by Clair Mooney | 15 Oct, 2018 | Main News Feed
FIS announced the winners of its flagship #iBuiltThis2018 awards at a Champagne reception at UK Construction Week on 9 October 2018. This simple competition is designed to promote careers in construction and get young people, the construction industry and the public to participate and show how proud they are of their contribution to the UK built environment in a fun, exciting and light-hearted way. The winners and runners-up were presented with their awards by architect and host of Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces, George Clarke.
The winners were:
• 13 and under age category was Hollie Baynes with her submission the House of Horrors
• 14 to 18 age category was Naomi Hamilton with her entry An Arch
• 19 plus age category was Jamie Hubbard with his entry The Ivy House
Nathan Garnett, Event Director of UK Construction Week said “it is the simplicity of this initiative that makes it so brilliant. Anybody can enter, it embraces all forms of social media and it reminds us of the simple joy in making stuff and at the same time how construction is building our future. There was a great crop of entries across the different age contests from Lego builds to intricate brickwork and relaxation spaces innovatively designed and built. What better place to host this than at UK Construction Week, which is all about showcasing this brilliant industry? I was particularly delighted to see so many of the finalists and winners attend with their friends and family so they got to see some of the innovation and progressive thinking that is driving our sector forwards.”
A key aim is to showcase construction as the exciting and diverse sector it is with its huge breadth of disciplines and career opportunities to help attract new entrants. It allows people of all ages to enter and show their building skills and the projects they have built and in doing so hopes to inspire new entrants into the sector and visually show what amazing work is being produced at all levels.
Iain McIlwee FIS CEO said: “the construction industry employs around 3.1 million people, that equates to one in ten people working in the UK, but instead of a career of first choice we seem all too often to drop down to being a last resort and this absolutely belies the truth. We want people to know that the UK construction industry is a power house for the economy and has something for everyone, a trade, a profession or perhaps a combination of both! We need the craftsmen, the tradesmen, the site workers, the surveyors, the designers, the engineers, the project managers and the digital experts who will help us to disrupt and develop the industry. This industry is evolving fast and we need the people to help us deliver world-class solutions that make the UK the best place in the world to live work and play.”
#iBuiltThis2019 will be launched at the World Skills Live show at the NEC in Birmingham 15-17 November 2018. For more information about #iBuiltThis2019 campaign or if you would like to get involved email: skills@thefis.org or visit www.thefis.org/skills-hub/i-built-this-2018/
by Clair Mooney | 8 Oct, 2018 | Main News Feed
Notification is hereby given of the AGM for the Finishes and Interiors Sector Ltd which will take place on 1 November 2018 at 10.30am. To download the AGM notification click here.
The accounts for year-end 2017 can be found here.
by Clair Mooney | 5 Oct, 2018 | Main News Feed
Prompted by the collapse of Carillion and widespread outrage about its back-stop of 120-day payment terms despite being signed up to the prompt payment code, the move to pay 90% of undisputed invoices from SMEs within five-days, comes as the Government tries to reboot its late payment measures with a call for evidence on the best way to tackle the scourge once and for all. Some of the latest measures being looked at are empowering trade bodies to highlight the best and worst practices in payment behaviour and forcing company boards to have a non-executive director responsible for prompt payment performance.
Small Business Commissioner Paul Uppal will join the Prompt Payment Code’s Compliance Board to try and reassert its relevance to industry.
Further reform to the Code is to be considered including whether the small business commissioner should have a greater role in its administration.
FIS chief executive Iain McIlwee commented; “You can’t argue with the sentiment, but we have proven time and again that there is no sticking plaster to the endemic problem of unfair payment. There are a multitude of ways in which dues are not paid and retentions is front and centre. We fully support the Build UK aim to ban retentions, but the timescales concern us. Cashflow and the resultant contractual wrangling undermine absolutely collaboration and productivity in construction, to truly emerge as a world-class sector we need to move to a 21st Century way to ensure money flows effectively through the supply chain and no business, small or large is put at risk by archaic and unfair practices.”
Cabinet Office Minister for Implementation Oliver Dowden said: “We expect the highest payment standards from both government and big business.
“That is why we will commit to central government aiming to pay 90% of undisputed invoices from small and medium-sized businesses within five days. Small firms can also report poor payment practices via our Mystery Shopper service, which ensures their voices are heard.
“We are listening to businesses and doing more than ever to level the playing field for small businesses to win work in the public sector.”
Federation of Small Businesses, national chairman Mike Cherry said: “Late payment is the biggest challenge affecting small businesses and it is good to see the government getting serious about this issue, especially when it comes to large firms paying their supply chains promptly.
“The voluntary Prompt Payment Code is not working when it allows signatories like Carillion to pay on terms of over 120 days, so we want to see a new tough and transparent compliance regime being proposed.
