European Court of Justice Judgment on free standards

European Court of Justice Judgment on free standards

In a recent appeal heard at the European Court of Justice (Case C-588/21 P), the Court ruled that four harmonized standards form part of EU law and access must be freely available without charge.

The Court decided that there is an overriding public interest in free access to harmonized standards that have been cited in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Although the case related to just four standards, in practice it is likely to apply to future requests for access to all harmonized standards that have been cited in the OJEU.

BSI is now working with CEN, CENELEC and the other members of CEN and CENELEC to understand the implications of the judgment. They will look at how the judgment can be delivered whilst ensuring the future sustainability of the standards system.

If you have any queries on the ECJ ruling please send them to ECJqueries@bsigroup.com

CROSS reports potential problems with the application of passive fire protection products

CROSS reports potential problems with the application of passive fire protection products

FIS is aware of two recent reports raised through CROSS (Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK) that highlight potential problems with the application of passive fire protection products.

One issue relates to the use on sealants with CPVP pipes (sprinkler pipe) which can apply to fire stopped pipe penetrations whereby the sealant or firestopping product used can cause failures over time which require repair and downtime of the sprinkler system. Additionally, it is possible that these failures could manifest only at such a time where the active fire suppression systems are required, and that the firestopping at the location of the penetration could itself fail in the event of a fire due to a difference between the site condition and the test condition.

FIS has previously published guidance on this which can be found here, and the CROSS report can be found here.

The second report deals with assumptions being made about the fire protection of steel supporting members within fire rated timber joist supporting floors. In these cases steel beams are not being protected with intumescent coating as it is assumed that the fire resistance of the floor encompasses the steel beams despite the absence of test evidence demonstrating this.

The CROSS report can be found here.

CROSS is a confidential reporting system which allows professionals working in the built environment to report on fire and structural safety issues. These are then published anonymously to share lessons learned, create positive change, and improve safety.

CLC updates its recommendation on Industry Card Schemes

CLC updates its recommendation on Industry Card Schemes

The CLC has published an updated version of its recommendation on Industry Card Schemes following the introduction of the Building Safety Act and the increased focus on competence.

The CLC recommendation has been adopted across the industry since it was first published in 2015, with the result that cards carrying the CSCS logo are specified and promoted for those undertaking recognised construction occupations. It confirms that CSCS Smart Check should be used to verify that individuals hold the correct card for their occupation and that cards should not be issued for non‐construction related occupations or those visiting sites.

Following the successful rollout of CSCS Smart Check, which enables cards across all 38 card schemes carrying the CSCS logo to be verified using the same platform, CSCS ‘Go Smart’ will be turned off on Sunday 31 March. Cards will not be able to be checked using Go Smart after this date, so members should ensure they have fully switched over to CSCS Smart Check in time, and this recent CSCS webinar outlines the steps to take.

CLC has also launched its Bi‐Annual Review and Plan for 2024 which sets out the CLC’s key priorities for this year, including Building Safety, Net Zero and Biodiversity, Next Generation Delivery, and People and Skills

FIS Consultation Document: A Defined Design Development Process

FIS Consultation Document: A Defined Design Development Process

FIS has been working on a number of fronts looking at how we support the “Responsible No”. As part of this work we have been breaking down the design development process and looking at irreconcilable details.  We are looking for member feedback on an outline paper that we have prepared “A Defined Design Development Process”.

This paper looks at the design development process and allocation of responsibility to trade contractors within the context of Contractors Design Portion (CDP).

The transfer of liability in complex amendments to standard form contracts and expectations associated with design development is commonplace.  Concern centres on procurement processes (see Figure 1) that give trade contractors little or no time to address design at tender stage and don’t allow for early supply chain engagement and encourage or foster collaboration between specialist contractors.

Increasingly specialist contractors are finding themselves responsible for the compliance of details that they did not design but are presented in contract as their liability.  This paper starts to explore how this should be co-ordinated more effectively through a more consistent and consultative design development centred on a standardise approach to creating a Design Responsibility Matrix (DRM).

We would appreciate feedback on this document using this form. Please email to info@thefis.org by 22 April 2024.

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increases for April 2024

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increases for April 2024

The government has announced an increase to the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, which will take effect from 1 April 2024.

