by Oscar Venus | 9 Aug, 2024 | Main News Feed
The latest results published under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations show that Build UK members have maintained their payment performance over the last six months. For the first time, BuildUK claim all tier one Contractor members are paying invoices within an average of 45 days, which will be the requirement for new Government contracts over £5 million from April 2025. On average, Build UK Contractor members now pay 96% of invoices in 60 days and none of them average less than 90%. Remember this relates to the volume of invoices paid.
FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said: “Whilst the headline is positive, we can’t let it distract us from the fact that our members are still finding getting paid a daily battle. I suspect when we start seeing the value and not the volume paid and disputed invoices in the reports we will start to see some different patterns. One thing we need to be doing is making sure as the new requirements come in that we compare them to what is happening on the ground to ensure that people are reporting accurately and fairly and not bending the rules.”
With new reporting requirements on the value of invoices paid and disputed invoices coming into force from 1 January 2025.
If you need help getting paid, visit the FIS Contractual Toolkit.
by Oscar Venus | 8 Aug, 2024 | Main News Feed
Before the summer recess of Parliament, the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, published a Written Ministerial statement setting out the Government’s ambitions for the legal migration system, including new reforms which will link migration policy and visa controls and labour market policies. These consist of:
- The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), Skills England, the Industrial Strategy Council, and the Labour Market Advisory Board will work together to support a coherent approach to skills, migration and labour market policy, engaging and working closely with the Devolved Governments;
- The Government will commission the MAC to review the reliance on international recruitment in key sectors, commencing with IT and engineering; and
- The Government will provide additional resources to the MAC to enable it to work more strategically to forecast future trends.
The Statement also confirms that the Government will keep some changes made earlier this year by the previous administration, including:
- Restricting most overseas students from bringing family members to the UK;
- Restricting the ability of care workers and senior care workers to bring dependants with them; and requiring all care providers sponsoring migrants in England to register with the Care Quality Commission;
- Increasing the general salary threshold for those arriving on Skilled Worker visas by 48% from £26,200 to £38,700;
- Abolishing the 20% going rate discount so that employers can no longer pay migrants less than UK workers in shortage occupations; and
- Introducing measures announced on 23 May to reduce the potential for abuse on the student and graduate visa routes, working closely with the Department for Education to ensure the measures are effective.
Finally, the statement explains the need to balance respect for family life with the economic wellbeing of the UK. The Government will commission the MAC to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules, keeping the minimum income requirement in the Spouse/Partner route at £29,000 until the review is complete.
The following may also be of interest:
On 30 July, the Immigration Minister, Seema Malhotra MP published Written Ministerial Statement on Afghan Resettlement:
Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament.
- This Government is implementing the commitment that families who were separated by the military evacuation from Kabul in August 2021 can be reunited in the UK.
- Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme Pathway 1 Stage 2: Separated Families opened on Tuesday 30 July. The window to submit an expression of interest will remain open for 3 months until 30 October 2024.
On 29 July, the Immigration Minister published a Written Ministerial statement on the European Entry/Exit System (EES)
Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament
- The UK Government is working to maintain border fluidity with the European Union throughout the implementation of the new Entry/Exit System, ensuring UK nationals and residents can continue to access European destinations effectively and efficiently.
- Provides an update on the immediate steps being taken to improve preparations and levels of readiness.
FIS is working with the Construction Leadership Council to ensure that the Government understands the impact of current policy on the construction sector (more here) and has advice on employing migrant workers in our employment hub here.
To help members recruit overseas skilled workers to fill the skills gaps being experienced in the industry which is inhibiting growth, FIS has partnered with specialist immigration lawyers, Migrate UK to help members to explore whether hiring overseas skilled workers is a viable route for them Find out more here
by Oscar Venus | 8 Aug, 2024 | Skills, Technical
FIS is developing a series of modules to help train the next generation of estimators and procurement teams and we would like to preview the modules with specialists who could help shape the final draft.
The training course has been designed to educate and inform new entrants to the sector and those moving from site-based activities to an in house estimating role and is broken into three modules
- The contract Module
- The commercial Module
- The technical Module
The aim of this course is to provide:
- An overview of what estimating entails
- What contractual terms should be known
- How commercial decisions are made
- provide granular information about drylining systems to estimators.
We would like to invite you to have access to our development slides to let us know if we have missed anything or if there should be more emphasis on a particular aspect of the role.
