by Clair Mooney | 16 Nov, 2018 | Main News Feed
FIS launched its hugely successful #iBuiltThis2019 competition at the WorldSkills UK Live event at the NEC in Birmingham.
#iBuiltThis is a visual campaign, image led aiming to celebrate the skills, talent within the construction industry and showcase projects people have built in relation to the built environment. FIS chief executive Iain McIlwee said “we chose to launch the competition at WorldSkills UK Live because the event is all about helping young people go further, faster in their careers, gaining the skills that employers need most. Not to mention the Skills Show is the UK’s largest careers show, attracting over 72,000 visitors each year and engaging with colleges and young people here will help us to get some exciting entries for the 2019 competition”.
This simple competition is designed to promote careers in construction and get young people, the construction industry and the public to participate and show how proud they are of their contribution to the UK built environment in a fun, exciting and light-hearted way.
To encourage young people to get involved, the competition has been divided into three age groups with some fabulous prizes to be won: 13 and under (for the 2018 competition the prize was a family trip to Legoland with an overnight stay at Castle Hotel, 14-18 (an iPhone X) and 19 (a getaway for two adults in one of Canopy & Stars exclusive properties in the UK). We would like entrants to share a picture of themselves with an image of a completed project they have built, or helped to build and enter on the competition platform when it opens.
Encouraging photos of new buildings of any type, whether they’re made from Lego, Meccano, sand or even chocolate. Images of iconic buildings and breath taking fit-out and interiors will be used to inspire people to see construction as a career of choice. The entries received will be diverse in both built environment images and the roles involved in their construction and images will be used to educate new entrants afterwards.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at UK Construction Week between 8–10 October 2019 by TV personality and architect George Clarke.
Nathan Garnett, Event Director of UK Construction Week said “it is the simplicity of this initiative that makes it so brilliant. Anybody can enter, it embraces all forms of social media and it reminds us of the simply joy in making stuff and at the same time how construction is building our future. There was a great crop of entries in 2018 across the different age contests from Lego builds to intricate brickwork and relaxation spaces innovatively designed and built. What better place to host this than at UK Construction Week, which is all about showcasing this brilliant industry. I was particularly delighted to see so many of the 2018 competition finalists and winners attend with their friends and family so they got to see some of the innovation and progressive thinking that is driving our sector forwards.”
To find out more on how you can partner with us email skills@thefis.org or visit our website at: https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/i-built-this-2019/
by Clair Mooney | 16 Nov, 2018 | Main News Feed
FIS will be exhibiting at the Quality in Construction Summit – book your place with special offer.
FIS is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Quality in Construction Summit on the 27 November 2018 in Manchester. Iain McIlwee will be speaking about some of the vital ingredients of constructing safer buildings and practical steps that contractors can implement to drive improvement. This is a simple, structured approach to managing compliance and competency issues through a focus on Product, Process and People and touch on some of the issues that the Finishes and Interiors Sector would like to consign to Room 101.
The event is aimed at professionals who have a quality-related remit within the construction sector, at a strategic or operational level. It will be an opportunity for them to network, learn, share and develop ideas to improve quality levels within their organisations and sector.
We have secured a special offer for our members, insert the code FIS99 for £99 +VAT tickets. Book your place using this link: https://bit.ly/2BXSArC
by Clair Mooney | 15 Nov, 2018 | Main News Feed
FIS has added Fire Door Installation to its directory search, so if you install Fire Doors, let the office know so we can update your records.
35% of all FIS website visitors use the membership directory, so it’s important to check your company details and offering are up to date. Contact the office on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org to update your details.
by Clair Mooney | 15 Nov, 2018 | Main News Feed
FIS members are invited to attend Croner’s Employment Law and Health & Safety Seminars free to charge. Hear from expert speakers, who will share their insights into the employment law and health and safety trends that will affect your organisation in the near future. Seminars are being held on:
27 November from 10:00am to 3:00pm – Newcastle
7 December from 10:00am to 13:00pm – Bristol
13 December from 10:00am to 13:00pm – Hinckley
Register directly with Croner. Full details are available here..
by Clair Mooney | 12 Nov, 2018 | Main News Feed
A construction skills card fraudster has been jailed for more than three years following a police investigation which saw him charged under Section 9 of the Fraud Act 2006 for the production and sale of fake documents.
Online trader Andrew Weeks was caught following an investigation by Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards. During the investigation it was discovered that Mr Weeks was manufacturing construction industry skill cards at his printing firm (Nuneaton Print) and selling them via his website. Mr Weeks pleading guilty to the manufacture of fake documents and was sentenced on 19 October at Warwick Crown Court.
The investigation was supported with information from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and a number of card schemes including the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).
Graham Wren, Chief Executive at CSCS said: “This is another example of the industry working together to tackle card fraud. CSCS will always support the authorities to identify and act against those attempting to deceive construction employers. This case also highlights the need for thorough card checks, ideally electronically, to ensure construction workers are who they say they are and have the correct qualifications for the job they do on site.”
Mr Weeks was also sued by CSCS for copyright infringement and ordered to pay damages of £6,000.
Ian Sidney, Fraud Manager at CITB said: “This sentence shows just how serious construction card fraud is and the lengths that CITB and the whole industry will go to in order to stamp it out. The use of fake cards could easily lead to accidents, injuries or even fatalities where contractors do not have the required skills, training or qualifications. Employers must remain vigilant when checking workers’ documentation and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.”
What to do if you spot a fraudulent card
Employers are urged to conduct regular checks on cards. If you think you know someone using a fraudulent card you should:
- Retain the card if possible
- Make photocopies of front and back
- Record cardholder’s name and address
- Ask the cardholder where the card was obtained from
- Call the local police and report the matter
- Refuse access to site (subject to company rules)
- Forward copies of all evidence to CITB Quality Assurance Team, Building 16, Bircham Newton, King’s Lynn, PE31 6RH, marked ‘SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CARD’ with details of the crime number given by local police.
- You can also email Report.it@citb.co.uk .
by Clair Mooney | 9 Nov, 2018 | Main News Feed
The construction industry experienced modest growth in the third quarter of 2018, following a weather-related boost to activity in Q2, according to the latest quarterly CPA survey of product manufacturers, contractors, civil engineers and SME builders.
Read the full details in this week’s CPA weekly notes.
