0121 707 0077

Join us
Sign in
Join us
Sign in
Construction Industry Levy Consensus 2025 – 2029

Construction Industry Levy Consensus 2025 – 2029

by | 20 Mar, 2025 | Skills

The CITB Consensus is underway and FIS members who are likely to pay the Construction Industry Levy as proposed by CITB for 2026 to 2029 are invited to have their say by participating in the Consensus Survey. The deadline for response is 2 May 2025.

The proposals for raising and collecting the Levy for the next 3 years (2026 – 2029) are:

• A PAYE payroll contribution of 0.35% and

• A net CIS contribution of 1.25%.

• Employers with an annual wage bill of less than £150k will be exempt; and

• Employers with an annual wage bill of between £150k and £500k will receive a 50% deduction on the Levy assessment, meaning employers will only pay the full assessment if their annual wage bill  is £500k or above.

• No other Levy Exemptions Schemes shall apply.

FIS is a ‘Prescribed Organisation’ which means that we are required to formally consult members on the Levy proposals put forward by CITB and respond collectively on their behalf.

To this end, we are asking members to complete our short survey – it should only take 5 minutes to complete. Only the views of those contractors likely to pay levy will be counted in the consensus vote.

If you have any queries, please contact Beena Nana or Marie Flinter on 0121 707 0077 or email beenanana@thefis.org or marieflinter@thefis.org

Looking to take on Interior Systems installer apprentices?

Looking to take on Interior Systems installer apprentices?

by | 5 Mar, 2025 | Skills

FIS is working with NCC Bircham Newton to deliver the Interior Systems Installer Apprenticeship – Ceilings pathway.

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 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 with marieflinter@thefis.org

Apprenticeships Update

Apprenticeships Update

by | 28 Feb, 2025 | Skills

With a new CITB report revealing that around three times the number of apprenticeship starts in construction are needed to keep pace with demand in the sector, the Government has announced a number of reforms to apprenticeships in England to help boost numbers by a further 10,000 a year and meet its targets in key areas such as housebuilding.

With immediate effect, apprentices who begin their training when aged 19 or over will no longer be subject to the mandatory requirement to achieve level 2 qualifications in English and maths. From August 2025, the minimum duration required for an apprenticeship will be reduced from 12 to eight months, with Skills England to prioritise which apprenticeships will be shortened based on key shortage occupations. We are awaiting further details on how these changes align with the industry’s competence frameworks and will be applied to construction‐related apprenticeships.

A reminder that employers do not pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under the age of 25 and earning less than £50,270, and CITB’s New Entrant Support Team is available to help with finding, recruiting and retaining apprentices.

Get help and advice on apprenticeships

FIS provides guidance for both employees and apprentices in our Skills Hub.

Click Here
Employers needed to offer one-week work placement

Employers needed to offer one-week work placement

by | 21 Feb, 2025 | Skills

Construction trades students at Southall Community College (West London Collegeare looking for employers interested in supporting a one-week work experience placement starting on Monday 3 March 2025.

The first years’ students have completed their health and safety units and basic processes including using tools and access equipment, understanding fabrication and installation processes and materials in the workplace.
The second years students have gained additional knowledge and more intricate workshop skills in their chosen trades (Brickwork / Carpentry and Joinery / Electrical Installation /Plastering / Drylining / Plumbing and Heating / General Operative / and Motor Vehicle.)
Students’ postcodes are representative of all London boroughs (we hope to match your S106 requirements). They are either 16-18 or 19+ of age. They will have their own PPE boots. Most do not have their CSCS card yet but have good knowledge of the H&S requirements on site.
If you can provide a student(s) with work experience, please complete this form
Understanding the competence frameworks

Understanding the competence frameworks

by | 20 Feb, 2025 | Skills

FIS in partnership with CITB and industry experts, have developed comprehensive Competence Frameworks that outlines the training and qualification landscape and the essential Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours for operatives and installers of Raised Access Flooring, Operable Partition Systems and Ceiling Installation.

These webinars offer a unique opportunity to explore the frameworks and contribute your insights through a wider review and feedback session.  Your feedback is invaluable in helping to shape the future of these professions. Don’t miss your chance to influence the standards that will define the future of these occupations. You can  register for each webinar via the links below.

Raised Access Flooring – 10 March 2025, 2pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1246300591619?aff=oddtdtcreator

Operable Partition Systems – 11 March 2025, 2pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/operable-partition-systems-competence-framework-tickets-1249189141349?aff=oddtdtcreator

Ceiling Installation – 13 March 2025, 2pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/competence-framework-ceiling-installation-tickets-1252932527919?aff=oddtdtcreator

FIS supports Open Doors to unlock opportunities in the finishes and interiors sector

FIS supports Open Doors to unlock opportunities in the finishes and interiors sector

by | 14 Feb, 2025 | Labour, Membership, Skills

Open Doors is an initiative organised by Build UK to inspire the next generation to choose a career in construction.

This sector is hugely rewarding, and Open Doors provides organisations with an opportunity to showcase their sites, manufacturing facilities, offices and training centres. Feedback from previous year’s events show that visits during Open Doors lead directly to new entrants joining our industry.

With the industry needing to recruit an additional 50,000 new entrants each year, we are encouraging our members to support or host events as part of Open Doors 2025. There may also be local events in your area that you can promote to schools, colleges and universities so they can see construction in action.

Further information on how you can get involved can be found in Build UK’s latest Open Doors update, and your comms teams can help to promote events on social media using the hashtag #OpenDoors25.