by Clair Mooney | 29 Sep, 2022 | Skills
The SDS Scottish Apprenticeship Awards highlight the key role apprentices, supporting individuals and employers play in delivering the skills Scotland needs, both now and in the future, across the whole economy.
Award categories include:
- Apprentice Ambassador of the Year
- Modern Apprentice of the Year – SCQF Level 6+
- Modern Apprentice of the Year – SCQF Level 5
- Graduate Apprentice of the Year
- Foundation Apprentice of the Year
- SME Employer of the Year
- Large Employer of the Year
- Apprentice Instructor of the Year
- Supporting Net Zero Employer of the Year
- Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year
Nominations close at 12pm on Wednesday 5 October 2022. The winners will be revealed during Scottish Apprenticeship Week which runs from 6 to 10 March 2023.
Nominations can be made online here: Scottish Apprenticeship Awards nominations
Nomination entry rules can be read here: Award nomination rules
Further information on can be found here: Scottish Apprenticeship Awards
by Clair Mooney | 29 Sep, 2022 | Market data
The Bank of England has increased
interest rates to 2.25%, their highest level since 2008, and ‘will not hesitate’ to raise them further to reach its target of 2% inflation. Inflation remains high at 9.9% and the
latest statement from the CLC Product Availability Group confirms it is still the ‘biggest issue’ for the industry.
It is most recent strategy, CLC outlines the four priorities to transform construction ‐ Net Zero and Biodiversity, Next Generation Delivery, Building Safety, and People and Skills ‐ as well as more immediate challenges, including inflation, forward pipeline, and business sustainability.
by Clair Mooney | 29 Sep, 2022 | Skills
Temporary changes to right to work checks, which allow employers to undertake checks via video calls and use scanned copies rather than original documents, will end tomorrow (30 September). After this date, employers should verify an individual’s right to work using a certified digital identity service provider (IDSP).
by Clair Mooney | 29 Sep, 2022 | Market data
THe CPA has produced an economic update which details
- the CBI’s Industrial Trends Survey for the three months to September.
- ONS figues for public sector net borrowing
- Housing including the number of property transactions in the UK for August; and
- The CPA’s analysis of the Chancellor’s Growth Plan 2022 – highlighting key policies affecting construction
FIS members can access the full information here (scroll to Weekly Notes – 23 September 2022)
by Clair Mooney | 28 Sep, 2022 | Fairness, Inclusivity and Respect (FIR)
The Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) has launched a National Equity and Inclusion Plan (NEIP) for the construction industry in Scotland to encourage the development of a more diverse and all-encompassing workforce.
Funded by Scottish Government, this latest initiative is part of a wider transformation plan for the industry giving the sector access to a wider talent pool to support growth and help to address labour shortages.
In the construction industry in Scotland 15.4% are women, and there is a gender pay gap of 23%. Some 1.6% of workers in the sector are from a minority ethnic background compared with 4.3% of minority ethnic workers in Scotland as a whole. Figures show 10.5% of the workforce are disabled, 33% of construction workforce are aged 50+ with only 2.7% of starts in Modern Apprentices female. (Figures from Annual Population Survey 2020).
The NEIP seeks to address these imbalances by mainstreaming equity and inclusion. The Plan sets out “Six by 2026” strategic aims which the CLF commits to work with industry to achieve. These aims include the sharing of best practices across industry, using data and industry feedback to benchmark progress, signposting to a range of resources for companies to access and development of industry-wide E&I accreditation.
The Plan was developed following an in-depth study by GenAnalytics which looked at the challenges and current state of play and what current best practice there is from inside and outside the sector. It was informed by a wide stakeholder group including E&I experts, industry and government and found that construction falls way short of equity and inclusion standards compared to other sectors and identified a number of sector-specific issues to be addressed by the Plan.
FIS CEO Iain McIlwee said:
With profound shortages in people and cultural challenges that we need to address as a sector, initiatives like this take on new meaning. A focus on inclusivity isn’t something we should do, it is something we have to. It starts with individual behaviour, but requires a collective effort to truly deliver change.
Business Minister and Construction Leadership Forum chair Ivan McKee said:
“I recognise that we face new economic and social challenges of an unprecedented scale. This plan aims to support wider efforts to address inequality and promote greater diversity within the Scottish construction sector to encourage inclusive growth and help address labour shortages.
Companies with better records of fair work, equity and inclusion do better, have a healthier and more engaged workforce and demonstrate greater diversity of thought. Fairness and inclusiveness encourages better relations with partners, shareholders, customers and employees.
It will help support the increased resilience of construction and reinforce wider efforts to create a more sustainable economy, in line with the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation.”
