Skills Archives - Page 6 of 58

CITB Employer Networks – Making Training and Funding Easier for Employers

by Oscar Venus | 17 Jul, 2025 | Skills

FIS is pleased to highlight the CITB Employer Networks, a funded initiative designed to make it simpler for construction employers to access the training and support they need, now and for the future.

What are Employer Networks?

Employer Networks bring local employers together to identify training needs, shape funding priorities, and ensure effective delivery. Funded by CITB, they take the headache out of applying for support, with no paperwork required from employers, the Networks handle it all.

Why get involved?

Simplified access to training & funding – whether it’s trade skills, net zero, digital skills, or mentoring.
Local empowerment – employers directly inform CITB of their real-world training needs.
Future-focused – helping close skills gaps in emerging and critical areas.

Proven Results

Since its pilot in July 2022, the Employer Networks initiative has already supported more employers to access training and receive meaningful support.

If you’d like to learn more about how the CITB Employer Networks can help your business, contact Marie Flinter at: marieflinter@thefis.org

More on skills

Explore the Skills Hub, your one-stop shop for training, careers, apprenticeships, and funding in the finishes and interiors sector. Start learning today.

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Countdown to #OpenDoors26

by Oscar Venus | 17 Jul, 2025 | Skills

FIS is supporting Open Doors 2026 and the Countdown has begun. The Week, organised by BuildUK, provides a unique opportunity for young people and those looking for a change of career to go behind the scenes of our industry and see the wide range of roles available. Open Doors events will be hosted at sites across the UK from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 March! Can you make your site available and use it to engage and showcase the amazing opportunities that construction can offer?

The new Construction Skills Mission Board, which has been established by Government to tackle the industry’s skills shortages, is aiming to recruit an additional 100,000 construction workers a year by 2029, and Open Doors is one of the most effective ways to showcase the sector and what it has to offer.

After a record 7,000 visitors this year, we are looking to build on that success in 2026 and we need your support to do it! You can all inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction by opening your sites, offices, manufacturing facilities and training centres, and more information can be found in the latest Open Doors update.

FIS STEM Ambassadors – Catch-Up with GoConstruct (CITB)

by Oscar Venus | 11 Jul, 2025 | Skills

Recently, FIS STEM Ambassadors had a virtual catch-up via Teams with GoConstruct (CITB) to explore ways of inspiring the next generation to consider careers in construction.

Topics Covered:

How to find an activity on the STEM portal
How to create an event
How to add STEM Ambassador status to your profile

Did you know? GoConstruct provides a range of materials and resources to support events that promote careers in construction – perfect for your school visits or community engagement.

Changes to the STEM portal are on the horizon. Another catch-up will be arranged soon to walk you through the updates.

Regular Coffee Chats (Teams meetings) will be hosted by GoConstruct for all registered STEM Ambassadors – a great chance to share ideas and experiences.

Want to Get Involved?

If you’re interested in becoming a STEM Ambassador and representing FIS to help inspire young people to join our sector, please contact:
Marie Flinter – marieflinter@thefis.org

Upcoming Enrolment Webinars:

Thursday 17 July | 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Tuesday 19 August | 1:00 – 2:00 PM

These sessions will guide you through the registration and help you get started.

Find out more about STEM

Inspiring the Next Generation: The Vital Role of STEM Ambassadors in Construction Apprenticeships

Find out more

Earn while you learn – £10 e-learning and get £60 CITB grant – per attendee!

by Clair Mooney | 7 Jul, 2025 | Skills

FIS has partnered with Construction People Solutions (CPS) to deliver specialist e-learning developed by construction experts, with many courses eligible for CITB grant funding.

The new Modern Site Culture course – available to FIS members for just £10 – focuses on improving safety, inclusivity, and communication on site. It’s fully grant-eligible, with a £60 CITB grant per attendee, delivered via the first e-learning platform to integrate CITB grants.

FIS is working closely with CPS to develop targeted, occupation-specific training – such as a new Manual Handling for Drylining cours – designed to address the real-life risks of this physically demanding task. In conjunction, FIS is actively lobbying CITB to grant-fund this manual handling e-learning and other relevant courses.

FIS members can access Modern Site Culture with a 50% discount using code MSC2025 at checkout.

Learn more and sign up here: Construction People

Access the FIS Skills Hub

Boost your skills with the FIS Skills Hub, your go-to place for training, learning, and career development.

Find and book sector-specific courses, explore apprenticeships, funding, e-learning, CPD, and more all in one easy-to-access hub. Start your journey today!

Click here

Provide your feedback on the new Drylining and Plastering Competency Framework

by Clair Mooney | 1 Jul, 2025 | Drylining, Skills

FIS has been working with members and colleagues from across the sector to develop the competency frameworks for Drylining and Plastering, which are now available for a 30-day online review and feedback period (30 June to 29 July 2025). This work is being carried out through Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) Programee, a cross-sector working group, focussing on the development of competence frameworks for the built environment, raising standards. Set up in 2018 as the Competence Steering Group, several competence frameworks have been delivered. With the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator, a structure is in place to allow a focus on broader industry representation, engagement and alignment across multiple competence programmes.

We would encourage members to provide feedback and comments, as these frameworks define the Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours essential for the trade. These frameworks will support the development of qualifcations and demonstration of competence in the sector.

Link to the consultations can be found here:
Drylining – citb.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/AJ25_2DL

Fibrous Plastering – citb.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/AJ25_3FB

There are also webinars, which CITB will host to go through the frameworks and how they have been developed, links to these can be found below:

Fibrous Plastering 15 July 2025, 2pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1423415206199?aff=oddtdtcreator

Drylining webinar 16 July 2025, 2pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1431668612359?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information on the Competence Frameworks click here

Young Builder of the Year Awards now open for entries

by Clair Mooney | 26 Jun, 2025 | Skills

YouthBuild UK are now accepting entries for its Young Builder of the Year Awards, in which they recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people, who despite having to overcome a range of challenges, have succeeded in training or gaining employment in the construction industry.

Established for over 20 years, they are seeking entries for young people in education, training or employment, aged:

14 – 18 years old at 1 January 2025
19 – 24 years old at 1 January 2025

The winners are unveiled at a prestigious ceremony held at the House of Commons on 15 October and all finalists receive a cash prize.

If there is an individual you would like to nominate who has overcome personal difficulties and barriers to succeed you can find out more the awards and submit your nomination here.