0121 707 0077              info@thefis.org

Application deadline for £3,000 apprentice incentive payment extended

Application deadline for £3,000 apprentice incentive payment extended

by | Apr 28, 2022 | Skills

The deadline for applying for the incentive payment has been extended until 20 May 2022.

Employers who hired a new apprentice between 01 October 2021 and 31 January 2022  who had an apprenticeship start date between 01 October 2021 and 31 March 2022, could be eligible for the £3,000 incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice. To receive the payment, employers must submit an application for each eligible apprentice using their apprenticeship service account.

For more support with employer applications please see:

  • how to apply guide including when to apply, steps to take before applying, how to apply and what happens after applying.
  • guidance page including eligibility, how the payment can be used and when payments are made.
  • how to apply video including a walkthrough of the steps to take within the Apprenticeship service: https://youtu.be/HQJjjAzXO7k

When applying for the incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice, employers must make sure they have:

  • added the correct PAYE schemes, that they use to pay their apprentices, to their apprenticeship service account, in line with the service terms and conditions
  • only applied for eligible apprentices and they have documentation which can validate their claim, as listed in the apprenticeship funding rules
  • checked their training provider has the correct National Insurance Number for each of their apprentices, and that they have included this in their funding submissions

If the information is incorrect, this will delay incentive payments.

If you need any further information please call FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org

CLC’s Construction Skills Plan for 2022 – more growth, new challenges

CLC’s Construction Skills Plan for 2022 – more growth, new challenges

by | Apr 28, 2022 | Skills

The Construction Leadership Council has published an update to its sector-wide skills plan for construction and the built environment. This year CLC is focussing its efforts around four strategic priorities with a spotlight on creating the right culture change and broadening diversity.

1. Improving access to opportunities for all
2. Boosting all routes into industry
3. Ongoing collaboration to develop competence frameworks
4. Preparing for the future of construction

FIS Skills and Training Lead George Swann, said:

The Construction Leadership Councils updated Skills Plan is encouraging as it’s very clearly aligned to the current work of FIS. If you attended one of the regional events you will know the focus is on recruitment, retention, social responsibility, competence and funding.  We know the labour market is tight and the sectors employers are in competition with other construction sectors and other industries to recruit and retain a talented workforce, to succeed there must be a combined and consistent approach, the finishes and interiors sector employers must continue to work together.

To realise the strategy CLC are asking construction industry employers to:

  • Employ and support an individual to complete an Apprenticeship
  • Transfer your Apprenticeship Levy to another construction business
  • Embrace T-Levels and offer an industry placement
  • Offer a Traineeship work experience placement
  • Provide a Work Experience or Taster opportunity
  • Share your skills and teach in further education
  • Post vacancies on Talent View Construction
  • Support local Skills Bootcamps and Training Hubs
  • Adopt the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme
  • Become a Construction STEM Ambassador

George added:

Information, advice and guidance is available on all of these points from FIS, either online at www.thefis.org or if you would like to talk through options for recruitment, retention, social responsibility, competence and funding telephone 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org

The updated skills plan will ensure the construction sector can achieve joint goals by setting out clear commitments for industry, government, and employers.

Industry can get behind the plan by supporting the initiatives, including Apprenticeships, T-Levels, Traineeships, Skills Bootcamps and Talent View Construction.

”Industry

Supporting employers with industry placements

Supporting employers with industry placements

by | Apr 20, 2022 | Skills

The Department for Education and SDN are currently planning what support is put in place for employers over the coming months to help understand, prepare for, and host industry placements.

Industry placements are a fundamental part of the government’s reforms to technical education (T Levels). It gives students a period of structured time in the workplace (315 hours / 45 days), developing real skills and making a meaningful contribution to the organisation.

A quick survey has been designed to capture views and insights from employers, to plan the right support at the right time in 2022 and beyond. It is crucial that this support responds to your challenges and support needs as we emerge from the pandemic, and as T Levels are rolled out.

We’d really appreciate your input into this, it should take no more than five minutes to complete: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LGYTCF8

George Swann, FIS Skills and Training Lead said:

T-Levels are new courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A levels.  These 2-year courses, which launched September 2020, are for 16 to 19 year olds and have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.  T-Levels offer sixth form students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 45 days.  This survey is looking to identify the support employer will need to host a T-Level student, things like, training and/or support for coaching and mentoring, financial support, health and safety information and/or legal responsibilities.

Apprenticeship standards review

Apprenticeship standards review

by | Apr 7, 2022 | Skills

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) have published the findings from the construction route review.   The report sets out how apprenticeships, T Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), and further training will keep pace with the sector’s fast-evolving skills needs, drive up building safety standards, and play a vital role in changing perceptions and working methods around sustainability and mental health.

The report highlights equality and diversity, digital skills needs, and modern methods of construction as further key principles that will guide the design of apprenticeships, T Levels, and technical qualifications.

IfATE can also confirm that the route name for the sector will be expanded to ‘Construction and the Built Environment’.  This better reflects the occupational standards contained in the route and the terminology used by the sector as well as further and higher education partners.

There is intention to review the Occupational Standards and Apprenticeship Standards for Plasterer and Interior Systems Installer at the same time possibly bringing both Employer Trailblazer groups together. The review the 99 standards available for construction and the built environment will take place over the next 18 months.  FIS will publish information as and when it becomes available.

Construction Route Review

The construction route review aims to ensure that all the occupational standards included in the route provide the training needed by the sector for its current and future workforce.

