by Iain McIlwee | 24 Aug, 2021 | Material Shortages
It has been confirmed that the final transition to UKCA Marking from CE Marking will be delayed by 12 months allowing time for legislation to pass through Parliament, industry to prepare for change and the newly formed UK Approved Bodies to put in place the necessary processes to support the market.
Pressure has been mounting, not just from the construction sector, but the wider product manufacturing sector, that limitations related to mutuality of recognition have thrown up a number of practical challenges that could have prevented products being available from the 1st January 2022. A delay of the transition deadline to January 2023 has been rumoured, but was confirmed by Government yesterday that CE Marked products would still be able to be placed in the UK market for another 12 months.
Commenting on the delay, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:
“When we are already beset by shortages, to remove further uncertainty, at least for the short-term is good news – this announcement will give manufacturers more time to prepare, but also distribution to make decisions about stock. Concerns with the implementation of the UKCA Mark have dominated discussions of the Construction Leadership Council’s Regulatory Alignment Group over the past 12 months and I know the Construction Products Association have been taking these concerns forward to Government on our behalf. This delay is good news as it give us a but more time to prepare, but it doesn’t solve all the issues associated with Mutuality of Recognition and particularly the daft situation that manufacturers and suppliers will still need to re-test or assess products in a different geographical location for no reason other than politics. In the wake of a renewed focus on Building Safety and more rigorous testing regimes, it is potty to waste money and time and tie up vital and valuable testing time to tick political boxes.”
It should be remembered that no such extension is available to products being sent to the EU from the UK, where CE Mark, where necessary issued by an EU Notified Body according to EU Rules. This means UK Test reports will still not be recognised by the EU thus unilaterally invalidating all existing AVCP System 3 testing carried out in the UK and those for the future. These tests will need to be repeated at an EU-27 Notified Body. The announcement does not change the situation in Northern Ireland.
Visit the FIS Brexit Toolkit here
FIS Update on Shortages here
by Clair Mooney | 22 Aug, 2021 | Skills
From 26 August 2021, employers or their training providers must add a unique email address when adding an apprentice record to the apprenticeship service.
Without a unique apprentice email address, employers or their training providers will not be able to save or approve the apprentice record, so funding cannot be allocated. Once the email address is added to the account, the apprentice will receive an email invitation to create a ‘My apprenticeship’ account.
What is a ‘My apprenticeship’ account?
‘My apprenticeship’ accounts are a new service that will improve the onboarding process for apprentices. An account will allow apprentices to:
- confirm their apprenticeship details are correct as the apprenticeship starts
- access guidance on what is expected of them, their training provider and their employer
- access additional support
- access and review their apprenticeship details throughout the apprenticeship
It will not impact the apprentice’s start date or apprenticeship funding if the apprentice does not create an account or confirm their apprenticeship details. However, employers and their training providers should encourage their apprentices to complete these tasks to ensure a quality apprenticeship experience.
Key actions
Employers and their training providers need to collect a unique email address for each apprentice they will be adding to the apprenticeship service from 26 August 2021.
Access support
If employers require support using the apprenticeship service, they can watch the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) how-to videos, check the advice on apprenticeships.gov.uk or visit the ESFA help portal. From the help portal they can access help articles, webchat with an adviser, call (08000 150 600) or text (07588 690018) the helpline, or email the ESFA helpdesk.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Aug, 2021 | Skills
Talentview is a platform for talented people to find first jobs, apprenticeships and work experience in construction.
FIS members can now advertise all their opportunities for new entrants, including apprenticeships and work experience, on Talentview Construction, a new dedicated online platform for those looking to secure their first role in construction. Talentview sits alongside the Construction Talent Retention Scheme providing a ‘one stop shop’ for the recruitment and retention of skills across the industry. After calling for an apprentice matching service for a number of years FIS is delighted to welcome the launch of Talentview which should make it much easier for young people to join the industry. Members can register for Talentview now and upload all their ‘first job’ vacancies ready for its full and formal launch in September 2021. This service is free of charge.
Members can also use the FIS JobSpot https://www.thefis.org/jobspot/ to advertise vacancies free of charge.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Aug, 2021 | Labour, Skills
Being conscious of the ever-shrinking labour pool available to the finishes and interiors sector, there have been reports of up to 60% labour not being available by some FIS members. FIS is running two projects specifically designed to attract people into the finishes and interiors sector.
FIS BuildBack accepts individuals from a range of backgrounds including HM Forces Career Progression candidates and clients put forward by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). To help prepare the candidates for work, each learner receives training in Drylining Fixer, Boarder and are supplied with Personal Protective Equipment, a set of tools and a CSCS Provisional Card. The candidates just need an opportunity to show employers what they can do during a work placement. This may ultimately lead to a full-time work opportunity and will also add new talent to your workforce. All of this is free of charge to employers.
The sector now needs employers to provide a 2 week work placement for these BuildBack candidates. If the individual fits your organisation’s needs, and they are eligible (claiming universal credit) you could transfer them to the governments KickStart Scheme. The scheme provides a grant of £1500 to employers willing to take on individuals for a 6 month work placement and includes payment of the national minimum wage for 25 hours per week.
There are currently 140 people available for work placement including candidates from HM Force Career Progression and the YouthBuild charity. All have received introductory training as Dry Liner Fixer Boarder, a set of tools, PPE, a CSCS Provisional card. Please contact Marie on 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org. or Catherine on 07900 083325 or email catherinebullough@thefis.org for details. If you employ any of these people FIS can help their advancement by providing further training as an apprentice or to the achievement of a vocational qualification, all free of charge to the employer.
