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National Construction College (NCC) Interior Systems Installer Provision

National Construction College (NCC) Interior Systems Installer Provision

by | 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

Help us highlight construction trades at the SkillBuild national final

Help us highlight construction trades at the SkillBuild national final

by | 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

The doors are open for you to register your sites

The doors are open for you to register your sites

by | 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.

Attention CSCS Card Holders: Important Changes Ahead!

Attention CSCS Card Holders: Important Changes Ahead!

by | 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

FIS is here to help

If you would like to discuss your situation further or have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Skills and Training Advisor Marie Flinter at marieflinter@thefis.org

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End Point Assessment for Interior Systems – Ceilings and Partitions is now available

End Point Assessment for Interior Systems – Ceilings and Partitions is now available

by | 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.

Shaping the future of skills and training

Shaping the future of skills and training

by | 29 Aug, 2024 | Skills

FIS is looking for individuals to join our Skills Board to help shape our skills strategy.

The Skills Board provides opportunities for members to raise issues, share best practice and hear from other key stakeholders invested in Skills and Training.

It is a dynamic forum designed to:

  • Guide FIS in support of the sector for all types of training and qualification outcomes.
  • Support innovation and promote best practice in Training Delivery.
  • Support the sector to ensure sufficient skills and knowledge for a competent workforce.
  • Comment on and contribute to the content of qualifications and standards for the sector.

The Skills Board meet quarterly online with the next one to take place in September (date TBC).

 We are also looking for a new Chair and Vice Chair for Skills Board, a brief description of duties are listed below:

 The Role of the Chair

The Chair of the FIS Skills Board is a non-executive role elected by the existing members of the board responsible for chairing the quarterly meetings of the FIS Skills Board.

 Their role is to ensure that the views of the membership are fairly represented by through the Board and that FIS work is steered by and meets the needs of the wider membership.

 The Chair must come from an FIS member company and preferably a champion of skills development.

 The FIS Head of Skills, FIS Skills and Training Advisor and FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee will confer with the Chair on matters such as future direction and skills and training strategy.

Vice Chair of the FIS Skills Board

The Vice Chair of the FIS Training Group and FIS Skills Board is a non-executive role elected by the existing members of the board. The role of the Vice Chair is to support the current chair and to deputise in the absence of the Chair.

 Should the Chair, for any reason leave post it is expected that the Vice Chair would step-up to act as Chair until such a time as the change can be ratified through the Skills Board or alternative Chair is appointed.

The role is designed to support the Chair in ensuring that the views of the membership are fairly represented through the Skills Board and that FIS work is steered by and meets the needs of the wider membership.

 The Vice Chair must come from an FIS member company and be a champion of skills development.

 If you are interested in getting involved, email beenanana@thefis.org