FIS has secured £14,000 worth of funding for the delivery of the new Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship
This flagship project has been a culmination of three years of work resulting in the development of a Level 2 Apprenticeship. The Interior Systems occupations are both skilled and diverse in their needs. The end result is a Level 2 Apprenticeship that provides a core and two pathway options across a minimum of 18-month delivery.
The working group, chaired by Helen Tapper from Tapper Interiors and vice president of FIS, comprised a broad group of representatives from the whole sector, including manufacturers, subcontractors, colleges and training providers to ensure all stakeholder perspectives were covered. FIS co-ordinated the development of the Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship with the Institute for Apprentices.
Helen Tapper, FIS vice president, said: “This is the first time that a ‘Trailblazer’ Apprenticeship has been developed for our sector, following on from FIS becoming a consensus federation. This gives our sector the status and recognition that it so rightly deserves.
“It was an honour to chair a group who worked methodically and thoroughly to produce a standard, that is fit for the future of our sector. I am grateful to all group members who so readily gave their time to produce both the standard and the endpoint assessment.”
The working group agreed that a core and pathway options approach was the only way to provide the sector with the right skilled outcomes for each individual entering the industry. The core incorporates the standard skills and knowledge required of any interior systems installer and requires an endpoint assessment separate to a final one for their chosen specialist area. The options are:
- Drylining – methods to install different drylining systems that form the walls and rooms within a building, often used to hide wires and pipes whilst improving acoustics and create space for insulation.
- Ceiling and partitions – incorporates different ceiling and partition systems within a building. Used to provide different types of working environments, taking account of lighting and other fixtures.
Training providers and FE colleges are now being invited to apply to the Interior Systems Trailblazer Apprenticeship in readiness for the new academic year.
Iain McIlwee, FIS CEO, added: “This new standard will help raise awareness of the fantastic career opportunities and attract the 1,500 new entrants needed in the finishes and interiors sector.”
