by Oscar Venus | 28 Feb, 2025 | Skills
With a new CITB report revealing that around three times the number of apprenticeship starts in construction are needed to keep pace with demand in the sector, the Government has announced a number of reforms to apprenticeships in England to help boost numbers by a further 10,000 a year and meet its targets in key areas such as housebuilding.
With immediate effect, apprentices who begin their training when aged 19 or over will no longer be subject to the mandatory requirement to achieve level 2 qualifications in English and maths. From August 2025, the minimum duration required for an apprenticeship will be reduced from 12 to eight months, with Skills England to prioritise which apprenticeships will be shortened based on key shortage occupations. We are awaiting further details on how these changes align with the industry’s competence frameworks and will be applied to construction‐related apprenticeships.
A reminder that employers do not pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under the age of 25 and earning less than £50,270, and CITB’s New Entrant Support Team is available to help with finding, recruiting and retaining apprentices.
by Clair Mooney | 21 Feb, 2025 | Skills
Construction trades students at Southall Community College (West London Collegeare looking for employers interested in supporting a one-week work experience placement starting on Monday 3 March 2025.
The first years’ students have completed their health and safety units and basic processes including using tools and access equipment, understanding fabrication and installation processes and materials in the workplace.
The second years students have gained additional knowledge and more intricate workshop skills in their chosen trades (Brickwork / Carpentry and Joinery / Electrical Installation /Plastering / Drylining / Plumbing and Heating / General Operative / and Motor Vehicle.)
Students’ postcodes are representative of all London boroughs (we hope to match your S106 requirements). They are either 16-18 or 19+ of age. They will have their own PPE boots. Most do not have their CSCS card yet but have good knowledge of the H&S requirements on site.
by Clair Mooney | 20 Feb, 2025 | Skills
FIS in partnership with CITB and industry experts, have developed comprehensive Competence Frameworks that outlines the training and qualification landscape and the essential Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours for operatives and installers of Raised Access Flooring, Operable Partition Systems and Ceiling Installation.
These webinars offer a unique opportunity to explore the frameworks and contribute your insights through a wider review and feedback session. Your feedback is invaluable in helping to shape the future of these professions. Don’t miss your chance to influence the standards that will define the future of these occupations. You can register for each webinar via the links below.
Raised Access Flooring – 10 March 2025, 2pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1246300591619?aff=oddtdtcreator
Operable Partition Systems – 11 March 2025, 2pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/operable-partition-systems-competence-framework-tickets-1249189141349?aff=oddtdtcreator
Ceiling Installation – 13 March 2025, 2pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/competence-framework-ceiling-installation-tickets-1252932527919?aff=oddtdtcreator
by Oscar Venus | 14 Feb, 2025 | Labour, Membership, Skills
Open Doors is an initiative organised by Build UK to inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction.
This sector is hugely rewarding, and Open Doors provides organisations with an opportunity to showcase their sites, manufacturing facilities, offices and training centres. Feedback from previous year’s events show that visits during Open Doors lead directly to new entrants joining our industry.
With the industry needing to recruit an additional 50,000 new entrants each year, we are encouraging our members to support or host events as part of Open Doors 2025. There may also be local events in your area that you can promote to schools, colleges and universities so they can see construction in action.
Further information on how you can get involved can be found in Build UK’s latest Open Doors update, and your comms teams can help to promote events on social media using the hashtag #OpenDoors25.
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 Oscar Venus | 10 Feb, 2025 | Skills
Embarking on a career journey is an exciting yet daunting prospect, especially for those just starting to explore their options. While there are numerous pathways to kickstart your career, apprenticeships stand out as one of the most effective routes. Not only do they offer the chance to earn while you learn, but they also help you avoid the heavy burden of student debt—a significant advantage in today’s economy.
One of the most promising sectors offering apprenticeship opportunities is the construction industry, particularly within the finishes and interiors sector. This field provides a diverse array of apprenticeship roles, catering to a variety of interests and skills. Whether you prefer the hands-on experience of working on-site or the organisational challenges of managing projects from an office, there is a pathway for you.
What’s crucial to understand is that where you begin your apprenticeship may not necessarily dictate where you end up. The skills you acquire during your apprenticeship will not only serve you in your immediate role but will also equip you with a toolkit for a successful career throughout your life.
These skills go beyond technical know-how; they encompass problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and project management—essential abilities that are valued in any professional setting. As you navigate through your apprenticeship, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals, gaining insights and experiences that will shape your career trajectory.
Choosing an apprenticeship is a strategic move toward building a fulfilling career while developing lifelong skills. So, whether you’re drawn to the thrill of construction or the intricacies of project management, consider an apprenticeship as your launchpad to success. It’s more than just a job; it’s the foundation for a prosperous future.
