0121 707 0077

Join us
Sign in
Join us
Sign in
Buckinghamshire Skills Show – FIS Construction Ambassadors, helping industry recruit

Buckinghamshire Skills Show – FIS Construction Ambassadors, helping industry recruit

by | 24 Mar, 2022 | Labour, Skills

FIS is hugely excited to have signed up to the Go Construct/STEM Ambassador Scheme. Go Construct STEM Ambassadors bring the construction industry to life. Ambassadors engage with young people at educational events across the UK to raise aspirations, showcase career options and support learning.

As a sector, we need to really get ahead of bringing in new talent.  There are lots of opportunities within our industry for new entrants and career changers. Careers in the finishes sector are not however widely publicised; teachers and influencers and therefore young people are not aware of the work and training options available. We need to be more visible as people and as businesses!

One of the ways FIS is helping to promote our sector is through the Go Construct/STEM Ambassador Scheme. Go Construct STEM Ambassadors are construction people who act as the face of the industry. Ambassadors bring the construction industry to life, engaging with potential recruits at educational events across the UK. showcasing career options and supporting learning. Examples of Ambassadors activities include running a trade stand at a careers fair, delivering a talk and sharing experiences of getting into and working in the industry, leading practical sessions or workshops, giving young people a taste of life in construction offering site visits and work experience.

Marie Flinter and Catherine Bullough at FIS are helping to drive this great initiative forward and FIS were delighted to be invited to take part at the Spring 2022 Buckinghamshire Skills Show.

Catherine Bullough said:

With over 5000 young people and job seekers visiting the show over two days, we were certainly kept busy speaking with visitors to our stand who were interested in finding out about careers in the finishes and interiors sector. Over 120 businesses and associations attended, so we also had a great opportunity to network with fellow exhibitors such as CITB, the National Federation of Demolition Contractors and Morgan Sindall. It was a real pleasure to attend such a well organised event; we literally just had to turn up with our stand which gave us loads of time to interact with the students and their teachers

One of the career challenges for our sector is that it can be overshadowed by the more talked about trades such as brick work and plumbing. So, we need to be louder and out there! We need lots more people from industry to become ambassadors for the sector and really shout about what a great job being a dryliner or a plasterer or a ceiling fixer is.  Anyone working in the industry can be a Go Construct STEM Ambassador. Go Construct/STEM have resources available which can support your ambassador activity with access to a national network of likeminded people

Whether you’re a first-year apprentice, a qualified dryliner or a company director, we’d love your support to help more people experience the many varied opportunities in our sector. You just need to be passionate about construction and the built environment and be willing to share your experiences with others.

To find out more about the Scheme, please contact either Catherine or Marie at FIS 0121 707 0077 catherinebullough@thefis.org marieflinter@thefis.org. For more information on the Go Construct STEM Ambassador Scheme click here

Are you struggling with labour shortages and recruitment?

Are you struggling with labour shortages and recruitment?

by | 24 Mar, 2022 | Labour, Skills

The first of our Regional Training and Recruitment Intervention Events took place in London on Tuesday 22 March 2022.  With labour shortages and recruitment, a key challenge within the sector, presentations and discussion focused on the scale of the problem, local opportunities and provided ideas to support recruitment and retention.

The events are moving round the country and we will also be visiting Leicester, Bristol, Dartford, Manchester and Glasgow. We hope you can  join us at one of these meetings to start the conversation on how we can work together to tackle the skills crisis our sector is facing. To register visit https://www.thefis.org/events/

FIS presented the estimated size of the challenge and suggested systems and methods that employers could use as support.  An outline of the nine government funded schemes was given.  Anthony Frayne from CITB publicised an increase to the grants available specifically for Dry Lining Traineeships and Apprenticeships.  Speakers Rachel Roberts from Greater London Authority presented what is available for employers locally and Jacqui Wordsworth explained the work of, and the support, provided by Women in Construction.  All speakers suggested sources of recruitment that may not have been considered by some and discussions bore out an ambition to promote and attract more people into the sector.  The responses reflected a desire to encourage people from schools, colleges, universities and the rich mix of gender and ethnic diversity available in this country into the finishes and interiors workforce.

John Llamas, Community and Skills Manager, Mace said:

“Really useful meeting this morning and great to see the network working afterwards. Well worth attending if you want to get some insight into support available, how to refine and improve what you are doing to find new people and start the conversation about how we can work better as a supply chain.”

George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead said

“The loudest message from the London event is FIS know there are employers who are finding it hard out there but as a member of FIS you are never alone, please contact us, if we have not got an answer for you we will know someone who has.  To support recruitment from Schools and Colleges FIS have started to build a network of Construction STEM Ambassadors, as an Ambassador the commitment is two visits per year, if you feel this scheme may help your recruitment needs give us a call”.

