Spec Finish

News www.thefis.org 7 Scott TallonWalker announces leadership appointments Scott Tallon Walker (STW), an architecture and urban design company with offices in Ireland and the UK, announces the appointment of four new Project Directors to work across its commercial, urban design, healthcare and education practices. These appointments further strengthen STW’s client offering and build upon its proven track record for innovation in design in Ireland and the UK. Project Directors Appointments Rebecca Ryan, Project Director specialising in the delivery of complex educational, sport and leisure projects, Rebecca is a key driver of some of the largest projects undertaken by the practice in Ireland and overseas. Philip Jackson, Project Director is a recognised contributor to the betterment of the urban design in Ireland and leads our urban design group toward creative urbanism and sustainable futures across all sectors. He is an Academician of the Academy of Urbanism. Chinwe Kane, Project Director within the commercial office and healthcare sectors providing excellence in wellness and universal design of these highly intensive working environments. Chinwe has proven skills in fast-track contract management and project delivery of the most complex construction projects. Paul Connolly, Project Director within the healthcare team that delivers strategically important medical infrastructure projects. Paul brings significant expertise in sustainable design to the STWHealthcare practice. www.stwarchitects.com Breakthrough for the finishes and interiors sector on migration It was announced in the Budget that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has added a number of new construction trades to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and opted to add Dry Lining to the list of occupations in the SkilledWorker List. This is significant as it potentially provides access to a controlled immigration process that will support the sector in managing any existing or upcoming shortages in our workforce. Other trades most relevant to the finishes and interiors sector now included on the Shortage Occupation List are plastering and carpentry and joinery (both of which were already on the SkilledWorker List). In advance of starting the full SOL review, MACwas, in advance of the Budget expedited review of occupations in the construction and hospitality sectors, recommending the addition of eligible occupations to the SOL and Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) 1-2 occupations to the SkilledWorker (SW) route where appropriate. To be eligible for the SOL, an occupation must fulfil the eligibility requirements of the SWroute. A jobmust be classified into a RQF 1 level 3-5 skill group or above and meet aminimum annual salary threshold. The Government has uprated these thresholds as part of the routine Spring package of Immigration Rules that were laid on 9 March 2023, following which (subject to Parliamentary approval) this minimum threshold will be £26,200. For this review, the Government has asked that we also consider currently ineligible RQF 1-2 occupations for possible inclusion on the SOL. However, the Government havemade clear that such inclusion should be rare, and so the bar is high for such occupations to be added. By moving Dry Lining into the Standard Occupation Classification SIC) area, Dry Lining is now also shares skilled worker status with Plastering for the purposes of being a Skilled Worker. Commenting on the changes, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee stated: “It is a relief to finally see Dry Lining recognised as a skilled occupation and also the shortages that we face as a sector. This is something FIS have been campaigning on for a number of years and I am grateful to colleagues from across the Construction Leadership Council for their efforts in helping to effect this exceptional change and thankful that we now have some movement. We now need to respond to the detailed review taking place to identify other areas of concern and revisit the sponsor and visa process to better understand any further blockers and issues”. For full details of the MAC announcement visit: https://tinyurl.com/28cwycp8 For details of the full FIS submission to MAC visit: www.thefis.org/2023/02/23/ response-to-migration-and-shortage- occupation-consultation For advice on managing right to work and overseas workers visit: www.thefis.org/ knowledge-hub/employment Source 1. www.gov.uk/what-different- qualification-levels-mean SOC Description Decision 5311 Steel erectors Do not recommend for addition to the SOL 5312 Bricklayers and masons Recommend for addition to the SOL 5313 Roofers, roof tilers and slaters Recommend for addition to the SOL 5315 Carpenters and joiners Recommend for addition to the SOL 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c. Recommend for addition to the SOL 5321 Plasterers Recommend for addition to the SOL and recommend that ‘Dryliners’ but not ‘Ceiling fixers’ are moved to this SOC code 8141 Scaffolders, stagers and riggers Do not recommend for addition to the SOL 8142 Road construction operatives Do not recommend for addition to the SOL 8149 Construction operatives n.e.c. Do not recommend for addition to the SOL Recommend that ‘Dryliners’ but not ‘Ceiling fixers’ aremoved from this SOC code to SOC code 5321 (Plasterers) 8229 Mobilemachine drivers and operatives n.e.c. Do not recommend for addition to the SOL 9120 Elementary construction occupations Do not recommend for addition to the SOL Table 5.3: Recommendations for occupations in construction (L-R) Philip Jackson, Rebecca Ryan, Chinwe Kane and Paul Connolly