by Clair Mooney | 16 Oct, 2024 | Awards, Skills
The shortlist for the 2024 Training Awards has been determined by our panel of judges.
Celebrating excellence and achievement in plastering, interior trades and related professional occupations, the Training Awards are a collaboration between FIS and the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers.
These awards acknowledge the accomplishments of apprentices and students who have exceeded expectations, training delivery by colleges and training providers, mentors and others who have supported sector training, and lifetime contribution to sector training.
Apprentice of the Year – Plastering Shortlist
- Paige Martin of Drywall Contracts
- Newton Robinson of Andrew J Winner Plastering
- Oliver Berwick of Decorative and Ornamental Plastering
Apprentice / Student of the Year – Interior Trades Shortlist
- Shaun McKenna of Errigal Contracts
- Jason Russell of Measom Dryline
- Jacob Jack Milsom of Tapper Interiors
Student of the Year – Plastering Shortlist
- Alicia Johnson studying at the City of Liverpool College
- Ruby Hillary, studying at Coleg Llandrillo
- Tyler Davies-Brown studying at The College Merthyr Tydfil
Professional Apprentice of the Year Shortlist
- Michael Dillon of OCL London
- Jake Jones of Measom Dryline
- Ben Holden of OCL Facades
Training Provider / College of the Year Shortlist
- Barnsley College
- Carlisle College
- Craven College
- Llandrillo College Rhos on Sea
- NPTC Group of Colleges
- Shropshire Training Academy
Formula Trophy Shortlist
- BCS Plaster Moulding
- KLLangton Decorative Plasterwork
- South Lanarkshire College
FIS Member Training Programme Shortlist
- Locker and Riley
- Optima Products
- Zentia
Training Champion Shortlist
- Kate Kerslake
- Terry McDermott
- Dan Plosky
Rising Star Shortlist
- James Brennan
- Craig Dyson
- Edward Tapper
Congratulations to all the nominees for their hard work and dedication in pursuing their academic goals!
If you’re interested in attending the ceremony and joining us in celebrating the winners, book your place here.
by Oscar Venus | 11 Oct, 2024 | Skills
FIS are working with NCC Bircham Newton to deliver the Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship – Ceilings pathway, early next year.
Interior System Installer (Ceilings and Partitions) Apprenticeship
The Interior Systems Apprenticeship (Ceilings and Partitions) has been developed by employers and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE). The Ceiling and Partitions pathway incorporates different ceiling and partition systems within a building.
Programme outline:
- Start date: February 2025 – (dates are flexible)
- 24-month programme
- 9 x 2-week immersive training blocks delivery by industry experts
- Workplace coaching sessions every 10 weeks support you and the apprentice to implement their new skills and knowledge
- 3-month end point assessment window includes a knowledge test and practical observation and questioning
National Construction College are also able to offer:
- Meet (virtual or face to face) with members to discuss and shape the programme in greater detail
- Set up a Webinar where NCC can share a virtual tour of Bircham and its facilities and answer any questions
- Facilitate a site tour of Bircham in person to any members and/or potential apprentices
If you are interested in taking on apprentices in this subject, or would like to find out more, please get in touch withmarieflinter@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 10 Oct, 2024 | Skills
This year’s SkillBuild Final event is taking place at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes on 20 -21 November 2024.
Alongside observing the competition, visitors will have the opportunity to have a go at a range of inspiring activities that highlight the construction trades at our designated careers experience hub, the Construction Showcase, open on Wednesday 20 November 2024 from 09.00 to 16.00 and Thursday 21 November 2024 from 09:00 to 15:00.
The SkillBuild National Final consists of 10 trades including Bricklaying, Carpentry, Drylining, Furniture and Cabinet Making, Joinery, Painting and Decorating, Plastering, Roof Slating and Tiling, Stonemasonry, and Wall and Floor Tiling. Visitors will be able to watch our top scoring competitors battle it out against each other to be crowned the winner in their trade and the best in the UK. The competition is a wonder to watch as the project builds progress and construction trades come to life. Blank canvases turn into pieces of art, timber is constructed into furniture from the intricate projects that our expert panel of judges has created for our competitors.
The Construction Showcase – Wednesday 20th from 09.00 to 16.00 and Thursday 21st November from 09.00 to 15.00
FIS will be having a stand as part of theThe Construction Showcase. This is an experience hub filled with have-a-go activities and demonstrations for children and young people from some of our sponsors and affiliates. If you are able to support with ‘have a go’ activities, please do get in touch with beenanana@thefis.org by Friday 25 October
by Clair Mooney | 10 Oct, 2024 | Employment, Skills
The Countdown to OpenDoors25 is well and truly underway and members across the supply chain can now register the events they are planning to offer from Monday 17 ‐ Saturday 22 March! Everyone can play their part in inspiring careers in construction by opening up sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres across the UK, and our Open Doors Partners have already listed an exciting range of events, including Canary Wharf Group’s Wood Wharf, Sunbelt Rentals’ Wetherby Utilities Depot, and Willmott Dixon’s Bridgend College Town Centre Campus.
