CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2022 37 TRAINING: 3 more thorough check on a technical ‘end’ test, with most categories subject to on- centre testing where QA monitoring could be more effective. CSCS Partner Card Scheme Recognition In 2014, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published a criteria for industry card schemes in construction which required card schemes to become recognised through CSCS as a partner card scheme and adopt the requirement for health and safety training and NVQs or SVQs. Currently, CPCS, NPORS, ALLMI and IPAF are recognised as CSCS partner card schemes. Like CPCS, NPORS also offers certification for a wide range of plant whilst ALLMI and IPAF specialise in lorry loader and MEWP-based cards respectively However, beyond the core NVQ requirement - although ALLMI and IPAF schemes have been exempted - CSCS partner plant card schemes remain independent entities with a number of operational and card-issuing differences between them. Both CPCS and NPORS card issuing processes include the red and blue card routes as previously described whilst ALLMI and IPAF offer CSCS-logoed cards through training programme routes. Furthermore, CPCS only provides carding bearing the CSCS logo, whilst NPORS offers carding with or without the CSCS logo, with different attainment criteria depending on whether the holder wishes to work within or external to construction. This range of carding attainment criteria quantifies the feedback from CPA Members through the Pye Tait research indicating confusion and a lack of transparency around the various card scheme requirements. Card Scheme Perceptions Based on feedback from CPA members at past skills-based meetings and events, there is a perception that card schemes, even those that bear the CSCS logo, are consistent across the board in their approach to measuring skills, knowledge and competency and overseen by some form of central body. This however is not the case as follows: • Cards schemes are not mandatory under legislation or regulations, and it remains the regulatory duty of employers to provide instruction, information, training and supervision. • Card schemes are separate self- supporting entities, each with their own fee structures. • Each scheme decides on its overall standards and operational processes. • Card schemes offer either recognition of training or competence, or a mix of both and entry requirements vary amongst each scheme. • Each scheme internally designs and offers its own training and assessment standards and delivery methods. • Card renewal criteria varies amongst each scheme, with some having a comprehensive approach to card renewal to ensure skills and knowledge are maintained but others less so. • Quality assurance of training and assessment delivery varies and is down to each scheme to administer and operate - there are no requirements for any external quality assurance. • The extent, depth and delivery methods of health and safety training remains with each scheme, albeit many use the CITB HS&E test to ensure H & S knowledge. • The criteria to be recognised as a trainer/ instructor/assessor is down to each scheme to decide internally. • Some schemes are not fully transparent in what their standards are e.g. how they measure skills and knowledge to card attainment. • A number of card schemes also offer certification external to the construction sector, but using a single standard which may dilute those that are specific to construction needs. • Cardholder data held by one scheme is not transferable to others, meaning re-registration and new fees when transferring from one scheme to another. • There are no formal or impartial associations or any externally-applied code of conduct for card schemes to operate to. • Plant card schemes do not need to directly engage with the sector and are not duty-bound to comply with or meet industry needs. Industry Approach to Consistency The CSCS partner card schemes such as NPORS, CPCS, ALLMI and IPAF have industry representation but in a bid to attain some consistency and clarity to plant card schemes, the Plant Sector Representative Organisation (PSRO) was formed, comprising of a partnership of seven employer-based federations, led by CPA. The key aim of setting up the PSRO is to support employers in managing risk through trained and assessed employees, measured against a competency framework that is defined and well understood. As explained in other CPA Bulletin articles, to start the process of ensuring some consistency to card scheme standards and operational processes, the PSRO has now launched their competency framework. It contains four parts that list the conditions for the competency journey, operational and standards requirements for cards schemes and guidance to employers on organising training and competency requirements. The framework uses a number of publications as its source, including the Plant Safety Group’s (PSG) work on operator competence. Both the PSRO framework and the PSG publication can be downloaded free of charge on the CPA website. This article demonstrates the complexity of the various plant-card schemes, their independence and measures that are being taken by industry to provide some consistency and clarity to the carding process. The next article will look at the journey to and requirements that lead to competency and how card schemes play their part.