by Clair Mooney | 26 Nov, 2020 | Main News Feed
The Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, Mike Amesbury MP, highlighted the Construction Products Associations’ (CPA) and questions about product testing regimes post-Brexit on the floor of the House of Commons this week in a debate with the Housing Minister about the Construction Products Regulations.
CPA has been in frequent and productive discussions with MHCLG to clarify these points, but have concerns in particular about whether many products presently made in the UK will be legally allowed for sale on the UK market post-Brexit, as they might not be able to be tested and/or proven to conform with the regulatory requirements. Despite this very late stage of the transition period, with only 1.5 months to spare, it remains unclear if the current free trade negotiations with the EU will conclude matters of mutual recognition. Find out more.
by Iain McIlwee | 24 Nov, 2020 | Main News Feed
The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has launched a new Business Risk Management Tool to support contractors and help them adopt a structured approach to understanding risk and reducing uncertainty.
Launched at the FIS Virtual AGM and Conference on the 24 November, the Business Risk Management Tool identifies over 120 common risk areas for contractors against the categories including Business Management, Contractual, Financial, Quality, H&S and Procurement, providing a mechanism to score and rank risk and advice on mitigation and management.
A risk management matrix ranks risk in term of probability of an event occurring and the severity of the impact should the event occur. It can be used to identify and prioritise activity so that a contractor can then make informed business decisions and improve their resilience.
In her AGM speech, FIS President and Operations Director at Tapper Interiors, Helen Tapper stated: “I know what it’s like to not be able to afford expensive consultants or accountants to give me regulatory or financial advice. I know what it’s like to sometimes make decisions that I don’t feel qualified to make and bear the responsibility for that. Here’s an amazing statistic for you, nearly 60% of our contractor members turn over less than £5m and in fact only 17% turnover more than £10m and we never forget that statistic. You, like me, need the advice, technical guidance and moral support more than anyone and once again FIS membership pays dividends. It is these companies that we are targeting our new Business Risk Management Tool that is now available to download from our website.”
Commenting on the launch of the risk management tool, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said: “We have learned in the past few years that basic risk management in construction needs to improve. Beyond the obvious, the worst thing for any business is getting smacked in the side of the head by something they didn’t see coming on a busy Tuesday afternoon. Our hope is that this risk management tool at least helps protect people from the unknown unknowns. It is built on the collective wisdom of our community and a tried and tested framework. It isn’t a static thing and we can develop and evolve it as we help members front up to daily problems in the 21st Century. We don’t have to learn from our mistakes, we can communicate and collaborate and learn as a community from each other – this way the sector gets better”.
The Risk Management Tool is available to download free for members of the FIS community here – FIS Business Risk Management Tool.
by Clair Mooney | 20 Nov, 2020 | Main News Feed
The Academy for Construction people, based in Glasgow, has secured funding from CITB to offer a Specialist Applied-Skills Programme at VQ 2 level (/SCQF Level 5 over the next 18 months. This is a Pilot Training Scheme for 24 trainees in the following occupations; Interior Systems / Dryliner Fixer and Passive Fire Protection. The Academy also supports Programmes for Asbestos Removal and Demolition operatives.
The Academy has the backing of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP www.asfp.org.uk) and the Finishes and Interior Sector (FIS) www.thefis.org who will work with the Academy to monitor the training standards.
The Passive Fire SAP training will commence in the Training Centre in Nisbet Street, Glasgow on 18 January 2021. Interior Systems/Dry liner Fixer trainees commence training in February/March. The Academy has worked with industry specialists to ensure the integration of training and assessment to meet the requirements of the two qualifications.
Both training programmes will therefore share key technical information so that trainees in each discipline can demonstrate that they understand the need to work collaboratively on site to produce quality work to the required safety standards. Several companies have pledged support for this predominately on-the-job 18-month training programme for both new young entrants and upskilling for existing operatives. On the job assessment is carried out by appropriately trained assessors with proven track records in their trade. All assessment is subject to external verification and mentoring support is given to the trainees on site. The SAP programmes also have the support from the Scottish Specialist Contractors Training Group.