These wage increases are significant because:

  • the Low Pay Commission has highlighted it as the largest-ever increase to the minimum wage in cash terms
  • the age that workers must receive the highest rate of the National Living Wage is being lowered, so it now applies to employees or workers aged 21 or over – it used to only apply to those aged 23 or over.

This effectively gets rid of the old ‘adult’ rate, which used to apply to those aged 21 or 22. The National Minimum Wage is the rate that applies to employees or workers aged under 21 or apprentices.

Those who are entitled to receive the apprentice rate must be aged under 19, or 19 and over and in the first year of their apprenticeship agreement. If an apprentice is 19 or over and has completed the first year of their current apprenticeship, they’re entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage for their age.

What are the new rates?

  • Age 21 or over (National Living Wage) – £11.44 an hour (increased from £10.42 an hour or from £10.18 an hour for those aged 21 or 22).
  • Age 18 to 20 – £8.60 an hour (increased from £7.49 an hour).
  • Age 16 and 17 – £6.40 an hour (increased from £5.28 an hour).
  • Apprentices – £6.40 an hour (increased from £5.28 an hour).

It’s important to make sure that pay is increased in line with any birthdays, or work anniversaries for apprentices moving into their second year.

CLC Latest: Material Supply Chain Group

CLC Latest: Material Supply Chain Group

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 Material Supply Chain Group.

As the first quarter of 2024 draws to a close the latest report from Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group (formerly Product Availability Group) continues to show good levels of product availability across the board.

The beginning of 2024 has also brought early signs of improvement in construction activity, although housebuilding is expected to be flat for most of the year.

Overall construction activity trended upward in January and February reaching its highest level since August 2023, despite poor weather. The weather is likely to have affected sales volumes through builders’ merchants, which remained static during the first two months of the year. Most regions, however, saw an increase in volumes in March and there are hints of pent-up demand as a handful of regions are showing high levels of sales compared to 2023.

Prices generally have increased by 3 to 4%, which mirrors the wider economy where CPI inflation in January was 4.0%.

Previous concerns about the impact on products normally transported via the Red Sea seem to have dissipated or are manageable. Although some are experiencing increased shipping costs and slight delays in delivery of ironmongery and sanitaryware this is now described as an ‘inconvenience’, and not a major issue.

Separately, the electro-technical sector has flagged concerns about the ongoing geopolitical risks in East Asia and the potential impact on any construction products, plant and tools with chips sourced from that region. The Group is considering adding this issue to its ‘horizon scanning’ and some members are independently analysing the situation.

However, the availability of skilled labour (outlined in the Group’s report of 20 February 2024) remains the most immediate and pressing concern for most in the Group, with several expressing the view that current market conditions have been masking the true scale of this issue, which will be exposed when the market picks up. The Group has shared these concerns with the CLC’s People & Skills Group where they will be taken up in further detail.

FIS launch updated Best Practice Drylining Guide

FIS launch updated Best Practice Drylining Guide

FIS has launched a revised and updated Best Practice Guide – Installation of Drylining to help promote best practice in the installation of drylining, and to take account of new working practices, the Building Safety Act and sustainability.

First published in 2015 and updated in 2018, this revised guide is an invaluable aid to specifiers, contractors, clients and installers. This publication will guide them through the design and installation of internal, non-loadbearing drylining constructions using gypsum plasterboard on rigid metal framework. It also includes descriptions of other non-plasterboard, such as calcium silicate board, which are also used in drylined systems. This guide includes drylined partitions, linings and passive fire protection.

Split into sections, the revised guide covers everything from the initial tendering and planning stages through to the eventual installation. It offers a series of points to consider when carrying out the installation of all types of drywall and provides updated and revised information including:

The guide sits alongside other FIS Best Practice Guides that relate to drylining:

Commenting on the drylining guides, Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive said:

“Drylining systems form firewalls, fire escape routes and provide passive internal fire protection so it is incredibly important to get it right at all stages of installation and this has to start far earlier and long before boots hit the ground. Our new and updated guides allow professionals to reduce risks, support compliance and most importantly of all encourage responsible planning.”

