Specialist contractors to promote CSCS card

The National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) is to launch a major programme this month to promote the CSCS card scheme to its members.

Chief executive Suzannah Nichol told CJ that the programme will work in conjunction with the Major Contractors Group (MCG) to target the supply chain.

"It is one thing for the MCG to commit to 100% of its members to be qualified by the end of the year, but it is not directly employing the people carrying out the work," she said.

"In reality, it is the supply chain that needs to get its workforce on the scheme. It is not a difficult process, but when you are running a company and you have 101 things to do, you may need help to do this.

"We aim to try and make the process easier for our members by providing someone to guide them."

The NSCC's programme will provide information and guidance to members about the CSCS as well as evening seminars to explain the scheme and help them fill in the forms.

Training courses are also planned, some in joint venture with the MCG.

Nichol said: "This programme aims to qualify the specialist workforce. We will identify which occupations need it, which have a low take-up rate, and target accordingly.

"We want to get each company to look at their employees and establish who has the card, who needs to renew it and who does not have the card and then help each company to draw up a schedule of what to do and how to do it," she added.