by Oscar Venus | 28 Nov, 2025 | Main News Feed
A Construction Coalition led by the British Woodworking Federation and supported by Finishes and Interiors Sector wrote to the Prime Minister last month expressing concerns related to proposed reform of Apprenticeships. In response to this letter and subsequent meetings, Skills England announced at a meeting this week (attended by FIS) that implementation had been paused to allow time to understand and address concerns raised.
The letter expresses serious concern over plans by Skills England to shorten apprenticeship durations to as little as eight months and introduce new assessment methods that could weaken quality assurance and consistency. The stark warning is that these reforms could dismantle established routes to competence, erode employer confidence, and threaten the delivery of safe, high-quality construction at a time when the UK faces an ambitious target of building 1.5 million new homes.
The changes were set to apply to all apprenticeships in England, with site carpentry and joinery at the forefront one of five pilot areas this summer.
FIS Head of Skills Beena Nana reflected:
“The positive to draw is that they are listening and that changes are not going to be railroaded through. The last round of Apprentice reforms were all about putting employers at the heart of decisions – this is critical. The direction of travel was a worry, but at least we have been heard and as we develop apprenticeships we can ensure that the duration and assessment methodology are commensurate with the competence standard that must be reached to support the emphasis on competence in the latest iterations of the Building Regulations”.
by Clair Mooney | 27 Nov, 2025 | Main News Feed
You’ve done the work, and the client’s happy, but the money still hasn’t arrived. Does this sound familiar?
For many in the finishes and interiors sector, late payments are more common than they should be. But with good credit control, it doesn’t have to be that way.
This guide, developed in partnership with FIS Associate Member BABR, provides clear, practical advice for managing payments in your business. Whether you work in fit-out, flooring, ceilings, partitions or specialist finishes, this guide will help you:
- Protect your cash flow
- Reduce stress and admin
- Get paid on time, more often
This guide focusses on business-to-business relationships, support is available if you should have a dispute with a homeowner, however, whilst many of the principles set down in here hold true, the laws covering dispute with consumers are different.
by Clair Mooney | 27 Nov, 2025 | Main News Feed
A recent report has revealed that an alarming 81% of construction workers recognise the importance of reporting qualification fraud for site safety, but 78% are unclear on how to report it.
While respondents to the survey overwhelmingly agreed that reporting suspected qualification fraud is important and helps protect safety on site, they acknowledged gaps in understanding about the reporting process itself.
Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications, exams and assessments in England, carried out the survey in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).
Qualification fraud can be committed in several ways
This includes:
- creating, buying or using fake certificates for regulated qualifications
- delivering ‘fast track’ training which leaves out important and necessary content
- helping learners cheat in tests by giving answers or taking a test on their behalf
Fraudulent qualifications can then be used to obtain CSCS cards, allowing workers to access construction sites without the requisite skills. While this fraud can be spotted during training sessions, it can also be called out by workers on site who can see the difference between a worker’s real-life skills and the qualifications they claim to have.
The findings are being released during International Fraud Awareness Week.
Key findings
- The majority of respondents (78%) do not know the process for reporting suspected qualification fraud, with 45% saying they had some idea but not sure of the exact process and 33% saying they do not know how to report it at all.
- 81% strongly agreed that it was important to report suspected qualification fraud and 85% said they felt comfortable or very comfortable to raise concerns about fraud in their workplace.
- Respondents indicated that greater clarity around confidentiality would be a major driver in improving reporting rates.
- Managers and responsible hiring managers have a vital role to play, as these were the routes most commonly selected by respondents when asked who they would report suspected fraud to.
- Responses came predominantly from site operatives (34%), site managers (27%) and senior managers (26%), with 39% working for large employers with over 250 employees.
International Fraud Awareness week
The partners have used the International Fraud Awareness week to remind construction employers and workers of three simple steps when concerns arise:
- Use CSCS Smart Check via API, app or website to verify a card’s validity.
- Trust professional judgement: if someone’s real-life skills don’t match their qualifications – even if the card is valid – then report suspected qualification fraud.
