Twelve Days of Christmas … and 12 months of FPDC!

1. Training: further to the introduction of an unusable Interior Systems Diploma in September, FPDC lobbied for the creation of a new Drywall Diploma.  Result will be a £6,000 grant available per candidate rather than the current £3,500.

2. Marketing: published the first independent benchmarking study of the plasterboard manufacturers and distributors performance against criteria important to specialist contractors.  Result is the first ranking of distributors and manufacturers performance.

3. Health & Safety: worked with the HSE to plan the Stakeholder Forum, to take place on the 12th March 2009, when manual handling for plasterboard will be reviewed and discussed.  Result will be to ensure specialist contractors views and concerns are properly represented.

4. Technical: over 25 site reports have been produced for members in dispute over standard of workmanship.  Results of the reports have saved members thousands of pounds.

5. Environmental: worked with BRE and CR&WP to launch the Developer and Contractors Agreement outlining waste recycling targets for 2010 for this sector.  Result has been the specialist contractors setting realistic targets rather than being given targets by clients.

6. Environmental: lobbied the Environment Agency to extend the date for introduction of zero gypsum waste to landfill.

7. Health & Safety: introduced the new service of Named Competent Advisor, available to all members as part of their membership.  Result ensures all members meet best practice and the requirements of the CDM 2007.

8. Training: circulated a Training Plan Toolkit to assist members with producing a training plan for submission to CITB, as well as a bespoke service to produce training plans for your company.  Result will ensure members claim their full grant entitlement.

9. Training: lobbied CITB, the London Development Agency and the Olympic Delivery Authority to ensure that drywall and steel frame systems gets the training delivery it needs.

10. Technical: formed a partnership arrangement with the Steel Construction Institute to develop tolerances for installation of steel frame systems.  Result is work in progress.

11. Marketing: over 30 e-newsletters circulated keeping members up to date with current guidance and changes in legislation, such as changes to Building Regulations Part L

12. Training: lobbied and worked with ConstructionSkills to develop a qualification for cold rolled steel frame systems.  Result is work in progress.