News
Billions in unspent apprenticeship levy lost to Treasury ‘black hole’ new data reveals
Apprenticeships experts warn that the Treasury must be more transparent on how it spends the billions returned to its coffers. The rigid apprenticeship system is blamed for billions of skills funding going unspent by businesses and being returned to the Treasury. ...
Tickets are now on sale for Training Awards Lunch
The awards are a joint event between the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers and FIS to recognise achievement and excellence in plastering and interior trades. The event will be held at Plaisterers' Hall on 22 November and will celebrate the achievements of students and...
New guidance on employment status for workers and businesses
New guidance published by the government aims to provide businesses and workers – particularly in the gig economy – with greater clarity over employment status and the rights and employment protections people are entitled to at work, including pay, leave and working...
Don’t pay more than £36 for a CSCS card
Construction workers are being charged excessive sums by unaffiliated third party websites for their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards when they could pay just £36 via the official application service. CSCS continues to receive complaints from...
CITB announces radical new pilot to improve access to training
CITB has announced an investment of more than £800,000 for the launch of a new employer network pilot project, which could revolutionise the way the construction sector access and receive funding for training in the future. Over 3,800 levy-registered construction...
Boosting adult skills with free courses
Making sure more adults can gain the skills they need to secure good jobs with higher wages is a key priority for the government. Levelling up skills supports our economy to grow, as well as benefiting both workers and employers. That’s why government introduced the...
FIS issues guidance on Conformity Marking
As the deadline for transition from CE to UKCA marking approaches, and in response to continuous industry pressure over capacity and capability, there has been an announcement from the Government regarding some provisions that have been agreed to simplify UKCA marking...
Taking account of carbon reduction plans in the procurement of major government contracts
Last year, the Cabinet Office issued a Public Procurement Note stipulating that government contracts procuring goods and/or services with an anticipated contract value above £5 million per annum will require suppliers to provide evidence of carbon reduction plans. ...
Recovery loan scheme extended for two years
The Recovery Loan Scheme, which originally launched in April 2021 to help businesses recovering from the pandemic, has been extended to 2024. The maximum loan size remains at up to £2m, and the principle behind the extended scheme remains unchanged: the government...