Respondents to the CPA State of Trade Survey Q4 2018 experienced a strong end to 2018, with 27% of heavy side manufacturers and half of light side manufacturers reporting a rise in sales. Growth in factory output is anticipated to rise further in the opening quarter of 2019, with 64% of heavy side firms and 38% of those on the light side expecting an increase in sales in the January-March period.
Members can read the full report here.
The Home Office has published the future skills-based immigration system white paper which sets out the Government’s plans to introduce a new single immigration system, ending free movement.
Through Build UK, FIS has supported this important piece of work and we would like to thank all of our members who took the time to respond to the questionnaire. The report identifies occupations that are experiencing, or may experience shortages, of available staff in the UK construction sector.
Helen Yeulet, FIS skills delivery director said: ‘It is concerning, but not surprising to see a number of our interiors trades, pulled out in the list of “severe difficulties now” against the back drop of Brexit looming, with Drylining an obvious highlight,. We will be working with Build UK and other trade bodies to inform MPs and the relevant Ministers to ensure that the implications are understood.
Our views on the recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee are clear, they simply don’t address the very real problem we face in terms of delivering the skills we need in the numbers we need in a realistic timeframe. The supply chain absolutely understand the need to invest and develop our workforce and we have a very busy programme doing this, but setting arbitrary triggers around qualifications and salaries around need and demand makes no sense at all, creating a real risk to the construction sector.’
FIS is working with Build UK on the new industry pre-qualification (PQ) system, which is due for soft launch in March. When it is rolled out later this year, it is anticipated that companies will be audited once a year by a recognised assessment body and this will be accepted by clients and contractors which will not specify a particular assessment body. For full details click here.
As part of ongoing work it would be useful to establish which PQ systems are being used. Please complete the poll below.
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If you’re an EU citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. If your application is successful, you’ll get either settled or pre-settled status.
You may be able to stay in the UK without applying – for example, if you’re an Irish citizen or have indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
The EU Settlement Scheme will open fully by 30 March 2019. You may be able to apply now if you meet the criteria. The deadline for applying will be 30 June 2021 (NB: The deadline for applying will be 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal).
When you choose to apply may depend on your circumstances.
More here: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
After careful consideration, the shortlist for the FIS Fit-Out Futures Awards has now been confirmed.
The standard of entires into this year’s Awards was extremely high, so congratulations to the individuals who made the shortlist and thank you to everybody who entered. The winners in each category will be announced at the President’s Lunch on 5 February 2019.
A special thanks goes out to our judges who gave their time to look closely at the nominations.
Apprentice of the Year
Danny Beadle – Pexhurst Services
Charlie Hazeltine – Pexhurst Services
John Taylor – Stortford Interiors
Future Leader – sponsored by CCF
Richard Austen – Stortford Interiors
Simon Broggio – Meronden
Outstanding Employee
Ed Kelly – ETAG Fixings
Matthew Sexton – British Gypsum
Matt Taylor – Astins
Chloe Jones – Nevill Long
Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by CCF
Ray Deeks – G Cook & Sons
Mick Jacznik – BDL Group
Robert Allen – British Gypsum
