News
Built environment and fire industries set out blueprint for improving competence and driving culture change
A blueprint to improve competence for those working on higher-risk buildings and drive culture change has been set out by a cross-industry group representing more than 150 organisations (including FIS) in the fire and built environment industries. Setting the Bar is...
Job Retention Bonus
The JRB was announced as part of the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs. The JRB allows employers to claim a one-off payment of £1,000 for every eligible employee they have furloughed and claimed for through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and kept continuously...
Health and Safety Executive cracks down on dust
Health and safety inspectors across Great Britain will be targeting construction firms to check that their health standards are up to scratch during a month-long inspection initiative, starting on Monday 5 October 2020. This is the fourth health-focused initiative of...
No help from the MAC in latest review of the shortage occupation list
In a disappointing report from the Migration Advisory Committee, there appears to be little hope of seeing the Shortage Occupations List (used within the new proposed Points Based Immigration System) of large parts of the construction industry being able to rely on...
Fully-funded Welsh-medium TAQA course
(25 November & 27 January) ACT is offering free places on a Welsh-medium assessors Training, Assessment & Quality Assurance (TAQA) Level 3 course, financed by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. The online course aims to give qualified assessors the knowledge,...
Lifetime Skills Guarantee misses the mark for construction
The Prime Minister has unveiled new plans to expand the training and skills system, which will see adults without an A‐level or equivalent qualification entitled to a free college course in England from April 2021. Greater flexibility will also be given to higher...
It’s about collaboration…working with specifiers
FIS has recently entered a new partnership with NBS focussed on knowledge exchange and better collaboration. To highlight the potential we jointly hosted an event that interrogated a typical fit-out project and looked at the challenges and practicalities, questioning...
Build UK – People Survey ‐ Share Your Views
The results of the first industry‐wide People Survey, carried out by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in June and reported in Retaining Talent in Construction, helped to secure funding for the Construction Talent Retention Scheme. To understand the ongoing...
CITB Levy Proposals and the 2020 Levy Return
In an earlier email this month, CITB informed employers of their latest Levy Proposals, which they are proposing should be used in the Levy Assessment to be raised in August 2021. As well as a cut in Levy rates by 50% for all employers, the proposals will also mean...