Shaun explains how the CFA has led the way in updating the two most important training routes in the floorlaying sector.
AS CFA training manager, as well as helping members identify all the training opportunities within the sector, I also ensure members’ voices are heard when vital change is required to training standards and qualifications within the UK.
That’s why I’m delighted the CFA and its members have been asked to lead the way in reviewing and updating two very important training routes within the floorlaying sector, the Apprenticeship Standard and the National Occupational Standards.
The CFA is working closely with IFATE (Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education) to revise the Floorlayer Apprenticeship Standard, which was first developed by a trailblazer group made up primarily of CFA contractor council members based in England. Originally developed between late 2016 and early 2018.
IFATE approached CFA to re-establish this trailblazer group, made up primarily of CFA members, to ‘lead the charge’ in updating the standard, in order to enable it to sit alongside other construction standards, and also to futureproof it. Additional principles and characteristics such as Digital Construction, Net Zero Carbon, Building Safety, Mental Health, and more will be part of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) taught at apprenticeship level.
The revision also provides the opportunity to look at whether the current content and KSBs (knowledge, skills, and behaviours) reflect industry expectations within floorlaying.
Revision of the standard would involve looking at all areas, duties, KSBs, EPA (end-point assessment), with a focus on the area I believe is vital – funding.
To progress with the revision, IFATE asked the CFA to help group contractors, training providers and end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) to complete the review. The Trailblazer group will once again be chaired by Alan Gayle of AG Flooring Ltd, made up of CFA contractor members and supported by training providers and EPAOs.
Alongside the above, the CFA was also approached to work in conjunction with Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to review the current Floorcovering National Occupational Standards (NOS), which started in August 2022.
For background, the NOS provide benchmarks for competent performance in training and qualifications. The content is led by demand and based on evidence from industry. The NOS underpin vocational training, apprenticeships, frameworks, and qualifications across the UK, in all sectors and occupations. CITB develops and maintains these standards for the construction industry.
The CFA was keen to show member support to CITB in this review and therefore contacted CFA members from across the UK to engage and participate.
There’s been input from employers located across the four home nations and training providers. This is vital as they know the skills the next generation require. CITB will be running introduction sessions to outline exactly what is involved in the review before the NOS review officially gets underway.
The CFA, its members and the wider flooring industry participating in both of these training revisions are all giving up their time, knowledge, and experience to ensure the key training opportunities in the UK are fit-for-purpose and correctly funded.
We’ll be working very hard to increase funding in all areas, as part of these reviews and hopefully we can alleviate the problems with financing training that some currently see as a barrier to entry. This is something the CFA has promised to tackle as part of the launch of Future Fitters.
The CFA is proud to be the voice of the flooring industry and will continue to do all it can to support its members in accessing the correct training, qualifications, and funding for the Floorlayer Apprenticeship Standard. If you’re a contractor that would like to contribute, then please feel free to get in touch, as we’re always grateful for additional support in these revisions.
0115 9506836
Shaun@fita.co.uk
www.fita.co.uk
Shaun Wadsworth is CFA and FITA
training manage
