🏆 UK Fencing Awards: Guest Speaker Announcement!
Some say he eats fence posts for breakfast…
All we know is – he’s our 2025 UK Fencing Awards guest speaker…..
We’re excited to reveal that our guest speaker at this year’s UK Fencing Awards will be none other than Perry McCarthy – the original Stig from BBC’s Top Gear!
Known for his high-speed humour, outrageous anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from Formula 1 and TV, Perry will bring high-octane energy to our celebration at Mercedes-Benz World this November.
But don’t leave it too long! With categories for contractors of all sizes, apprentices, suppliers, and more – this is your chance to showcase your work and get the recognition you deserve.
Get your entry in HERE !
📸 It’s free to enter – all you need is a project, some photos, and a story to tell.
🏁 And yes – the F1 simulator experience is for all guests at the Awards (with a prize for the fastest lap!)
🥂 Drinks reception and bar sponsored by First Fence
🎤 Guest speaker sponsored by Littlewood Group & Binns Fencing
💻 Enter now at: www.afiorg.uk
Let’s show the industry what great fencing looks like.
Get your entry in HERE !
🎉 Big News! AFI Members Littlewood Group brand-new sales website is officially LIVE!
🌐 littlewoodfencing.co.uk
Fencing Installer Apprenticeships
AJ’s Training began providing Fencing Installer Level 2 apprenticeships in January 2023 and has been committed to providing exemplary one to one, in person tuition UK-wide since then. All 35 apprentices who have taken their End Point Assessment to date have passed, with 40% of them achieving a Distinction. There are a further 30 apprentices either about to start or currently in learning, with numbers rising.
Apprentices have worked extremely hard to achieve their success, many of whom have additional learning needs, and had to take functional skills exams alongside their employment and training in order to achieve their apprenticeship. AJ’s Training instructors have worked closely alongside apprentices, consistently breaking down barriers to learning, ensuring that needs are met and apprentices can access learning easily whilst growing in confidence and skills. This is due, in part, to instructor’s commitment to continual professional development in SEND but mainly their natural ability to communicate effectively with apprentices on an individual level.
AJ’s Training is currently the only Fencing Installer Level 2 apprenticeship provider in the UK. The provision is unique and accessible as the style of teaching is one to one and in person. Instructors travel to apprentices directly at their place of work UK-wide. Employers and apprentices both benefit from this as training can conveniently fit with the employer’s work schedule. There is some misconception that apprenticeships are mainly for younger candidates but people of all ages can apply to up skill or retrain. With recent government changes regarding functional skills, those over 19 now no longer have to have achieved English and math’s in order to apply, opening up the apprenticeship to many more people.
Training includes a variety of methods such as practical in person training, videos to watch, manuals to read and skills assessments – all of which help to keep the learner interested and engaged. The apprenticeship lasts around 18 months but can be completed earlier. On passing their End Point Assessment which includes a 60 minute interview, 6 hour observation at work with questions and a 30 minute multiple choice knowledge test, the apprentice will then be able to apply for a blue FISS/CSCS card and can then work as a skilled professional in the industry. AJ’s Training aim is to empower learners, showing them that barriers can be overcome and success is possible.
For more details about the Fencing Installer Level 2 or our other apprenticeships please contact:
Marianne Robinson Apprenticeship & Training Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead
AJ’s Training, Unit 12 Coldharbour Farm, Whitesmith Lane, Chiddingly, East Sussex BN8 6HB
UK Government approved VRS and Highways Maintenance apprenticeship provider Marianne@ajstraining.co.uk www.ajstraining.co.uk Office: 01323 441 680
- Fencing installer / Skills England
- Highways maintenance skilled operative / Skills England
- Groundworker / Skills England
FenceX 2025 – Best Practice Day Returns
FenceX 2025 is fast approaching – and with visitor numbers climbing, the event on 15th October at NAEC Stoneleigh is shaping up to be the UK’s biggest fencing industry showcase yet.
Following a sell-out spring event, the AFI & AFA Best Practice Day returns outdoors, with support from Tornado Wire, Scanpole, and StowAg. The day will feature:
🔧 Two full fencing lines (wood & metal)
🛠️ Practical demos on strainers, turners & wire techniques in varied ground
👷♂️ Demonstrations led by some of the UK’s top fencing professionals
Inside the hall, the exhibitor line-up reads like a who’s who of the industry – with names like IAE, CLD, Barkers, Zaun, Alexandra Security, Lochrin Bain, Harper Chalice, First Fence, Henry Squire, Gatemaster, Borg Locks, Birkdale, and DHF all confirmed, alongside international brands and sector specialists.
💥 Plus, enjoy the largest-ever destruction testing schedule at a UK fencing show
⚙️ Explore the Gate Automation Zone
🎤 Attend industry seminars
🥓 And claim a free bacon roll when you pre-register!
🎟️ Free visitor tickets at www.fencex.com
📧 Enquiries: fencex@theafi.co.uk
New Infrastructure Pipeline Published
The Government has published an interactive Infrastructure Pipeline to provide real-time updates on around 780 public and private sectors projects worth £530 billion over the next 10 years. Designed to give businesses across the industry the certainty and confidence they need to invest in skills, innovation and technology, the first iteration of the pipeline reflects public spending settlements agreed as part of the recent Spending Review. The next update planned for early 2026 will add further details following the completion of business planning across Government, which is likely to include Sizewell C after the final investment decision was signed earlier this week.
The pipeline follows publication of the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and provides a national and regional picture of planned projects with a total cost of £25 million or above for economic infrastructure and £15 million or above for social infrastructure, including energy, health and social care, transport, water and wastewater, education, and defence. Build UK has welcomed publication of the pipeline, which will provide much needed visibility and stability for the industry, and we are committed to working with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) to ensure it is an effective tool, supporting improved performance and productivity.
To help businesses use the new pipeline, NISTA is hosting a webinar next Thursday 31 July from 12:00pm – 1:00pm where it will demonstrate the functionality of the online dashboard, and members can register for free. The CLC has also published guidance on pipelines, with further recommendations and a practical checklist for Government departments, which are now responsible for publishing their own procurement pipelines.
Driving for Better Business – new fleet safety focus update
Driver Fatigue and Tiredness
Driving is for most people the most dangerous activity they can do.
We know that in the great majority of cases the initial outcome of a crash is around driver behaviour – and this can be caused by tiredness and fatigue, that can result in severe injury or worse, fatality.
It’s vital that as an organisation and as a manager or owner you are confident that your drivers are educated about fatigue, and that they are well rested and alert before starting their shift.
Fatigued drivers can face charges of death by dangerous driving or death by careless driving if involved in a fatal collision, leading to a prison sentence.
Tired drivers have poor coordination, poor reaction times, poor speed and lane discipline.
You have a duty of care to make sure every driver is fit to be behind the wheel.
So how confident are you that your drivers aren’t tired, and that fatigue is not affecting their driving?
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 Driver Fatigue and Tiredness.
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 and Car Driver Toolkit on Driver Fatigue.
Access this month’s Fleet Safety Focus and watch the video here.
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