by Clair Mooney | 6 Oct, 2022 | Skills
The City of London Corporation is leading ‘Skills for a Sustainable Skyline,’ a three-year Taskforce. It aims to identify and fill emerging ‘green skills’ gaps within Central London’s commercial built environment. This work is being lead by a Board of Industry Experts including FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee and a number of volunteer groups, some of which are supported by FIS Members.
As part of this work they are reaching out to businesses and individuals involved in delivering sustainable commercial buildings to gain deeper insight in the skills needed to deliver these projects and the barriers to recruiting, retaining and training them,
Please complete this short questionnaire (8 mins) to help inform the Taskforce on emerging issues facing the sector. Answers to this survey will inform the Taskforce’s evidence base and the interventions in 2023-25. The detail contained in responses will be kept anonymous
You can complete the survey here.
by Clair Mooney | 29 Sep, 2022 | Skills
The SDS Scottish Apprenticeship Awards highlight the key role apprentices, supporting individuals and employers play in delivering the skills Scotland needs, both now and in the future, across the whole economy.
Award categories include:
- Apprentice Ambassador of the Year
- Modern Apprentice of the Year – SCQF Level 6+
- Modern Apprentice of the Year – SCQF Level 5
- Graduate Apprentice of the Year
- Foundation Apprentice of the Year
- SME Employer of the Year
- Large Employer of the Year
- Apprentice Instructor of the Year
- Supporting Net Zero Employer of the Year
- Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year
Nominations close at 12pm on Wednesday 5 October 2022. The winners will be revealed during Scottish Apprenticeship Week which runs from 6 to 10 March 2023.
Nominations can be made online here: Scottish Apprenticeship Awards nominations
Nomination entry rules can be read here: Award nomination rules
Further information on can be found here: Scottish Apprenticeship Awards
by Clair Mooney | 29 Sep, 2022 | Skills
Temporary changes to right to work checks, which allow employers to undertake checks via video calls and use scanned copies rather than original documents, will end tomorrow (30 September). After this date, employers should verify an individual’s right to work using a certified digital identity service provider (IDSP).
by Clair Mooney | 28 Sep, 2022 | Skills
The finishes and interiors sector is experiencing shortages of trained and qualified ‘skilled’ labour at every level and there is no immediate easy fix. Employers need to invest in home grown talent and that starts with recruitment. To support this, document provides a summary of the services on offer from the Department of Work and Pensions via Job Centre Plus, you may be surprised at the assistance available to employers all free of charge.
Job vacancies can also be advertised on the FIS Job Spot, just complete the electronic form: https://www.thefis.org/jobspot/
by Clair Mooney | 8 Sep, 2022 | Skills
An employer is able to apply for grants in respect of construction industry related training undertaken by:
- directly employed staff (including apprentices) on the payroll;
- sub-contractors (both net and gross-paid); and
- sole traders and partnerships.
Provided the individuals are working at the time of the training for the employer making the application and that CITB grant support has not already been received for the particular training and/or qualification. An employer may authorise third party training providers and/or colleges providing services to the employer to complete a grant application on their behalf. Where the employer so authorises, the responsibility to ensure that applications are made in accordance with the Grants Scheme terms and conditions and to repay any grants received as a result of an error by the third party remains with the employer. The employers construction industry levy payments must be up to date. If your allowing training or qualification assessment of your sub-contractors on your jobs or sites, regardless of how the training and/or qualification is being paid for find out what they are undertaking and claim the Employer grant.
To apply for grant, applicants should visit CITB’s website. The requirements specific to each grant type should be checked prior to submitting an application as some grants operate restrictions. If you are unsure please contact Marie Flinter 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 8 Sep, 2022 | Skills
With construction needing to recruit over 53,000 new entrants every year to maintain output, Build UK has published the results of its latest survey of members to understand current levels of employment within the industry and the impact of job vacancies across the supply chain. ‘Increasing Employment in Construction’ reveals that 33% of respondents have increased their number of directly employed workers in the last 12 months, with 50% predicting an increase over the next year, which is being driven primarily by an increase in activity, followed by companies taking on more new entrants and apprentices.
68% of Build UK members confirmed they currently have vacancies, which is increasing pressure on existing teams and stifling business growth. To help recruit more new entrants into construction, Build UK will be focussing on improving the journey from education to employment, and will be reviewing the various ways that young people take their first step into the industry, including Apprenticeships, Traineeships, T Levels and Degrees.