- Report concerns confidentially to intel@cscs.co.uk or via Ofqual’s complaints procedure.
Anonymous reporting is available for those concerned about workplace relationships, and reports are investigated based on evidence, not on who made the report.
Emma Scott, Director of Vocational and Technical Qualifications Delivery at Ofqual, said:
“Construction workers recognise the importance of reporting suspected qualification fraud – which is committed by a small minority of people – but the evidence shows we need to make reporting channels clearer and emphasise that reports can be made confidentially.
“Tackling qualification fraud requires organisations working together with the eyes and ears of those on sites. If someone’s real-life skills don’t match those on their card, they may have obtained it through qualification fraud – and reporting this helps protect everyone.”
Sean Kearns, the Group Chief Executive of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) added: “These findings reinforce the need to communicate how simple it is to check CSCS card validity and report concerns. We’ve made tools like the CSCS Smart Check API, app and website available for exactly this reason – to enable all CSCS Alliance cards to be checked and validated through a single ‘border control’ process. If you suspect a CSCS card is fraudulent, check it using Smart Check and report it via the app or intel@cscs.co.uk. When we all play our part, we protect the safety and reputation of the entire industry.”
Tim Balcon, Chief Executive, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), commented: “Genuine qualifications are fundamental to safety and standards across construction. This survey shows workers understand why reporting matters, but we need to simplify the process and build confidence. At CITB, we’re committed to supporting the industry in tackling qualification fraud and protecting everyone on site.”
Beena Nana, FIS Head of Skills and Training commented: “This report highlights an important issue. In the finishes and interiors sector, ensuring safety and quality is critical. Workers understand the need to report qualification fraud, but clear and confidential reporting channels are vital to protect everyone on site and uphold the standards our members rely on.”
Ofqual, the national qualifications regulator in England, has been working with groups in different business sectors to improve information and intelligence sharing around qualification fraud.
www.gov.uk
by Clair Mooney | 26 Nov, 2025 | Main News Feed
The Chancellor’s Budget promised to “Get Britain Building,” but linking this ambition solely to planning reform is far from a success story. Public sector investment in infrastructure offers some hope, but most announcements have simply repeated what we already know. At a time when the construction sector could be a powerhouse for growth, this Budget feels disconnected from reality and short on meaningful stimulus.
The measures announced do little to inspire confidence or encourage growth. A worrying fact at the core is that the OBR has confirmed productivity is falling – and this Budget does nothing to address it.
Maintaining the Annual Investment Allowance makes sense, but it doesn’t add stimulus. Increases to the Living Wage for those aged 21+ and the Minimum Wage for 18–20-year-olds will have an inflationary effect across pay scales, discouraging investment in people. The headline pledge of free apprenticeships for under-25s sounds positive, but in reality, most businesses could already achieve this via voucher transfers. For those that would benefit, increases in apprentice minimum wage will quickly cannibalise any gain (in real term the saving is at best £700 for a plastering, dry lining or ceiling installor apprententiceship versus a £2,000 – £3,000 cost increase in terms of wages over the apprenticeship period). Apprenticeships account for only 10% of new entrants in our sector due to bureaucracy and risk. Hiking wages and minor tinkering in training cost without tackling these barriers will only serve to undermine the skills pipeline construction desperately needs.
Focusing additional relief on start-ups is all well and good, but the same entrepreneurial spirit is being drained from established firms with a proven track record. Beyond employment costs, changes to dividend taxation and pensions will hit business owners. Cutting capital gains tax relief for employee ownership from 100% to 50% undermines succession planning and stability – this a huge blow for many SME construction businesses who see this as the most (often only) responsible way to plan an exit and ensure continuity.
The decision to freeze fuel duty is a minor positive, but it sits awkwardly alongside new taxes on electric vehicles – after years of incentivizing their adoption. Overall it is worrying too how little reference there was for supporting Net Zero and the opportunity this offers.
