by Nicky Smith | 27 Feb, 2018 | Main News Feed
In response to the Dame Judith Hackitt Interim Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has initiated the following work streams:
- Design Construction & Refurbishment
- Procurement & Supply
- Occupation & Maintenance
- Golden Thread
- Quality Assurance & Products
- Competence
- Residents’ Voice
- Regulation & Guidance.
The Construction Products Association has been invited to contribute to Golden Thread, Quality Assurance & Products and Regulation & Guidance, with meetings having commenced during the week of 19 February. The work streams are presently focusing on scopes and CPA will be coming to its membership as questions arise. In the interim, if FIS members have any contributions that they would like to submit, contact joecilia@thefis.org or alternatively email CPA at IRG@constructionproducts.org.uk and CC joecilia@thefis.org
by Nicky Smith | 22 Feb, 2018 | Main News Feed
FIS Skills proudly rolled out its flagship BuildBack programme in Birmingham on 16 February with an assessment day held for employers and trainees at South and City College. This is the first instalment of a nationwide rollout planned for BuildBack as part of the Fit-Out Futures strategy of enabling new entrants into the sector.
The BuildBack programme puts job seekers through two weeks of college training followed by two weeks of onsite work experience with an employer, to equip them with the skills and competencies required to pursue a career in drylining.
The event enjoyed full attendance and participation from all partners and trainees. Recognised and respected names from industry attended including, Taylor Hart Ltd, Lakeside Ceiling and Partitions Ltd, BAM Construction Midlands Ltd and Mee Refurb Ltd. It was an opportunity for employers to look around the college facilities, talk to college staff, meet the BuildBack trainees and fellow employers and partners supporting the programme.
Bob Howlett, faculty head of technology and construction said: “I thought the assessment day was a great success, I had the chance to speak to both candidates and employers and was impressed by the commitment of both, candidates obviously enjoyed the practical session and were keen to join the programme and seek opportunities in the sector. I am sure this is the start of a lasting partnership with FIS which will undoubtedly bring benefits to learners, employers and the City of Birmingham as it continues to grow and prosper.”
The trainees selected from the assessment day will begin the Specialist Upskilling Programme (SUP) in drylining in early March for two weeks. After completion of the SUP, free semi-skilled drylining trainees will be available for work placements for two weeks, providing wage-free assistance on projects from the 26 March 2018.
Phil Eves, employment and skills co-ordinator, BAM Construction said: “The BuildBack assessment day was very interactive, it gave us an opportunity to engage with the supply chain, have direct conversations with the trainees and other employers who attended and see first-hand the high quality of the college facilities that will be delivering the programme.”
Midlands based employers can register their interest in taking trainees for work placements at skills@thefis.org
Further information on the BuildBack programme can be found in the Skills Hub here.
by Clair Mooney | 21 Feb, 2018 | Main News Feed
NBS Research is carrying out this research on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). It is about how you use guidance to help you understand and comply with the Building Regulations, and in particular how you use the Approved Documents.
The survey can be found here – please complete by 6 March 2018.
If you would like more information on Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Buildings Regulations and her Interim Report it can be found here.
by Nicky Smith | 15 Feb, 2018 | Insurance, Main News Feed
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, anecdotal evidence emerged of fire insurance companies revising terms for professional indemnity and other forms of insurance.
As part of the Construction Products Association’s work for the Industry Response Group (IRG), CPA is joining with BuildUK and CIC to survey a cross-section of the industry to understand the extent of this problem for organisations operating in areas deemed high risk. The CPA would like to encourage the FIS membership to participate and disseminate to any deemed able to contribute to the results.
To participate in the short survey click here. The survey will close on 9 March 2018, all responses are anonymous.
by Nicky Smith | 14 Feb, 2018 | Main News Feed
CITB has announced the following dates for the free Employer Advisory Forums which will be taking place at various locations across England, Scotland and Wales. The Forums are an opportunity to hear regional updates and have your voice heard on what is important to your business.
At the events, CITB will provide an update on the Grants Scheme reform and the CITB Training Directory & Register along with details on how your business can access CITB funding. CITB will also share their continued vision and what the changes will mean for the Industry.
Book your free ticket here
Dates and locations:
6 March – Cambridge, Castle Donnington, St Austell, Swansea
7 March – Norwich, Solihull, Yeovil
8 March – Gloucester, Ipswich, North Wales
13 March – Bolton, Cardiff, Reading
14 March – Swindon
15 March – Bristol
19 March – Penrith
20 March – Maidstone
21 March – Crawley, London Fitzrovia, Wakefield
22 March – Chester Le Street, Exeter
27 March – Dundee, Saint Helens
28 March – Glasgow, Southampton
29 March – Inverness
12 April – Basingstoke
16 April – Poole
18 April – Central London
by Nicky Smith | 8 Feb, 2018 | Main News Feed
FIS Skills is rolling out its flagship BuildBack programme in Birmingham and all employers based in the Midlands are invited to attend the assessment day on Friday 16 February 2018. The event will take place at Birmingham South and City College at the Bordesley Green campus, which specialises in construction.
BuildBack is being delivered in collaboration with Birmingham City Council; as one of the FIS Skills partners, this is a prime opportunity for your business to prove fulfilment of your Section 106 contractual obligations. In addition, you will be able to take on semi-skilled dryliners for a two-week period, providing wage-free assistance on your projects.
