ConstructionSkills under fire for SmartCard delay

ConstructionSkills is at risk of alienating the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) after claims it is dragging its heels in committing to a new SmartCard system.

CSCS chairman Trevor Walker said the CSCS board had become "frustrated" and "disappointed" by ConstructionSkills' refusal to commit to the SmartCard, resulting in a lengthy delay in producing the card.

The new chipped CSCS SmartCard, which replaces the old dumb card and will hold data such as competency levels, was due to be rolled out last autumn.

"Discussions are still ongoing and we are very disappointed that ConstructionSkills cannot come to a decision," said Walker. "We want to work with ConstructionSkills on this and work with it for the long term.

"However the scheme's owner - the industry - is currently being hindered because we can't offer this service because we can't get our supplier to produce the card."

Walker also reminded CJ that under the new CSCS contract with ConstructionSkills, renegotiated in 2005, either party can give notice to terminate the contract. The notice period is five years.

"This has given some clarity to the discussions," added Walker, who said that with ConstructionSkills' agreement, the card could come off the production line in three to four months' time.

A ConstructionSkills spokesperson said: "We have been in continual dialogue with CSCS over a number of issues and are pushing for an early meeting to seek some resolutions, but despite suggestions, a suitable date has not been made available."