Lesley Quinn, Divisional Director, Corporate Affairs at City Building, City Building, one of the case studies featured in the report and three-time Queen’s Award winner for commitment to E&I, said:
“We have worked hard to develop E&I across our business from our 200 apprentices to our leadership team, and the results have been outstanding. There is a growing depth of best practice in and outside of the sector, so it is encouraging to see that sharing this is part of the NEIP.”
Lynsey Brydson, NEIP project lead at Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) said:
“The NEIP sets out a clear path for the sector to follow and importantly this will be benchmarked to monitor the progress that has to be made. Quick progress can be made through signposting to initiatives like the DIveIN programme run by Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) that gives free E&I training and support to construction companies.”
Emma Dickson, Technical Director at Arcadis and industry co-chair of CLF’s Skills and Workforce subgroup, says:
“It is critical that the industry takes action to be more diverse and inclusive. The plan sets out key areas that we should focus on to make that happen. Larger construction companies are making improvements, but many SMEs need tangible support to make the changes needed. The next steps will be critical to make sure this happens.”
The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone. This National Inclusion Week, the Supply Chain Sustainability School has highlighted findings from its Annual Culture Report and free training and resources available to support the industry in attracting and retaining people from the full pool of talent.
by Clair Mooney | 28 Sep, 2022 | Main News Feed
The Building Safety Act introduces a new building safety regime which requires changes to regulations, standards and ways of working. As a result, there are a number of consultations underway, including:
- Building Safety Regulator Fees and Charges ‐ The HSE is consulting on what the new Building Safety Regulator may recover costs for when carrying out its relevant ‘chargeable’ functions. Comments should be submitted online by Friday 7 October.
- Occupied Higher‐Risk Buildings ‐ The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) is seeking views on the new safety regime for occupied higher‐risk buildings, including proposals for their in‐occupation phase. There are 12 sections to the consultation, including certification, reporting, resident’s duties, appeals, and key building information. Comments should be submitted online or via email by Wednesday 12 October.
- Building Regulations ‐ DLUHC is also consulting on the changes that will be made to Building Regulations to implement the new building safety regime. There are 12 sections to the consultation, including dutyholder roles, gateways, change control process and more rigorous enforcement powers. Comments should be submitted online or via email by Wednesday 12 October.
- Operational Standards Rules ‐ Ahead of the Building Safety Regulator beginning to operate from April 2023, the HSE is seeking views on the proposed operational standards rules which will allow it to effectively monitor building control bodies. Comments should be submitted via email by Tuesday 25 October.
New Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Simon Clarke has confirmed that there will be no change in the Government’s approach to building safety, writing in The Telegraph that he is “determined to finish the job my predecessors started, fixing the system for good, ensuring that industry rectifies the problems it created”. Clarke will be supported by Lee Rowley as Housing and Planning Minister, and Andrew Stephenson and Baroness Scott of Bybrook as Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State.
by Clair Mooney | 28 Sep, 2022 | Skills
The finishes and interiors sector is experiencing shortages of trained and qualified ‘skilled’ labour at every level and there is no immediate easy fix. Employers need to invest in home grown talent and that starts with recruitment. To support this, document provides a summary of the services on offer from the Department of Work and Pensions via Job Centre Plus, you may be surprised at the assistance available to employers all free of charge.
Job vacancies can also be advertised on the FIS Job Spot, just complete the electronic form: https://www.thefis.org/jobspot/
by Clair Mooney | 28 Sep, 2022 | Health and Safety
Construction sites are being targeted from Monday 3 October as part of a health inspection initiative supported by the ‘Work Right Construction: Your health. Your future’ campaign.
The campaign is raising awareness of health issues in relation to moving and handling materials to improve the long-term health of those working in construction.
Site inspections will focus on moving and handling construction materials will be checking employers and workers know the risks, plan their work and are using sensible control measures to protect workers from injuries and aches, pain and discomfort in joints, muscles and bones known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
An estimated 40,000 construction workers suffered work-related MSDs last year. These injuries can have a serious impact on workers’ ability to perform tasks; their quality of life; and in some cases, their ability to stay in work and earn a living. Many can and do suffer from long-term pain and discomfort.
Act now to protect workers’ health
Employers have a legal responsibility to protect workers from ill health and should involve them in managing the risks to their health just as they would with safety.
Workers should not have to accept these injuries and potential long-term suffering as an inevitable part of construction work. They should talk to their employer about the risks and the measures in place to protect their health.
We have advice for employers, workers and small builders.
by Oscar Venus | 23 Sep, 2022 | Main News Feed
You may be aware that the venue has changed for the AGM/Members Meeting on 6 October, which is now being held at Hill Dickinson LLP, The Broadgate Tower, London. This has opened up the opportunity for event sponsors to have a pop-up stand/table-top, as we now have more space.
We already have 50 plus members booked to attend. To book your place click here.
There are also opportunities still available to sponsor our other members meetings, taking place in Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
If you are interested call FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email clairmooney@thefis.org
