by Iain McIlwee | 22 Dec, 2020 | Main News Feed
The Construction Leadership Council has published a final checklist for construction businesses ahead of the end of the transition period with the EU.
This one page checklist summarises the key changes that UK construction businesses will face at the end of the transition period, whether or not a trade deal is secured with the European Union. It includes quick-reference information and links to all the EU Exit Business Readiness publications that the CLC has produced, as well as additional useful information from GOV.UK including specific links to BEIS and HMRC. Topics covered include people, goods and materials, standards and alignment, contracts, procurement, data and tax implications.
The guidance has been issued by CLC BREXIT Working Group and comprises the sixth publication in a suite of business readiness advice that the group has published ahead of 31 December 2020.
Access the checklist here.
by Iain McIlwee | 21 Dec, 2020 | Main News Feed
A number of flexibilities have been introduced to support apprentices to make progress in their roles, and acknowledging disruption to teaching, learning and assessment practices. This includes:
- Temporary suspensions of the rule requiring level 2 apprentices to study towards, and attempt level 2 functional skills assessments until 31st March 2021
- Extension to end dates for legacy Functional Skills Qualification (FSQ)
- Allowing apprentices that are on furlough to continue to train.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency has, in creating this flexible approach, reminded employers that achieving English and Maths is important to apprentices’ ability to secure future jobs and progress to higher level training and that apprentices should be encouraged to attend a Functional Skills Qualification test in the workplace or at an off-site venue booked by the provider, but only where it is safe to do so.
Providers can make use of the DfE Exam Support Service (ESS) to book COVID-secure space for their FSQ assessments where apprentices cannot take them in the workplace. This is currently available until 31st March.
Below is a summary of known barriers, existing guidance and potential solutions of FSQ assessments:
| Scenario |
Potential barriers |
COVID guidance |
Possible solutions |
| Apprentice is on furlough |
Provider does not have direct contact with the apprentice
Apprentice is not able to sit the assessment at their workplace
Apprentice does not want to travel to an alternative site to take the assessment
|
Furloughed apprentices can:
continue with their off-the-job training and end-point assessments remotely
use digital and distance learning
Apprentices can, and should, still travel to access education and assessment
|
Provider contacts employer to make arrangements for the apprentice
Employer contacts the Apprentice to advise they should take the assessment if ready
Provider uses DfE exam support service to access alternative site and/or make arrangements with local college.
|
| Apprentice cannot leave work |
Apprentice is already pressed for time by the demand placed on them by their employer.
Provider is prevented from delivering tests on site due to risk of infection.
Employer is unwilling to release apprentice offsite due to risk of infection.
|
An apprentice must
get time for training or study over the course of their apprenticeship (at least 20% of their normal working hours)
Apprentices can, and should, still travel to access education and assessment.
|
Employer encouraged to work with provider to identify convenient time to release apprentice.
Provider and employer encouraged to work together to safely administer tests on site or at an alternative venue.
Provider to make arrangements with an AO to provide a remote invigilation solution where available.
|
| Apprentice does not have access to necessary equipment to take an online test |
Apprentice is unable to meet an AO’s minimum technical requirements for remote invigilation to work.
Employer’s systems do not allow downloading of assessment software.
|
Apprentices can, and should, still travel to access education and assessment |
Provider to agree with AO alternative ways of enabling the Apprentice to take assessment e.g. paper-based, on or offsite.
Provider use DfE exam service to access alternative site and/or make arrangements with local college.
Employer to consider supplying stand-alone equipment that apprentices can use.
Provider to allow apprentices to access to their equipment; on or offsite.
|
| Apprentice is shielding or self-isolating |
Apprentice is shielding for short period of time (e.g. track & trace notification)
Apprentice is fit to take tests but is shielding for longer period of time (e.g. vulnerable or caring responsibility).
|
Apprentice’s health and safety should remain a priority and they must observe current rules. |
Apprentice to agree with provider to delay the assessment until they can leave home safely.
Provider to make arrangements with an AO to provide a remote invigilation solution.
|
| Provider cannot host assessments at the usual premises |
Employer site is closed.
Employer is unwilling to allow provider on site due to risk of infection.
Provider does not have own premises at which they can host assessment.
|
Venues can remain open for education, training and assessment purposes.
Apprentices can and should still travel for education and assessment.
|
Provider and employer encouraged to work together to safely administer tests on site.
Provider use DfE exam service to access alternative site or make arrangements with local college.
Provider to make arrangements with an AO to provide a remote invigilation solution.
|
| Provider cannot access remote invigilation solution via their AO |
AO does not have remote invigilation solution |
Venues can remain open for education, training and assessment purposes
Apprentices can and should still travel for a number of reasons, including travelling to education
|
Provider use DfE exam service to access alternative site or make arrangements with local college
Provider to consider transferring Apprentices to an alternative AO that offers a remote invigilation solution.
|
More information on this can be found in the guidance here.
For FIS Support in taking on and managing apprentices click here.
For all vital updates you can access the FIS COVID-19 Hub here.
by Iain McIlwee | 21 Dec, 2020 | Main News Feed
MHCLG have now published their consolidated list of UK Designated Standards in support of the UK CPR. This list of Designated Standards is available here. This is the list that will allow the implementation of the UKNI and UK Conformity Assessment Mark (for some this will be necessary from the 1st Jan 2021).
Vital everyone check this listing and if any product is missing we can work with Construction Products Association and MHCLG so they can investigate and update accordingly.
You can check the standard list here and advise FIS of any concerns by emailing iainmcilwee@thefis.org.