To find out more about BuildBack click here.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Aug, 2021 | Skills
Employers in England who pay the apprenticeship levy (those with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million) will be able to pledge unspent levy funds (up to their 25% transfer allowance) to support apprenticeships in other businesses. All businesses will be able to see these pledges on a public website and apply for funding to pay for 100% of their apprenticeship training and assessment costs (up to the funding band maximum).
If you wish to re-appraise yourself on the existing arrangements for transfers please take a look here: Transferring unused apprenticeship funds to other employers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Transferred funds will be used to pay for the training and assessment cost of the apprenticeships agreed with the receiving employer.
Sending and receiving employers need to know that:
- funds are paid monthly for the duration of the apprenticeship
- only levy-paying employers can make a transfer
- any employer can receive, and use transferred funds
- sending and receiving employers have to be registered on the apprenticeship service: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-apprenticeship-funds
- a transfer can only be used to pay for training and assessment for apprenticeship standards
- transfers can only be used for new starts, except where the apprentice is changing employer and an agreement to continue their apprenticeship with their new employer is through a transfer of levy funds
The latest document on Apprenticeship funding (not the funding rules) can be found here and on page 4 there is mention of the new pledge functionality Apprenticeship funding – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You can catch up with Education and Skills Funding Agency apprenticeship related webinars you can find a recording here on the ‘you tube’ site in the apprenticeship service – webinar recordings playlist: esfagovuk – YouTube
George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead said:
“This allows large apprenticeship levy paying organisations to give direct support to micro and small businesses and provides an opportunity to keep the apprenticeship funding in the finishes and interiors sector. As young people consider their future options now is a great time to investigate taking on an apprentice or pledge unspent apprenticeship levy funds for smaller organisations to utilise”.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Aug, 2021 | Skills
In order to show more young people the wide range of opportunities available in construction, the industry needs STEM Ambassadors STEM Construction and Built Environment Ambassadors play an essential role in inspiring young people to think about a career in construction through a range of activities, including school presentations, careers talks and mentoring.
The CLC’s Industry Skills Plan includes a commitment to recruit 7,000 Construction STEM Ambassadors, and with the new school year approaching it is the perfect time for FIS members to register by email as a STEM Employer and encourage your teams to sign up online to become STEM Ambassadors. Further information on how to get involved can be found in this short film. If you like to have a chat about what is involved before committing please call FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org we will be happy to help.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Aug, 2021 | Skills
Recruiting the next generation is vital if we are to maintain the pipeline of talent coming into the industry and one of the best ways to show young people the fantastic work we do is through Open Doors!
This year’s event will run from Monday 4 ‐ Saturday 9 October and there will be a combination of site visits and ‘live’ virtual events on offer. Bookings open to the public on Monday 23 August.
Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol has highlighted the unique appeal of Open Doors in Building Magazine saying: “The words ‘Fancy a site visit?’ ‐ whether it is to a major infrastructure project or a local housing development covered in scaffolding ‐ almost always ignites a positive response.”
A huge thank you to those members that have already signed up. If the last 18 months have taught us anything, it is that we are so much more effective when we work together, and we would encourage all of you to upload as many events as possible to help us showcase the diverse range of opportunities that our sector has to offer.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Aug, 2021 | Main News Feed
All members are invited to consider nominating themselves to join the Board. By joining, you have the chance to use your knowledge and experience in the finishes and interiors sector to influence the direction of the Association and support our mission to improve safety and quality, minimise risk, enhance productivity and drive innovation in the sector, ultimately ensuring that membership and guidance are reflected in all relevant specifications.
The Board is key to ensuring FIS delivers for our community and ensuring our activity is aligned to your needs. I am particularly keen to use my last 12 months as President to encourage new applicants for the board from all sections of the membership, however big or small their companies.
We need the next generation to be coming through and I can promise you that the Board is an open, progressive and inclusive group – fresh views, challenging the status quo and your unique insight will be welcome and valued.
We know many are reticent to come forward as they are caught up in the ‘day to day’ particularly in the smaller businesses.
Like any commitment, joining the FIS Board it is not without challenge, but it is rewarding, allows your voice to be heard and, with modern methods of communication, it has never been easier to engage and support the leadership of our association.”
Operations Director, Tapper Interiors
The role of a Board Member offers the chance to influence the direction of the Association and share your knowledge and experience of the fit out sector.
The Board’s focus is on strategic issues, and ensuring the delivery of agreed targets.
If you would like to stand for election please complete the nomination form. Nominations must be received by 17 September 2021. Election results will be announced at our AGM in November.
Any questions about the process or the role, please don’t hesitate in contacting FIS CEO on 07792 959 481 or email iainmcilwee@thefis.org
To find out who is currently on the Board click here
by Clair Mooney | 18 Aug, 2021 | Main News Feed
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is continuing to carry out spot checks and inspections by calling, visiting and inspecting all types of businesses as Scotland moved beyond level 0 on 9 August.
The spot check programme provides expert advice during the calls and visits, on keeping workplaces safe and to help assess the risks and continue to reduce COVID-19 transmission. The guidance also provides advice on sensible precautions employers can take to manage risk and support their staff and customers. Health and safety legislation continues to apply and the legal duty for businesses to follow the advice to stop the spread of COVID-19 remains.
The following workplace controls remain unchanged:
Businesses must also take account of requirements that remain in public health regulations and guidance for Scotland and continue to consult their workforce on health and safety. Talking to workers and their representatives helps identify how to reduce risk.
Failure to follow current health and safety guidance could lead to enforcement action. So, if you receive a call from HSE, it is important to act upon it.
View further information on the spot check programme.
