T Level qualifications, with these new pathways into construction involving a mixture of classroom learning and extensive on-the-job experience.
Initially the following four card schemes will make the card available from 1 September 2021:
All card schemes are keen to highlight the importance of applying to the card scheme relevant to the learner’s chosen construction pathway. For example, a learner undertaking a T Level in Building Services Engineering with a specialist pathway in Protection Systems Engineering should apply to the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme.
The introduction of the Industry Placement card follows extensive engagement with the industry including engagement with the Construction Leadership Council and the Department for Education, alongside feedback from an industry-wide consultation carried out in early 2021.
Visit the Industry Placement card page for further information and application requirements.
by Clair Mooney | Sep 6, 2021 | Sustainability
As part of a wider commitment to Net Zero, FIS has appointed a Sustainability Champion. This announcement is timed to coincide with Net Zero Week of the FIS Annual Conference 2021.
Flavie Lowres, will be joining the team on an initial six month contract from mid-September. Flavie has a PhD in Materials and Metallurgy Science and Engineering from the University of Birmingham. She joined BRE in June 2003, chairs the Construction Materials Group and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Flavie spent 18 years at BRE where she was an Associate Director responsible for running the LCA and circular economy section of the team. She has been working in the field of materials sustainability since 2007 and has been involved in a number of UK and international projects related to sustainability in the built environment.
On her appointment FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:
“In this appointment we are recognising our responsibility, but also the opportunity to ensure Net Zero isn’t just about a better planet, but also a healthier sector where procurement recognises more than just how far we can screw down the best and final price. Our strategy for change is focusssed on three key pillars I, we and them; how can I be better, how we can work better together and what help we need from them. This eflects our need to support individual members to take the first and next step, the importance of collaboration to delivering change and how we can use the FIS influence to support this change through policy and procurement. In Flavie we are bringing in some heavy weight expertise so that we can better target our support and ensure that we focus on curating support, collaborating widely and creating content or tools where needed”.
Flavie added
“I have seen the outline plan from FIS and am excited to get stuck in helping to shape and deliver change and working with FIS members to look at how we can really make a difference as a community”.
FIS is hosting a debate with Barbour ABI as part of their Annual Conference 2021 on Wednesday 8 September focussed on how the finishes and interiors sector is adapting in a journey to net zero. The organisation has also announced this week that it has entered into a partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to create an virtual training hub to support individual businesses in delivering on the wider sustainability agenda and also that it has become a delivery partner for C02nstruct Zero, the Construction Leadership Council’s Net Zero Strategy.
You can book your free place at the FIS Round Table Debate A Path to Net Zero here
Join the conversation at #FISNetZeroChallenge
You can visit the FIS Sustainability Hub here.
by Clair Mooney | Sep 3, 2021 | Main News Feed
Over a million employees are estimated to currently be on furlough or flexible furlough. With the end of the furlough scheme looming on 30 September, employers may have difficult choices to make about what they should do next.
Employers can currently claim 60% of a furloughed employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, up to a maximum of £1,875, and must contribute the remaining 20% to ensure that employees receive at least 80% of their wages, up to a maximum of £2,500.
Exploring your options
There are a number of different avenues employers can explore once the furlough scheme ends. FIS Associate Member Citation has put together a summary detailing the options available to employers if they are unable to bring furloughed employees back to work on the same basis as before, covering everything from redundancy, to short-time working and lay-offs, to sabbaticals and secondments – and more. Read the article here.
by Clair Mooney | Sep 3, 2021 | Skills
To drive the economic recovery post‐COVID‐19, the industry will need to overcome its longstanding skills gaps. Whilst we continue to discuss the new Points‐Based Immigration System with the Home Office, employers should look at what they can do to recruit the next generation of UK workers as well as retain the existing workforce. One of the best ways to show how fantastic it is to work in construction is to open up our sites, offices and other workplaces or host an online event during Open Doors from Monday 4 ‐ Saturday 9 October. There have already been 100 events registered to take people behind the hoardings and if your organisation is yet to get involved what are you waiting for!
You have until 24 September to upload the details on the Open Doors website.
Following on from Build UK’s project with Timewise it was identifed that that flexible working is key to retaining a more diverse workforce, and Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol recently joined a Construction News roundtable on this issue saying:“We keep talking about more diversity in construction but we’ve actually got to do things differently to make a difference”. To find out how to implement flexible working across your business, download Build UK’s industry‐wide toolkit which includes a 10‐point action plan that companies of all sizes can use.
by Clair Mooney | Sep 3, 2021 | Technical
BSI has released for public comment a draft PAS 7050 – Bringing safe products to the market – Code of Practice.