On completion of the 18-month programme, all operatives will have achieved a VQ Level 2/SCQF Level 5 in their area of expertise.
Ian Hughes, CITB Partnerships Director Scotland, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to work with the Academy for Construction People, and look forward to seeing the new Pilot Training Scheme come to fruition in the coming months. At such a crucial time, it provides an excellent opportunity to involve more young people in the sector, while still protecting the existing workforce through chances to upskill.”
ASFP Head of Training Phil Brownhill: “The provision of a formal training and educational route to becoming a competent installer of passive fire protection systems is something that ASFP has consistently supported. We applaud the efforts of the Academy, Avesta Group and ASFP members in Scotland.”
FIS Skills and Training Lead George Swann said, “This is a great opportunity for finishes and interiors sector employer to get their work force qualified. The Academy for Construction People are commended for the work they have done in securing this funding that will directly benefit the sector. As an FIS Approved Training Provider, we fully support this offer and have confidence in the quality of the training provided by the Academy for Construction People.”
Ian Main Chairman of the Academy Steering Group said “This is really good news for the Academy and the Specialist Contracting sector in Scotland and North England.”
by Iain McIlwee | 20 Nov, 2020 | Main News Feed
The Government has added further guidance on the closure of non‐essential businesses. The list now includes showrooms for products used in homes, including bathrooms, kitchens and glazing, which should be closed to the public, including where they are located as distinct sections within hardware stores and builders’ merchants. Delivery and click and collect services may continue to be offered. Each business should assess whether they are required to close having considered the regulations as well as the guidance, and Build UK has made the point that changing guidance midway through a lockdown is unhelpful and will have a major impact on businesses and their supply chains.
The updated guidance does not affect construction sites, manufacturers, storage and distribution facilities, or builders’ merchants without showrooms. Tradespeople may also continue to work in people’s homes following the the Safer Working guidance.
You can access the FIS COVID-19 hub here
by Iain McIlwee | 20 Nov, 2020 | Main News Feed
Following a discussion with Sharon Miller of Scottish Government, she has advised that Scottish Government has issued further guidance for Level 4 restrictions on construction work in homes. The guidance states:
Tradespeople should only go into a house in a level 4 area to carry out or deliver essential work or services, for example:
to carry out utility (electricity, gas, water, telephone, broadband) safety checks, repairs, maintenance and installations
- to carry out repairs and maintenance that would otherwise threaten the household’s health and safety
- to deliver goods or shopping
- to deliver, install or repair key household furniture and appliances such as washing machines, fridges and cookers
- to support a home move, for example furniture removal
When working in someone’s house tradespeople should stay 2 metres apart from the people who live there, wear a face covering and follow good hand and respiratory hygiene.
Visit the FIS COVID-19 hub for the latest updates and information
by Clair Mooney | 19 Nov, 2020 | Main News Feed
Following the publication last week of HMRC’s guidance on the extended furlough scheme which stated that the government was reviewing its stance on furlough being claimed during notice periods, this section of the guidance has now been updated.
Citation has outlined the key points from this update:
- With effect from 1 December, employers will not be able to claim furlough pay for any period where the employee was serving either a contractual or statutory notice period.
- Although the new guidance appears in the ‘If you’ve made your employees redundant’ section – the rule seems to apply regardless of how the notice has come about as it specifically includes resignations and retirements.
- If an employer has claimed in advance and the employee subsequently starts a notice period on a day covered by the claim, the employer will have to adjust their claim.
- It will be irrelevant whether notice of termination was given before 1 December. The critical issue is whether the employee is serving notice, not when that notice was served.
For example, if an employer gives an employee 4 weeks-notice starting on 23 November and ending on 18 December, furlough pay can be claimed for the notice days falling within November but no furlough claim can be made from 1 December for the days when the employee was serving the remainder of their notice period.
