Recruiting the next generation is vital if we are to maintain the pipeline of talent coming into the industry and one of the best ways to show young people the fantastic work we do is through Open Doors! This year’s event is now less than three weeks away and we are encouraging members to open up their sites, offices and other workplaces or to host an online event from Monday 4 ‐ Saturday 9 October.

There are already more than 140 events registered and if your organisation is yet to get involved what are you waiting for! Please help us to showcase the diverse range of opportunities the industry has to offer by uploading your sites and virtual events on the Open Doors website by next Friday 24 September.

If you can’t offer an event or Open a site, you can still get involved, below is an example of an email prepared by FIS that you could send to your local school (you can find the events near or accessible to you via this link).

I wanted to flag up an initiative that might be of interest to some of the kids at XX School.  It is something we are supporting as a business to help young people to understand the opportunities in Construction.

 Open Doors goes behind the site hoardings to showcase the fantastic range of careers available in construction. From Monday 4 until Saturday 9 October 2021, we will be offering site visits across the UK as well as a wide range of live virtual experiences, such as ‘meet the apprentice’.

So whether you are thinking about a new career or just curious to see how the buildings and structures in your community are constructed – Open Doors has something for you.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the industry and what it has to offer can book their place on any number of exciting events hosted by Build UK, its members and partners.

 A site close to us that may be of particular interest is Millford Green – Net Zero Carbon Retirement Village.  I checked the details and groups of up to 10 can go for a 90 minute visit. There are others that you can see through the website here.

Even if just something you can communicate to the kids as an opportunity would be much appreciated.  There are an amazing array of careers in construction, in trade, professional and supporting roles, a big focus now is sustainable improvement and Millford Green will be a great insight into how this is playing out in the sector.

Remember to direct this email FAO of “Careers Lead” if you do not have a named person – remember every secondary school or FE College now must have a member of staff (teaching or non teaching) that is the main contact for careers information.

We urge all members to reach out to their local schools.  There are a number of initiatives to support you, for example Build UK has produced a two-minute film encouraging members to become STEM Construction and Built Environment Ambassadors or Employers.

For FIS Careers Guidance click here – if you are involved in any schools outreach programmes or initiatives that have been successful or wish to discuss tactics for optimising your work in the local community, don’t hesitate to call FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has established a Working Group, supported by FIS, within the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) focussed on collaboration across the construction supply chain.  The key aim is to ensure that there is consistent intepretation, clear understanding and effective communication with Government on how regulation and legislation are amended to manage transition.

At the end of October it was confirmed that manufacturers would be given an extra 12 months to prepare.  This was communicated in the statement below from MHCLG (who have responsibility for aligning the Construction Products Regulations).

I am writing to let you know that Government has just announced plans to introduce legislation which will enable CE marked goods to continue being placed on the Great British market until 1 January 2023. Although we are in a different legislative situation for the construction products sector, this new date for the end of recognition of the CE mark in Great Britain will also apply to construction products. MHCLG have updated guidance on GOV.UK (GB and NI) for construction products to reflect this.

We have been working hard to support industry make the transition to the new UKCA regime and we are grateful for all the work the CPA have already done in order to facilitate business preparedness. However, we are aware that the pandemic continues to impact businesses, and this has made adapting to the new regime more challenging. As a result, we have decided to provide an additional year for businesses to adapt to UKCA requirements.

Whilst this is a welcome relief and allays initial concerns over capacity and availability of testing, it still does not address wider concerns related to mutual recognition of assessment and test reports that is creating a duplication of costs associated with testing and conformity assessment for the UK and the EU markets particularly for AVCP System 3 for CE marking (such as suspended ceilings and products requiring reaction to fire tests) which, according to interpretation now will require historic tests to be repeated.

To assist companies in managing change the Government has updated key parts of their Brexit guidance that impacts companies in the Finishes and Interiors Sector.

• Using the UKCA marking – click here
  
• Placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain – click here
• Construction Products Regulation in Great Britain – click here
• Construction Products Regulation in Northern Ireland – click here.

The Construction Products Association, through the working group, has produced a great summary of all outstanding issues impacting the construction sector and continute to work with MHCLG and the European Construction Products Association to find practical resolution you can view this summary here.

If you have any comments, examples or additions for this list, please send them to iainmcilwee@thefis.org or call the office on 0121 707 0077 if you want to understand better or discuss any aspects of the guidance or concerns being reaised.  

You can visit the FIS Brexit Toolkit here.

Following the inaugural Virtual Interiors Event in February 2021, which saw approximately 4,000 industry professionals from 83 countries gather online, a new thought leadership festival will take place 20 – 24 September named VI:Insights.

FIS is excited to announce its partnership with both VI:Insights and the main Virtual Interiors Event in February 2022.

There are a very limited number of spaces left on the agenda for the forthcoming VI:Insights thought leadership festival. As partners, FIS members are able to claim a 20% discount for exhibiting or hosting a session. Get in touch with Beth Harrison on hello@thevievent.com if you are interested in taking part.

The new festival consists of daily, virtual thought leadership sessions such as accredited CPDs, research and white paper presentations and innovation discussions. The sessions take place over a week at convenient times, so as not to interrupt with the flow of the work day.

The festival is tailored for architects, designers, specifiers and design-conscious firms in the commercial interiors sector. Founded by Sally Rice and Beth Harrison, who both have years of sector-specific director-level experience, the event is built for the industry, by the industry.

VI:Insights will be an opportunity for industry leaders to deliver thought leadership content to a wider, international audience. Without travel and other costs, associated with the more traditional approach used in the industry, there is less environmental impact.

The festival consists of daily sessions at convenient times over the week of 20 – 24 September 2021. The speaker line up and agenda will be announced nearer the event. Participants already announced include Allsfär, BACHMANN, IVC, Orangebox and ROOM.

Register your interest at www.thevievent.com/insights.