A valuable resource for improving works package delivery, these guides work well when they are included in proposals and project plans to demonstrate how to best approach a project.

You can download the Best Practice Guide – Installation of Drylining here.

For further information or for any questions and comments please contact the FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121-707-0077

 

 

 

Diabetes: the invisible epidemic creating major health and safety risks

Diabetes: the invisible epidemic creating major health and safety risks

FIS is working with The Diabetes Safety Organisation (DSO) to draw attention to the vital issue and risks that can be posed by diabetes in the workplace. Diabetes is often misunderstood and underestimated as a condition, and its impact on individuals and the workplace is not always visible. Around 8% of your employees have diabetes and around 33% have pre-diabetes. Many employees with diabetes ‘hide’ their condition at work and/or feel unsupported by their employer, leading to poor diabetes management for individuals and greater diabetes risks for them and the business.

In a previous issue of SpecFinish, we heard from Kate Walker, Director at Diabetes Safety Organisation, who explained that the rapid increase in the number of people with diabetes means that it is very likely that some employees on site will have the condition. Employers, therefore, must understand the risks and know how to support affected employees and their colleagues. You can read he full article here https://www.specfinish.co.uk/diabetes-the-invisible-epidemic-creating-major-health-and-safety-risks/

There are 1 million people living with undiagnosed diabetes. Undiagnosed and poorly managed diabetes can lead to significant changes in eye sight, lack of sensation in feet and lower concentration levels. Additionally it causes long term damage to key organs like the heart and kidneys, increasing the number of people who exit the workplace early. With the correct support at work, people can better manage their condition, improving their productivity, concentration and over all safety.

There is limited real world data on diabetes in the workplace and we are looking for organisations to help us and themselves understand key organisational risks such as:

  • Whether work practices are compromising the ability of employees with diabetes to manage their condition according to their health providers’ recommendations
  • Whether severe hypos are being hidden/not recorded in health and safety data
  • Whether employees know how to recognise and assist a colleague experiencing a hypo
  • Whether employees with diabetes are choosing to not disclose their condition to their line manager/HR
  • Whether employees with diabetes are compliant with DVLA driving regulations
  • Whether employees understand the risks from undiagnosed diabetes
  • Whether line managers are confident in their knowledge of diabetes risks at work and ability to support employees with diabetes

The survey is confidential and can be completed here – https://forms.office.com/r/iZ1aX051Va

 

CPA Construction Trade Survey – further weakness to end 2023

CPA Construction Trade Survey – further weakness to end 2023

It was a weak end to 2023 and a subdued start to 2024 for firms operating throughout the construction supply chain, according to the CPA Q4 2023 Trade Survey.

Trade surveys for the fourth quarter of 2023 indicated that it was the worst quarterly performance since the first half of 2020, when activity was disrupted by lockdowns at the height of the pandemic, with declines in workloads for chartered surveyors and SME building contractors, and falls in sales for both heavy and light side product manufacturers.

There are still some areas of growth, however, and workloads growth reported by civil engineering contractors confirms that infrastructure continued to provide activity, a pocket of growth also identified by chartered surveyors, alongside public non-housing. Outside of these sectors, however, the constituent surveys point to little near-term pickup in the first half of 2024.

Falls in new enquiries were reported across SME contractors’ main sectors of focus of house building, commercial/industrial and RM&I, which mirrors the official ONS data on construction output, which has shown a notable decline since the second half of last year, and new orders, which have declined since the end of 2022. For product manufacturers, sales are expected to fall in 2024, whilst for chartered surveyors expectations of growing workloads were again restricted to infrastructure and public non-housing.

A stark downshift in the housing market, reluctance among homeowners to commit to large improvements spending and lower volumes of large commercial and industrial projects in the pipeline mean that demand is increasingly being flagged as a primary constraint or concern for activity over the coming 12 months, particularly when this combines with flatlining economic growth, a step-change to higher interest rates and financing costs, and continued uncertainty over input inflation as the Red Sea transport diversions continue.

FIS seeks mandate for next Government

FIS seeks mandate for next Government

With Rt Hon Jeremey Hunt MP having set out his stall for what could well be his last time as Chancellor, FIS has issued to their community the first part of the FIS Manifesto, A Blueprint for Better Construction: Delivering Change in the Finishes and Interiors Sector.

