Skills Archives

FIS STEM Ambassadors – Catch-Up with GoConstruct (CITB)

by Oscar Venus | 11 Jul, 2025 | Skills

Recently, FIS STEM Ambassadors had a virtual catch-up via Teams with GoConstruct (CITB) to explore ways of inspiring the next generation to consider careers in construction.

Topics Covered:

How to find an activity on the STEM portal
How to create an event
How to add STEM Ambassador status to your profile

Did you know? GoConstruct provides a range of materials and resources to support events that promote careers in construction – perfect for your school visits or community engagement.

Changes to the STEM portal are on the horizon. Another catch-up will be arranged soon to walk you through the updates.

Regular Coffee Chats (Teams meetings) will be hosted by GoConstruct for all registered STEM Ambassadors – a great chance to share ideas and experiences.

Want to Get Involved?

If you’re interested in becoming a STEM Ambassador and representing FIS to help inspire young people to join our sector, please contact:
Marie Flinter – marieflinter@thefis.org

Upcoming Enrolment Webinars:

Thursday 17 July | 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Tuesday 19 August | 1:00 – 2:00 PM

These sessions will guide you through the registration and help you get started.

Find out more about STEM

Inspiring the Next Generation: The Vital Role of STEM Ambassadors in Construction Apprenticeships

Find out more

Earn while you learn – £10 e-learning and get £60 CITB grant – per attendee!

by Clair Mooney | 7 Jul, 2025 | Skills

FIS has partnered with Construction People Solutions (CPS) to deliver specialist e-learning developed by construction experts, with many courses eligible for CITB grant funding.

The new Modern Site Culture course – available to FIS members for just £10 – focuses on improving safety, inclusivity, and communication on site. It’s fully grant-eligible, with a £60 CITB grant per attendee, delivered via the first e-learning platform to integrate CITB grants.

FIS is working closely with CPS to develop targeted, occupation-specific training – such as a new Manual Handling for Drylining cours – designed to address the real-life risks of this physically demanding task. In conjunction, FIS is actively lobbying CITB to grant-fund this manual handling e-learning and other relevant courses.

FIS members can access Modern Site Culture with a 50% discount using code MSC2025 at checkout.

Learn more and sign up here: Construction People

Access the FIS Skills Hub

Boost your skills with the FIS Skills Hub, your go-to place for training, learning, and career development.

Find and book sector-specific courses, explore apprenticeships, funding, e-learning, CPD, and more all in one easy-to-access hub. Start your journey today!

Click here

Provide your feedback on the new Drylining and Plastering Competency Framework

by Clair Mooney | 1 Jul, 2025 | Drylining, Skills

FIS has been working with members to develop the competency frameworks for Drylining and Plastering, which are now available for a 30-day online review and feedback period (30 June to 29 July 2025).

We would encourage members to provide feedback and comments, as these frameworks define the Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours essential for the trade.

Link to the consultations can be found here:
Drylining – citb.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/AJ25_2DL

Fibrous Plastering – citb.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/AJ25_3FB

There are also webinars, which CITB will host to go through the frameworks and how they have been developed, links to these can be found below:

Fibrous Plastering 15 July 2025, 2pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1423415206199?aff=oddtdtcreator

Drylining webinar 16 July 2025, 2pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1431668612359?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information on the Competence Frameworks click here

Young Builder of the Year Awards now open for entries

by Clair Mooney | 26 Jun, 2025 | Skills

YouthBuild UK are now accepting entries for its Young Builder of the Year Awards, in which they recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people, who despite having to overcome a range of challenges, have succeeded in training or gaining employment in the construction industry.

Established for over 20 years, they are seeking entries for young people in education, training or employment, aged:

14 – 18 years old at 1 January 2025
19 – 24 years old at 1 January 2025

The winners are unveiled at a prestigious ceremony held at the House of Commons on 15 October and all finalists receive a cash prize.

If there is an individual you would like to nominate who has overcome personal difficulties and barriers to succeed you can find out more the awards and submit your nomination here.

FIS Launches New Online Training Module: Walls as a System

by Oscar Venus | 26 Jun, 2025 | Drylining, Skills

The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has launched a new online training module based on its industry-recognised guidance Walls as a System. Designed to support specifiers, designers, contractors, and building owners, the module promotes a holistic approach to wall system design and installation, helping to ensure compliance and compatibility across components.

Modern construction often sees building elements such as partitions, glazing, and doors specified in isolation, which can lead to performance failures and compliance issues. This training tackles that challenge head-on by focusing on how these components interact and perform together as part of a single, integrated system.

The training supports the key principles of the Building Safety Act and aligns with the RIBA Plan of Work. It covers essential topics such as:

Ensuring fire and acoustic compatibility across wall systems
Managing interfaces and penetrations
Clarifying the term ‘fire wall’ and its function
Working with raised access floors and glazed fire walls
Understanding imposed load support and detailing
Navigating standards and responsibilities at every project stage

Developed in collaboration with technical experts and peer-reviewed by leading organisations including ASDMA, DHF, GIRI, GAI, GPDA and PFKG, this training offers practical, relevant insight into best practices for wall design in the finishes and interiors sector.

The Walls as a System module is now available on the FIS Training Portal and is free to access for FIS members.

Access the training module

Click here

Building Our Skills careers festivals

by Clair Mooney | 26 Jun, 2025 | Skills

FIS is proud to be partnering with Building Our Skills to deliver exciting Careers Festivals – 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.

The careers festivals are taking place on

16 October – St Andrews Stadium, Birmingham
13 November – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

These events will bring together school-aged children, teachers, careers advisors, and parents to explore what a future in construction could look like. The festivals 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.

Are you interested in taking part?

If you’d like to be part of this inspiring day and help us shape the future of our industry, email Beena Nana by 25 June.