To provide your comments on this draft PAS please use the link in the email below.
To download, review and comment on this draft PAS, please visit https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2019-01401#/section (a downloadable PDF is also available from the bottom of this page).
The closing date for submission of comments is 27 September 2021. Please note that only comments submitted electronically through the online Standards Development Portal will be accepted.
If you are a new user, you will need to register (for free) via the Standards Development site and log in. If you have used the online draft review system before, you will need to log in with your existing login and password. For instructions on how to use BSI’s online draft review system, see https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/Home/Help
by Clair Mooney | Sep 1, 2021 | Main News Feed
The Government has announced plans to introduce legislation which will enable CE marked goods to continue being placed on the Great British market until 1 January 2023. Although we are in a different legislative situation for the construction products sector, this new date for the end of recognition of the CE mark in Great Britain will also apply to construction products. MHCLG have updated guidance on GOV.UK (GB and NI) for construction products to reflect this.
The MHCLG recognised that as the pandemic continues to impact businesses, this has made adapting to the new regime more challenging and as a result the decision was made to provide an additional year for businesses to adapt to UKCA requirements.
All product sectors now have until 1 January 2023 to get ready to use the UKCA marking, with the exception of medical devices. The Government has stated that there will be no further extensions to this new date. The complete list of all the sectors covered by the UKCA marking can be found here.
Over the next 16 months, Government will continue to engage actively with industry and support their preparations for the new requirements. BEIS is hosting a webinar aimed at businesses on Thursday 2 September at 14:00. This is intended to help businesses understand changes and the actions they need to take. members can register to via this link.
by Clair Mooney | Sep 1, 2021 | Skills
To ensure operable walls are regularly maintained, serviced and repaired, FIS has published a Best Practice Guide,
Servicing Operable Walls.
The guide was produced by members of the FIS Operable Wall Working Group which comprises representation from key suppliers of operable walls. This Best Practice Guide is intended to help facility managers and owners of operable walls understand the importance of regular servicing to ensure the correct operation of walls and ongoing safety of everyone. It will also help by identifying the type of wall that has been installed, its performance, sound, fire and robustness, servicing required, and enable users to identify competent service engineers.
Widely used in educational and leisure facilities, offices, exhibition halls and conference centres, moveable walls are often operated by a member of staff or a maintenance crew where damage and undue ware can be caused through not fully understanding the operating procedure or even through incorrect maintenance such as applying grease to moving parts. Furthermore, acoustic integrity can also be compromised due to damaged or poorly working peripheral seals and as a result of a lack of servicing. A good service and maintenance regime, underwritten by a service agreement is key to the wall’s serviceability and the welfare of those operating them.
Commenting on the launch of the guide, Julian Sargent, Chair of the FIS Operable Wall Working Group said:
“The importance of this guide to ensure the ongoing performance and safety of everyone using or working around these walls is paramount. The Best Practice Guide, Servicing Operable Walls will help to identify the competence expected of the engineers and allow facility managers and owners meet their legal obligations.”
With some operable wall panels exceeding heights of 6M and weighing 100kgs to 500kgs, training in working at height and the competence to work with specialist equipment such as chain lifts is important to check and address any health and safety legislation, where the facility team could become liable. Building managers or owners of the business have a responsibility under current health and safety laws to ensure that these systems are properly maintained and recorded as being serviced.
George Swann, FIS Skills and Training Lead added:
“The FIS Operable Wall Working Group employers have developed a National Occupational Standard from which formal qualifications for service, maintenance and repair of operable walls will be derived. To get involved in this work, express your support or to see the details please go to: Interior systems reviews.”
Established in 2015, FIS represents suppliers and contractors in the finishes and interiors sector. Its members are vetted when they join and then every three years. They abide by a code of conduct and agree to carry out work in accordance with the FIS best practice guides.
The free guide is available to download here
by Clair Mooney | Aug 31, 2021 | Market data, Material Shortages
The latest CPA survey of the supply chain showed that the construction industry remained in expansion mode during the second quarter of 2021.
Construction product manufacturers reported the fourth consecutive quarterly rise in product sales, whilst SME building contractors and chartered surveyors saw workloads rise yet again in Q2. While growth in workloads remained broad-based across sectors, it was largely led by private housing and RM&I, where activity has been sustained by government housing policies and increased demand for larger properties with outdoor and office/study space in rural areas due to the homeworking trend. Infrastructure also remained a key driver due to works occurring on a number of large-scale projects and long-term regulatory frameworks, with civil engineering contractors reporting the third consecutive annual rise in workloads in Q2.