This document, the first in a series of three policy documents sets down FIS views on near- and long-term policy levers that will support transformation in the sector.  The Manifesto draws heavily on recent research with the University of Reading on Procurement and Contracting, It is less focussed on the macro-economic picture than the Chancellor’s Budget, instead zoning in on the pressing business challenges which beset the specialist construction sector set against four key headings.

  • Public Sector Procurement reform led by a more ambitious Construction Playbook.  This needs to be backed by a consistent effort to measure outcomes.
  • Eliminate unreasonable risk transfer by enforcing standard form contracts that are aligned with supply chain insurance.
  • Revisit the Construction Act to simplify payment, reform retention and extend enforcement powers.
  • UK Construction Products Marking rules must be aligned to those for other products to support investment in new testing.

Commenting on the launch of this document, FIS President Philip Brown stated:

“This document draws together a lot of work that the FIS team has been doing through our daily engagement with members.  For an organisation to have a strong voice, it must carry a strong mandate and this is what we are seeking here.  We have a unique opportunity with Building Regulatory Change and an awakening on Sustainability already adding momentum to transformation.  Now is the time to rally the construction voice, to unite our community around a number of key simple statements.  The main focus is Policy levers, but it should complement our “Empowering the Responsible No” campaign highlighting areas where clients, including Government have unreasonable and damaging expectations that are ultimately undermining the sector.”

FIS CEO Iain McIlwee added:

“It is important to note that we are not sending this out as a fait accompli but playing back what we have learned from our research and wider engagement with members.  The essence of this document is simple and at risk of repeating requests of the past, but the reality is that there is at a basic level, I believe an understanding and realisation of the key things that do need to change.  We need to get on top of the design development process to deliver safety reform, this needs early supply chain involvement – there is a big gap between the Plan of Works and the Work!   If we want businesses to invest we need to create an environment that allows and rewards this.  None of it is rocket science.  My hope in this document is that we are moving beyond the who, what and when and starting to get into the why and how.  We welcome all comments and will listen, reflect and absorb before we finalise.  FIS provides a voice for the sector and this is about opening our ears before we start using our lungs!”

The draft manifesto is available to download here.

Unlock the door to a career in construction

Unlock the door to a career in construction

FIS is looking for members in London to provide support for individuals that have undertaken an introduction course for Interior Systems. The course is taking place in April, so if you can offer a work trial, work experience, or employment then please contact FIS Head of Skills and Training, Beena Nana beenanana@thefis.org before the end of March for more details.

Background
The Skills Centre London are putting together a four-week introduction to Interior Systems in London, in collaboration with FIS and Worshipful Company of Plaisterers.

Individuals will be provided with the following training:

  • Green Labourers CSCS card
  • Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
  • Level 1 Certificate in Basic Construction (including Plastering Techniques)
  • First Steps into Construction
  • Personal Wellbeing in Construction
  • Introducing Environmental Awareness and Sustainability
  • Practical skills training in our training environment
  • Work experience with an interior systems employer
  • Employability skills, mock interviews, CV support and career information, advice and guidance

A graduation ceremony will held at Plaisterers Hall on Monday 29 April, for both the candidates and members.

More information on the course is available here.

Construction quality improvement – contractors design portion survey

Construction quality improvement – contractors design portion survey

Supported by FIS, the Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) in Scotland is conducting research into Contractor Design Portions (CDPs).  The use of CDP has grown over the years, and we know that its use can create challenges (this was a major issue raised in our work with the University of Reading last year).

This survey will give an insight into why and how it is used and how its use can be improved. The survey information will be analysed and will allow the development of guidance that will support the sector to use CDP in a manner that will contribute to the construction quality outcomes we are all striving for. 

The link to the survey is: CQIC – CDP Working Group

We would urge all those involved in the sector to take the time to contribute to this important piece of research which will bring benefits to us all – the deadline for the survey is 15 March 2024.  Please do forward this too, to any construction colleagues (the aim is to gather information from all parts of the supply chain and it is not limited to the finishes and interiors sector).  We have a real opportunity to use the data to make a difference, but the validity and power of the data will be dependent on the level of response.

