Skills Archives

CITB initiates review of National Occupational Standards for Plastering

by Clair Mooney | 15 May, 2025 | Main News Feed, Skills

As part of this process, members of the plastering sector are being contacted to participate in the review. This offers a chance for industry professionals to influence the standards that will ultimately shape N/SVQs.

CITB are seeking representation from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with the consultation planned to begin in the next couple of weeks.

Interested parties can complete the provided form https://forms.office.com/e/rgVfxvSymW to participate.

More information on National Occupational Standards can be found here: National Occupational Standards (NOS) – CITB

SFS competency framework

by Clair Mooney | 2 May, 2025 | Skills

We are offering members the opportunity to give their feedback on the proposed competency framework for SFS.

FIS has been working with members and CITB to develop this, and it is now available for review for a 30-day period (1 May to 2 June 2025). These frameworks define the Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours essential for each trade. The framework can be viewed here https://citb.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/CF_SFS

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.

Build your team and help to address the skills shortage

by Clair Mooney | 10 Apr, 2025 | Skills

Come and see us on 30 April at Build East Stratford

FIS has partnered with The Skills Centre to deliver Skills Bootcamps to address the growing skills shortage in the finishes and interiors sector.

To support this, we would like to invite you to your local Bootcamp which is taking place on 30 April at Build East, Stratford to see first-hand the candidates who are currently undertaking training in Internal / External Insulation and Drylining.

As part of the bootcamp, we are looking for employers who can offer interviews, two-week work placements and/or employment opportunities for these candidates.

Funded by the Department for Education, these bootcamps provide a pathway for those looking to enter construction or upskill into a more specialist role. But without the support of employers these individuals may never enter construction.

By coming along, you can meet the individuals and see the training in action. The Internal / External Insulation and Dry Lining Bootcamps have a duration of 8 weeks, which include 2 weeks work experience, an outline of what is included as part of a bootcamp is listed below:

Training and Qualifications*:

Cskills Level 1 Health & Safety
CITB CSCS Health & Safety Environment (Green Card)
Level 2 Understanding Domestic Retrofit
Level 2 Removing Non-Hazardous Waste in the Workplace (Blue Card)
Environmental awareness in the construction industry
Introduction to Interior Systems
Introduction to Passive Fire

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

If you are interested in finding out more about this initiative contact beenanana@thefis.org

We hope to see you there.

Bootcamp dates and venues

Build East Stratford, London – visit 30 April 2 – 4pm
Birmingham, Aston – date to be confirmed
Essex, West Horndon – visit 14 May 12 – 2pm
Edgware, London – date to be confirmed

Inspiring the Next Generation: Join FIS at the ‘50 Careers in a Day’ Festival

by Oscar Venus | 10 Apr, 2025 | Labour, Skills

FIS is proud to be partnering with Building Our Skills to deliver an exciting Careers Festival – showcasing ‘50 Careers in a Day’ – designed to open young minds to the diverse opportunities available within the finishes and interiors sector and the wider construction industry.

Taking place on Tuesday 20th May at the AluK Design Centre in London, this one-day event will bring together school-aged children, teachers, careers advisors, and parents to explore what a future in construction could look like. The festival will feature real stories from real people, with industry professionals sharing insights into their own career journeys, what inspired them, and the variety of roles available across the sector.

Why Get Involved?

This initiative is about more than just awareness — it’s about making construction a career of choice for the next generation. The event aims to:

Position construction as an exciting and rewarding long-term career
Provide clear, practical information and guidance
Enable direct engagement with passionate people working in the industry

We’re inviting FIS members to get involved — whether it’s by giving a short talk, sharing your story, or bringing along a hands-on activity that helps bring your work to life.

Event Details

Tuesday 20th May
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
AluK Design Centre, Henry Thomas House, 5-11 Worship St, London EC2A 2BH

Interested in Taking Part?

If you’d like to be part of this inspiring day and help us shape the future of our industry, please get in touch with Beena Nana at
beenanana@thefis.org by Friday 8 May.

Recruiting and Retaining the Construction Workforce

by Oscar Venus | 10 Apr, 2025 | Labour, Skills

FIS joins concerns in the level of challenges that the workforce are facing as we take part in last week’s Build UK Forum, where we joined industry peers to explore the initial findings of ongoing research by Warwick University into workforce challenges across construction.

The discussion reinforced what many within the finishes and interiors sector are already experiencing which is that the way our industry operates has a direct impact not only on the ability to recruit and retain skilled workers, but also on overall quality, productivity, and performance.

The research is shedding light on some of the key structural and cultural issues affecting our workforce, including:

High levels of self-employment
Intense project timelines and long working hours
Extended periods working away from home
A lack of recognition and reward
Poor mental health and wellbeing support

As a sector already facing a significant skills gap, these findings underline the urgent need for change. We welcome Warwick University’s continued work, particularly its focus on understanding what draws new entrants into the industry. This insight will be critical to shaping more effective recruitment strategies and building a more sustainable and supportive working environment.

FIS remains committed to supporting members in tackling these challenges and championing improvements that will help attract and retain the skilled workforce our sector needs.

FIS Mental Health Hub

Here you can find information and resources to help you with your mental health and wellbeing.

Click Here