Forward-looking indicators point to further growth over the coming year, with the net balances for product sales and workload expectations, enquiries and orders all hitting multi-year highs in Q2. Despite this, the supply of materials and products remained the biggest issue for chartered surveyors and civil engineers and were viewed as the main risk to product manufacturers’ 12-month sales outlook due to ongoing global supply chain issues. Concerns with the recruitment of skilled labour were also echoed across the supply chain, most notably for carpenters and bricklayers relating to house building, as well as general on-site trades. Raw material costs also emerged as another potential constraint, but the proportion of civil engineers raising tender prices for both new work and R&M hit an all-time high, whilst chartered surveyors expect rising profit margins in the year ahead.
FIS members can access the full results of the Construction Trade Survey here.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 31, 2021 | Main News Feed
Following the inaugural Virtual Interiors Event in February 2021, which saw approximately 4,000 industry professionals from 83 countries gather online, a new thought leadership festival will take place 20 – 24 September named VI:Insights.
FIS is excited to announce its partnership with both VI:Insights and the main Virtual Interiors Event in February 2022.
There are a very limited number of spaces left on the agenda for the forthcoming VI:Insights thought leadership festival. As partners, FIS members are able to claim a 20% discount for exhibiting or hosting a session. Get in touch with Beth Harrison on hello@thevievent.com if you are interested in taking part.
The new festival consists of daily, virtual thought leadership sessions such as accredited CPDs, research and white paper presentations and innovation discussions. The sessions take place over a week at convenient times, so as not to interrupt with the flow of the work day.
The festival is tailored for architects, designers, specifiers and design-conscious firms in the commercial interiors sector. Founded by Sally Rice and Beth Harrison, who both have years of sector-specific director-level experience, the event is built for the industry, by the industry.
VI:Insights will be an opportunity for industry leaders to deliver thought leadership content to a wider, international audience. Without travel and other costs, associated with the more traditional approach used in the industry, there is less environmental impact.
The festival consists of daily sessions at convenient times over the week of 20 – 24 September 2021. The speaker line up and agenda will be announced nearer the event. Participants already announced include Allsfär, BACHMANN, IVC, Orangebox and ROOM.
Register your interest at www.thevievent.com/insights.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 27, 2021 | Skills
CITB deliver the Interior Installer Apprenticeship; there is availability for Autumn 2021 starts at the Bircham Newton campus, near King Lynn, and further courses are planned for 2022. Two different pathway options are available within this Apprenticeship – Drylining Systems or Suspended Ceiling & Partitioning Systems.
We’d like to invite you to attend an online webinar to find out more about this Apprenticeship. The session will cover the following:
- Content of the Apprenticeship – an opportunity to talk through the new Apprenticeship Standard*
- Employer requirements – clarification regarding what is expected of you as the Apprentice’s employer
- Grants – CITB grants for this Apprenticeship total £8500. We’ll ensure you are accessing these, along with any applicable Government financial incentives
- The Apprenticeship experience – including a named Apprenticeship Officer and onsite support, accommodation and food throughout the Apprentice’s block release stay and support with travel costs
- An opportunity to ask questions regarding any aspect of the Apprenticeship
* Apprenticeship Frameworks have ceased, all Apprenticeships now follow a Standard, so if you’ve had Apprentices previously through a Framework you may find it useful to attend to hear more about what is covered in the new Standard.
https://lnkd.in/eTHjZfGB
https://lnkd.in/ecQwhZGE
This online webinar will take place on Tuesday 7 September 2021, 11am – 12pm. If you’d like to attend please register through the link below:
https://lnkd.in/e3seyfir
by Clair Mooney | Aug 27, 2021 | Main News Feed
The Home Office announced this week that the end date for adjusted digital right to work checks has been delayed again, to 5 April 2022.
The official guidance can be found here.
This follows extensive campaigning by the Recruitment and Employers Confederation and others, including yesterday’s letter from the REC to the Home Office urging them to extend the use of digital right to work checks until a permanent digital solution is in place, due to the current labour shortages.
In response to the announcement, Chief Executive of the REC Neil Carberry said:
“This is great news for recruiters and hiring businesses all over the country. Digital right to work checks have been a resounding success during the pandemic, allowing companies to hire quickly and safely as well as improving compliance. It makes complete sense to extend their use, especially considering the unprecedented labour shortages we are experiencing now. This move comes on the back of extensive campaigning from the REC with our last letter to the Home Office yesterday – linking the need for a delay to helping with worker shortages. We look forward to working with them further on a more permanent digital solution.”
FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee responded:
“It is great to see some pragmatism, but we need to get away from this last minute lurch, which creates uncertainty and confusion. We also need to look more holistically at the skilled worker and shortage occupation list, the economy is at risk from principles being too rapidly applied”.
Lookig for employment advice – access the FIS Employment Toolkit here
by Clair Mooney | Aug 27, 2021 | Main News Feed
Tuesday this week saw FIS relationship with Barbour ABI take on a new level with #TakeoverTuesday, a social media event which saw the FIS take over the Barbour ABI social channels. The initiative enabled FIS to promote new Specifiers Guides, the Acoustic Verification Scheme, Annual Conference and showcase our core values and vetted membership to the Barbour ABI community of designers and specifiers.
FIS and Barbour ABI have developed a partnership approach based on knowledge sharing between the two communities with a particular emphasis on legislative compliance, best practice and innovation. Other aspects to this collaborative partnership have seen Barbour ABI develop a specialist Finishes and Interiors Hub on their website, sharing of Barbour ABI market data with the FIS Membership and discounts for FIS Members on core Barbour ABI services. Barbour ABI are also running a session on sustainability as part of the FIS Annual Conference this year – plans are to follow this up with a series of white papers exploring sustainability in the finishes and interiors sector.
Simon Mahoney, Group Director at Barbour ABI said
“Our work with FIS reflects the importance of this sector and our ethos of building bridges across the supply chain to join up the various actors and information streams to help deliver transformation. We appreciate the FIS is a dynamic community and a key source of knowledge. Helping to draw attention to this through our social channels is a great way to engage our network in this and emphasise the importance of collaboration and delivering transformation through a networked industry.”
Iain McIlwee FIS CEO said
“Core to our ethos as a community is collaboration. FIS exists to provide a voice, but also eyes and ears for the sector, scanning the horizon for challenges and opportunities and understanding. Barbour ABI are one of the key sources of authoritative information and have a great network and platform that supports all parts of construction – it is great to be working with them in such a proactive way to help share best practice and ensure the wider market are aware of what we as a community can do to support them and help deliver transformation.”
You can see the content from our #TakeoverTuesday here
Register for the FIS Virtual Conference – every Wednesday in September
Visit the FIS Interior Design Hub on the Barbour ABI platform here
Members receive 15% discount off any products within the Barbour ABI portfolio – access your discount here
by Clair Mooney | Aug 26, 2021 | Skills
There are places available on the Interior Systems Installer Dryliner Fixer Boarder Apprenticeship training course starting Monday 27 September 2021 at Leeds College of Building North Street Campus.
This is a block release course. If you are interested contact the college for full details. Applicants must be over 16 years of age (there is no upper age limit), employed and have their employers permission. To apply, visit https://www.lcb.ac.uk/apply-apprenticeship/ and complete the form. If you need more information give the College Apprenticeship team a call on 0113 222 6041.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 26, 2021 | CSCS
CSCS and Build UK have published a six-page guidance document on ‘How to be a Smart Site’ to help realise the benefits of using Smart Technology to check cards carrying the CSCS logo. It covers how to check cards that are already using Smart Technology, how to identify those which are not yet smart, and what to do in the event of finding a fraudulent card. There is also a handy poster for use on site.
The guidance follows the update to the CLC Industry Card Schemes Recommendation in December 2020 to include a requirement that all cards displaying the CSCS logo must use Smart Technology by 31 March 2022, in order to provide the industry with a consistent means of recognising that individuals working on construction sites have the required qualifications and training for their occupation.
George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead said:
“The use of smart technology supports the governments demand for proof of competence at all levels. Don’t leave it to late get your workforce qualified and registered, we know a proportion of the sector are working without qualifications or card registration or are using the wrong cards. Times are changing it will be embarrassing to have operative turned away at site gates. FIS Approved Training Providers have a number of free of charge and discounted offers, take a look at: https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/memberbenefits/member-benefits-training/ or give us a call on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org”.
by Clair Mooney | Aug 26, 2021 | Labour
The Department for Transport and Cabinet Office are seeking input for an urgent review of the HGV driver shortage. DfT and Cabinet Office are asking all operators who employ HGV drivers to complete the following DfT haulier survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/JW0TW8/ (A Word document with the questions is available here to allow you to review the questions in advance of answering them online).
The survey closes on Friday 27 August 2021.
This information will allow the government to analyse the scale of the problem in greater detail, as well as consider any mitigations that might be needed. If you have any questions, please email pamela.dennison@dft.gov.uk in the first instance.