Please contact FIS Technical Director Joe Cilia joecilia@thefis.org for details on how to access the course, and who knows, it could be the best read of the summer break?
by Oscar Venus | 8 Aug, 2024 | Events
The first part of 2024 was already full of Employment Law updates that were set to hit business owners. Now, with a new Labour government in charge, there’s even more change set to come in that will dramatically alter the landscape of employment rights.
Wondering how to get prepared? Join our Partner Citation for their ‘Employment law update – What to expect under a Labour government’ webinar on Wednesday 4 September at 10-11am for an exclusive briefing covering:
- An overview of 2024’s Employment Law changes.
- Current regulations that are already in force and what’s set to come into effect later in the year.
- What to expect from the Employment Rights Bill.
- The steps you need to take today to get prepared.
Register today to make sure you don’t miss out!
SECURE MY SPOT >
by Oscar Venus | 8 Aug, 2024 | Main News Feed
If you are considering hiring an Apprentice or New Entrant and are CITB registered and levy-compliant, the CITB New Entrant Support Team is ready to assist you every step of the way. Here is how they can support you:
- Recruitment
- CITB Funding
- Administration (including setting up your Government Digital Account for accessing additional Grants)
- Retention
For more information, reach out to marieflinter@thefis.org to receive links for the upcoming Webinars:
- August 16 – 0930/1030
- August 21 – 1600/1700
- August 27 – 1600/1700
These webinars aim to provide valuable insights on optimising the advantages of hiring apprentices and new entrants. Industry experts will share recruitment best practices, how to navigate CITB funding opportunities, and effective retention strategies. They will also offer guidance on managing administrative tasks efficiently, allowing you to concentrate on developing your workforce.
Whether you are new to the process or want to improve your current approach, these webinars offer a great opportunity to learn and network with industry peers. Seize the chance to streamline your operations and make the most of the available support.
To secure your spot, contact Marie Flinter via the email provided. Let’s work together to build a more robust and skilled workforce for the future.
by Oscar Venus | 8 Aug, 2024 | CSCS
FIS have been working closely with CSCS to review how competency is tracked and new requirements for re-accreditation should be managed. As part of discussions CSCS has sought FIS views on proposed changes to the Labourer, Trainee and Provisional cards.
Beyond the digitisation process, the reform looks at whether it is relevant to reduce the validity of the (green) Labourers Card to 2 years (from 5) with a view to providing the industry with greater accuracy on the number of active labourers in construction. The suggestion is that this also provides more frequent checks to ensure individuals continue to work in a labouring role and encourages their progression onto a Skilled card. Within the proposals CSCS are recommending that after the first renewal the 5 year period is restored.
Changes to the trainee card are also proposed with a view to ensuring those completing a college diploma (not entitled to a skilled worker card due to lack of site experience) are issued with a red trainee card to ensure that their journey to a (blue) skilled worker card is clear and to avoid further distortion of the(green) labourer card.
Final changes are proposed to the (red) provisional card available to individuals working through probationary periods while employers assess their suitability for further training and employment. It currently lasts for 6 months and is not renewable. Employers have indicated that the (green) Labourer card is currently favoured as it is a more cost-effective route to obtain than the provisional card, because it’s a longer duration card, even though the candidate has to complete a formal level 1 qualification. Proposals are to extend the Provisional card validity to enable more time to assess the suitability of a worker and enrol them on the correct occupational journey for their skills and abilities.
You can feed your views in via the short survey here. We need your response by close of play Wednesday 14th August.
If you haven any questions about the card scheme and which cards you should be using for what or comments reference the above proposals, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the FIS Skills Team on 0121 707 0077.
You can visit the FIS Skills Hub here to access further guidance on recruitment, funding, competence and training support available.
Have you looked into how the FIS Competency Passport can support your business? It enhances the CSCS process with specific information that is relevant to employers in our sector.
by Clair Mooney | 8 Aug, 2024 | Main News Feed, Skills
As construction output is expected to grow the finishes and Interiors sector needs to recruit new entrants so that it can keep working. The STEM Ambassador Programme is partnered with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to facilitate the Go Construct Construction STEM Ambassador scheme. Through this collaboration, they aim to showcase the amazing career opportunities in construction and inspire young people to work in the industry.