If you have any questions about the survey, contact Iain McIlwee on iainmcilwee@thefis.org

That’s a wrap

That’s a wrap

Thanks again to all who supported the FIS Conference on Delivering Productivity, Quality and Compliance in the fit-out sector and Putting Net Zero and sustainability first in a practical way at the Workspace Design Show.  It was a really interesting couple of days with views from over 30 leading experts blending with hundreds of attendees over the two days.  It was a great opportunity to look (collectively as a supply chain) at some of the key opportunities and challenges that we face and how we can individually and collectively change for the better.  So much content to digest and consider, but clear themes that we can draw.  It really struck me that whilst we covered a wide range of subjects, regardless of the question, the answers were similar and lean back into some core principles.  To really step forward we need:

  • earlier supply chain engagement centred on better risk management and a clear design development process,
  • we need to look in this at the Design Responsibility Matrix and a better defined process that picks up where the plan of works falls short,
  • the need to be clearer on what value we are procuring and find ways to step outside of the immediacy of the project,
  • stepping outside of the project amounts to focussing on a more circular supply chain that loops back rather that overlaps to accelerate
  • empathy led change needs better communication and more direct engagement with the client on the impact of current behaviours on insurability and sustainability.
  • Complicated contractual engagements undermine all of above and there needs to finally ne a genuine concerted effort to outlaw the routine amendments that distort risk and mask problems

Above is where we’ll be focussing on in our lobbying work and will be captured in Part 1 of our upcoming Manifesto that we will be releasing to members for consultation in the next week.

Celebrating innovation in the finishes and interiors sector

Celebrating innovation in the finishes and interiors sector

FIS announced the winners of its 2024 Innovation Awards at a ceremony held at is Conference in London on 27 February.

In front of a packed audience at the Business Design Centre, the winners of the FIS Innovation Awards were announced and presented. The Awards recognise and celebrate innovation in the finishes and interiors sector showcasing companies that are paving the way for greater efficiency and collaboration. The awards comprised four categories: Product Fit-Out, Product FF&E, Digital and Sustainability.

All entries were independently assessed by a panel of expert judges and the winner of each category was announced in front of a live audience. The winner of each category was then invited to deliver a short pitch on their innovation to the audience, who then determined the overall 2024 Innovation of the Year winner.

The 2024 award winners are:

Innovation of the Year
IOBAC UK for its contamination free flooring installation tabs

Digital
PlanRadar for its SaaS field management platfor, PlanRadar

Product – Fit Out
Fire Stop Products for SpeedCutter

Product – FF&E
Box Strap for its Box Strap bracket

Sustainability
IOBAC UK for its contamination free flooring installation tabs

The awards and event were supported by sponsors Troldtekt, Protektor, EPD Insulation Group, Canary Wharf Contractors and SpecFinish

Find out more about the winners and shortlist across all four categories.

FIS updates Risk Register to support compliance and business improvement

FIS updates Risk Register to support compliance and business improvement

As the full implication of the Building Safety Act and it’s impact on the wider Building Regulatory environment and commercial behaviours, FIS has updated its Product Process People Risk Register.  The aim is to provide members with a comprehensive Risk Register to support compliance and business improvement.

The FIS PPP Risk Register gives people a structured framework to interrogate project risk based on a assessment of severity and probability of a risk occurring.  The standard scoring system helps members to identify any unacceptable high risks and ensure management strategies are put in place to address.  The tool also helps a management team to assign risk correctly and contains a range of links to additional tools and information that will help support specific risk management.

FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:

“Risk is inescapable in any construction project, but at times we can feel so beset by risk that we become indifferent to it.  It is vital that as an industry we get better at measuring, managing and mitigating.

A large part of our work centres on identifying, interrogating and helping members to manage day to day problems they may encounter.  Our understanding and exposure to risk is constantly moving and evolving and it is critical we adopt a consistent approach to risk management.

This simple tool is built on collective wisdom, lessons learned and understanding gained through our wider work that ensures members are alert to where problems may appear.  It aims to help people to score and priorise risks and to start the necessary focus on mitigation, linking the user to the vast array of tools available to our members, directly through the FIS and our wider network.  The underlying principle is that the school of hard knocks is fine, but it is better to learn together and avoid learning the hard way wherever possible.”

