Skills card clampdown planned

The Major Contractors Group (MCG) is holding “urgent” talks with CITB-ConstructionSkills about relaunching the
national Qualifying the Workforce initiative.

Plans are believed to focus on a new zero-tolerance policy under which those who do not hold a current valid skill card will be banned from contractors’ sites.

They are also expected to include the full-scale roll-out of the fast-track SkillsDirect service, providing an integrated health, safety and skills accreditation service. This is currently available as a limited pilot scheme.

Discussions are continuing between the CITB and the 13 members of the MCG amid fears that progress towards achieving a fully qualified workforce may be losing its momentum. The official relaunch is expected this summer. Full details are being finalised by the MCG.

One point of concern is said to be that a substantial number of contractors are giving full support to the health and safety test, but are neglecting the formal skills qualification aspect of the CSCS registration scheme. The take-up of skill cards among the traditional “biblical” trades remains unacceptably low.

According to the CITB, demand for the health and safety test remains high. More than 350,000 bookings are forecast for this year.

The numbers registering for a CSCS card have evened out at last year’s level. And demand for vocational qualifications from experienced workers is also running at the 2005 level of between 20,000 and 25,000 a year.