by Clair Mooney | 23 Nov, 2021 | Technical
The Construction Leadership Council has written to The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities & Local Government and The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to draw their attention to urgent industry concern in connection with the introduction of the UK CA Mark.
Read the letter here.
For the latest guidance on UKCA Marking and placing products on the market in January 2023 and beyond click here.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Nov, 2021 | Skills
On Monday, during the second reading of the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, announced that level 3 qualification reforms were being slowed down to allow the sector more time to prepare for the changes. As a result, qualifications will not be defunded until 2024 at the earliest, rather than 2023 under the original timetable.
Following a two-stage level 3 and below review, launched in March 2019, DfE announced it would strip public funding from “poor quality” level 3 qualifications which overlap with T Levels or A-levels.
The policy change follows a petition from the Protect Student Choice campaign, a coalition of FE and skills sector organisations led by the Sixth Form Colleges Association, which has been calling for the plans to be reversed or slowed down.
Nadhim Zahawi revealed the exit requirements for English and maths in T Levels will be removed. During the reading, he told MPs: “I am clear that T Levels and A-levels should be front and centre of the level 3 landscape. But I am also convinced that we need other qualifications alongside them, many of which currently exist, that play a valuable role in supporting good outcomes for students. It is quite likely we will see many BTECs and other similar applied general style qualifications continuing to play an important role in 16 to 19 education, for the foreseeable future. Our reforms to the qualifications landscape are rightly ambitious, but we know that we would be wrong to push too hard and risk compromising quality. That is why I am announcing we have decided to allow an extra year before our reform timetable is implemented.”
It means that qualifications affected by the cull will now not be defunded until 2024 at the earliest, compared to the original plan of 2023.
The Education Secretary also confirmed government will consult on proposals for reform of qualifications at level 2 and below later this year, to ensure learners have clear lines of sight to level 3 apprenticeships, traineeships and employment.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Nov, 2021 | Skills
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is holding a ‘mini consultation’ as part of the route review of construction. The consultation seeks stakeholder views on the occupations currently represented on the occupational map for construction.
The finishes and interiors sector currently has three apprenticeships standards aligned to core trade occupations with two options in each:
- Interior Systems Installer ST0388 with options for Dry Lining and Ceilings and Partitions.
- Plasterer ST0096 with options for Fibrous and Solid Plastering.
- Carpentry and Joinery ST0264 with options for Site Carpenter and Architectural Joinery
The occupational map also includes apprenticeships aligned to the finishes and interiors sector such Painting and Decorating, Construction Site Supervisor, Design and Surveying.
Comments received to date indicate concerns related to the Drylining requirements in the Plasterer apprenticeship, duties 10 and 11 (Drylining fixing, boarding and finishing), which detract from the moulding and trowel skills needed by a plasterer. Concerns have also been expressed that the training programme for Plaster is too long at three years (the Interior Systems Installer apprenticeship training is 18 months). In the original Plastering qualifications drylining was an optional choice for plasterers and still is in Scotland and Wales. It is also unlikely Fibrous plasterers will use drylining skills once the apprenticeship is completed – views are sought particularly on whether the Plastering Standard should be simplified.
What are your views on this?
FIS will feed in a sectoral response on your behalf so to support this we would like to you to email George Swann (georgeswann@thefis.org) on the three points below and include any additional concerns you have on apprenticeship qualifications and specifically your view on the plastering concerns. In addition it is vital that IfATE hear directly from employers.
Yes/No – please provide details
- Are there any occupational standards (or options within) no longer used by the sector?
Yes/No – please provide details
- Can you see any of the occupations represented working better as core and options and/or merged standards?
Yes/No – please provide details
As well as sending your responses to georgeswann@thefis.org, views can be contributed via an online questionnaire. The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2021 and FIS encourage all members to submit their views. The details of all the available apprenticeship standards can be found here.
by Clair Mooney | 18 Nov, 2021 | Skills
To help organisations secure funding for training, the CICV Forum has produced a guide to the Flexible Workforce Development Fund.