Richard Brackstone Chief Executive of RB Management and Consulting Ltd who supported FIS in this update added:

“This is a really useful tool and one I would urge all members to work through, it is comprehensive and accessible.  Construction is fast and furious and risk is all around us, and it is tempting to bury our heads in the sand and hope for the best.  But, ultimately, success in construction is entirely dependent on how well we manage that inherent risk.  This list provides a focal point to conduct a review and at the very least serves as a helpful reminder”.

The FIS PPP Risk Register is available for members to download here

RB Management and Consulting Limited provide specialist Risk Management Support for FIS Members

Less than one week to go until the Workspace Design Show opens its doors

Less than one week to go until the Workspace Design Show opens its doors

In just a few days the eagerly-awaited Workspace Design Show, a leading trade show that brings together the UK workplace interiors community, will open its doors. Held at London’s Business Design Centre, handily placed in the heart of Islington, from 27-28 February 2024, the event offers attendees the chance to explore the latest industry trends, see the latest products, and find inspiration in the thought-provoking talks programmes.

This year’s extensive speaker programme has over 120 speakers across four key elements of discourse. The Workspace Design Talks programme, will feature inspiring sessions from leading industry professionals over the event’s two days. Speakers include Alan Bainbridge, Director of Workplace, BBC; Yasmin Al-Ani Spence, Director, WilkinsonEyre; Mary-Louise Gray, VP Workplace, Real Estate and Facilities, GSK; and Naomi Sakamoto, Principal Studio Director, Gensler. Topics covered include designing a workspace that meets cross generational needs, the hotelification of the office, using AI in workplace design and the evolution of workplace design through the eyes of next gen architects.

The FIS Conference, taking place on 27-28 February, will explore productivity, quality, compliance and sustainability issues in the fit-out sector, with leading speakers from among others tp bennett, MCM, Claremont, ISG, British Land and Turner & Townsend.

Sustainability Works, curated by Mick Jordan, Editor of Works magazine, returns for 2024 and is held on 27 February, once again bringing together a selection of key figures from firms such as Perkins&Will, Scott Brownrigg, BDG architecture and design and M Moser Associates, who are behind the workplace market’s leading sustainable initiatives and projects. The Occupiers Forum, held on 28 February, offers the complete ‘The View from HQ’. Located in the Insights Lounge, it will provide unique insights from occupiers such as BT Group, HSBC, Clifford Chance, Salesforce and Barclays into what employers are doing to create an engaging workplace experience.

2024’s features represent an incredible spectacle for attendees of the Show, all seeking inspiration from the overarching show theme ‘Bloom – Exploring the Thriving Ecosystem of Work Life’. There will be an array of captivating features such as the Design Talks Lounge by Gensler, the Entrance by tp bennett, the Insights Lounge by BDP, a Living Workplace lighting installation by Jason Bruges Studio, and the Recharge Lounge M Moser Associates,

Once again, FIS will host its awards at the Workspace Design Show. These will celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge innovations that define the finishes and interiors sector. With a spotlight on revolutionary materials, exceptional design techniques, and sustainability breakthroughs, the FIS Innovation Awards serve as a showcase of the industry’s finest achievements.

As the sun sets on the first day of the show, the Workspace Design Show invites attendees to party and socialise into the rest of the evening. This exclusive event is the perfect opportunity to unwind, network, and celebrate. The party kicks off immediately after the day’s activities from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, completely transforming the venue into a vibrant hub of creativity and connection.

This year will bring the exciting mood board contest area designed by MF Design Studio. The unique scheme runs parallel with a blooming tree; MF Design Studio have created an environment for the mood board contest to engage participants, to experience the world of workplace design through a personal exploration of materials, textures and colours. Their use of colour represents our diversity and how they approach design in an individual yet collaborative way, bold lines bloom into curves that define the different palettes. Using all sustainable materials to inspire designers to create a more sustainable future.  The contest allows attendees to create their own stunning mood boards, which they can then submit as their entry to the contest.

