Wellbeing Research Findings 2025
This comprehensive research gives an in-depth view of the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing challenges people are facing, many of which will come as no surprise to those working in fencing, and highlights the urgent need for action across the industry.
View the executive summary here
Mental wellbeing in the workplace
We know that as an employer you want to do right by all those who work with you in terms of promoting and supporting positive mental wellbeing in the workplace, but sometimes time, resource and budget can have an impact.
With our research showing that mental wellbeing is a critical issue for the industry we all need to dedicate time and effort in order to address it across the sector.
Take action now and consider what you can do within your own organisation, and make use of the free resources listed below.
- Join one of Perennial’s free webinars – book here
- Become part of Perennial’s MHFA Ambassador Network
- Download their free resource pack to support mental wellbeing in your workplace
AFI Members Have Access to a Free Business Health Check
TrustMark are excited to announce that they are working with their partner, Fergus, to offer AFI members a free no-obligation 30-minute Business Health Check.
Fergus specialises in the construction/RMI sector and their expert team can help you understand what’s holding you back from reaching your business goals.
During your 30-minute call, Fergus will discuss
- How to accurately price up jobs ✅
- How to understand your profit margins ✅
- How to pinpoint wasted admin hours ✅
- How to understand your labour efficiency ✅
- How to increase your bottom line ✅
The offer is available to all tradespeople, including members who aren’t currently TrustMark Registered.
If you would like to learn more and book you free call, you can email katie.hall@fergus.com or click the link here
The UK Fencing Industry Awards 2025 – Get Your Entry In!
Time is ticking! Entries are now open for the UK Fencing Industry Awards 2025, taking place on Thursday 13th November at Mercedes-Benz World – and we’d love to see you take centre stage.
Whether you’re an established contractor, a rising star, or a trusted supplier, this is your opportunity to gain industry recognition and celebrate the incredible work you do.
🏆 Eleven award categories – including the brand new Supplier of the Year
🎤 A top-name guest speaker (to be revealed!)
🏎️ An exciting F1 simulator experience, with a prize for the fastest lap!
🍾 A night of celebration, connection, and recognition
Entries close on 31st July – and we’d hate for you to miss out.
👉 Click here to enter now.
🌿 Best Practice Day Returns at FenceX 2025!
Join us on 15 October at NAEC Stoneleigh for a full day of live demonstrations, practical techniques, and hands-on learning — all part of the AFI & AFA Best Practice Day, running outside as part of FenceX 2025!
🎟️ Tickets are FREE – and include a bacon roll on arrival if booked in advance!
📍 Outdoor exhibitor pitches are still available – a great chance to showcase your products in action.
Inside the hall, it’s just as exciting:
💥 The largest-ever destruction testing schedule
⚙️ Gate Automation Zone
🎤 Seminars and over 75% of stands already sold!
Don’t miss the fencing industry’s biggest event of the year – book your free ticket at www.fencex.com or email fencex@theafi.co.uk to enquire about exhibiting.
Driving for Better Business – new fleet safety focus update
Driving Licence, Insurance and Incident Reporting
Driving is for the most people the most dangerous activity they do.
We know in the majority of cases, the cause of a collision is due to driving behaviours.
Are your drivers qualified to drive the vehicle you’ve asked them to? Do they have any convictions or penalty points on their licence that could compromise their right to drive?
It’s vital that, as a manager or owner in your organisation, you’re confident that your drivers are properly qualified. This should be done by checking their licences through the DVLA, with the drivers permission, to ensure there is no effect on your company policies and insurance premiums.
All vehicles must be insured by law, with the appropriate cover for the type of vehicle, type of work and the use of that vehicle. Lower insurance premiums are achievable through good safety records, regular vehicle checks and maintenance. You should instigate and monitor incident reporting procedures to ensure best practice from your drivers.
Driving for Better Business in collaboration with the National Highways Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Team are providing free to access resources to help those who manage and employ drivers. Their Fleet Safety Focus Updates cover an important area every month. This month’s update focuses on Driving Licence, Insurance and Incident Reporting.
It includes a link to a file of useful resources for you to download and share with your drivers, including:
- an article to share with your drivers
- short safety messages to send to your drivers on their devices
- posters for your staff noticeboards
- information sheets from our Van Driver Toolkit on Driving Licence Checks, Categories, Codes and also on Incident Reporting.
Access this month’s Fleet Safety Focus and watch the video here.
Construction Skills Funding
The Government has announced a ‘record-breaking’ £3 billion apprenticeship budget for 2025-26 as it looks to ‘refocus the skills landscape towards young, domestic talent’. A raft of new measures aim to deliver an additional 120,000 training opportunities for young people, including 30,000 more apprenticeship starts by 2029, and include:
- Implementing a 32% increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, which will deliver up to 45,000 additional domestic training places.
- Removing Apprenticeship Levy funding for Level 7 (masters level) apprenticeships for individuals aged 22 and over from 1 January 2026. Funding will remain available for those aged 16 – 21 and existing apprentices.
- Launching 13 new Level 2 construction courses for adults under the Free Courses for Jobs scheme.
These latest measures are in addition to those announced as part of the £600 million of funding to train up to 60,000 additional skilled construction workers by 2029, which include expanding Construction Skills Bootcamps and opening 10 technical excellence colleges specialising in construction skills.
Skills England is now fully established and the Education Secretary has set out its priorities for 2025/26, which include understanding future skills needs, improving the skills offer, and simplifying access to skills for both employers and individuals. Skills England has published a sector skills needs assessment for construction which identifies the key issues facing the industry, including low completion and retention rates for apprenticeships and a training model that is too complex and administrative-heavy for many SMEs.
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