The push to recognise the workforce’s skills up to NVQ2 level has been set out by the newly rebadged specialist trade body Finishes & Interiors Sector.

FIS has been launched following the merger of the Association of Interior Specialists and the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors last year.

The organisation’s chief executive David Frise said: “FIS will truly represent the finishes and interiors sector’s contractors, manufacturers and distributors within its membership.

“We have an ambitious strategy to help our members meet the future needs of the industry and to make it a safe, attractive and profitable sector to work in.”

He said this would include the plan to bring around two-thirds of the workforce to the point whether their skills are recognised to allow them to carry skills cards.

Frise said this would see FIS launch a new website later this year that would marry up member firms’ training needs with available courses.

“The problem is many colleges say they run courses but few do in practice because they don’t have enough people.

“We will aggregate demand from employers to make courses more viable.”

The newly merged trade association now boasts around 450 members firms, representing around 70% of the interiors and finishes industry.

Frise said FIS aimed to raise this to 600 firms in the next few years, making the FIS the representative voice for the fit-out industry.