'Business in You', a major new campaign aimed at inspiring people to start or grow their own businesses and helping small businesses and entrepreneurs understand the array of information and help available from the Government and private sector has been launched by the Prime Minister. The Government and private sector campaign is based on the concept that there is "a business in everyone" and that all businesses can realise their ambitions.

There is a wealth of information and help available to SMEs - the Government and the private sector have come together to make sure that small firms and budding entrepreneurs know what is available and to expand the offer, with some of the campaign partners providing free services including workshops, web-based seminars and video tutorials on issues like finance as well as providing mentoring and access to face to face consultancy sessions.

The face of construction industry is set to change according to the latest CITB-ConstructionSkills five year forecast. The report reveals that output in construction is expected to fall by 3% during 2012 - and a further 45,000 skilled workers and tradespeople will be lost as economic uncertainty continues.

The annual Construction Skills Network report - delivered in conjunction with construction employers from across the UK, outlines that growth is expected to be slow and uneven over the next five years - with a 4% increase in output expected in 2013, followed by dips to 2% in 2014, 3% in 2015 and 2% in 2016 which is lower than previous long term trends.

The variety of floorcovering choices has increased dramatically in recent years, due to new technologies and products. Ayse Cihanyandi takes a look at areas where innovation is most likely expected in the future.

Flooring has come a long way in terms of design, variety, creativity and sustainability. With floorcovering options no longer being limited to straightforward carpeting, wood or tiles, buyers and contractors have higher expectations and regularly look for a new design or technology.

Welcome to the first FeRFA news page of 2012. After yet another challenging year for businesses involved in the construction sector, our role as a specialist trade association is to support our members and to promote their specialist skills and expertise.  It therefore comes as no surprise that training and upskilling continue to be a top priority for FeRFA, as we start the year with a series of one day Upskilling courses during the months of January and February.

Building contractors, construction workers, slate workers, stonemasons and professions that involve cutting or breaking stone, concrete or brick, have increased exposure to Respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which over a long period can cause fibrosis (hardening or scarring) of the lung tissue with a consequent loss of lung function.

Sufferers are likely to have severe shortness of breath and may find it difficult or impossible to walk even short distances or up stairs. The effect continues to develop after exposure has stopped and is irreversible. Sufferers usually become house- or bed-bound and often die prematurely due to heart failure.

I have recently come across a news story that claims that technology is now seen as the most valuable business tool among tradesmen. The information, which comes from a research conducted by Screwfix, states that technology is now even more valuable than power tools, screws and boots for any tradesmen. Just like any other industry, technology is fast becoming a must-have tool for trades businesses.