The assessment day will be an opportunity to look around the college facilities, talk to college staff, meet the BuildBack trainees and other employers and partners supporting the BuildBack programme.
Such is the confidence in the programme that Steve Coley, the immediate past-president of FIS, will be in attendance at the assessment day and has already agreed to provide work experience for two trainees at his company, Lakeside Ceilings and Partitions.
What is the BuildBack Programme?
BuildBack is designed to provide opportunities for job seekers who are serious about developing a career in drylining. Trainees complete a two-week Specialist Upskilling Programme (SUP) in drylining at Birmingham South and City College to develop the skills and competencies required for installing drylining. Then follows a two-week work placement on-site with a local employer. All trainees will be offered at least one job interview and those who secure full-time employment with an employer will have their fees paid for ongoing training to NVQ Level 2 in drylining. All trainees will receive free personal protective equipment (PPE) and have their CSCS card paid for.
For further information on BuildBack and all partners involved, visit the Skills Hub.
Helen Yeulet, FIS Skills Delivery Director, said: “From an employer’s perspective, this offers new labour that is semi-skilled and keen to progress a career in drylining at minimum cost to them. We are keen for employers to take advantage of this scheme that will handle the recruitment, the training elements and ensure that they have fully skilled labour within six months.”
Local employers can register their interest in the BuildBack programme and attend the Assessment Day by emailing: skills@thefis.org
by Nicky Smith | 8 Feb, 2018 | CSCS, Main News Feed
As the CSCS priorities for 2018 continue the drive towards qualifying the workforce, the next step towards a fully qualified workforce is perhaps the most challenging. Industry Accreditation (IA), also known as Grandfather Rights, allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employers’ recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification.
To meet the requirements of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) the CSCS will develop plans to move all IA cardholders to a recognised qualification.
Achieving this within the necessary timescales will require extensive industry consultation prior to implementation. In the meantime, existing cardholders can renew their cards in accordance with the scheme rules.
The withdrawal of IA will be the final step towards achieving the CLC’s requirement of ensuring nationally recognised qualifications are in place for all occupations.
CSCS closed IA to new applicants in 2010 but those already holding a card are currently able to renew on the same basis.
You can use the card finder to check what qualifications you need for your occupation in order to apply for a CSCS card. Alternatively, you can call the CSCS Contact Centre on 0344 994 4777.
by Nicky Smith | 7 Feb, 2018 | Main News Feed
On Tuesday 6 February 2018, FIS held the President’s Lunch at Plaisterers’ Hall in London. Over 300 members and guests attended the lunch where the new FIS President, Andrew Smith, addressed the audience: “Compliance and competence are going to be increasingly important in the coming years and FIS has invested in a skills team to help deliver a competent workforce for the sector – and to help FIS members get full value from the Levy. This programme is called Fit-Out Futures and the President’s Lunch provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate some of the successes to date; the Fit-Out Futures Awards.”
Before lunch was served, the first three category winners were announced:
Outstanding Employee – John Ramsey, a Project Supervisor at Brian Hendry Interiors
Future Leader – Stephen Reynolds, a ceilings category manager at SIG
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by CCF) – Sean Dooner, an apprentice dryliner at MPG Contracts. The runner-up was Conor Bartram, an Apprentice Trainee Site Manager at Pexhurst Services.
Representatives from the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) were in attendance to collect £2,635 raised in the prize draw. The first prize, sponsored by Etex Building Performance, was a round of Golf for four at Castle Combe Golf Club in Wiltshire. The winner was Steve Smith. Second prize was a Cartwright and Butler hamper donated by Minster, won by Helen Tapper. The third prize was a Champagne gift box donated by Horbury Group, won by James Evans. SIG donated two tickets (including pre-show hospitality) for any show at the Genting Arena; the winner was Lydia Sharples. Finally, Donseed Ltd donated a bottle of Champagne for the winner of the Business Card draw – Andy Mahoney from Taylor Hart.
Comedian Ian Stone provided the after-lunch entertainment. A stand-up comedian, broadcaster and writer, Ian is famous for appearing as a guest on shows such as the comedy panel show Mock the Week. He is also a regular guest on BBC Radio 5’s Fighting Talk.
David Frise, CEO of FIS, returned to the stage to present the final award of the day, the ‘Lifetime Achievement‘. Recently retired after 20 years service with Taylor Hart, the trophy went to Phil Taylor. Photos from the day have been uploaded to our Facebook page; the winners’ videos will be available on the FIS YouTube Channel very soon.
Congratulations to all the winners, we look forward to awarding more ‘Fit-Out Futures’ in 2019!
by Nicky Smith | 7 Feb, 2018 | Main News Feed
The HMRC is currently running free webinars, providing members with advice and support regarding the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Whether you’re new to CIS or building on your existing knowledge, the online help will explain how the scheme works and your responsibilities.
CIS for subcontractors – Thursday 8 February – 4.30pm to 5.30pm
This webinar provides guidance to businesses and includes:
– An overview of the scheme
– Getting started in CIS
– Payment & Deduction statements
– Records you need to keep
Register here
CIS for contractors – Friday 9 February – 9 am to 10 am
This webinar includes:
– An overview of the scheme
– Engaging and paying subcontractors
– What information you need to report to HMRC
– How long you need to keep records for
Register here
You will be able to ask questions during the webinars using the on-screen text box.
