FIS has successfully been awarded funding through the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) new Specialist Upskilling Fund, supporting efforts to address skills shortages and improve access to high-quality training across the fit-out, drylining and plastering sector.
FIS is one of 11 organisations selected by CITB following a strong response to its call for applications. The Specialist Upskilling Fund has been established to help remove barriers to training in specialist areas of construction and increase access to sector-specific competence training and NVQ achievement.
For FIS members, this provides an opportunity for us to work with employers and training providers to strengthen the skills pipeline across our sector, helping businesses identify any skills gaps, develop their workforce and ensure that workers have the competence required to meet the changing demands of the industry.
FIS will be offering support to members in accessing cost-effective, high-quality training and guidance, with a particular focus on supporting progression towards recognised sector-specific qualifications.
Beena Nana, Head of Skills and Training at FIS said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to help FIS members address skills gaps, strengthen their workforce and support progression towards recognised qualifications. By improving access to high quality, sector specific training, we can help build a more skilled and competent workforce for the future of our industry.”
The CITB Specialist Upskilling Fund will support a range of specialist construction sectors, with successful applicants also including organisations representing civils and infrastructure, heritage, plant hire, retrofit, roofing, shopfitting, tunnelling and drilling, wood occupations and contract flooring.
Julia Stevens, Director of Industry Delivery at CITB, said: “We’re pleased to share the successful applicants that have been awarded funding through our Specialist Upskilling Fund.
“We remain committed to providing sector-specific skills investment to ensure that support is available to construction employers to help develop their businesses and train their teams.”
FIS members are invited to contact Marie Flinter who will be able to provide further information on this programme.
