Are you aware of the Direct Vision Standard?
The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV Safety Permit Scheme for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) require operators of lorries over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight to obtain a safety permit before entering and operating in most of Greater London. Otherwise, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The DVS requirements change from 28 October 2024.
Now’s the time to check the fleet – vehicle roadworthiness & Autumn driving
Helpful hints in your AFI Driving for Better Business Van Driver booklet in the AFI membership pack, roadworthiness checks pages 22-23 and Autumn driving tips pages 68-69. Do you need more copies? Contact us – info@theafi.co.uk
Common Assessment Standard
Under the Building Safety Act, anyone appointing individuals or organisations to undertake design and construction work has a duty to ensure they are competent. For individuals, this means having the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, whilst organisations must demonstrate ‘organisational capability’. A growing list of organisations across the public and private sectors are demonstrating compliance with this duty by specifying that their supply chains must be certified to the Common Assessment Standard.
Companies only need to obtain certification once from any of the Recognised Assessment Bodies. There are two levels of certification ‐ desktop and site‐based ‐ and companies should apply for the appropriate level depending on their trade, size and the requirements of their clients. Members of the supply chain keen to see a reduction in the bureaucracy of pre‐qualification are encouraged to review the different certifications they hold to see if they have the Common Assessment Standard from more than one Recognised Assessment Body and whether that is required for any reason.
Changes to Immigration System
As part of the Government’s plans to digitise the UK border and immigration system, eVisas are being introduced in place of physical immigration documents from this autumn. The majority of physical immigration documents, such as the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), will expire on 31 December 2024, and holders should take action now to transition to an eVisa at no cost. Anyone with an expired document will not be able to travel internationally from 1 January 2025 or prove their immigration status if requested without an eVisa. Further information on switching to an eVisa can be found in this factsheet as well as a series of videos.
Fines for employing illegal workers have increased to a maximum of £45,000 per illegal worker for a first offence and £60,000 for repeated offences, and uCheck ‐ which is part of Build UK Partner Citation ‐ is offering members free registration to use its services, together with discounted rates on background checks, including Right to Work (£6.20), Digital Identity (£4.20) and Identity (£4.80). Members can register online for uCheck using the code BUILDUKFREE.
East Sussex Apprenticeship Graduation 2024
Bookings and award nominations are now open for the East Sussex Apprenticeship Graduation taking place at The Floral Hall, Winter Garden, Eastbourne on Thursday 21 November 2024 from 6.00-8.00pm.
This exciting event will celebrate the county’s amazing apprentices of all ages, all levels, and all sectors, and will be a night to remember, with outstanding special achievement awards, and special guest speakers.
Apprentices who have, or will have, achieved their apprenticeship between1 November 2023 and 1 November 2024, and live or work in the local authority area of East Sussex, will be eligible to graduate. Please note that there is no cost to graduates, employers and guests.
If you know someone who deserves to be recognised, please email ESapprenticeships@sctp.org.uk to receive the nomination forms; the deadline for nominations is 25 October 2024.
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