NAS priorities for 2022 and Beyond

There are three apparent factors affecting the supply of labour to the shopfitting, fitout and interior contracting sector: 

1. The decline in the availability of sector specific training provision;  
2. A combination of the Coronavirus pandemic and Brexit; and  
3. The sector not being deemed as attractive as the past for new entrants.

What NAS will do

• Through our developing understanding of the sector’s careers pathway, we will develop, deliver, and commission sector specific training that supports entrants from the start of their career to the end. This will began with the production of a new Skills Strategy.
• We will raise awareness of the work of the sector, through engagement with schools and colleges. We will also continue to celebrate the sector through initiatives such as Shopfitting Excellence Week.
• We will start our diversity journey at home, by looking to reflect the industry better through our Executive Council.

Expected outcome

We expect an increase in the number of new entrants to the sector, increasing the availability of highly skilled labour. 

As with labour, the supply of materials has decreased, while the overall cost is increasing. The Coronavirus pandemic and Brexit are again considered affecting factors. This has made projects harder to complete on time, which undermines relationships and threatens financial penalties for contractors in the sector. 

What NAS will do

• We will establish group of interested NAS members to explore the collectively buying power of the NAS’ members.
• Working with key partners, we will seek to create framework agreements with suppliers, with the aim of bringing down the cost of materials and improving supply through realising economies of scale for all.

Expected outcome

We expect to increase the supply of quality materials, whilst reducing the overall cost, generating a competitive advantage for NAS members.

As members of the sector’s association, NAS members should be seen as the go-to contractors for shopfitting, fit-out, and interiors. Likewise, clients should see the NAS as their trusted partner in the search to appoint a contractor.

What NAS will do

• The NAS should embrace the adhoc leads its platforms have generated and scale this up, so that clients can post opportunities and our members can respond.
• The NAS will proactively advertise its members to potential clients, sharing the benefits of working with an NAS member.

Expected outcome

We expect an increase in the number of legitimate business opportunities for members. 

Businesses within the shopfitting, fitout, and interior contracting sector are faced with inefficiency and waste. Two examples of this are the multiple accreditation schemes that members are expected to hold, and the levies they must pay.

What NAS will do

• The NAS should encourage members to undertake a review of spending – resulting in a piece of research and related recommendations. 
• The NAS should offer to review all Levy paying members’ returns, to ensure that maximum value is being returned.
•  The NAS will seek to promote the use of one accreditation scheme, which meets the needs of all clients, reducing the cost and inefficiency of multiple, similar schemes.

Expected outcome

We expect to reduce unnecessary expenditure for businesses in the sector, while generating a greater return on investment.

Tax relief and levies for green businesses are already available and it is anticipated that these will only increase and apply to businesses of all sizes and sectors, in order that the government can achieve its sustainability targets.

What NAS will do

• The NAS should build on previous research on sustainability in the shopfitting, fitout, and interiors sector, raising awareness of the issue with businesses and clients alike.
• Following a period of engagement, the NAS should produce an action plan on sustainability, that meets the needs of its members.

Expected outcome

We expect to raise awareness of sustainability issues within the sector.