Join us at our Regional Training and Recruitment Intervention Events

Register here

See more news likes this

Covid-19 – stay at home guidance to be removed

Covid-19 – stay at home guidance to be removed

by | 24 Mar, 2022 | Main News Feed

From Friday 1 April, the Government guidance to stay at home for five days following a positive COVID‐19 test will be removed, along with the Working Safely During Coronavirus guidance and the health and safety requirement for employers to explicitly consider COVID‐19 in their risk assessments. As a result, the Build UK COVID‐19 flowchart will be withdrawn and the Site Operating Procedures and the Use of Face Coverings in Construction will remain available as reference documents only from 1 April.

The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme has now closed, and the deadline for submitting final claims is today at 11.59pm. Government guidance on travel to the UK has also been updated and people are no longer required to take any COVID‐19 tests or fill in a passenger locator form when arriving from overseas.

Prompt payment threshold to increase from 1 April

Prompt payment threshold to increase from 1 April

by | 24 Mar, 2022 | Main News Feed

From next Friday 1 April, the prompt payment threshold will increase for suppliers bidding for Government contracts above £5 million per annum. In accordance with the updated Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 08/21, companies will be required to show that they pay 90% of invoices within 60 days and have an action plan in place to achieve a standard of 95% in future, otherwise they risk being prevented from bidding.

On average, Build UK Contractor members pay 95% of their invoices within 60 days, and the payment performance table shows the percentage of invoices paid within 60 days for more than 100 of the industry’s largest companies.

FIS partners with Women into Construction

FIS partners with Women into Construction

by | 22 Mar, 2022 | Fairness, Inclusivity and Respect (FIR)

To encourage active collaboration, inclusivity and support the delivery of a more diverse workforce, FIS is delighted to announce its collaboration with Women into Construction (WiC).

With less than 15% of the UK construction workforce represented by women – a figure that reduces to 1% for trade roles – this collaboration seeks to address the industry’s appalling record of attracting and employing women. It will challenge the sector to overcome barriers and improve the experience and strengthen the support network for women joining the finishes and interiors sector workforce.

The partnership will see FIS and WiC work to maintain regular communication on a wide range of industry issues which affect their respective memberships and look for opportunities to work on collaborative activities that complement and support their organisations.

FIS President and Operations Director at Tapper Interiors, Helen Tapper stated:

“It is encouraging to see FIS working more openly on diversity in our workforce. It is critical that we increase our appeal and overcome behaviours that have caused people to look past construction. Beyond the moral imperative, the labour and skills shortage is, without doubt, the most acute we have known. It would be nonsensical not to look at what we do to adapt and improve our recruitment processes and behavours to appeal to the widest possible group of people.”

Kath Moore, MBE – Managing Director Women into Construction says:

“We are delighted to collaborate with FIS to support increased diversity in the finishing and interiors sector.  By raising awareness and opening up opportunities for women to find out about the wide range of roles available, we aim to challenge perceptions and encourage companies to look beyond traditional sources of labour to meet their skills needs.  We look forward to our partnership with FIS to change the face of construction.”

Supporting women wishing to work in the construction industry, Women into Construction works with housebuilders and contractors to recruit highly motivated, trained women, helping to reduce skills gaps and create a more gender-equal workforce.

To find out more about Women into Construction, visit its website

CPA Letter to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP re Remediation Funding

CPA Letter to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP re Remediation Funding

by | 18 Mar, 2022 | Building Safety Act

CPA Chief Executive Peter Caplehorn wrote to the DLUHC Secretary of State this week to provide an update on the status of our work with the minister’s Residents’ Voice and Levy team, and to share a number of observations relevant to any scheme brought forward to tackle the issues of funding and remediation.  Peter also reaffirmed our willingness to work with the minister and his team to help bring about solutions to those issues and the wider building safety concerns.

Potential economic impacts of the Ukraine invasion

Potential economic impacts of the Ukraine invasion

by | 18 Mar, 2022 | Main News Feed

There remain considerable uncertainties regarding the economic impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as the effects of tightening sanctions on Russia.

Whilst demand in the UK economy and construction currently remains robust, strengthening supply chain constraints and higher inflation will inevitably hit growth.

The extent to which this occurs will be dependent on the extent of the conflict and markets’ uncertainty surrounding its impacts, the duration of the conflict and the length of time at which energy costs remain at post-financial crisis peak levels.

This guidance note from the Construction Products Association looks at the potential ramifications on the construction supply chain.

Construction hits first target on roadmap to Net Zero

Construction hits first target on roadmap to Net Zero

by | 18 Mar, 2022 | Sustainability

The construction sector has hit its first target in its campaign to drive carbon out of the sector.

Last year the Construction Leadership Council launched its CO2nstruct Zero industry-change programme with the aim of eradicating carbon from buildings and infrastructure.

