by Clair Mooney | 14 Feb, 2025 | Drylining, Employment, Skills
Construction training provider, The Skills Centre has launched a cutting-edge apprenticeship scheme specialising in drylining.
Designed in collaboration with employers and endorsed by FIS, this specialist training programme will launch in March at The Skills Centre’s new green skills training facility in Edgware, run in partnership with Ballymore, Places for London and Barnet Council. The programme will then expand to The Skills Centre’s Build East facility at The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and into a new custom facility in Essex later this year.
With demand for new housing, the need to upgrade buildings across the UK to help optimise space and deliver net-zero emissions by 2050, demand for interior systems, insulation and retrofit skills is surging. Yet, the industry faces a critical shortage of trained professionals. Our new interior systems and drylining apprenticeship will help bridge this gap by equipping learners with some of the essential skills required to meet these targets. An estimated 3.4 million properties in London alone require retrofitting, and with 78% of construction employers reporting retrofit skills shortages, this training is timely and essential.
The drylining apprenticeship training will cover:
- Partition Walls
- MF Ceilings
- Grid Ceilings
- Shaft Walls
- Metsec Installation
- Rainscreen Cladding
- Passive Fire Protection
Apprentices will gain additional qualifications in:
- NVQ L2 Interior Systems
- PASMA
- CSCS
- SSSTS (if eligible)
This apprenticeship is open to those seeking to build a successful career within the construction sector, providing the skills, knowledge, and behaviours necessary to establish a strong foundation in the industry.
Supporting employer recruitment: To assist employers with recruitment, The Skills Centre offers 8-week interior systems bootcamps for new entrants. These bootcamps provide a mix of classroom and practical training, including CSCS Green Card, and allow employers to meet pre-screened candidates and conduct two-week trial placements before committing to an apprenticeship hire. This provides companies with access to a pipeline of engaged, local candidates equipped with the relevant skills to excel in the apprenticeship programme from day 1.
Jon Howlin, CEO of The Skills Centre, said:
“Recruiting quality candidates has been a significant challenge for many in the construction industry. Our apprenticeship and bootcamp programmes are designed to alleviate this by providing a vital pipeline of skilled, local talent ready to meet the industry’s evolving demands.
“The Skills Centre is committed to collaborating with employers and construction companies to ensure that local people have access to opportunities in the industry and that our partners receive the skilled workforce they need for their projects.”
While the Interior Systems Apprenticeship is a new addition to The Skills Centre’s delivery, they have been providing apprenticeships in Groundwork, Formwork, Steel Fixing and Highways Maintenance for several years, and recently received a Good overall grade from OFSTED with Outstanding marks for Adult Education Provisions.
FIS CEO Iain McIlwee added:
“Employers want people, people want jobs that allow them to earn and develop and government want a productive workforce, yet we seem to make it complicated and consistently fail to meet the expectations of each other.
“It is refreshing to be working so closely with The Skills Centre to rethink the way that we put it all together and deliver a programme that can work for everyone. Flexible, practical and quality provision, tailored to employer need in an environment that supports the individuals is what this is all about. Plugging in the Bootcamps makes sense too, it means employers and individuals can start the process, help people get productive early and ensure that we are investing in the people that want to and will be able to carve a career out in our industry with full knowledge of what that is before the serious investment starts. The next 5 years is going to see major reform of the apprenticeship model and this is a fabulous way to kick that off in the finishes and interiors sector”.
The Skills Centre are working with a number of employers to support both the Bootcamp and the Apprenticeship, including Measom, one of the leading Drywall Contractors in the UK and an integral part of the construction industry.
Rikki Wild, Training Manager at Measom said,
“Creating clear and accessible entry points into the dry lining industry is crucial for its long-term success, and this programme achieves just that. By combining intensive bootcamps with structured apprenticeships, we are offering a comprehensive pathway for new talent to enter the sector, providing them with the essential skills and knowledge from the very start. At Measom, we recognise the great value of practical, employer-led training that ensures apprentices are fully prepared and confident when working on-site. This initiative plays a key role in helping employers like us develop a highly skilled, adaptable, and sustainable workforce, which is vital to meeting the future needs and challenges of the industry.”
To learn more about this apprenticeship opportunity or to apply, visit https://theskillscentre.co.uk/courses-services/interior-systems-installer-dry-lining-apprenticeships.
by Clair Mooney | 22 Mar, 2024 | Drylining
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
by Clair Mooney | 5 Mar, 2024 | Ceilings, Drylining, Employment, Main News Feed, Skills
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.
by Oscar Venus | 9 Feb, 2024 | Drylining, Main News Feed
SkillBuild, delivered by CITB, is the largest multi-trade skills competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices.
Registration for regional heats is now open. Categories include Plastering and Drylining (previously Plastering and Drywall).
