by Oscar Venus | Apr 9, 2021 | Labour, Skills
In March FIS ran a snap survey to look at workforce trends in the wake of the new points based immigration system. The survey reports that 38% of companies are currently experiencing a labour shortage, with over 60% of contractors predicting shortages as work picks up over the summer. This number increases significantly when we look at the larger companies (those with greater than £5million turnover), here 59% are already experiencing shortages and 74% are predicting worse to come. Dryliners head the list of concerns followed by ceiling fixers, partitions installers, plasterers and carpenters and joiners.
The report shows that the UK finishes an interiors sector remains heavily reliant on EU workers with around half of all companies relying on EU workers for more than 20% of their workforce and 17% of firms reporting that EU workers account for more than 60% of their workforce.
The report also gives insight into employment and use of gangs and agencies in the sector. Across all contractors, 44% of the workforce is employed, 42% work as labour only sub contractors with gangs providing 11% of the contingent workforce and agency workers making up the final 3%. Again this shifts as we look to the larger (>£5m turnover) sector with employment accounting for 26% of the workforce, labour only sub-contractors 39%, gangs 30% and agency workers providing the final 5%.
Commenting on the numbers FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee stated:
“These numbers are cause for concern and we will keep our focus on supporting the rapid scale up in training infrastructure that is required to meet this seismic shift in the way we are going to need to recruit and manage our workforce going forward. We will also continue the dialogue with the Home Office to try and get some common sense applied to the process to ensure we can evolve effectively to the new world order dealing with real world problems rather than political concerns and waiting to see what the official data will tell us when the facts are staring us in the face.”
Read the full FIS Statement on Skills Shortages here
by Clair Mooney | Apr 6, 2021 | Skills
An estimated 11 million adults now have the opportunity to gain a new qualification for free, designed to help them to gain in-demand skills and secure great jobs.
Free courses for jobs as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee’s
As part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee adults in England who are 24 and over and do not yet have A levels or equivalent can now take their first full level 3 qualification for free, building on the offer already available to 19 23 year olds. There are almost 400 qualifications available and all courses have been identified to help ensure good job prospects, focussing on areas where employers need skills and leading to job opportunities that can help adul ts earn a good wage.
Take advantage of the offer and help your staff upskill at gov.uk/free courses for jobs
The roll out marks a major milestone in the delivery of the landmark Lifetime Skills Guarantee – announced by the Prime Minister in September 2020. The Guarantee aims to transform the skills system so everyone, no matter where they live or their background, can gain the skills they need to progress in work at any stage of their lives. It will also ensure employers have access to the skilled workforce they need, and more people are trained for the skills gaps that exist now, and in the future.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “As we cautiously lift lockdown restrictions, the government’s focus is on recovering from the pandemic and building back better.
“The Lifetime Skills Guarantee is fundamental to that – with free courses giving adults the expertise they need to find new, better jobs.
“My message is clear. At every stage of your life, we will help you get the skills you need to train, retrain, and get into jobs you want and our economy needs.”
As well as the free courses, as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, thousands of adults have taken advantage of new Skills Bootcamps which offer free, flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks covering areas including construction, digital and technical.
Skills Bootcamps – which are currently running in six areas of the country – provide a chance to learn specific skills and offer a fast-track to an interview with a local employer at the end. Skills Bootcamps will be expanded across the country later this year.
The government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper, published in January, enshrines the Lifetime Skills Guarantee – setting out landmark reforms that will realigning the post-16 education system around the needs of employers, so that people are trained for the skills gaps that exist now, and in the future, in sectors the economy needs, including construction, digital, clean energy and manufacturing.
The White Paper forms a key part of the government’s Plan for Jobs which is protecting, supporting and creating jobs across the country and will help everyone to benefit from the opportunities available to them.
by Clair Mooney | Mar 26, 2021 | Skills
A couple of weeks ago FIS sent the email message below to all members, to date CITB have received 19 replies. Without the weight of employers behind it these changes will be shelved until legislation makes it happen. As employer we prefer you to have control.
Following discussions with FIS Working Groups a request to change qualifications was submitted to the Standard Setting Body (SSB) for Construction. In order to meet regulatory requirements, the SSB must show they have consulted on these proposed changes as widely as possible across all four home nations. All of the changes proposed by FIS Working Groups are in a bid to keep people safe and are:
- Change the National Occupational Standards, Recommended Qualification Structure for Interior Systems level 2 by the addition of COSVR355 v3 Erect fire resisting walls and wall linings. This will provide a fire protection qualification outcome for dryliners.