This guide is designed to explain the fund clearly and concisely and help organisations secure financial assistance for training. More details available here in a summary developed for the CICV Members (FIS is a member on your behalf).
As it currently stands, every construction company in Scotland is entitled to either £5,000 or £15,000 to spend on training of their choice, thanks to the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF).
This versatile and easily accessible fund can help you identify and achieve your digital enablement goals and aspirations, and is available regardless of whether you’re registered with, or receiving funding from, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
It can be used for any kind of training, coaching, or professional development, one-to-one training, standard courses or designed bespoke for your .company.
by Clair Mooney | 18 Nov, 2021 | Building Safety Act, Technical
BSI has launched BSI Identify to allow permanent structured product data to be found at any stage in the design, installation, maintenance and deconstruction of the product or system.
The Construction Product Association (CPA) said ‘This unique initiative aims to improve safety across the built environment through digital product identification’
BSI Identify has been in development with CPA and its members since 2024 and was supported with Innovate funding
How does it work?
- Manufacturers are issued a unique digital identifier called a BSI UPIN for every product
- The manufacturer can mark or tag their products via QR codes, NFC or RFID tags
- The BSI UPIN, once scanned, directs users to an open-access permanent page that holds all relevant and up to date product information
- All product queries can be routed back to the manufacturer
By using this revolutionary technology, manufacturers can support the Golden Thread of Information and improve industry safety. It’s good for business and good for your customers.
FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia sai:
‘Being able to access product information at the point of installation or even years after its been integrated in the fabric of a building is vitally important if we are to maintain buildings for the safety of all occupants in future. BSI identify will allow this to happen using a data base that will be available in perpetuity even if the company is no longer in business, and that’s a game changer.’
Peter Caplehorn CEO at the CPA said
‘By moving everything into a fully joined-up digital process, we can improve overall efficiency, product performance, safety, customer satisfaction, environmental performance and profit margins, which is a good thing because some money can be put back into R&D. BSI Identify is a unique digital identification service that looks to improve industry safety by solving the challenge of product identification.’
Watch this video to see how BSI Identify helps manufacturers
Find out more about BSI Identify on the BSI Identify website or CPA website.
by Clair Mooney | 17 Nov, 2021 | Market data
All parts of the construction supply chain experienced continued growth in Q3, according to the Construction Trade Survey.
Construction product manufacturers reported a fifth consecutive quarterly rise in product sales, whilst SME building contractors and chartered surveyors registered another increase in workloads. However, given ongoing issues on the supply side and the subsequent impact on cost inflation, all balances came in lower than in Q2. Nevertheless, growth remained widespread across sectors and continued to be steered by private housing and RM&I due to strong demand for larger properties with outdoor and office/study space to accommodate homeworking.
The CPA’s Construction Trade Survey brings together results from surveys of building contractors, specialist contractors, civil contractors and product manufacturers. It provides a pan-industry assessment of current and expected conditions. FIS members can download the full report here.
by Clair Mooney | 12 Nov, 2021 | Technical
FIS is pleased to announce the appointment of James Parlour as its new Technical and Vetting Manager to support the technical work of the organisation and develop the membership vetting process.
With more than 16 years’ technical, compliance and design experience across a wide range of sectors, James Parlour arrives at FIS to play a key role in ensuring FIS Members are specified and selected for projects. Formerly Project Coordinator at Ergonom, James has worked as Senior Design Engineer at Komfort Partitions, Technical Supervisor at SIG (Ocula Systems) and brings more than 10 years’ experience as a design technician at SAS International and Avanti Systems.
Working with the FIS Community in this new role, James will review and upgrade current vetting processes to better embrace the risk management approach defined by the FIS Product Process People Quality Framework and ensure that the members understand and uphold the values outlined in the Code of Conduct.
He will also provide support to the FIS Technical Director in responding to technical enquiries from members, supporting the various working groups and reviewing, developing and monitoring the FIS Vetting activities.
