FIS takes fit-out, drylining and plastering strand of CITB's Specialist Upskilling Fund

The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) has won a place on the Construction Industry Training Board's new Specialist Upskilling Fund, taking the fit-out, drylining and plastering strand of an 11-organisation programme announced on 28 September.

FIS said the funding would support efforts to address skills shortages and improve access to training across its trades. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) set up the fund to remove barriers to training in specialist areas of construction and to increase access to sector-specific competence training and NVQ achievement, the trade body said.

FIS said it will help members access cost-effective training and guidance, with a particular focus on progression towards recognised sector-specific qualifications.

Beena Nana, Head of Skills and Training at FIS, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to help FIS members address skills gaps, strengthen their workforce and support progression towards recognised qualifications."

The fund

A notice published by the Painting and Decorating Association set out the fund's terms: up to £35,000 per specialist sector application, for delivery over 12 months. Applications closed on 2 June 2026.

Any organisation with relevant specialist sector experience could apply. CITB registration was not required and consortium bids were permitted, according to the same notice.

The fund's stated aims include supporting employers to identify workforce competence needs through training needs conversations and analysis, and supporting the uptake of up to 600 additional sector-specific NVQ achievements across the programme.

The Painting and Decorating Association notice said the fund would support up to ten specialist upskilling projects. CITB's 28 September announcement named 11 successful organisations. Neither the FIS nor the CITB announcement gave the value of the FIS award.

The other strands

CITB's list places FIS against the fit out, dry lining and plastering strand. Other successful applicants named by CITB include SIMIAN for roofing, Hire Association Europe for plant hire and the National Association of Shopfitters for shopfitting.

A separate body, the Dry Lining and Plastering Training Forum, won the strand CITB labels RMI and retrofit. FIS's own announcement listed further funded sectors including civils and infrastructure, heritage, tunnelling and drilling, wood occupations and contract flooring.

CITB said each successful organisation will help employers access high-quality, cost-effective competence training, and will begin delivering training support and guidance to employers in its sector.

Julia Stevens, Director of Industry Delivery at CITB, said: "We remain committed to providing sector-specific skills investment to ensure that support is available to construction employers to help develop their businesses and train their teams."

Background

FIS describes itself as the not-for-profit representative body for the £12bn finishes and interiors sector in the UK, with more than 600 members drawn from contractors, manufacturers and distributors. It was formed as FIS in 2015.

The body says it also chairs the Industry Competence Committee's work on competency in the interior super-sector.

FIS has invited members seeking further information on the programme to contact Marie Flinter.