COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates

Training within our sector is limited to DfE regulated apprenticeships and qualifications only.

Following the reopening of schools and colleges on 8 March, the Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that on‐site training can only resume for students in the following further education (FE) settings if a provider follows the operational guidance:

• Sixth form colleges
• General FE colleges
• Independent Training Providers (ITPs) ‐ defined as organisations that receive Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) formula funding for the provision of 16 to 19 education
• Designated institutions
• Adult and Community Learning Providers (ACLPs)
• Special post‐16 institutions.

Building on guidance provided by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Build UK has advised that training within our sector must currently be limited to DfE regulated apprenticeships and qualifications.

Unfortunately, this means that privately funded face-to-face training should not be permitted at this time. This includes commercial training courses held at a training facility or on-site and delivered by commercial providers and manufacturer led training.

Based on this update, the training arm of the NICF and CFA, FITA (Flooring Industry Training Association) will remain closed for all privately and commercially funded training courses although the planned apprenticeship delivery will continue as per the guidance. Delegate and visitor safety is paramount for FITA as a training organisation and for the industry bodies that support it. It naturally has been our driving force since the beginning of the pandemic and whilst this is disappointing that commercial training cannot continue at FITA, it is clearly stated in the guidance that non-essential training in this form cannot resume at this time.

There has not been any further [specific] guidance issued about resuming face‐to‐face training in the workplace. Companies will need to determine if any training required can be undertaken remotely or is essential at this time, as they may be required to explain how they are complying with the current ‘stay at home’ restrictions.

Apprenticeship providers should also read the current apprenticeships guidance, which confirms that FE apprentices may now return to training and assessment in educational settings, and how this should be managed.

We have been advised that the next part of the government lockdown roadmap that applies to training in construction is the 17 May. CFA, NICF and FITA will naturally review the situation and any further specific guidance received leading up to this date in the firm hope that we can fully return to training in our sector. It currently seems unlikely that wider training will be permitted before the 17 May.

Through the CFA and its connections to Government, FITA has been advised that all non-essential face-to-face training should cease for the immediate future. This was not covered within initial Government guidance or indeed the subsequent regulations issued once Parliament had met. However, contact with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed that we should cease face to face training. This guidance is also contained in member communications sent out by Build UK today.

Safety is paramount at FITA, we are keen to closely follow the guidelines primarily to ensure the health and safety of delegates who attend courses but equally we aim to support the Government in reaching the difficult balance of also keeping the economy going and supporting jobs. FITA is fortunate in its connections to the CFA and so, as soon as Government guidance allows and it is deemed safe to do so, we will welcome delegates back to our training centres in Loughborough and Kirkcaldy. Please be aware that different rules may apply in Scotland.

For as long as restrictions apply all delegates booked on future courses will receive updates in advance of courses they are due to attend. We will review courses on a rolling basis and offer places to delegates on future courses wherever possible. Updates on the situation will be published on this website blog as well as through our social media channels.

Now is a great time plan your future training needs, so please don’t hesitate to call us and discuss how we can help you in the future. For any queries, please contact the FITA office of 0115 950 6836 or email info@fita.co.uk.

Following yesterday’s announcement by the Government (Monday 4^th January) that the country is returning to lockdown measures, FITA has suspended training for the remainder of this week whilst seeking further guidance on training for construction activities through the trade bodies that support us (CFA & NICF). FITA prides itself on the fact that since reopening in July, strict health and safety measures are followed on every course to protect anyone attending the training centre from infection. We will naturally continue to follow government guidelines, applying additional measures when and if training is allowed. This includes reduced course numbers, social distancing, enhancing cleaning regimes and PPE. We will update this blog on developments as soon as possible.

Our base in Scotland (Forbo’s Training Centre – Kirkaldy) remains closed for the immediate future under the devolved nations guidelines.

FITA TO REMAIN OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS THE EAST MIDLANDS ENTERS TIER 4 RESTRICTIONS

The Prime Minister has announced that more areas of the UK will enter Tier 4 restrictions from Thursday 31 December 2020.

FITA’s work in providing training for the flooring industry is fully aligned with the requirements of the construction sector, which the Government has said can continue in all four nations of the UK. FITA is therefore committed to providing training for the commercial and domestic flooring sectors when required and the centre is open to support the industry.

