by Clair Mooney | 9 Jul, 2022 | Main News Feed, Skills, Transformation
Public consultation launched by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) on planned new employer-focused approvals system for level 3 technical qualifications.
IfATE want to hear from employers on their proposals to approve the next generation of technical qualifications. The consultation runs from 30 June until midnight on 10 August.
Why employer views matter
A truly integrated skills system brings employers (or their representatives) into the heart of product design, ensuring that employers’ skill needs, across occupations, can be fully understood and met. IfATE share the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) ambition that, in future, the qualifications landscape should be streamlined, offering clear career progression opportunities and giving confidence that qualifications are high quality.
A fundamental part of this will be IfATE’s employer-led occupational standards, alignment to which ensures that students are gaining the knowledge, skills and behaviours employers tell us are needed to be competent in an occupation. The occupational standards are presented in the IfATE occupational maps; these underpin their work, setting out the occupations that can be accessed through technical education. This is an opportunity to share your views and support IfATE to achieve their ambitious plans by helping them shape the approvals process for qualifications submitted as part of the revitalised technical education landscape.
You can access the consultation via this link: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/reviews-and-consultations/consultations/post-16-consultation/. For any questions in relation to this consultation, please contact Ifate.POST16@education.gov.uk
by Clair Mooney | 8 Jul, 2022 | Building Safety Act, Main News Feed
FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia will be taking part in a seminar focussing on fire door compliance and their surrounding supporting constructions. This seminar is a collaboration between Selo | Riser doors & Concealed frame doorsets, Knauf and FIS, to help the whole industry progress.
Understanding the issues and interface between the supporting structure, and the fire doors is key for a compliant installation, yet things can be missed especially in the construction phase when temporary doors are installed.
The event is being held on 14 July and can be attended in person, or online. For more details and to register visit https://selo.global/seminar-doors-walls-under-review/
by Iain McIlwee | 7 Jul, 2022 | Building Safety Act, Main News Feed, Skills
Following the Grenfell Tower fire, FIS has been working at the heart of Working Group Two (WG2), established as one of the Competence Steering Group (CSG) working groups to look at the competence of those installing fire safety systems. This remit subsequently expanded to cover all installers working in construction and the built environment.
WG2 has recommended that the industry should adopt a framework for all the installer sectors working on in-scope buildings that can be applied to other project types. The framework will consist of:
1. Accredited third party certification of companies
2. Level 2 or 3 qualifications for individuals
3. A card scheme such as, but not limited to, the CSCS
4. CPD refresher training and the maintenance of individual skills
5. All installers have a core knowledge of fire safety in buildings – training to be standardised and made mandatory
In line with these recommendations, WG2 has completed the first phase of its work benchmarking the existing competence arrangements of six pilot installer sectors which have the potential to significantly impact on life safety. The six pilot sectors are:
1. Domestic Plumbing and Heating
2. Dry Lining
3. Fire Detection and Alarms
4. Fire Stopping Specialist
5. Rainscreen Cladding
6. Roofing
The objective of ‘Pilots – phase one,’ was to establish the current competence arrangements, compare them to the WG2’s
recommendations and BSI Flex 8670: Core criteria for building safety in competence frameworks – Code of practice and identify
any gaps.
These Pilots have been completed and WG2 will now move to phase two and the six pilot installer sectors will reconvene with their own Chairs and Terms of Reference, to develop their sector-specific competence frameworks to meet the recommendations set out in Setting the Bar. This work is expected to last between six to nine months with each sector developing a timeline and implementation plan for addressing the shortcomings.
FIS has helped to assemble a working group to focus on Dry Lining, with the initial meeting of the Working Group Chairs scheduled for September. The organisation is providing support to this group to link to the work around firewalls identification and labelling and ensure that competency frameworks developed and the processes, support required to deliver the required level of competence are practical and to identify any obstacles to systemic success.
FIS CEO Iain McIlwee commented: “The Building Safety Act is here and we need to ensure that we have robust processes to meet the exacting requirements. Competence is at the heart of it and we looking forward to using this pilot to pull together a lot of hard work that has been put in by members and particularly our Skills Board to ensure that we don’t just know what good looks like, but we know how to get there. This is a great opportunity to show that the sector is stepping up.”
The latest report Working Group 2 report which provides more context is available here – if you are interested in finding out more about this work and getting involved in the pilot group email iainmcilwee@thefis.org
Find out more about the FIS Competency Passport system here
Find out more about the Building Safety Act here
by Clair Mooney | 5 Jul, 2022 | Main News Feed
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has completed negotiations with trade unions GMB and Unite the Union and reached agreement on a 5.0% increase in all pay rates, which will take effect from Monday 25 July 2022. Non‐taxable elements of pay, such as travel and subsistence allowances, will also increase,
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement – sometimes referred to as ‘The Pink Book’ – is an agreement between employers and Trade Unions setting out terms and conditions, including national pay rates, that are applied in principle by ‘adherent bodies’ and others across the industry. The aim of CIJC is to help avoid industrial disputes, and simplify the process of negotiating terms between employers and workers. In addition to standard rates of pay, not taxable expenses such as travel and accommodation costs, are incorporated into the agreement.