Brexit Update: Demystifying Product Marking post Brexit
You can visit the FIS Brexit Toolkit here.
by Iain McIlwee | 21 Dec, 2020 | Main News Feed
The announcement about the creation of a new Tier 4 level of restrictions, which will apply in London and the South East of England, impose greater restrictions on those living in Tier 4 areas, similar to those applying during March and April, although their main aim is to reduce social interactions between people living in different households. In terms of how these apply to the construction industry, the guidance specifies that:
- Those living in Tier 4 areas may continue to travel to work, where work cannot be undertaken at home. This includes those working in other people’s homes:
Where people cannot do so – including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing – they should continue to travel to their workplace. This is essential to keeping the country operating and supporting sectors and employers.
Where it is necessary for you to work in other people’s homes – for example, for nannies, cleaners or tradespeople – you can do so. Otherwise, you should avoid meeting for work in a private home or garden, where COVID-19 Secure measures may not be in place.
- It is also allowable to travel into a Tier 4 area from a Tier 1,2 or 3 area for work purposes, again where work cannot be undertaken at home;
- Builder’s merchants and suppliers of building products can also remain open, provided they can do so safely (other types of retailer can offer click and collect or delivery services). The text of the new guidance is set out below:
Other businesses and venues are permitted to stay open, following COVID-19 Secure guidelines. This includes those providing essential goods and services, including:
- Essential retail such as food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres and Christmas tree retailers, building merchants and suppliers of building products and off-licences
Showrooms for kitchens, bathrooms, tiles and glaing will be classed as non-essential retail and are required to close to the public although click and collect or delivery services can be provided. This includes where they are part of a larger business. Showrooms can stay open to the public in Tier 1-3 areas.
The full guidance can be accessed via this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home.
by Iain McIlwee | 17 Dec, 2020 | Insurance, Main News Feed
In a move to ensure firms can access the support they need through continuing economic disruption, Rishi Sunak also confirmed he would be extending the government-guaranteed Covid-19 business loan schemes until the end of March.
These changes come ahead of the Budget, which the Chancellor has confirmed will take place on 3 March 2021. This will deliver the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and protect jobs, so the extensions to the business loan and furlough schemes enable businesses to plan with certainty and access support in the first few months of the New Year ahead of the further update on wider Covid-19 economic support.
So far, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) scheme has protected 9.6 million jobs across the UK with more than one million businesses accessing loans to help them through the crisis.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:
“Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world – helping our economy to recover and protecting livelihoods across the country.
“We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable businesses to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support, as well as implementing our Plan for Jobs.”
Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, said:
“While our loan schemes have provided a vital lifeline to millions of firms across the country, we know that business owners need additional certainty as we head into the New Year.
“Extending government-backed loan schemes will give companies right across the UK the finance they need to support, protect and create jobs as we build back better from the pandemic.”
The Chancellor said he would review the employer contribution element of the CJRS in January, but decided to bring this forward to allow businesses to plan ahead for the remainder of the winter and the New Year.
The government will continue to pay 80% of the salary of employees for hours not worked until the end of April. Employers will only be required to pay wages, National Insurance Contributions (NICS) and pensions for hours worked; and NICS and pensions for hours not worked.
The eligibility criteria for the UK-wide scheme will remain unchanged and these changes will continue to apply to all Devolved Administrations.
Extending the scheme until the end of April means businesses across the country will have certainty about what support will be available to them.
Businesses will also be given until the end of March to access the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme. These had been due to close at the end of January.
The schemes have already provided over £68 billion in guaranteed loans, and helped to keep afloat business in all sectors of the UK economy who have been impacted by coronavirus.
We are extending the schemes now, ahead of Christmas and further into the new year, to ensure that businesses can continue to access the support they need to grow and recover.
The government has already announced that more support will be available beyond March, through a successor loan scheme. More details of the scheme will be announced in due course, with the government providing a further update on wider Covid-19 economic support at the Budget on 3 March.
The furlough and loan schemes are part of the government’s wider plan to support, create and protect jobs through its Plan for Jobs. This includes the Kickstart Scheme, more investment in training and skills as well as the Self Employment Income Support Scheme grant, with a fourth grant being made available from February to April 2021.
Applying for a CBILS interruption loan
More on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Visit the FIS COVID-19 Hub
by Clair Mooney | 16 Dec, 2020 | Main News Feed
“Build the Future” is the theme for the 2021 National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), which will take place between 8 – 14 February 2021. NAW aims to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.
The annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships, now in its fourteenth year, takes pleace across England and will showcase the impact apprenticeships can have on communities, local businesses and regional economies and how they all benefit from the impact of apprenticeships.
To support National Apprenticeship Week 2021, individuals, employers, training providers and communities are being encouraged to get involved, to celebrate apprenticeships and how they:
TRAIN apprentices, and future proof their workforce and careers though apprenticeships;
RETAIN apprentices, gaining the skills and knowledge needed by the business, and seeing apprentices thrive, whilst having impact;
ACHIEVE a real return on investment from apprentices; realising the business benefits of apprenticeships, with apprentices progressing in their chosen careers.
A toolkit is available now to support the apprenticeship community with planning their activity for National Apprenticeship Week 2021.
If you have any questions please email: The.Week@education.gov.uk
For updates on National Apprenticeship Week and the campaign follow National Apprenticeship Service on our social media channels:
Twitter: @Apprenticeships
Twitter: @FireItUp_Apps
Instagram: @fireitupapps
Facebook: FireItUpApps
LinkedIn: National Apprenticeship Service
The Week Hashtags: #NAW2021 #BuildTheFuture
For more information on apprenticeships visit: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