Exhibitors from over 20 countries will be showcasing innovative and transformational workplace interiors products during the event. The workplace world descends on London for the two days of Workplace Design Show from Pedrali and Lapalma from Italy, Spain’s Kettal and Actiu, Modulyss from Belgium and Woven image all the way from Australia, plus many more.

Workspace Design Show will be the place in London for architects, designers, occupiers, developers, consultants, coworking companies and fit-out companies to explore the latest industry trends, see the latest products, and find inspiration in the thought-provoking talks programmes.

Register now for a complimentary pass and attend the Workspace Design Show

Lens Blog: Learn to say, No

Lens Blog: Learn to say, No

FIS Consultant Len Bunton shares his thoughts on why businesses should learn to say, No.

Len’s message is that businesses should not accept onerous contract clauses that increase risk, extended payment periods, or contra charges to name a few.

In this blog, Len has set down a list of things that businesses in thge sector should be saying no to.

Adopting some of the statements should help you to manage the commercial aspects of projects much more efficiently and profitably. In my experience there are plenty of good employers and contractors out there who will look after you and who have long-term building programmes, and who will value your input, and who will want you to help them build successful projects on cost, on time and to a high quality.

Be selective of who you work for, and find out which organisations have long-term building programmmes, with whom you can build a successful relationship.

Len Bunton, Bunton Consulting

 

Members can see the full blog

These monthly Blogs are designed to help FIS Members avoid common traps and build on our focus on collective experience.  They share ideas about improving the commercial management of your contracts. In other words, instilling best practice into the way FIS members run and manage their business. What I have endeavored to suggest is ways to ensure you get paid on time, and what you are due.

Boosting routes into industry

Boosting routes into industry

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published a report from NOCN’s and CCATF (both education and skills bodies) setting out recommendations to improve the flow of skilled and competent talent into the construction sector.

The report highlights the challenges of ensuring competency of the workforce to comply with the new Building Safety Act, the overall decline in skills funding over the past 10 years and the need to upskill the workforce to embrace the green, digital jobs of the future. It suggests developing the CSCS scheme to support verification with competency under the Building Safety Act, improving diversity, and developing a more agile and consistent UK skills system for construction.

Find out more here.

Careers in construction: Go behind the scenes with Open Doors 2024!

Careers in construction: Go behind the scenes with Open Doors 2024!

There is just a month to go until Open Doors 2024 when construction companies across Great Britain will take visitors behind the scenes to showcase the diverse range of career opportunities available in the industry.

Open Doors 2024, delivered by Build UK, will see more than 210 events take place from Monday 18 to Saturday 23 March, giving young people and those looking for a change of career a unique opportunity to see construction in action.

Visitors are encouraged to go to the Open Doors website and see what’s happening in their local area, with a wide variety of construction projects offering the chance to go behind the hoardings. Sites include HS2 stations, skyscrapers, hospitals, schools, leisure centres, prisons and more, whilst factories, offices and training centres will also be opening their doors to demonstrate the off-site roles on offer across the sector.

An Open Doors visit gives a real insight into the opportunities within construction, dispelling many of the myths that surround the industry. For example, the average annual salary in construction is higher than many people think at almost £45,000. Build UK research also shows that the average completion rate for apprenticeships delivered by members is 85%, compared to the Government target of 67%, whilst 90% of other new entrants who come via college or university remain with their company after completing their training or probationary period.

With construction traditionally seen as outdoor physical work, Open Doors visitors will also see the huge range of office-based roles along with a significant increase in the use of technology and demand for digital skills.

With more than 180 careers available and currently 36,000 vacancies in construction, the industry has something to offer everyone, whatever their age, background or skills. There is so much more to construction than just building – from design and engineering through to project planning and sustainability initiatives – and more companies are embracing flexible working to help make it a positive career choice for everyone.

Find out more and book your place on the Open Doors website.

Government publishes national infrastructure and construction pipeline

Government publishes national infrastructure and construction pipeline

The Government has published its long awaited National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline 2023, which sets out planned and projected investment in major economic and social infrastructure over the next 10 years, the workforce requirement to deliver it, as well as a list of near term planned procurements.  The aim is to help manufacturers and the wider industry make informed business planning decisions, and support investment in skills and construction productivity.

For more information click here