FIS is represented and the Board were consulted and fed vies in via our membership of Build UK. Other organisations involved in the negotiations include Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), Home Builders Federation (HBF), National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), National Federation of Builders (NFB), National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), Painting & Decorating Association (PDA), Scottish Building Federation (SBF) and Trades Unions Unite the Union and GMB.
by Clair Mooney | 29 Jun, 2022 | Main News Feed
FIS is supporting this year’s Inspiring Change Conference and Awards Ceremony, which is taking place on Wednesday 6 July in London. If you haven’t yet booked your place, this is your last chance. You can register here
The Inspiring Change Conference 2022 is part of the FIR in Construction Programme, sponsored by CITB. It is your opportunity to hear inspirational speakers from diverse backgrounds, including politicians, industry stakeholders, and representatives from other sectors, who have promoted culture change within their organisations to create more inclusive workplaces and communities.
Hear from those who attended our last event
On the day you will:
- Hear about good practice from within the construction industry and beyond
- Learn how to attract and retain a more diverse workforce
- Develop your knowledge and understanding of how an inclusive culture is good for business and can positively influence organisational change
- Be inspired to work together to create a more diverse and inclusive industry
- Network with over 300 like-minded professionals from a range of organisations within the sector
The conference will incorporate the Inspiring Change Awards which highlight and reward organisations within the construction and infrastructure sector that have created more inclusive cultures in their workplaces, education, and the community.
The conference will be followed by Drinks Reception until 6pm.
Who should attend:
Those who can influence culture change within their organisation – Directors and Senior managers such as Chief Executives, leaders in Business Improvement and Business Development, Supply Chain and Procurement, HR and EDI Managers, Community Engagement, FIR Ambassadors and advocate on equality and inclusion.
by Clair Mooney | 23 Jun, 2022 | Main News Feed
One of UK construction’s most recognised executives has been chosen to succeed Andy Mitchell as the new Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council.
Following an open recruitment process, an independent panel comprising industry, members of the CLC’s Senior Advisors Group and Government officials, recommended Mark Reynolds (Mace Group Chairman and CEO) to lead the CLC in partnership with Lee Rowley MP (BEIS Minister for Industry). The panel also recommended Richard Robinson (CEO, Atkins UK and Europe) for the newly created Deputy Co-Chair role.
Mr Reynolds has played a key leadership role in the CLC in recent years, including jointly chairing its People & Skills work stream; and co-ordinating its response to the Covid pandemic. As a member of CLC’s Steering Co-Ordination Group, he shaped the CLC’s 2022 Strategy with its focus on Construct Zero, Building Safety, meeting the skills challenge, and implementing the Construction Playbook. He also chairs the Government’s Construction Skills Delivery Group.
Mr Reynolds will be building on the four CLC priorities as he officially takes on the role today – 23 June 2022
Mr Reynolds commented:
“I am delighted to take on this exciting co-chair role following the great work by Andy over the last four years. During that time, I have seen first-hand how the CLC can make a real difference for companies across the whole of the industry”.
“We have faced – and continue to face – challenges that no one organisation can tackle on its own, such as the cost of inflation and impact of rising energy prices; global supply chain pressures and ensuring our collective progression to Net Zero. I am also very pleased to be working with Richard Robinson, CEO for Atkins UK and Europe, on this agenda; who will strengthen our collective leadership and capacity in his role as Deputy Co-Chair.”
“The CLC, working in partnership with Government, provides crucial leadership to the sector. We do this most effectively where we speak to, and for, all parts of industry. Whilst I will continue the CLC’s focus on its four priorities, I would like to engage and listen to the wider industry over the summer to ensure we continue to deliver on the issues that matter most to us as a sector. I want to take this opportunity to encourage organisations across construction to get involved with the CLC’s work.”
Commenting on the appointment, Construction Minister Lee Rowley MP said:
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Mark as the new chair of the CLC. He’s been a key part of the Council in recent years, helping coordinate the industry’s Covid response, as well as supporting job creation in his role with the Construction Skills Delivery Group.
Mark will play a vital role in the months and years ahead as we work to decarbonise the industry through Construct Zero, support it through the Building Safety Act’s introduction, and deliver the first sector-wide skills plan for construction.
I would also like to pay tribute to Andy Mitchell for his outstanding leadership to date, which puts the CLC in a strong position to keep delivering for the sector.”
Outgoing chair Andy Mitchell said:
“The CLC is in a great position to lead industry transformation, working together to overcome any issues that may affect companies nationwide. I am delighted that Mark will be driving forward the Council’s agenda, and look forward to seeing the outputs of its work in the future”.
