by Nicky Smith | Dec 13, 2016 | Main News Feed
Adrian Belton, chief executive of CITB, has resigned after three years in the role. He will leave the organisation at the end of 2016. Sarah Beale, currently chief financial officer and corporate performance director, will become the acting chief executive.
The resignation of Adrian Belton is regrettable, particularly as it is just before the organisation goes through the next consensus process in 2017. FIS has however developed a robust independent training plan for the sector that will function whoever is at the helm of CITB or indeed if it survives next year’s vote.
We need to think differently about training and taking control of the provision, development and funding of this process. Only then can we make training a simple choice for you to develop your business.
For more information on our training plans click here.
by Nicky Smith | Dec 8, 2016 | Main News Feed
What does the office of the future really look like? The British Council for Offices has partnered with specialist publishing house Raconteur in the production of ‘The Future Office’ which was published in The Times on 7 December.
The report will drive understanding amongst industry professionals and senior business leaders around the critical role the architecture, design and management of the office space has in driving innovation, engagement and productivity.
With leading analysis and commentary written by the most high-profile thinkers in this field including Jeremy Myerson, Jessica Mairs and Rebecca Burn-Callander, this publication will explain, clarify and offer fresh insights into the new era of the office.
Download the report here.
by Nicky Smith | Dec 7, 2016 | Main News Feed
BSI, the Business Standards Institution, this week launched a new Kitemark for BIM (Building Information Modelling), helping construction businesses around the world prove their capabilities in delivering projects at the design and construction phase.
Amongst the first organisations worldwide to achieve the Kitemark for PAS 1192-2 are FIS members Balfour Beatty Plc, Skanska UK Plc and voestapline Metsec Plc. They were recognised at BSI’s Kitemark BIM Design & Construction launch on Tuesday 6 December.
by Nicky Smith | Dec 5, 2016 | Main News Feed
A summary of the data revealed that the construction rebound continued in November, but cost inflation was strongest for five-and-a-half years. Other key findings were that business activity rose at the fastest rate since March; Commercial work picked up for the first time in six months and suppliers continued to pass on higher imported raw material costs.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 28, 2016 | Main News Feed
December’s edition of the Joint Taxation Committee’s Newsline provides an overview of the Autumn Statement which was announced on 23 November.
The Newsline is available to read here.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 24, 2016 | Main News Feed
This week, the International Construction Measurement Standards Coalition (ICMSC) launched a public consultation for the International Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS). The standard seeks to improve consistency and reduce risk in the global construction industry.
Anyone can respond to the ICMS consultation, but in particular, quantity surveyors, cost consultants, civil engineers, architects and all construction professionals who work on cost calculation in construction and infrastructure projects in the public and private global sectors are encouraged to take part.
The ICMS Coalition is a rapidly growing partnership of more than 40 professional and not-for-profit organisations from around the world, including CIOB, RICS, RIBA, ICE and IET. They are committed to producing and supporting one shared standard for construction measurement. Together, they aim to develop and implement international standards for benchmarking, measuring and reporting construction project cost.
To view the consultation paper, click here.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 21, 2016 | Main News Feed
CITB has recently launched Levy Online, a service that allows inscope registered companies to complete their 2016 (and previous years) levy return online, rather than having to complete a paper copy.
Initially, CITB will be rolling out the system to a small number of selected employers and supporting them through the input process. This will be followed by a planned and phased roll out to 200 employers a day, with a target of having all users online by the end of November. This rollout will help CITB to maintain a manageable number of concurrent users.
FIS members are encouraged to sign up to use it in the future by visiting their website: www.citb.co.uk/levy-grant/complete-levy/
Any company wishing to register will need to email the following information to levygrant.online@citb.co.uk:
Employer registration number
Company name
Your name
Email address
Telephone number
by Nicky Smith | Nov 21, 2016 | Main News Feed
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has opened a public consultation on proposals to amend the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). The assessment is used for many purposes, including compliance with Building Regulations, and to produce Energy Performance Certificates. This consultation sets out twenty areas of the methodology which are under review and seeks views on proposed changes. If FIS members have any comments, please contact us by 13 January 2017 and we will submit on your behalf.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 17, 2016 | Main News Feed
Members are reminded that back in May this year, Build UK released two new industry standards, The Safety Helmet Colours and Training Standard.
The Safety Helmet Colours standard uses simple colour coding to identify on-site personnel and provides a clear and consistent approach to improve communication and safety across construction projects. Site supervisors will wear black hard hats with slingers and signallers in orange, site managers in white and most workers in blue.
For more information, visit Build UK’s website.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 17, 2016 | Main News Feed
On 16 November, we attended the IET Innovation Awards in London. Along with 3D Repo and Balfour Beatty, we had been shortlisted in the Information Technology category for BID4Free.
Bid4Free is an open source online 3D platform for the construction industry where subcontractors can tender for projects at no additional cost.