This Budget lacks a coherent growth strategy, does not stoke the entrepreneurial fire and ultimately adds to the cost of doing business, which has, with the wider inflationary backdrop been spiralling in recent years. The pantomime atmosphere under which it was leaked and delivered raises further concern that politics are being put before people and that our politicians remain remote from reality. It underpins why we need a proper Construction Minister, not a junior Minister with Construction lost in an eye-watering portfolio.
FIS members can exclusively access the Construction Products Association’s budget response here.
by Clair Mooney | 26 Nov, 2025 | Main News Feed
FIS is working with The Skills Centre to deliver a series of L2 drylining course flyer and dates that will help bring new talent into the finishes and interiors sector. To make these programmes truly impactful, we are asking employers to play an active role in supporting learners as they prepare for work.
The Skills Centre will be running an Introduction to Drylining course across its training facilities, giving participants the core skills, industry awareness, and confidence needed to begin a career in our sector. Employer support in the Essex area is essential to bridge the gap between training and employment.
We are calling on members to help strengthen these programmes by offering:
- Work experience placements that give learners real insight into site environments
- Employment opportunities for job-ready candidates
- Apprenticeships that allow new entrants to continue their development while contributing to your business
Your involvement will directly support The Skills Centre in delivering successful pre-employment pathways—ensuring learners can transition smoothly into the workforce and helping address the ongoing skills shortage in our sector.
By taking part, you will not only provide invaluable on-site experience for new entrants and career changers but also help build the future skilled workforce that our industry depends on.
If you are interested in supporting these learners, contact Marie Flinter or Beena Nana or call the FIS office on 0121 707 0077.
by Clair Mooney | 25 Nov, 2025 | Main News Feed
FIS and Worshipful Company of Plaisterers have announced the winners of the sector Training Awards at its lunch held at Plaisterers’ Hall in London today.
In front of a packed audience at Plaisterers’ Hall, the winners of the 2025 Training Awards were announced and presented by Guest Speaker Philippa Tuttiett.
The Awards are a collaboration between FIS and The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers to recognise outstanding apprentices and students, and individuals and organisations that have made a lasting contribution to training and development in plastering and interior trades. Also recognised were the Rising Stars of our sector and a Lifetime contribution to skills and training development.
John Telling, Master of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, said “The Company is absolutely delighted to once again host these prestigious awards in our magnificent Hall. We are delighted to have teamed up with FIS to recognise the achievements of many within plastering and the finishes and interiors sector”.
Commenting on the awards, FIS President Ian Strangward said: “I congratulate all the amazing people shortlisted today. Today provides and opportunity to celebrate and recognise that every nominee, every mentor, every employer here is part of a bigger story. A story of an industry evolving and building the competence base we need to build tomorrow”
The 2025 award winners are:
Apprentice of the Year – Plastering
WINNER: Jake Waite of Wannop
Runners up: Damian Hayes from Thomas and Wilsons, and George Stamp of Locker and Riley (Fibrous Plastering)
Apprentice / Student of the Year – Interior Systems
WINNER: Nicole McKeown of Errigal Contracts
Runners up: Sam Woodward of Measom Dryline and Dawson Dellar of ACS Plastering
Student of the Year – Plastering
WINNER: Monique Fennell of Cadman and Manpen Systems
Runners up: Mohammad Abuali studying at The City of Liverpool College and Yusuf Ibrahim studying at Derby College
Colleges and Independent Training Providers (large)
Winner – NPTC Group of Colleges
Runner up – Coleg Menai
Colleges and Independent Training Providers (small)
Winner – The Skills Centre
Runner up – Carlisle College
Formula Trophy
WINNER: KL Langton Decorative Plasterwork
FIS Member Training Programme
WINNER: Zentia
Training Champion
WINNER: Terry McDermott of Errigal Contracts
Rising Star
WINNER: Craig Dyson of TPI Taping and Jointing
Lifetime Contribution to Training Award
WINNER: Richard Jones of Grwp Llandrillo Menai
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their hard work and dedication in pursuing their academic goals!
Our thanks go to our awards and event sponsors British Gypsum, Saint-Gobain Formula, The Plaisterers Charity and CITB.
