by Clair Mooney | 11 Aug, 2022 | Skills
Construction workers are being charged excessive sums by unaffiliated third party websites for their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards when they could pay just £36 via the official application service. CSCS continues to receive complaints from those who have used third party companies to apply for their CSCS cards. These companies are unaffiliated to CSCS and simply use the official CSCS application service on their client’s behalf, while charging an admin fee. Many of these complaints relate to inflated costs and slow delivery times for cards.
There is only one official service: cscs.uk.com/apply. A card costs £36 and in most cases, applications will be processed, and cards issued within 48 hours. Reports have been received of construction workers paying upwards of £60 just for their CSCS card. If you are charged more than £36 for a card or £22.50 for the separate CITB Health, safety and environment test you should ask why. The quickest and cheapest way to apply for your CSCS card is via the official online service. Online applications are quick, easy, and secure, for more information visit www.cscs.uk.com/apply. If you need help contact FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 11 Aug, 2022 | Skills
CITB has announced an investment of more than £800,000 for the launch of a new employer network pilot project, which could revolutionise the way the construction sector access and receive funding for training in the future. Over 3,800 levy-registered construction businesses will be eligible to benefit from the pilot, offered across five locations in England, Scotland and Wales. While the pilot is open to businesses of all sizes, there is a primary aim to simplify the process for small and micro businesses, helping to place them at the heart of local training provision.
Through the support of established and experienced delivery partners, the pilot enables employers to recognise their training priorities and receive guidance on how best to find and fund the training most appropriate to them. This transformative way of working provides a huge opportunity for employers to not only voice their training requirements, but also play a fundamental role in deciding how funds are used in their local area.
As part of this new model, construction businesses will not need to access the grant scheme, as CITB is supporting the employer network to help organise and fund training directly. Many of the current requirements around training being “in scope” will also be relaxed to ensure the pilots can be as reflective of the employer’s needs as possible. Therefore, training can predominantly be in anything that helps a business work better, whether that’s a construction skill; a health and safety course; a business skill; or a future skill need, such as net zero. The five pilot areas covered are:
- Inverness in Scotland, provided by Scottish Civils Training Group
- Norfolk in England, provided by Norfolk Construction Training Group
- Lincoln in England, provided by Lincoln Group Training Association
- South West Wales, provided by Cyfle Building Skills
- The final pilot is specifically for Civil Engineering firms in the Midlands, provided by CECA Midlands.
If you would like information, advice or guidance on support available from CITB give Marie Flinter a call on 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 11 Aug, 2022 | Skills
Making sure more adults can gain the skills they need to secure good jobs with higher wages is a key priority for the government. Levelling up skills supports our economy to grow, as well as benefiting both workers and employers. That’s why government introduced the Free Courses for Jobs offer in April 2021. The scheme is proving popular, with data pointing to over 20,000 people having enrolled on courses by May 2022, taking advantage of the opportunity to get in-demand skills for free.
Moreover, nine in ten people surveyed say they believe it will help them progress in their careers, while the vast majority (97%) say they are enjoying their course. Free Courses for Jobs offers adults aged 19 or over access to over 400 qualifications free of charge. It’s aimed at people without a full qualification at Level 3, such as A Levels, diplomas or an advanced technical certificate, or those who are unemployed or earning low wages.
Courses are available in subjects ranging from engineering and construction to adult care and digital, allowing adults to access better job opportunities and boost their earning potential. The scheme also benefits employers, who can support their existing staff to upskill or reskill into a higher-level role in their business without needing to fund the training. Research shows that Free Courses for Jobs has increased uptake of these key qualifications, meaning more adults are making the most of this opportunity to boost their skills free of charge.
by Clair Mooney | 21 Jul, 2022 | Skills
National Construction College in Bircham Newton (NCC East) are delivering training for Dryliner and Ceiling and Partition apprentices and plan to continue this with registration now open for apprentices on courses starting:
- Monday 12 September 2022
- Monday 28 November 2022
For full details please contact Andrew Voase, andrew.voase@citb.co.uk 07798 628902 or Trudie Blackshaw, trudie.blackshaw@citb.co.uk telephone 07770 841816.
