News
Webinar: how to use the apprenticeship service
The apprenticeship service is hosting a series of support webinars, the next one is taking place on Wednesday 28 April between 12pm to 1pm. Since 1 April 2021, all new apprenticeships are managed and funded using the apprenticeship service. All employers hiring...
VAT: Trading and moving goods in and out of Northern Ireland
Information has been added to guidance with information about when to use an ‘XI’ prefix in UK VAT numbers in the ‘paying VAT’ section. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trading-and-moving-goods-in-and-out-of-northern-ireland
SME’s can access £2,000 via the Brexit Support Fund
Apply for a grant to help small and medium-sized businesses new to importing or exporting. You can now apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund. Smaller businesses can get up to £2,000 to pay for practical support, including training or professional advice to adjust to...
A guide to mental wellbeing
As part of #StressAwarenessMonth the CICV Forum has produced a guide to mental wellbeing, with a comprehensive overview of leading charities and support networks and advice on where to find essential services. #COVID19 #InThisTogether A copy of the guide, Where to...
Material supply concerns rise as sales recover in Q1
The recovery in construction product manufacturing continued in the first quarter of 2021, according to the Construction Product Association’s (CPA) State of Trade Survey. So far, the pick-up in construction activity has been led by private housing, infrastructure and...
Level 3 qualifications now free for some adults
On 1 April nearly 400 qualifications are available at Level 3 qualifications became free to access for over-24s without A-levels, an advanced technical diploma or equivalent. This is part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and includes over 60...
Apprentice Wage Rates
Following the increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates from 1 April 2021, the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has confirmed that, where the pay rates for apprentices in the Working Rule Agreement do not align with the NMW, the NMW takes precedence...
COVID-19: Employer Testing Duty and Self Isolation Rules
If you are an employer that requires staff to travel regularly across UK borders, you must take reasonable steps to facilitate your employees to take tests. To help protect the country from coronavirus (COVID-19), there are testing regimes in place for those who...
FIS Responds to Safer Buildings in Wales Consultation
FIS has written to the Welsh Government to formally support the CPA response to the Safer Buildings in Wales consultation and highlighted the confusion caused by Regulation 7 and challenges in building classification. On the whole the consultation sets out an...