The programme includes a Performance Framework to monitor progress and whether the industry is living up to its commitments.

There are 28 metrics included as part of the framework, covering issues including the reduction of embodied carbon in products, lowering the volume of waste produced by projects and boosting the number of carbon-retrofitted homes.

While some of these metrics will take years to achieve, the campaign has secured its first success, with 90% of planning, design and estimating professionals having access to the relevant Net Zero training and post qualification Continued Professional Development.

This early win is crucial as carbon awareness among designers is seen as an essential enabler for work to cut carbon elsewhere in the construction process.

The CLC has committed to updating the CO2nstruct Zero Performance Framework on a quarterly basis, with today’s publication being the second update. Other positive outcomes reported today include a steep jump in the number of heat pump installers (rising to 3,555) as well as a welcome increase in the number of properties with Energy Performance Certificates.

While this first success helps to sustain momentum, the CLC is clear that there is still a huge amount of work to do to secure the other targets in the framework. To support this the CLC will be launching a series of new initiatives in the coming months including an industry group to secure zero diesel sites, and a focus on funding and finance for retrofit, as well as continuing to work with and grow its current base of 150 supporting companies, a number of whom have a global footprint.

CLC Co-chair and Construction Minister Lee Rowley MP said: “2021 saw CO2nstruct Zero established with industry leaders and Government. 2022 will see us continue to develop and grow the programme, working with our growing network of Business Champions and Partners to co-ordinate and promote our collective progress and influence companies across the sector’s breadth and depth to join our journey”

Hannah Vickers, Programme Director for CO2nstruct Zero and Chief of Staff at Mace, said:
“Delivering a transformed construction sector that is fit for a net zero future will take a huge, collaborative effort from across the entire industry. Ensuring that we’re measuring our collective performance is a vital first step to enable that collaboration – and that’s why the progress we’ve tracked so far is so positive. These are the first steps on a long journey; but one that is crucial to our industry’s future.

FIS Sustainability Hub

FIS is committed to taking a pro-active lead, not just in supporting the UK ambition to net zero carbon by 2050, but delivering profound transformation within our supply chain on all aspects of ethical and environmental sustainability. We have created this hub to bring together resources and information that will support your journey to net zero.

Find out more
New CITB Grants Scheme from 1 April 2022

New CITB Grants Scheme from 1 April 2022

by | 18 Mar, 2022 | Skills

From 01 April 2022 onwards for occupational Traineeships that are only available in England, a one-off CITB grant of £1000 will be available to employers after completion of an 8 to 10 week CITB Occupational Traineeship work placement.  Occupational Traineeship are available in:

  • Brickwork
  • Carpentry and Joinery
  • Drylining
  • Painting and Decorating

Employers will be able to claim once the traineeship work placement is complete, the evidence required will be email confirmation from the college or certificate to include learner name, course title and completion date.  Applications can be submitted to grant.claimforms@citb.co.uk.  This grant payment will be in addition to the £1000 paid by government.

Employers can provide up to 10 work placements per region for Traineeships and it is felt this could be a route employers will use to identify their next apprentices.  Individuals that have completed a Traineeship may be eligible for an accelerated apprenticeship as they will have already completed a lot of the training and this will reduce the time needed to achieve.

For employers taking on apprentices across the UK CITB will provide an enhanced grant of £2000, the initial £1000 will be paid with the first attendance quarterly payment, with the second £1000 paid with the final attendance payment.

This enhanced grant is for Apprentices who start the Dry Lining Framework or Standard Apprenticeship on or after 1 April 2022.  The enhancement is automatically added where the employer is eligible at the same time as the attendance grant is processed.  Eligible Apprenticeships:

  • England – Level 2 Interior Systems Installer – Drylining Systems (IFATE Standard)
  • Wales – Level 2 Interior Systems – Dry Lining knowledge qualification (ACW Framework)
  • Scotland – SCQF Level 5 Dry Lining – Finishing/Fixing (SDS Framework)

If the Apprentice changes employer during their apprenticeship the payment will be made to the employer the apprentice is with at that time.

George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead said:

“This clearly recognises that the core trades in the finishes and interiors sector are short of people and this is having a knock on effect through the entire construction industry.  The additional CITB grants are welcome and should help to tip the balance in favour of action for some employers.  Remember, if you decide to take on an apprentice or support a traineeship, you are not alone, FIS team is here to help.  We’ll be covering how to access these grants and wider funding in our Regional Interventions throughout the Spring”.

New guidance on funding and business support in Scotland

On Tuesday, the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) launched a new guide on the funding and business support available to industry. The guide is an action from the CLF Recovery Plan of actions aligned with the Scottish Government’s policies and the Construction Scotland Industry Strategy. The new guide has been produced by the Forum’s Digital Strategy Steering Group, following research by one of its members which showed a need to help businesses access support on digital upskilling.