FITA carries out its work at its COVID-secure Loughborough training facility. Here all work is carried out safely:

• Trainers have changed the delivery of content and the management of courses, where required, to create safe spaces for delegates and ensure social distancing;
• All delegates are issued with guidance on how to conduct themselves to ensure the safety of all present;
• Additional cleaning routines are implemented;
• Extra sanitising stations have been installed;
• Course delegate numbers continue to be reduced to ensure correct social distancing can be observed;
• Mask wearing is compulsory.

Delegates who need to travel to attend courses should be aware that hotels can remain open to provide accommodation for those travelling in the course of work or training, although some hotels may close due to a reduction in demand.

Build UK has produced an authorisation letter template for employers in the event of workers being stopped on legitimate business journeys anywhere in the UK.

BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR FITA AS SECOND ENGLISH LOCKDOWN COMMENCES

The Prime Minister has announced a four-week lockdown in England from this Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December.

FITA’s work in providing training for the flooring industry is fully aligned with the requirements of the construction sector, which the Government has said can continue in all four nations of the UK. FITA is therefore committed to providing training for the commercial and domestic flooring sectors when required and the centre is open to support the industry.

FITA carries out its work at its COVID-secure Loughborough training facility. Here all work is carried out safely:

• Trainers have changed the delivery of content and the management of courses, where required, to create safe spaces for delegates and ensure social distancing;

• All delegates are issued with guidance on how to conduct themselves to ensure the safety of all present;

• Additional cleaning routines are implemented;

• Extra sanitising stations have been installed;

• Course delegate numbers continue to be reduced to ensure correct social distancing can be observed;

• Mask wearing is compulsory.

Delegates who need to travel to attend courses should be aware that hotels can remain open to provide accommodation for those travelling in the course of work or training, although some hotels may close due to a reduction in demand. Anyone attending a course who still needs accommodation can contact the Quorn Country Hotel which will take work-related hotel bookings during November.

Build UK has produced an authorisation letter template for employers in the event of workers being stopped on legitimate business journeys anywhere in the UK.

FITA Training Centre in Loughborough is COVID SECURE and back open and delivering training courses to the commercial and domestic flooring sectors from 9th July 2020

On Monday we will be offering a range of discounts on courses through the summer! Keep your eyes peeled!

All of our training consultants are being prepared on how this changes delivery of content, management of courses and how to create safe spaces for delegates whilst ensuring that distancing is maintained when required. We have clear guidance on how delegates should conduct themselves when attending training to protect each other and our training consultants, we have amended all of our safety precautions at the centre including COVID related information to our health and safety induction, sanitising stations and have introduced relevant distancing measures for all areas of the centre including toilets, canteens and classrooms.

We have continued to have tremendous backing from all our sponsors during this time as well as both supporting trade associations CFA and NICF. This support is vital to FITA and helps us continue to offer training courses as an independent, not-for-profit training organisation.

Following a meeting with key personnel within FITA, the decision has been made for the Loughborough Training Centre to stop delivering all training and activity at the centre. Provisionally until the end of June 2020 but to be constantly reviewed in the hope we can resume training as soon as possible.

This decision was not taken lightly, as a not for profit training centre that prides itself on offering training to the wider floorlaying industry (both domestically and commercially) it has been our ambition to align ourselves with construction and continue to operate as per Government guidelines as long as possible.  But in view of recent escalations, we cannot in all honesty justify training at this time as “essential activity” when compared against the possibility of endangering lives. We had to take into consideration what we are asking course delegates and FITA Training Consultants to do to for our schedule to go ahead, including travel and unnecessary social contact both during training and whilst staying away from home.

Although we have set a timeline for 30^th June 2020 this is not definitive. Should circumstances change and we are able to reopen earlier, then we will begin to schedule training courses again. Alternatively, should there still be an issue of protecting the health and safety of all involved after the end of June 2020, then the shutdown may well be extended.

Based on current Government recommendations, at present we have no plans to cancel any of our scheduled training courses at Loughborough. However, all courses scheduled to be held in Kirkaldy have been cancelled for the immediate future as our hosts Forbo are understandably limiting non critical visits to their site. We will continue to provide updates through our normal channels to include our website, social media feeds and direct email.

We would be grateful if delegates attending any training courses could observe the following measures to minimise any risks:

• Refrain from shaking hands and other unnecessary contact
• Wash your hands with soap and hot water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards

For the latest guidance on coronavirus please visit;

https://www.gov.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/