Employment Archives

FIS partners with The Skills Centre to tackle skills shortage in the finishes and interiors sector

by Clair Mooney | 15 Apr, 2025 | Employment, Skills

FIS is delighted to announce its new partnership with The Skills Centre to deliver essential training and support for individuals pursuing careers in the finishes and interiors sector. This collaboration aims to address the growing skills shortage in construction, specifically in this sector, which faces a critical demand for skilled workers.

According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the construction sector will require an additional 251,500 workers by 2028. Furthermore, 61% of FIS members report struggling to find skilled workers, highlighting the urgency of this partnership to address the skills gap. As the UK continues to invest in reaching its Net Zero targets, retrofit projects will increase, driving continued demand for insulation and drylining skills as the 2050 deadline approaches.

Through this collaboration, The Skills Centre will deliver a series of Bootcamps designed to provide individuals with the hands-on training and industry-specific knowledge necessary to kickstart their careers in the finishes and interiors sector. These intensive programmes will bridge the gap between talent supply and employer demand, offering practical experience and career support to participants.

The first offering will be an Introduction to Insulation and Drylining course, which is a free, eight-week programme. Successful participants will earn a Level 2 qualification. The training and qualifications* will include:

In addition, a new Drylining Apprenticeship will be available for pre-screened local candidates who have come through funded Bootcamps. This specialist training will cover Partition Walls, MF Ceilings, Grid Ceilings, Shaft Walls, Metsec Installation, Rainscreen Cladding and Passive Fire Protection.

Employers in the finishes and interiors sector are encouraged to get involved and support the initiative by providing interview opportunities or offering work experience placements with a view to future employment. The initiative aims to support workforce development, create opportunities for career growth, and enhance the talent pipeline within the sector.

Commenting on the initiative, FIS Head of Skills Beena Nana, said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with The Skills Centre to enhance the support we provide to our members while tackling the growing skills shortages in our industry. This partnership enables us to combine resources and expertise, fostering opportunities for development, training, and growth, which will ultimately benefit our members and the broader community by addressing critical workforce challenges.”

Sam Downton, Director at The Skills Centre added:

“Our new partnership with FIS marks a significant step forward for the interior systems and drylining sector. This part of the industry plays a critical role in shaping the internal environments where we live, work, and learn—but it continues to face skills shortages and often flies under the radar as a long-term, rewarding career option.

“Joining forces with FIS brings together their sector leadership and our expertise in delivering high-quality, hands-on training. Central to this partnership are our specialist Bootcamps, which are imperative for attracting new talent into the industry. They provide a direct route for individuals—many of whom are new to construction—to gain essential skills, site experience, and the confidence to move straight into employment.

“For employers, these Bootcamps open up access to a wider, work-ready talent pool and offer a practical solution to workforce gaps. Together with FIS, we’re not only building stronger pathways into the sector, but also helping to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and skilled future for interior systems and drylining across London and Essex”.

Employers can also attend planned visits to the following training centres to meet candidates and see the training in action:

Build East, Stratford – Wednesday, 30 April, 14:00 – 16:00
West Horndon, Essex – Wednesday, 14 May, 12:00 – 14:00

If you are an employer interested in attending any of these sessions or would like to support this initiative, please contact Beena Nana at beenanana@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077.

For employers interested in finding out more about the Bootcamps and how they can get involved, a dedicated webinar will provide all the information needed to get started.

*Actual qualifications delivered may vary based on employer demand at the time of delivery.

Holiday leave laws have changed – are you up to date?

by Clair Mooney | 27 Mar, 2025 | Employment

Holiday entitlement is often confusing, and with new changes introduced in January 2024, it’s more important than ever for employers to fully understand the rules.

FIS Associate Member Citation, has created a free guide for FIS members, written by HR and Employment Law experts, to provide practical advice to help businesses:

Understand the latest legal changes
Calculate holiday entitlement for full-time and part-time staff
Handle accrued leave correctly
Know when holidays can be carried forward

Whether you’re a small business or managing a large team, this guide will help you stay on top of holiday leave and avoid costly mistakes.