- Add a new National Occupational Standard for service, maintain and repair of operable partition wall systems, as an option. It has been reported there have been accidents and near misses during these operations, the inclusion of this standard will provide a qualification route for individuals employed in this area. For a copy of the proposed draft standard please contact George Swann on 07553 874838 or email georgeswann@thefis.org
- In response to the Grenfell inquiry and the work on competence, insert under ‘methods of work’ as a requirement of knowledge ‘how fire spreads through a building, how to impede it and protect people and the structure’ to COSVR125, 126, 127, 129, 130, 133, 618, 620, 769, 770 all contained I the Recommended Qualification Structure Interior Systems level 2. By doing this the statement will cascade into all qualification outcomes (academic, trained and competence) derived from these standards thereby giving operatives the required knowledge.
If you agree with these changes, please copy and paste the following message and email it to Standards.qualifications@citb.co.uk with the subject header of Interior Systems NOS Changes:
Hello
This message is to show support for the changes requested via FIS Working Groups.
[Insert your normal signature block]
If you disagree with these changes, please explain the reason for your disagreement by email using the address above.
If you have any concerns or need additional information or to discuss the above, please don’t hesitate to contact George Swann on 07553 874838 or email georgeswann@thefis.org Many thanks in anticipation.
by Clair Mooney | Mar 25, 2021 | Skills
FIS Associate Member DMR Training has secured government National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) funding for the insulation sector in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Sheffield City regions.
Based in Greater Manchester DMR is a construction training provider and has access to full funding to cover assessment in NVQ Level 2 in Insulation and Building Treatments. A number of pathways exist within this qualification including internal, external wall, cavity wall and loft insulation, all of which qualify for CSCS Skilled Worker ‘blue and ‘gold’ card applications. Funding makes these qualifications free of charge to FIS members.
DMR specialises in onsite NVQ assessment and has been helping construction industry workers gain vocational qualifications and CSCS cards since 2013. DMR Managing Director Dave Radley said, “When I set the company up eight years ago, it coincided with the start of the original Green Deal. We started to deliver qualifications within this area immediately as we felt that it was an important shift in the way the industry works and the effects on the economy. However, it never really took off as expected and demand simply wasn’t there, and government stopped supporting the scheme in 2015. I am delighted that the government is now supporting a green recovery and the retrofit of energy efficiency measures. The ten point plan for a green industrial revolution shows just how serious government are about making it happen this time.”
Dave went on to say, “We want to play our part in building back better, supporting green jobs and contributing to the goal of net zero. We’re looking forward to working with FIS members and helping them gain the qualifications they need for their business to be involved.”
This funding is no longer available but visit www.dmr-training.co.uk for more information
For more information on this and other funded training offers visit www.thefis.org/membership-hub/memberbenefits/member-benefits-training/training-offers-for-members/nvq-training-offers/
by Clair Mooney | Mar 25, 2021 | Skills
Following the reopening of schools and colleges, the Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that on‐site training can resume for students of all ages in the following further education (FE) settings if a provider follows the operational guidance:
- Sixth form colleges
- General FE colleges
- Independent Training Providers (ITPs) ‐ defined as organisations that receive Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) formula funding for the provision of 16 to 19 education
- Designated institutions
- Adult and Community Learning Providers (ACLPs)
- Special post‐16 institutions.
All FE providers should continue to follow pre‐COVID‐19 guidance for adult students and “judge the right balance between on‐site and remote delivery in order to provide high quality education and training”. Apprenticeship providers should also read the current apprenticeships guidance, which confirms that FE apprentices may now return to training and assessment in educational settings, in addition to the training and assessment that is currently permitted in the workplace where the apprentice cannot work from home and the workplace is COVID‐19 secure.
There has not been any further guidance issued about resuming face‐to‐face training in the workplace, and companies will need to determine if any training required can be undertaken remotely or is essential at this time, as they may be required to explain how they are complying with current restrictions.
Visit the FIS Skills Hub here to find out about our network of Approved Training Providers
by Clair Mooney | Mar 23, 2021 | Skills
In response to various feedback, CITB has confirmed the introduction of a revised grace period to Site Safety certificates. This will provide support to delegates who are unable to access a Site Safety refresher courses, due to the new lockdown measures.
Individuals now have until 30 April 2021 to join a SSSTS or SMSTS refresher course if their current certificate expires after 1 October 2020. Any delegate whose certificate expired before the 1 October 2020 and does not attend a refresher course before 31 January 2021, will be required to join a full SSSTS or SMSTS course, rather than the refresher equivalent. Find the centres delivering remote refresher training here.
If your organisation is struggling to get places on courses please let us know via info@thefis.org and if the numbers are high enough FIS will request a further extension to these dates on behalf of members.
