Start the conversation
Talking about mental health can help us – and those around us – feel happier and healthier, both in and out of work.
We know it can feel daunting to bring it up, especially with someone you work with. But you don’t have to be an expert to ask how someone is doing. Just starting the conversation can make a huge difference.
AFI & our partner PerennialGRBS are encouraging members to check in with colleagues and build stronger, more supportive workplaces.
Did you know:
• 57% of UK employees say they’ve experienced mental health issues at work
• But less than half felt confident to open up
• 83% of people Perennial surveyed were found to have poor or below average wellbeing
AFI is here to help – our members have FREE access to Perennial. Explore their workplace wellbeing support and free webinars here
An A5 leaflet for your workplace can be downloaded here
Demonstrating Competence
Thanks to all those members who joined our last Building Safety call and shared up to date feedback on the implementation of the building safety regime. As well as discussing the ongoing challenges with Gateway Two, it offered the opportunity to look ahead to other key issues facing the industry, including competence.
Under the Building Safety Act, anyone appointing an individual or organisation to undertake design and construction work has a duty to ensure they are competent. Individuals are required to have the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, whilst organisations must demonstrate ‘organisational capability’
For organisations, the Common Assessment Standard is an established third‐party certification scheme, which requires the appropriate management policies, procedures and systems to be in place, and an updated version will be published on 1 July 2025. From this date, the Building Safety section will become mandatory for all companies carrying out work under the Act, and a number of Build UK Contractor members will be specifying that certain specialist trades must have successfully completed it by 1 October 2025.
For individuals, cards carrying the CSCS logo provide evidence of their qualifications and training for the job that they do on site, as part of determining competence. The Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG), which is made up of a number of sector‐led groups, is leading the work to produce competence frameworks for each occupation, and those elements that can be assessed will then be reflected on the relevant CSCS card. The ICSG is expected to publish an update on progress later this month.
More building safety news can be found in our latest Building Safety update and the next Building Safety call will take place on Tuesday 17 June at 8:30am with your nominated Building Safety representative receiving the details directly.
🏆 Enter the UK Fencing Industry Awards 2025!
The countdown is on! Entries for the UK Fencing Industry Awards 2025 close on 31st July – so now is the time to put your best projects, people, and products forward.
With 11 award categories, there’s a chance for every corner of the industry to shine:
🔹 Agricultural & Equine Contractor of the Year – Tornado Wire
🔹 Apprentice of the Year – Siddall & Hilton
🔹 Project of the Year – Zaun
🔹 Domestic Contractor of the Year – DuraPost
🔹 Gates & Barriers Award – Door & Hardware Federation
🔹 Highways & Railways Award
🔹 Industrial Contractor of the Year – IAE
🔹 Security Award – Barkers
🔹 Sports & Education Award – Alexandra
🔹 Temporary & Hoarding Award – Safe Road
🔹 Supplier of the Year (New for 2025!) – Scanpole
This year, the awards will be held at the iconic Mercedes-Benz World on 13th November, featuring a champagne reception and bar (sponsored by First Fence), the thrilling F1 simulator experience (sponsored by FH Brundle), and an inspirational guest speaker (to be revealed soon!).
📌 Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of the biggest event in the fencing industry calendar. Submit your entry before 31st July at: www.afiorg.uk
You’ve got to be in it to win it – enter today!
Changes to Immigration
The Government has published an Immigration White Paper which seeks to reduce net migration by increasing the training of domestic workers and raising the threshold for those seeking to work in the UK. Construction is identified as a sector reliant on overseas workers and the changes to the Points-Based Immigration System will include:
- Raising the threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa from RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (degree level equivalent)
- Abolishing the Immigration Salary List and increasing the Immigration Skills Charge by 32%
- Creating a ‘Temporary Shortage List’ to provide time limited access to the immigration system for occupations with a skills requirement between RQF Levels 3 – 5 where there have been long term shortages and the Migration Advisory Committee has advised it is justified
- Increasing the minimum language requirements for Skilled Workers.
FenceX 2025 – Final Stand Availability & Record-Breaking Destruction Testing Line-Up
Momentum is building for FenceX 2025 – now just months away – and excitement is at an all-time high. With the largest-ever destruction testing schedule at a UK fencing show, FenceX will showcase live testing from leading manufacturers including Alexandra, Barkers, Zaun, CLA, CLD, IAE, First Fence and Henry Squire & Sons.
Indoor stand space is almost 75% sold and now outdoor space is also available as part of the AFI & AFA Best Practice Day, which returns after a sell-out spring edition.
🚀 Don’t miss out – exhibitors and visitors can find everything they need at www.fencex.com
🎟️ Visitor entry is free – and includes a complimentary bacon roll if booked in advance!
To enquire about exhibiting, email fencex@theafi.co.uk.
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