You can view the apprenticeship standard: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/interior-systems-installer-v1-0 this provides the criteria on which the training programmes are based.
For organisations that are CITB registered enhanced grants are available for apprentice travel and subsistence covering up to 80% of the costs, please see: Apprenticeship travel and accommodation funding ‘Travel to Train’ – CITB
On the FIS website there is a downloadable document, Apprentice – Guidance for Employers, that is worth a read at https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/apprenticeships-and-qualifications/apprenticeships-employers/, the document contains links to all the details you’ll need. In addition, FIS will be happy to provide further information, advice and guidance for taking on an apprentice, contact georgeswann@thefis.org or telephone 07553 874838 or Marie Flinter marieflinter@thefis.org or telephone 07799 903103.
by Clair Mooney | 14 Jul, 2022 | CSCS, Skills
CSCS is aware of concerns raised by many within the construction industry regarding the decision to withdraw cards issued under Industry Accreditation (IA). They have published an article setting out some of the common areas of concern and information on how they can be resolved: Construction Skills Certification Scheme | Official CSCS Website – Industry Accreditation: Common queries answered
Here are some extracts that should be useful to FIS members:
What is Industry Accreditation?
Industry Accreditation (IA) was a mechanism by which workers could obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employers’ recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. CSCS stopped issuing new cards under IA back in 2010, but if you previously held a card under IA the scheme rules allowed you to continue to renew.
Why is Industry Accreditation being withdrawn?
CSCS, together with their 37 partner card schemes, are bound by the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) requirement that all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications in place for all occupations. This requirement is particularly important when addressing the IA issue. To satisfy the Construction Leadership Council’s requirements CSCS announced plans to withdraw cards issued under IA, which include:
- IA cards issued from 1 Jan 2020 will expire on 31 Dec 2024 and will not be renewed
- CSCS will cease renewing IA cards from 30 June 2024.
What options are there to move off Industry Accreditation?
- Vocational qualifications already achieved: cardholders who have achieved the qualifications for their occupation can renew their card for the full five-year term as normal.
- Academically Qualified person card: This card is available to people who have completed certain construction related degrees, HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates and NEBOSH diplomas. Further details can be viewed here.
- Professionally Qualified person: This card is available to competence assessed members of CSCS approved Professional Bodies of which CIOB is one. Further details can be viewed here.
- Not everyone needs a card: There will be IA card holders who no longer require their CSCS cards. For example, you may have moved into a management role, become a director, or rarely visit site. In these scenarios, you do not require a CSCS card.
Those unable to fit into these four scenarios will be required to register for the appropriate qualification for their occupation before their cards expire in 2024.
If you or your workforce need a qualification to show proof of competence contact FIS, we have negotiated offers and discounts in training and qualifications specifically for members. Call 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org or take a look at the FIS website: Member Benefits Training and Qualifications
by Clair Mooney | 13 Jul, 2022 | CSCS, Skills
Employers and the wider industry are being reminded of the importance of ensuring those on, or about to enter, apprenticeships are using the appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card – specifically the Apprentice card.
Feedback from the industry confirms many employers are either not aware of the Apprentice card or are put off applying for it by lengthy apprenticeship registration processes. This leads to many opting for the Labourer card instead.
In recognition of this issue, in advance of the new academic year, CSCS is simplifying the application process and removing the cost of Apprentice cards. From today, all Apprentice cards will be issued free of charge.
At the same time CSCS will be introducing a new process for anyone experiencing difficulties with their apprenticeship registration. In this scenario, the new entrant can apply for the Provisional Card (at £36), before moving onto the Apprentice card, free of charge.
This means employers and apprentices will apply for a Provisional card prior to completing the apprenticeship enrolment process.
George Swann Skills and Training Lead says
This is great news. Our own FIS BuildBack programme provides individuals who successfully complete the assessment day and two week introductory training with a CSCS provisional card free of charge to the supporting employer. This allows the employer six months to decide if the individual is capable of completing an apprenticeship. For details of the apprenticeships available to the sector please see:
If you would like to find out more please contact FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org.