“It is a positive step that central government will set an example – paying 90% of undisputed invoices from small and medium-sized businesses within five days.”
The Government call for evidence will be open until 29 November and the government is encouraging, businesses, trade associations and other interested parties such as academics to contribute their views to it.
by Clair Mooney | 3 Oct, 2018 | Main News Feed
On Friday 28 September 2018, FIS held its third Scottish Awards Lunch at Trades Hall in Glasgow. Over 160 members and guests attended the event to hear the winners announced and welcome new FIS chief exective to the helm.
FIS President Andrew Smith opened proceedings and raised a toast to the awards, with the compliments of Forza Doors. Guest speaker and compere Chick Young provided the entertainment, ensuring a fantastic time was had by all.
Award Winners
Interior Fit Out (supported by Fit Out Futures)
Gold – Veitchi Interiors for its installation ay Anderson High School in the Shetland Isles. Ryder Architecture also received an award.
Silver – Scotwood Interiors for its project at LifeArc in Edinburgh.
Partial Fit Out (supported by Women in Fit Out)
Gold – Linear Projects for its installation at the Macallan Distillery and Visitor Centre in Moray. Architect Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners also received an award.
Silver – Brian Hendry Interiors for its project at Holy Trinity School in Glasgow.
Suspended Ceilings (sponsored by Nevill Long)
Gold – Brian Hendry Interiors for its installation at Hawkhead Care Home and Day Care Centre in Renfrewshire. Unum Partnership and Page /Park also received an award.
SIlver – Carter Ceilings for its contract at Kelvinbridge Subway Station in Glasgow.
Plasterwork (supported by #BuildersBrew)
Gold – Ryedale Interiors for its project at the SOAR Intu Shopping Centre in Braehead. CD Architects also received an award.
Partitioning (supported by SpecFinish)
Gold – Worksmart Contracts for its project at Edrington Group Head Office in Glasgow. Architect Form Design also received an award.
Silver – Planet Partitioning for its installation at Cirrus Logic in Edinburgh.
Drywall Construction (supported by BuildBack)
Gold – Brian Hendry Interiors for its project at Holy Trinity School in Glasgow. Norr Architects also received an award.
Judges’ Award (sponsored by Minster)
Gold – Veitchi Interiors for its contract at Kelvinhaugh Street Student Accommodation in Glasgow. ICA Architects also received an award.
Silver – Clansman Interiors for its project at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire.
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Now Get Qualified)
Winner – Robbie Sproul, a ceiling fixer apprentice at Brian Hendry Interiors.
Our nominated Charity was Street Soccer Scotland and prizes for the Charity Draw were donated by Brian Hendry Interiors, Minster, Scotwood Interiors, British Gypsum and Linear Projects. Generous attendees helped to raise £1,818.
From all the team here at FIS, we would like to say congratulations to all winners. Visit our Facebook page to see all the photos from the Scottish Awards Lunch.
The website image gallery can be found here.
by Clair Mooney | 2 Oct, 2018 | Main News Feed
MHCLG has published the following statement on its website following yesterday’s announcement.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-new-housing-measures
The statement includes the following key points
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy the government established a comprehensive building safety programme that included an independent review on fire safety and building regulations. In the summer the government published its response to this review and said it would ban the use of combustible materials on external walls of high-rise buildings subject to consultation.
Following this consultation the government has today (1 October 2018) confirmed that it will take forward this ban on all high-rise buildings that contains flats, as well as hospitals, residential care premises and student accommodation above 18 metres.
This ban will be delivered through changes to building regulations guidance and will limit materials available to products achieving a European classification of Class A1 or A2.
It is unclear from this statement exactly what products will be banned and what impact this will have on projects either in planning or under construction.
The ban which will come into effect later this year as a change to the Building regulations. Meanwhile if you are involved in the supply or installation of materials on external walls of high-rise buildings we recommend that you discuss this with the delivery team to reduce your risk going forward.
by Clair Mooney | 19 Sep, 2018 | Main News Feed
FIS will exhibiting at UK Construction Week at the NEC in Birmingham from 9 to 11 October. Come and see us at stand M112. We have a great line up of activities organised, including:
• 9 October 2018 – Our #iBuiltThis2018 awards ceremony at the Surfaces and Materials hub from 15:00. George Clarke will be announcing the winners of the competition and you will have the chance to network with industry leaders and peers.
• 9 October – attend our industry leading CPD sessions with Joe Cilia and Andrew Way on Design and Installation of Light Gauge Steel Infill Framing (and why this is not drylining for exteriors) from 10:45 – 11:45 at CPD Hub 2
• 9 October – CPD seminar with Joe Cilia on Product Process People (PPP) a simple process to provide evidence of compliance in light of the Edinburgh Schools Report and Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review from 13:45 – 14:45 at CPD Hub 2
• 10 October – Register for the free Mental Health Awareness training course taking place as a breakfast briefing at the Surfaces and Materials hub from 08:30 – 10:00. This is part of the #BuildersBrew campaign aimed at raising awareness of mental health.