Read the review here
New Training Awards to celebrate people, dedication and achievement in plastering and interior trades

New Training Awards to celebrate people, dedication and achievement in plastering and interior trades

by | Apr 1, 2022 | Skills

FIS and The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers have joined forces to expand on the Plaisterers’ Training Awards, which traditionally covered plastering and drylining, to encompass the wider finishes and interiors sector. The new Training Awards will now recognise outstanding individuals and contributions made to recruiting, training and developing people in plastering and interior trades.

Commenting on the expansion of the awards, FIS President Helen Tapper and Member of The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Industry Committee said:

“When looking at the skills shortages that have impacted our sector in recent times, it often belies the effort that businesses, training providers and individuals are making.  FIS and the Plaisterers are both committed to encouraging people to join the industry and a focus on continuous learning and development.

“People talk about competence and that is vital, but so too is pride in what we do – our work is the stuff that makes structures and shells into homes, hospitals, workplaces and inspiring educational settings. The people that do this are skilled craftspeople and more needs to be done to recognise this, both within and beyond our sector.  We have a proud tradition, but a bright future too and this initiative is about two of our key institutions working together to help us to identify, celebrate and learn from the people who are building this future.”

The awards categories will acknowledge individuals, employees, students, apprentices, independent training providers and colleges who have made an exceptional contribution to learning and development in the sector.

The 2022 award categories are:

  • Student of the Year – Plaisterers Award for Plastering Trades
  • Student of the Year – FIS Award for Interior Trades
  • Apprentice of the Year – Plaisterers Award for Plastering Trades
  • Apprentice of the Year – FIS Award for Interior Trades
  • Colleges and Independent Training Providers (large)
  • Colleges and Independent Training Providers (small)
  • FIS Member Training Programme
  • Mentors Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award

As well as trade specific sponsored awards:

  • British Gypsum Trophy (independent training provider/college drylining)
  • Saint Gobain Formula Trophy (Fibrous/GRG can be any organisation or person)

The awards will officially open for entries on the 31 March and close mid-August. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Plaisterers’ Hall on 22 November.

Master of The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Margaret Coates commented:

“Our aim is to create with FIS a Training Awards event that showcases the very best of the sector’s occupations, that both encourages and inspires others to do more. The skills shortage is profound. We must address this, by attracting people to the plastering and interior trades and by promoting excellent training providers and supportive employers.

“A vibrant construction industry is crucial to a strong economy and our sector plays an important role. We look forward to working with FIS not just in rewarding and celebrating success but finding and telling the stories that inspire others to join or invest in those people who will lead our amazing sector forwards.  We urge and encourage you to enter this collaborative competition and to tell your story.”

For more details on entering these awards visit www.thefis.org/training-awards-2022

For further information or for any questions please contact FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077 or The Worshipful Company of Plasiterers on clerk@plaistererslivery.co.uk or call 0207 7964333.

Enter the Awards

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Judging begins for FIS Contractors Awards 2024

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Buckinghamshire Skills Show – FIS Construction Ambassadors, helping industry recruit

Buckinghamshire Skills Show – FIS Construction Ambassadors, helping industry recruit

by | Mar 24, 2022 | Labour, Skills

FIS is hugely excited to have signed up to the Go Construct/STEM Ambassador Scheme. Go Construct STEM Ambassadors bring the construction industry to life. Ambassadors engage with young people at educational events across the UK to raise aspirations, showcase career options and support learning.

As a sector, we need to really get ahead of bringing in new talent.  There are lots of opportunities within our industry for new entrants and career changers. Careers in the finishes sector are not however widely publicised; teachers and influencers and therefore young people are not aware of the work and training options available. We need to be more visible as people and as businesses!

One of the ways FIS is helping to promote our sector is through the Go Construct/STEM Ambassador Scheme. Go Construct STEM Ambassadors are construction people who act as the face of the industry. Ambassadors bring the construction industry to life, engaging with potential recruits at educational events across the UK. showcasing career options and supporting learning. Examples of Ambassadors activities include running a trade stand at a careers fair, delivering a talk and sharing experiences of getting into and working in the industry, leading practical sessions or workshops, giving young people a taste of life in construction offering site visits and work experience.

Marie Flinter and Catherine Bullough at FIS are helping to drive this great initiative forward and FIS were delighted to be invited to take part at the Spring 2022 Buckinghamshire Skills Show.

Catherine Bullough said:

With over 5000 young people and job seekers visiting the show over two days, we were certainly kept busy speaking with visitors to our stand who were interested in finding out about careers in the finishes and interiors sector. Over 120 businesses and associations attended, so we also had a great opportunity to network with fellow exhibitors such as CITB, the National Federation of Demolition Contractors and Morgan Sindall. It was a real pleasure to attend such a well organised event; we literally just had to turn up with our stand which gave us loads of time to interact with the students and their teachers

One of the career challenges for our sector is that it can be overshadowed by the more talked about trades such as brick work and plumbing. So, we need to be louder and out there! We need lots more people from industry to become ambassadors for the sector and really shout about what a great job being a dryliner or a plasterer or a ceiling fixer is.  Anyone working in the industry can be a Go Construct STEM Ambassador. Go Construct/STEM have resources available which can support your ambassador activity with access to a national network of likeminded people

Whether you’re a first-year apprentice, a qualified dryliner or a company director, we’d love your support to help more people experience the many varied opportunities in our sector. You just need to be passionate about construction and the built environment and be willing to share your experiences with others.

To find out more about the Scheme, please contact either Catherine or Marie at FIS 0121 707 0077 catherinebullough@thefis.org marieflinter@thefis.org. For more information on the Go Construct STEM Ambassador Scheme click here