Scaffolders in major clash with training board

Allegations of a 'deteriorating service' from the Construction Industry Training Board have sparked a furious row with the CITB's scaffolding committee.

The committee has informed the board that the industry is to take more direct control of the scaffolding certification scheme.

It has written to CITB chairman Sir Cliff Chetwood and deputy board secretary Neil Grant expressing 'growing concern over costs, a deteriorating service, and a lack of continuity of CITB personnel.' It advises them that the building and civil engineering Joint Board, as owners of the certification scheme, is appointing Tony Luckett, former CITB secretary to the scaffolding committee, to oversee monitoring of the scheme.

David Chapman, one of the four Joint Board secretaries, said on Tuesday: 'The issue wasraised at the latest Joint Board meeting. The CITB scaffolding subcommittee feels it would be helpful if the secretariat and monitoring function were in the control of the owners of the certification scheme.'

George Henderson, secretary to the scaffolding committee, added: 'I have been instructed to write to the CITB chairman expressing serious concern. This all came to a head at the last scaffolding committee meeting. Our people were in quite an uproar. They were not prepared to accept a deteriorating situation.'

'I have already spoken to Sir Cliff. He has asked for an early meeting.' Issues at stake included a CITB bid to add a further week to the certification assessment period. This was regarded as unnecessary and excessively costly.