News
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...
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Survey
A report setting out the learning and assessment experiences of more than 1,000 apprentices has been published today. The 27 members of the Institute’s panel of apprentices, who represent the views of learners to apprenticeship policy makers, have reported on the...
60% of local authorities delay fire door programmes – leaving safety to chance
Fire Door Safety Week exists to stamp out the legacy of fire door neglect and to educate on the importance of fire door safety. To launch this year’s campaign, the organisers have shared research into the state of fire door maintenance, inspection and replacement...
Health and Safety Update – COVID 19
In light of new guidance across the UK, FIS provides some vital updates below: Contact Tracing App Launched The NHS COVID‐19 app has been launched in England and Wales to help control the spread of coronavirus. Although not legally required to do so, construction...