Commenting on the new appointment, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:
“We are delighted to welcome James to the FIS team. James has a wealth of experience across the finishes and interiors sector, and his skills and passion will make him a great asset in supporting the FIS Working Groups and projects, as well as the vetting process.”
“Vetting is central to our values and we are keen to work with the community to test the existing process and develop it to ensure that FIS community reflect these values and meet the standards these values project,” added Iain.
“This is a fantastic opportunity. To play a part in supporting value-led change at FIS and taking this leading trade body to the next level is very exciting,”said James Parlour.
For further information or for any questions please contact the FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121-0707-0077.
by Iain McIlwee | 12 Nov, 2021 | Fairness, Inclusivity and Respect (FIR)
At the FIS AGM and Awards last week FIS President Helen Tapper emphasised the importance of a redoubling of efforts from the organisation and wider community to ensure that, amidst the worst skills shortage we have known, that we are ensuring that our sector is attractive to all in our society. To help achieve this aim FIS have launched a new FIS Respect Policy.
As the Trade Body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector, FIS is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion within our workforce and across the wider sector – eliminating unlawful discrimination and ensuring the sector and the businesses therein understand the importance and are equipped to support all individuals within our community.
The aim of this work is to ensure respect is a core value and reflected in all behaviour within our community and to ensure that the sector becomes truly representative of all sections of society.
The policy’s purpose is to:
- guarantee all those working in the sector are respected and feel safe and are able to be open about who they are and contribute as their best self.
- provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment, whether temporary, part-time or full-time.
- not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
- oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. This includes in pay and benefits, terms and conditions of employment, dealing with grievances and discipline, dismissal, redundancy, leave for parents, requests for flexible working, and selection for employment, promotion, training or other developmental opportunities.
In launching the FIS Respect Policy, FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee stated:
“This policy sets out our stall, not just as an organisation, but as a community. I recently completed the training to become a Fairness, Inclusivity and Respect (FIR) Ambassador and frankly I had a lot to learn – still do. It isn’t just about what we do as individuals, it is about how we encourage and lead by example and targeted intervention.
The vital take away though was we need to be reflective, seeking to understand not to defend and encourage others in our influence to be better. We need to be better, not just because it is the right thing to do morally, socially and professionally – the fact is that we are short people, but still behave and communicate in ways that limits our potential to recruit and can turn people away from our sector. I encourage all members to have a look through this policy and, if they can use to strengthen their own focus, great or if they can see areas we can tighten and improve, feed them in. The core message of FIS is an inclusive one, together we are stronger.”
FIS members can download the policy via the FIS Fairness, Inclusivity and Respect Toolkit here (including Iain’s blog on becoming a FIR Ambassador).
FIS is supporting the Inspiring Change Conference and Awards a cross-section construction event focussed on improving FIR in our sector and businesses – the event takes place on Tuesday 30th November in London
by Iain McIlwee | 12 Nov, 2021 | Main News Feed, Sustainability
UK Green Building Council launches first ever UK Roadmap for achieving Net Zero carbon built environment by 2050.
- Whole Life Carbon Roadmap from the UK Green Building Council highlights the growing need to quickly close the policy gap on net zero homes and embodied carbon
- Only with urgent measures and intervention can the UK deliver on its interim target to cut 78% of emissions by 2035, an essential milestone in the nation’s transition to Net Zero by 2050
- With homes responsible for 16% of total UK carbon emissions, Government must immediately bring forward a national retrofit programme to unlock significant carbon savings, as well as deliver high-quality and cheaper to heat homes for people
- The Roadmap is the first quantification of the carbon reductions required each year from buildings and infrastructure if the UK is to be net zero by 2050
- A transformative shift in industry practices is required and so action plans are provided for 14 key stakeholder groups
As global leaders convene at COP26 to discuss the role of the built environment in addressing climate change, the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the UK Built Environment (The Roadmap) detailing the necessary actions government and industry must take to achieve net zero across the sector. The built environment is directly responsible for 25% of the total UK carbon footprint, and therefore has a critical role to play in the national transition to Net Zero. Co-created by industry with over 100 organisations contributing, the Roadmap provides a shared vision and set of actions for achieving a net zero UK built environment by 2050, in relation to construction, operation and demolition of buildings and infrastructure.