FIS will be attending and is encouraging members to get behind the regional heats to support the competition and use these opportunities to engage with local schools and colleges. Our aim is to ensure key interior trades such as Drylining, Plastering and Carpentry and Joinery have a strong presence in the competition and we use the opportunity that SkillBuild provides to promote the sector.
Having attended the 2023 SkillBuild finals, the excitement and motivation in the room of all the participants was inspiring.
The SkillBuild competition offers an opportunity for talented apprentices and learners of all ages to compete regionally against one another in various trade categories.
SkillBuild offers many benefits for employers and training providers, such as:
- Showcase the quality of your training programmes through success in competitions
- Highlight your organisations commitment to raising standards in work-based learning.
- Boost your long-term business performance
More information on the competition including locations can be found here: SkillBuild | Go Construct
If you’re interested in coming to SkillBuild, or for any other Skills and Training queries, please get in touch with our Skills Team – Beena beenanana@thefis.org or Marie marieflinter@thefis.org
by Oscar Venus | 8 Aug, 2023 | Drylining, Labour, Skills
Sector Based Work Academy – West London College
Registration – Friday 22nd September, 10am
Starts – Monday 25th September, 10am
Location – Southall Community College , Beaconsfield Road, Southall, UB1 1DP
What we are asking members to do is to support with the work experience and guaranteed job interview
✔Pre-employment training – focusing on requirements for the construction sector
✔Relevant sector ‘tickets’ including Health and Safety
✔Work experience placement – a great opportunity for a business to identify talent and for the individual to cement their knowledge and understanding of the required role
✔A guaranteed job interview or help with an employer’s recruitment process
Sector-based work academies are a valuable resource for those looking to transition into a new field of work. These academies provide training and education to individuals who are currently receiving unemployment benefits, with the goal of preparing them to apply for jobs in a different sector.
The placements offered through sector-based work academies are specifically designed to meet the immediate and future recruitment needs of employers. By providing individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a particular field, these academies help to recruit and sustain a workforce that is equipped to grow and develop a business.
Overall, sector-based work academies are a powerful tool for both job seekers and employers. They provide a pathway for individuals to transition into new fields of work and help businesses to find employees with the right skills to thrive.
The 2 Week program is designed with the aim of preparing individuals for employment in the construction sector. The program is made up of various components including pre-employment training, sector tickets, work experience placement and guaranteed job interviews. These components are put together to ensure that individuals are equipped with the necessary skills and experience to succeed in the construction sector.
Pre-employment training is an important aspect of the program as it focuses on the requirements for the construction sector. During this training, individuals will be taught about the various roles in the sector and the skills required to succeed in these roles. The training will also cover topics such as health and safety, communication and teamwork.
Relevant sector tickets, including health and safety, will also be provided to individuals as part of the program. These tickets are important as they demonstrate that individuals have the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the construction sector. Employers in the sector often require individuals to have these tickets before they can be employed.
The program also includes a work experience placement which provides individuals with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the sector. This is a great opportunity for businesses to identify talent and for individuals to cement their knowledge and understanding of the required role.
Finally, the program includes a guaranteed job interview or help with an employer’s recruitment process. This ensures that individuals have the best possible chance of securing employment in the construction sector.
For more information or to sign up to the course please email Beena Nana
by Clair Mooney | 16 Jun, 2023 | Drylining, Skills
FIS, in partnership with e-Aptitude, is proud to announce the launch of its FIS STEPs Vocational Knowledge Programme for Drylining. This specialised technical education programme, which was produced by e-Aptitude with support from FIS, has been designed to support training providers in delivering apprenticeships and Vocational Qualifications (VQs) and candidates in achieving their qualifications in Drylining.
Divided into multiple modules, this online training resource provides:
- Access to clear, concise and accessible knowledge training to support candidates’ practical experience.
- Delivers consistent and up-to-date knowledge training.
- Resource for delivery of guided learning in group theory sessions.
- The facility to set tasks for self-learning and test retention of material.
- Tracks and monitors progress of candidates throughout the programme.
- Statistics and reporting data for management of trainees.
FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee said:
This is a learning resource that will support consistent delivery of the knowledge elements of both the apprenticeship and in support of those working towards assessment for a vocational qualification. As we move into the new era of competence, the sector must have a more consistent approach to instilling knowledge in anyone joining our workforce and this is a vital step forward for competency in the drylining sector.
Steve Halcrow, director of e-Aptitude, added:
The STEPs team is proud to be partnering with FIS on a project that is so vital for the future of our sector. High quality, consistent knowledge information is a key part of the training for a drylining apprentice and will be a powerful tool for employers and Training Providers delivering there apprenticeship.
FIS promotion of drylining training and our collaboration on this e-learning program, is a major step forward for our industry.
For further information or for any questions please email contact@stepsdigitalfis.co.uk or contact FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077.