Go Construct STEM Ambassadors act as the face of the industry for young people, inspiring them to consider a career in construction and the built environment through sharing their experiences and promoting opportunities. The commitment is to be involved in at least two activities per year. Ambassadors lead a wide range of activities, including:
- Running a trade stand at a careers fair, answering questions and handing out leaflets.
- Delivering a talk, sharing your experiences of getting into and working in the industry.
- Leading practical sessions or workshops, giving young people a taste of life in construction.
- Providing one-to-one mentorship to someone who is just starting out.
- Network with like-minded professionals, developing your own career as an ambassador.
Not only is becoming a Go Construct STEM Ambassador a great way to develop your employability skills and become a part of a community, through activities you will be helping to inspire the next generation of construction workers and change perceptions about the industry and the Finishes and Interiors Sector.
Please contact Marie Flinter a call on 0121 707 0077 or 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org for more information and to join the upcoming webinars.
- Tuesday 20 August – 12:00/13:00
- Tuesday 17 September – 10:00/11:00
If you are already a registered STEM Ambassador working in the finishes and interiors sector, please let Marie know.
by Oscar Venus | 6 Aug, 2024 | Awards
Join us on 20 September in Glasgow for our annual Scottish Awards Lunch at which we honour the outstanding projects completed by our members in Scotland. The FIS Scottish Awards showcase the remarkable achievements of our members, with each project undergoing rigorous examination by our judges. From on-site visits to comprehensive judging criteria, every aspect is carefully evaluated to recognise excellence in the field.
The standard of entries into this year’s Awards as always was extremely high, so congratulations to all companies that entered. The shortlisted projects are:
Specialist Installation under £1m:
Specialist Installation over £1m:
Interior Fit Out:
In addition to these categories, we will also be recognising individual achievements with awards for Apprentice of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.
You can book to attend here.
by Oscar Venus | 6 Aug, 2024 | Main News Feed
The Passive Fire Knowledge Group (PFKG) and The Get It Right Initiative (GIRI) have announced their intention to work together to improve safety and construction practices by sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and promoting each other’s aims and objectives.
This collaboration brings together the specialised focus of the PFKG on passive fire protection with GIRI’s broader based approach to improving construction practices and eliminating errors. PFKG, established in 2022, is a unique non-for-profit collaboration comprising contractors, consultants, and relevant trade associations. Its mission is to improve the delivery of well designed, specified and installed passive fire protection by focusing on three key areas: Process, Testing and Education.
Formed in 2015, GIRI is a group of over 100 leading UK construction industry experts, organisations and businesses actively improving productivity, quality, sustainability and safety in the construction sector by eliminating error.
Passive fire protection (PFP), also sometimes referred to as ‘built-in’ fire protection, are those components, materials or systems that integrate with the fabric of the building. PFP comprises many different product and system categories including structural steel fire protection, compartment walls and floors, fire doors, fire resisting dampers and ductwork, and firestopping (service penetration seals, linear joint seals, and cavity barriers). It is a critical fire element of fire safety in buildings which continues to place demands on the construction industry.
Commenting on the new collaboration, Cliff Smith, Executive Director at the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI), said: “The construction industry is navigating wholesale changes that have come through the Building Safety Act, with more rigorous standards and regulation at every stage of the development lifecycle.
“Through the GIRI Design Guide and our Building Safety Act working group, GIRI is working across the industry to meet these requirements and keep people safe through a common culture of getting things right first time.
This collaboration with the PFKG will enable us to highlight the critical importance of addressing fire safety, using our collective expertise to increase the focus on this high priority issue.”
Will Pitt and Joe Cilia, Joint Chairs of the Passive Fire Knowledge Group (PFKG) said: “Passive Fire Protection is often a key interface between the architecture, structure and building engineering services and getting it right first time requires careful consideration and planning especially at early design stages.
“It is clear to us that GIRI shares similar aims and objectives and by working more closely together, we can help amplify each other’s message.”
The PFKG and GIRI will collaborate and share best practice guidance including design guidance, quality alerts, knowledge sharing webinars and events. The PFKG continues to produce peer-reviewed knowledge shares covering a wide range of subjects associated with the design, specification and installation of Passive Fire Protection systems.
To find out more information about the Passive Fire Knowledge Group (PFKG) visit www.pfkg.org
To find out more information about the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI) visit https://getitright.uk.com