Unfortunately, we weren’t crowned winners on this occasion but were very happy with a ‘Highly Commended’.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 17, 2016 | Main News Feed
The BIM Forum has released the 2016 version of its Level of Development (LOD) Specification. This is a reference guide that enables practitioners in the AEC Industry to specify and articulate with a high level of clarity, the content and reliability of Building Information Models (BIMs) at various stages in the design and construction process. Follow the BIM Forum website link on the right to download your free copy.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 16, 2016 | Main News Feed
The People’s Pension can help FIS Members understand automatic enrolment workplace pensions. They have UK-based people ready to help – over the phone, by email or via webchat. Their online help centre is full of useful guides, videos and handy checklists.
Your business can’t afford to ignore ‘automatic’ enrolment as it does require some of your input to keep within the law. We have added a helpful document within the employment section on our Knowledge Hub here.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 16, 2016 | Main News Feed
One of the most significant rulings in employment law history came about at the end of last month, when the cab-hailing firm Uber lost a landmark tribunal decision over drivers’ working rights. The tribunal found that as the drivers worked regularly for and were subject to the terms of the firm, that they were not genuinely self-employed, and therefore should be given workers’ rights – such as holiday pay, pensions, and so on.
With Uber set to appeal, the ruling is not yet set in stone. However, it is worth noting at this stage that this could have ramifications for companies in the construction industry who use the same CIS workers on a regular basis, as the same logic could be applied.
FIS will be keeping a close eye on developments and the possible implications for our sector. We will also be responding to the Taylor Review which will look at workers’ rights following the growth of the ‘gig economy’, as this may also impact our sector.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 10, 2016 | Main News Feed
On Monday 7 November, the annual Plaisterers’ Training Awards took place in London. The awards recognise the highest standards of achievement in training and education within the UK plastering trade.
We are delighted to hear that one of our approved training providers, Now Get Qualified Ltd, won the British Gypsum Trophy. This is judged on the best combined results gained by an independent training provider at NVQ Level 2 and Diploma in drylining.
Now Get Qualified Ltd are approved by FIS as a training provider and their vast selection of courses covering NVQ Level 2 to 6 can be viewed and booked on FIS CourseSight: https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/training/courses-index/
by Nicky Smith | Nov 8, 2016 | Main News Feed
November’s edition of the Joint Taxation Committee’s Newsline provides information on:
- Making Tax Digital
- Apprenticeship Levy
- CIS telephone verifications
- Business rating of show homes
- PAYE reporting / late payments
- Changes to government gateway
- HMRC phishing emails
- Welsh land transaction tax
- Business premises renovation allowance
- Northern Ireland corporation tax
HMRC are still struggling with the new CIS system that has been designed for them. If any FIS member encounters a problem, please contact Liz Bridge.
The Newsline is available to read here.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 8, 2016 | Main News Feed
This week’s Notes give an overview of the latest Markit/CIPS PMI for construction. The third relevant authorities workshop on project data management will take place on 5 December at the Building Centre in London. Read the Notes here.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 8, 2016 | Main News Feed
Under a new government scheme launched last week, small businesses who have had finance requests rejected by banks will be matched with alternative finance options. Nine of the UK’s biggest banks will pass on the details of rejected small businesses to three finance platforms who will then share these details with alternative finance providers, facilitating a conversation between the business and a finance provider.
These new rules make it easier for businesses to access finance, giving permission before their details are shared to Funding Xchange, Business Finance Compared and Funding Options.
Research shows that 71% of businesses seeking finance only approach one lender and many give up rather than seeking alternative investment options.
by Nicky Smith | Nov 8, 2016 | Main News Feed
According to the Construction Trade Survey released on 7 November, growth was reported throughout the construction industry supply chain in Q3 of 2016, marking a fourteenth consecutive quarter of growth. Construction product sales volumes increased for manufacturers at the beginning of the supply chain and output was reported to have been higher for main contractors. Although specialist contractors, SME builders and civil engineering firms also reported continued growth in Q3, balances were weaker than reported a quarter earlier. Read the full survey here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 31, 2016 | Main News Feed
Alongside updates on the economy and housing, this week’s Notes include more information on the Apprenticeship Levy and LEXiCON. Read the Notes here.
by Nicky Smith | Oct 28, 2016 | Main News Feed
Further to Build UK’s Contractor and Trade Association Forums last month, members agreed a proposal for a reformed pre-qualification system. FIS members are invited to view details of two elements of the reformed process and confirm their support, or voice any concerns, to FIS so that we can provide feedback on behalf of our membership.
The main features of the new system include: Two levels of accreditation – core and enhanced; An agreed industry question set; A central data source of information.
Please see the links below for further detail on two elements of the reformed process:
1. The list of high and low-risk activities which will help determine the level of accreditation a company needs
2. The additional industry agreed questions which will form part of the industry question set
Please confirm your support for the two papers, or raise any specific concerns you have, to info@thefis.org by Friday 4 November.
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