• 9 and 10 October – Our new CEO Iain McIlwee will be in attendance to host you and speak to you all about how FIS can help you.
by Clair Mooney | 14 Sep, 2018 | Main News Feed
Small house builders predict that skills shortages in the building industry will hamper housing delivery and will eventually overtake access to finance as a bigger barrier to building new homes, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s House Builders’ Survey 2018, the only annual assessment of small and medium sized (SME) house builders in England, include:
- The percentage of SME house builders saying that a shortage of skilled workers is a major barrier to their ability to build more new homes rose to 44% (up from 42% in 2017)
- A lack of available and viable land tops the list as the most commonly cited barrier (59%) to increasing housing delivery and almost two-thirds of SME house builders (62%) believe that the number of opportunities for small site development are actually decreasing (up from 54% in 2017)
- Nearly half of small house builders (46%) say access to finance is a major barrier to their ability to build more new homes
- More than half (51%) of SME house builders view the planning system as a major constraint on their ability to grow and ‘inadequate resourcing of planning departments’ was again rated as the most significant cause of delay in the planning application process for the third year in a row
- When asked to look ahead over the next three years, more firms cited skills shortages as a likely barrier to growth than access to finance.
FIS remain highly concerned about the skills mix in and around our sector and not just in housing – the potential impact on build-out and quality is significant. From statistics developed with Home Builders Federation (HBF) we know that we will need 3,320 dryliners/plasterers to meet the government target to build 300,000 houses, 400 tradespeople in our occupations per 10,000 houses built. Housing currently makes up approximately one third of our sector but with the growth forecast leaning towards this area of construction backed by Government’s very clear objective. We see that the gap is growing and there is a hole in the bucket!
At the FIS we see this as our number one challenge and, in addition to reaching into schools, new apprenticeship trailblazers and working with colleges and local employers to ensure that those studying for a diploma find employment, our sector leading BuildBack campaign is already up and running targeting the longer term unemployed to refocus and reskill them to help meet this demand. We must recognise this is a systemic problem and ensure that, working with CITB, the Skills Challenge Fund and as a group of trade bodies that our efforts are not on sticking plaster solutions, but fundamental and wholescale cultural change that will deliver us the numbers and quality of people that we need, sustainably.
To access the full survey click here; FMB’s House Builders’ Survey 2018, the only annual assessment of small and medium sized (SME) house builders in England.
by Clair Mooney | 10 Sep, 2018 | Main News Feed
The Home Building Skills Partnership, NHBC and Hamilton Deed are pleased to announce the next phase of fully funded training courses, focusing on assistant/ site manager and sales advisor roles. These training courses link closely with the Skills Frameworks and will help to improve industry standards and build quality across the home building sector.
This is a great opportunity for home builders and supply chain organisations to develop their workforce and increase value within their organisations at very little cost. However, places are limited and will be completed on a first come, first served basis for every organisation.
To book your place, visit https://www.hbf.co.uk/policy/home-building-skills-partnership/training/
The training courses focus on a range of topics covering the following CITB approved standards which are linked to the skills frameworks and current training needs:
• Building Regs and Control for Residential Homes
• Defect Prevention
• Develop and Maintain a Home Build Programme
• Interpreting Plans and Drawings
• Defect Prevention Introduction
• Effective Snagging and Pre-Handover Checks
• Hazards & Controls Associated with the Home Building Sector
• Home Build Site Management – People Management
• Home Build Handover
To ensure as many home builders and supply chain organisations access the training as possible, company capping will be limited to £10k. Please note, due to training being fully funded there are limited training places available. We advise you to book early to avoid disappointment.
by Clair Mooney | 7 Sep, 2018 | Main News Feed
On Monday 3 September Stortford Interiors and the FIS celebrated the launch of their flagship three-year youth engagement apprenticeship programme, Project Futures at the Broadgate Welcome Centre in London, hosted by British Land.
The event celebrated the first wave of new Project Futures apprentices who will embark on both carpentry and drylining apprenticeships, working on the British Land Broadgate Estates and help build our capital city.
The launch was attended by representatives across the supply chain, from the client themselves, tier one contactors Sir Robert McAlpine and Laing O’Rourke, Camden Council, the FIS President, CITB, journalists and many other partner stakeholders in support of Project Futures.
Full coverage of the celebration launch event and how Stortford Interiors has launched an innovative and committed SME response to the UK sector skills crisis based on their core values will be available over the next few weeks. For information on how you can work with the FIS in creating your own apprenticeship onboarding process and attack the skills gap contact Amanda Scott, FIS Sector Skills Engagement Manager via amandascott@thefis.org
