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Skills i www.thefis.org 19 CSCS cards held by trade (at November 2020) Blue/Gold cards Drylining (includes CRO) 34,266 Ceiling fixing 4,300 Partitioning 1,071 Plastering 17,307 Passive fire protection 417 Site carpentry 9,826 Other relevant trades 3,903 Total 71,090 measure competency and if we look at just one measure; CSCS cards, there is another potentially worrying issue: According to the data in the table above, approximately half our workforce in key trades is carrying the right card and, by virtue, have the right qualification for their trade (there are still a lot of people bumping around sites working off a green card).While this isn’t the onlymeasure of competency, you would be on the back foot if youwere asked in court: “Did you do all that is reasonable to ensure that the work was carried out by competent people?” and your response was: “Well, half of themhad the right card.” The challenge is mounting, although vocational qualification assessment continued through much of the past 12 months, the pandemic lockdown restricted face-to-face tuition, so individuals who would have been qualified to enter the workplace are still in training and do not yet have the required qualifications. Added to this, although publicity of available support is improving, the training, qualification and funding arena is complex and employers are not always made aware of support available for taking on new entrants as work placements or apprentices. How to attack the gap and shortage The EU Settlement Scheme is open to overseas workers for application until June 2021. Employers should ensure that their workers who should apply, do so, or you may not be able to use them beyond 30 June. As we move into July there is more onus to ensure people have a right to work, but for now, it is just a case of checking that they have a valid passport. From June you will need to confirm their status and right to work, this is extra admin, but it protects you, remember the Modern Slavery Act? As you are upgrading your records, also check what card and qualifications people hold; there are fake certificates being used to acquire Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards, so it is in your interest to check credentials. CSCS has a card checking service and awarding organisations can confirm the authenticity of certificates. This is a good opportunity to engage more effectively with your workforce and recommend training. Remember that FIS is on hand to help source courses, qualifications and secure funding. FIS BuildBack programme The next part of the challenge is more difficult and is drivingmuch FIS activity to reach the 2.7million registered unemployed workers. Employers can simply register vacancies at Job Centre Plus offices and to better support access into this potential labour pool, we have secured support to restart the FIS BuildBack programme which introduces, assesses, trains and inducts people into drylining. FIS is a registered Kickstart Gateway organisation and is working with the Department ofWork and Pensions to bring new entrants into the sector. We are always looking for employers to provide work placements, so if you are interested please contact FIS and help us close the sectors skills gap. Contact Marie Flinter, FIS Skills and Training Advisor marieflinter@thefis.org or call 01217070077. FIS Career and Qualification Pathway documents There is no silver bullet to solve this issue but there is something that all sector business can do, for example, colleges see many young people disappear after they complete a training course, so if you stay in touch with your local college you may be able to take on an apprentice. Again, FIS is on hand if you need help with this. Contact FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077. FIS is developing and publishing a Career andQualification Pathway document for each occupation in the sector.Thesewill provide links to the qualifications available in order to clearly prove competence at each career progression stage.This year, we have already launched the Career andQualification Pathway documents for ceilings fixers and drylining. The FIS Skills and Competence strategy is built on the SAKE Framework, measuring competency through a combination of Skills, Attitude, Knowledge and Experience of individuals at each level within the sector. It maps the qualifications and training that helps people to progress from labourer to site supervisor and beyond. If you are unsure what qualifications are available for finishes and interiors occupations look at the FIS website www.thefis.org/skills-hub We should all reflect on the sector’s weaknesses while recognising the opportunity to improve our training infrastructure. FIS is primed and ready, but employers’ input and support is crucial. FIND OUTMORE If you are interested in taking on unemployed or ex-military workers through the BuildBack Scheme, email marieflinter@thefis.org To download the latest FIS Guide to Apprenticeships and Career and Competency Frameworks visit the newly revamped Skills Hub at www.thefis.org/skills-hub

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