by Clair Mooney | 30 Oct, 2020 | Main News Feed
From January 2021 Organizations putting their products on the market will be able to use the UKCA mark which replaces CE marking in the UK after a transitional period of 12 months until January 2022; This will require products to be handled by a UK notified body including Manufacturers importing products.
Products placed on the market in Northern Ireland will have to use a UKNI mark or CE mark if the product is imported from Europe.
All organisations placing construction products on the market in the UK where a harmonised European Norm (hEN) should check the UK Government website HERE for more information and guidance.
by Clair Mooney | 30 Oct, 2020 | Main News Feed
The Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) Managing Risk Well Working Group on fire has produced the Construction fire safety: Responsibility and competence matrix for fire safety in construction.
Hosted by the Construction Health & Safety Group (CHSG), the purpose of the matrix is to identify and outline the roles and the responsibilities of those involved in fire safety and prevention on construction projects.
The document sets out the minimum knowledge needed for each role and has been produced to support the construction industry in defining the skills, knowledge, training and experience needed by each of the duty holders’ roles.
Further information about CONIAC/CONIAN and its Working Groups is available from the CONIAN web community.
by Iain McIlwee | 23 Oct, 2020 | Main News Feed
The Construction Leadership Council has published guidance on the movement of goods and materials into and between GB and NI in respect of the expiration of the transition period with the European Union at the end of the year.
The guidance offers an overview of the new customs regime, specific information concerning the trade of goods and materials between Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well as between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The guide also includes an introduction to the new UK Global Tariff, touches on the interplay between movement of goods and materials and standards and alignment (which will be covered in a separate CLC publication), information on preparedness of the border as well information on shortage materials and other useful resources.
The guidance has been issued by the Movement of Goods and Materials Workstream (Product Availability Group) of the CLC BREXIT Working Group and comprises the third publication in a suite of business readiness advice that the group intends to publish ahead of 31 December 2020.
Access the guidance here.
by Clair Mooney | 23 Oct, 2020 | Main News Feed, Transformation
In a bid to drive a greater understanding and support the implementation of BIM in the fit-out and finishing world, UK BIM Alliance is delighted to announce a formal affiliation with the trade body for the sector Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS).
Iain Mcilwee, Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) CEO “There is little doubt that, as construction reinvents itself in the post COVID/post Grenfell era, the Digital Revolution is here. If we look at the reforms that will be driven through regulatory requirements or commercial drivers linked to productivity and quality, how we create and share information through the specification and construction process is key. BIM was always going to struggle to live up to the early hype, but the principles of BIM are already helping us to adapt and change and with greater standardisation and simplification, it will help us to deliver the golden thread along with the structural and cultural changes that we need to see. We are very much looking forward to aligning and working more closely with the UK BIM Alliance and helping our community to understand and implement these changes – like with BIM itself, collaboration is everything.”
Andy Boutle, UK BIM Alliance Engagement Co-Lead “We are delighted to welcome FIS to the affiliate programme who already have an active Digital Working Group focussing efforts in this area . We look forward to supporting and coordinating future activities together.”
The Affiliate programme aims to bring together the professional institutions, trade associations and any other industry organisations to provide a consistent message and coordinated approach to digital transformation, working across silos to a shared objective.
About the UK BIM Alliance
We are here to support the built environment sector take the first fundamental step in their journey to digital transformation. The UK BIM Alliance aims to ensure BIM becomes business as usual whilst at the same time, transforming and future proofing the way the industry work. The UK BIM Alliance is also the UK & Ireland chapter of buildingSMART. For more information visit the website.
About the Finishes and Interiors Sector
FIS is the representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK. The FIS membership is drawn from contractors, manufacturers and distributors of ceilings, steel framing systems, partitions, operable walls, plastering, drylining, and specialist interior fit-out and refurbishment businesses.
FIS exists to support its members, improve safety, minimise risk, enhance productivity and drive innovation in the sector. As well as specialist publications, technical support and expert helplines, FIS is a dynamic network that brings the sector together through a range of events, awards and specialist working groups, all aimed at sharing best practice, setting standards and advising Government, that help its members to improve performance and win work.
For more information visit the website.
by Clair Mooney | 23 Oct, 2020 | Main News Feed
With the news this week that unemployment surged to 4.5% by August as pandemic hits jobs, this is the highest UK unemployment rate in three years. There is also clear data showing redundancies have risen to their highest level since 2009. The National Office of Statistics states about 300,000 of those currently unemployed are aged 16-24. It is well reported the biggest industries hit are hospitality, travel agencies and employment agencies. The number claiming work related benefits, hit 2.7 million in September an increase of 1.5 million since the beginning of the crisis in March.
After a record low of 343,000 vacancies in April to June 2020, there has been an estimated record quarterly increase of 144,000 to 488,000 vacancies in July to September 2020; vacancies remain below the pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic levels and are 332,000 (40.5%) less than a year ago.
The Chancellors Plan for Jobs includes the Kickstart scheme. This gives employers an opportunity to engage an individuals for six months. Officially launched on 2 September 2020. The scheme is aimed at helping unemployed young people aged 16-24 get a foothold on the career ladder by funding six-month job placements. Under the scheme, funding will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
One of the elements of this scheme is that applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements. FIS recognise this is likely to be too many for the majority of our members and as such, we are delighted to advise we have been approved to act as an intermediary on behalf of you, our members and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
As an intermediary, we are able to amalgamate all requests and submit a consolidated bid on your behalf.
To make it as seamless as possible for you to engage with the scheme, FIS will be playing an active part in working with DWP to select the best and most suitable people available, FIS will be there to support you through the Kickstart process. We can also help you to access the £1,500 per job placement fund to cover the initial set up costs and the costs of training and support.
We urge you to support this initiative and give unemployed young people a chance. There is no obligation to employ individuals after the work placement has concluded. Even if you don’t think you’ll be in a position to employ anyone for the next 6 months, you can still give someone an opportunity to train and develop, at no cost to yourself or your organisation and perhaps help them secure a career in construction.
The attached link gives you further information Kickstart Scheme Guidance but if you do have any further questions, please give our Skills and Training Coordinator, Paul Glover a call on 07975 759378.
by Clair Mooney | 23 Oct, 2020 | Main News Feed
Following the announcement from the Welsh Government, Test Centres in Wales will be closed from 23 October (6pm) and will re-open on 9 November. There is no need to contact Pearson VUE. All booking will be cancelled with no charges and refunded back. If the booking is with a third party, please contact them for refunds or to reschedule.
Health and safety COVID-secure spot checks ongoing
HSE is carrying out spot checks and inspections on all types of businesses in all areas to ensure they are COVID-secure. By calling and visiting premises and speaking directly to employers, they can check the measures organisations have put in place are in line with government guidance.
Visit the HSE webpage which includes a short video explaining:
- how spot checks and inspections work
- what our inspectors will need to check
- how they can help you keep your workplace COVID-secure
- actions we will take if employers are not managing the risk of COVID spreading