FIS members can download the free guide here: https://tinyurl.com/489ja7ee

If you’d like to chat about how Citation can help with the HR and Health & Safety side of your business, just give them a call on 0345 844 1111, or fill in their call-back form, and they’ll get right back to you. Remember to quote ‘The Finishes and Interiors Sector’ when enquiring to access preferential rates.

Employment Rights Bill amended

by Oscar Venus | 13 Mar, 2025 | Contractual and Legal, Employment

The Government has tabled amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, described as the “biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation“, following a series of consultations. There are 28 reforms set out in the Bill designed to increase protections for workers, and the amendments which the Government claims will support economic growth include:

Zero hours contracts and agency workers – Employers will have to offer guaranteed hours to agency workers and provide reasonable notice for shifts and compensation for short-notice cancellations or changes.
Collective redundancy – The maximum period of the protective award will increase from 90 to 180 days, with further guidance to be published for employers.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – SSP, which will become a ‘day one’ right for all workers, will be calculated at 80% of normal weekly earnings for individuals earning less than the Lower Earnings Limit.
Umbrella companies – Workers will be able to access comparable rights and protections when working through an umbrella company as they would when taken on directly.
Industrial relations – Information requirements for industrial action ballots will be simplified, e-balloting will be introduced, and the notice period for strikes will be reduced to 10 days.

The Bill has now passed in the House of Commons and will move to the House of Lords, and the Government has confirmed that further detail on many of the policies will be provided through regulations after the Bill has received Royal Assent, which is expected to be this summer.

Are you ready for the Employment Rights Bill?

by Clair Mooney | 11 Mar, 2025 | Employment

Major changes to UK Employment Law are on the horizon, and businesses need to take action. The Employment Rights Bill, published on 10 October, introduces significant reforms that will affect employment rights, working conditions, and employer responsibilities.

Our Associate Service Provider Member Citation’s free expert-written guide helps businesses understand:

New day-one rights
Updated standards for workers
Changes to trade unions
Practical steps to prepare and stay compliant

FIS members can download their free copy here: https://tinyurl.com/sz7fhd54

If you’d like to chat about how Citation can help with the HR and Health & Safety side of your business, just give them a call on 0345 844 1111, or fill in their call-back form, and they’ll get right back to you. Remember to quote ‘The Finishes and Interiors Sector’ when enquiring to access preferential rates.

Struggling to hire and keep great employees? You’re not alone

by Clair Mooney | 18 Feb, 2025 | Employment

Recruitment challenges are at an all-time high, with businesses facing talent shortages, rising competition, and changing workforce expectations. To help employers overcome these obstacles, our Associate Service Provider Member Citation has developed an expert-written Recruitment & Retention Guide packed with practical strategies and legal insights.

This guide includes:

Where to advertise your vacancy
Job interview question examples
How to develop a proper induction process
Tips to keep your people happy and engaged

Whether you’re hiring now or planning for the future, this resource is essential for staying ahead in today’s job market. Download your free copy here: https://tinyurl.com/4zta5e3v

If you’d like to chat about how Citation can help with the HR and Health & Safety side of your business, just give them a call on 0345 844 1111, or fill in their call-back form, and they’ll get right back to you. Remember to quote ‘The Finishes and Interiors Sector’ when enquiring to access preferential rates.

Inheritance Tax Changes

by Oscar Venus | 14 Feb, 2025 | Contractual and Legal, Employment, Market data

Through construction umbrella body Build UK, FIS, is supporting thecampaign by Family Business UK which is calling on the Chancellor to reconsider the changes to inheritance tax announced in the Autumn Budget, and we would encourage affected members to complete a short survey to help demonstrate the significant impact of the changes on businesses and the wider economy.

With an estimated 4.8 million family‐owned businesses in the UK, the changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief will affect businesses across the country and starve the economy of investment. 81% of construction SMEs are family‐run and by working with Family Business UK we can demonstrate the significant economic contributions that these businesses make and how the changes will not provide the expected tax revenue. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete, and the deadline for responses is 2 March.