by Clair Mooney | 9 Nov, 2023 | Main News Feed
At the FIS AGM this week, Philip Brown (FIS President) assured members that their trade association “is in good health, is well managed, in good financial shape, well respected and continues to grow in every meaningful way”. This is in no small part due to the leadership provided by the elected Directors (all volunteers from the membership).
FIS Chief Executive Iain McIlwee gave an overview of FIS activity, zoning in on the themes of competence, compliance, raising standards and supporting businesses.
Iain spoke of the “I”, “we” and “they“ approach that FIS adopts to support change. “I” being helping individual members with guidance and tools, “we” being collaboration, collective action, research, common understanding and setting standards and “they” being about leveraging collective knowledge and data to influence others – to lead change.
You can read all about the event and access the presentations from the day, here.
by Clair Mooney | 9 Nov, 2023 | Contractual and Legal, Lens Blog, Main News Feed
FIS Consultant Len Bunton shares his concerns about the payment and cash flow issues in the construction industry in the UK.
“Everybody who reads this will be acutely aware of difficulties in the current marketplace, and what I would like to do is to share some recent experiences and to highlight some recommendations to allow businesses to find a way through an exceedingly difficult period.
“What we have experienced recently as a number of significant failures of contractors and subcontractors in the UK, and there is no doubt that these failures result in a trail of devastation for the supply chain who have been involved. What members need to do is to minimise risk. I have recently been involved with a number of FIS members in dealing with payment and cash flow issues, and the level of difficulties that are being experienced is extraordinary and after 40 years in this industry I do not think I have seen so many issues arriving on so many projects.
Here, Len provides some suggestions and recommendations for you to take on board.
These monthly Blogs are designed to help FIS Members avoid common traps and build on our focus on collective experience. They share ideas about improving the commercial management of your contracts. In other words, instilling best practice into the way FIS members run and manage their business. What I have endeavored to suggest is ways to ensure you get paid on time, and what you are due.
by Clair Mooney | 2 Nov, 2023 | Main News Feed
Business Models and Fair Payment Workstream – Pilot project to cut defects
CLC is running a pilot project on a scheme developed by the contractors’ umbrella body ActuateUK to tackle project defects at source with the long-term aim of removing the need for payment retentions. It takes previously successful data gathering schemes used to address health & safety concerns and late payment as its inspiration, with a similar focus on using anonymous data to tackle the root causes of our defects ‘culture’.
Both these earlier schemes produced tangible results and had a profound impact on the prevailing culture. Clients and contractors are invited to take part in the pilot by sharing their project data, which is non-attributed and will help to build up a picture of why defects come about and how we can set about eliminating them. Defects will be collected from completion certificates using processes developed by the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI).
They are compared and rationalised against the overall value of the contract, to enable comparison between projects and produce a score that can be used to evaluate a solution. This initial stage working with Cranfield University is strictly a proof of concept, a test that the data can be collected and collated from projects. But getting this right could unlock benefits for all parties.
Please use this link to submit your data.
For further information and questions please contact the CLC.
by Clair Mooney | 30 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed, Skills
This year’s SkillBuild event is taking place from 21 -23 November 2023. You can watch the national finalists battle it out during the competition, attend a Continual Professional Development session, hosted by an expert panel of judges, in one of the 10 competition trades, and have go at a range of inspiring activities that highlight construction trades at the designated careers experience hub, the Construction Showcase
SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices, and as competitors progress through each stage, they are tested on their technical abilities, time management, character, and commitment. The competition is viewed by many as an opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem, and life skills. The winners of the SkillBuild UK National Final are classed as the best in the UK.
Book your ticket here
Featured this year is the Construction Showcase, an interactive event on 22 November designed to encourage young people to consider a career in construction and to have some fun with the construction have-a-go activities!
The event will include construction-based activities suited to all age ranges, skills games, quizzes and videos showcasing the variety of construction occupations available. Also featured is a series of curriculum-related resources, from Key Stage 2 through to Key Stage 5, as well as STEM Ambassadors from the industry, to support and answer questions from those curious about construction.
Not only will groups take part in the Construction Showcase, but they will also be able to have a guided tour of the competitions by a SkillBuild expert, and take home some goodies too! If you know a youth group who would be interested in attending, they can claim their free tickets to attend here.
by Clair Mooney | 24 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
The FIS Partitions and Pods working group is made up of members who manufacture supply and install glazed, and industrial partitions, and meeting pods. The group meet to discuss issues and develop initiatives such as the acoustic verification scheme, the classification of pods and produce guidance for specifiers and installers.
We are now looking for a new chair, to help lead this group, provide guidance on direction and ensure that the meetings run efficiently and are in accordance with the competition act and our code of conduct.
To be FIS Working groups are chaired by members and are re-elected every two years.
The role is open to FIS members only. If you would like to nominate yourself for the position of Chair please send a brief application telling us why you would be an ideal chair to JoeCilia@theFis.org no latter than 31 November.
by Clair Mooney | 23 Oct, 2023 | Main News Feed
According to the latest CPA Construction Industry Forecasts, construction output is expected to fall by 6.8% in 2023, similar to the 7.0% contraction forecast three months ago, before a further marginal fall of 0.3% in 2024, a revision down from the 0.7% growth forecast in the Summer. Both private housing and private housing rm&i are forecast to be the worst affected by the prevailing economic conditions of flatlining growth, stubborn inflation and interest rates remaining at peak throughout 2024. Infrastructure activity remains strong down on the ground due to work continuing on major projects but there are signs that more roads projects are being pushed back or cancelled than anticipated previously, limiting the sector’s growth over the next 12 months.
“With only a couple of months left in a difficult year for construction and looking forward to 2024, the evidence suggests it will still be a while before the clouds begin to lift. Both new build housing and rm&i have taken a significant hit from rising interest rates, falling real wages and weak economic growth and demand is expected to remain subdued for house purchases and improvements.”
CPA Head of Construction Research, Rebecca Larkin
FIS members can download their copy of the Forecast here.