The Roadmap quantifies, for the first time, the specific emission reductions across sub-sectors of the built environment that will need to take place year-on-year to meet the 2050 deadline. The analysis includes not only domestic emissions, but emissions related to the consumption of imported construction products and materials. The Roadmap establishes a net zero emissions budget and trajectory to 2050, consistent with wider UK carbon targets and budgets as set-out by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), enabling government and the UK built environment to benchmark progress over the coming years and decades.
Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at UKGBC said:
“After all the talk, it’s time for action. The UK Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy is a step in the right direction but fails to address several key priorities that this analysis clearly demonstrates are non-negotiable to achieving a net-zero carbon built environment by 2050. The Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap pulls together disparate strands of recent policy and action into one coherent pathway, with clear recommendations for National Government and Local Authorities, as well as the private sector and the wider industry. We urge policy-makers and industry to embed these recommendations into policies and strategies to make good on the promises and commitments of COP26.”
The Roadmap sets out policy recommendations for central and local governments to help drive and enable the transition needed to decarbonise the sector. These go beyond the recently published UK Government Heat & Buildings strategy and cover existing homes, existing non-domestic buildings and new buildings as well as for the infrastructure which connects our buildings and industry.
The recommendations include:
1) Nation-wide retrofitting of existing homes.
- Establish an immediate national programme of “fabric first” home retrofit to make homes efficient, warm, and transition away from fossil fuel heating.
- Bring forward the cut-off date for the sale of gas and oil boilers to 2030.
- Reform EPCs and introduce minimum EPC ratings for homes at point of sale by 2028.
- Remove VAT on energy efficient retrofit building works and introduce variable stamp duty linked to energy performance.
- Introduce direct government retrofit grants for low-income households.
2) Energy performance disclosure for non-domestic buildings.
- Introduce mandatory in-use energy disclosure for non-domestic buildings.
- Accelerate the roll-out of energy performance rating schemes across non-domestic sectors, followed by minimum standards and fiscal incentives.
3) Adoption of a design for performance approach to new buildings.
- Reform building regulations to introduce Energy Usage Intensity (kWh/m2/yr) targets for new buildings from 2025.Alongside low carbon heating for all new buildings from 2025, introduce space
heating demand limits (kWh/m2/yr), measures to limit peak demand, and minimum standards for currently unregulated key appliances.
4) Whole life carbon measurements and agreed limits.
- Introduce the regulation of embodied carbon for new buildings and major refurbishments
- Support and invest in industrial decarbonisation of key construction material supply chains
- Use planning reforms to prioritise reuse of existing buildings and assets
5) National infrastructure investment based on the net emissions impact.
- Establish a National Infrastructure Integrator with full oversight of carbon impacts
Nigel Topping, COP26 High Level Climate Action Champion, commented:
“As we start a critical decade for climate action, the United Kingdom can and should take a leadership role. This report epitomises leadership and establishes that the UK built environment has a comprehensive and rigorous plan for abating its emissions across the construction, operation, and demolition of buildings and infrastructure. I invite you all to use this Roadmap for delivering a net zero future.”
The Roadmap was co-created by the industry through a project Steering Group and four Task Groups with over 100 organisations contributing. Many of the recommendations align with existing industry initiatives such as Construct Zero from the Construction Leadership Council, and the Construction Industry Council’s Climate Action Plan as well as those contained in the recently published Scottish Government Heat & Buildings strategy. In some cases, the recommendations build on existing Government policy initiatives to facilitate adoption of further proposals and timelines.
UKGBC is one of several European GBCs developing national whole life carbon roadmaps under the #BuildingLife project and The Roadmap was made possible thanks to the support of Laudes Foundation and Ikea Foundation.
FIS Members wishing to update or develop a Carbon Reduction Plan can visit the FIS Sustainability Hub for resources and ideas or contact FIS Sustainability Champion, Flavie Lowres to discuss ideas and options.