Construction needs to recruit 50,000 new entrants a year and Open Doors is a unique opportunity for young people and those looking for a change of career to go behind the scenes and see just what the industry has to offer. We know that schools and colleges require advance notice to organise visits, so please register your events as soon as possible, and further information can be found in the latest Open Doors update.
by Oscar Venus | 8 Oct, 2024 | Skills
Grandfather rights are ending for Blue Gold and Black CSCS Cards
If you hold a CSCS Blue Card card under Grandfather Rights (Industry Accreditation), it’s crucial to pay attention to an important change coming your way. As of 31 December 2024, the Industry Accreditation (IA) will be withdrawn. This means that from 1 January 2025, you will no longer be able to renew your card unless you have a recognised qualification.
But don’t worry! There are quick and easy options available to help you transition smoothly into the new requirements without the need to return to college or deal with exorbitant costs or time constraints.
Why is this happening?
This is linked to competency requirements in the Building Regulations and Construction Leadership Council recommendations which state that all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications in place for all occupations.
Tailored guidance can also be found at CSCS Guidance which is designed to help cardholders replace their IA cards, depending on their occupations and qualifications.
What do we need to do?
Those requiring a qualification do not need to attend college and CITB grants are available to support CITB-registered employers achieve recognised qualifications.
There are various ways in which individuals who hold a blue, gold or black industry accreditation card (issued by CSCS, via industry accreditation) can move to an appropriate card.
This may be by:
- Recognising a qualification they already have.
- Assessing their competence against the relevant qualification for their occupation.
- In exceptional cases undertaking additional training (for most you already know this stuff!).
There are two options for experienced workers to achieve a VQ, these are EWPA – Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (where candidates attend a test centre) or more commonly OSAT – Onsite Assessment and Training. We’ve detailed below how to obtain qualifications via these routes and how to access funding below.
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What is the simplest way for most people to get qualified - Onsite Assessment and Training (OSAT)?
An OSAT can be undertaken by an experienced candidate working within scope of the qualification.
- For an OSAT, an assessor will visit the candidate on site where they will observe the candidate undertaking the activities relevant to the units/requirements of their qualification.
- Knowledge can be captured through a recorded professional discussion. Evidence can also be gathered from portfolio documents, witness testimonies and other type of evidence (many companies issue Q&A sheets to address knowledge – it should be flexible and planned with the candidate).
- Assessment visits are conducted when required, or when a candidate is in a confident position to be assessed.
- Once the assessor is happy that the candidate has met the assessment criteria, the candidate will be signed off.
- There are no time stipulations to undertaking an OSAT (candidates must be able to communicate with their assessor and be working within scope of the VQ) and it can be carried out over a period of time, as it is evidence based to ensure the candidate fulfils the criteria.
OSATs are available and are delivered through various training providers for most card holders. They are relatively painless and can be done in a few weeks.
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Is it possible to do an assessment offsite – Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA)?
- This route involves individuals/candidates attending a training centre to undertake the assessment.
- During the assessment, the candidates are in separate booths, and are given a set of instructions to follow.
- This is a time bound assessment, candidates usually have around 6-8 hours to carry out the tasks.
- An assessor will oversee these candidates/individuals, capturing evidence of the candidate doing different activities and anything that is relevant to meet the requirements.
- This is followed up with a professional discussion which is recorded.
The EWPA route is applicable for those who typically have five years' worth of general site experience.
An example of EWPA courses are below:
- NVQ level 2 Interior System – Ceiling Fixing
- NVQ level 2 Interior System – Modular Demountable Partitioning
- NVQ level 2 Interior System – Drylining Fixing
- NVQ level 2 Solid Plastering
- (Note) This is a faster route than the OSAT but is only available in a small number of trades
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Which Training Providers offer VQ assessment?
The following Approved Training Provider’s (FIS members) offer VQ assessment:
- Construction Help Line Ltd
- DMR Training
- GQA Qualifications
- Hartsmere UK Limited
- HSS Training
- Now Get Qualified Ltd
- The Construction Skills People Ltd
- The Skills Centre London Ltd
They will visit you on site and carry out an assessment – you can be assessed on the job, you don’t need to do an exam or test. All companies can be contacted via the Member Directory – FIS.
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How much will it cost and where can I get more information?
CITB is offering enhanced grants to help encourage people through the VQ process. In most instances the money for the training can be claimed back via the employing company. All of the training providers above can advise on this, but if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Marie Flinter at marieflinter@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 13 Sep, 2024 | Skills
We are pleased to announce that NOCN is now providing end point assessment services for Option 2: Ceiling and Partitions of the following apprenticeship standard:
- ST0388, Interior Systems Installer, Level 2
In response to industry needs, a temporary dispensation has been applied to Option 2, effective until 6 Janaury 2025. This dispensation for an extension of up to 8 additional hours for practical observation and questioning assessment method, bringing the total duration to a maximum of 20 hours. Please note that this dispensation may be withdrawn if it is no longer necessary.
We extend our thanks to FIS members, employer representatives and the trailblazer group for their support and significant contributions to the development of this option.
