The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) is urging its members to participate in a crucial new CISRS perception survey that could shape the future of scaffolding training across the UK.
This push for industry feedback follows the publication of the Training in the Scaffolding Industry: Report 2024 in August, which exposed key challenges in the sector and sparked plans for major reforms to the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS).
The CISRS, long regarded as the gold standard for scaffolding training and certification, is now under review to better understand how it is perceived by employers, cardholders, and training centres.
NASC, the owner of CISRS, which is run on behalf of employers and union members, has partnered with independent research agency PFA to conduct a perception survey aimed at gathering valuable insights that will directly inform CISRS’s future direction.
A Critical Moment for CISRS
In an email sent to NASC members, CEO Clive Dickin highlighted the importance of the survey, calling it a “unique opportunity” to influence the future of scaffolding training. “CISRS has delivered decades of success, but the time has come to gain a fresh understanding of how it is perceived by employers, cardholders, and training centres alike,” Clive wrote.
The survey, which will be distributed via email to its members in the coming days, is designed to be quick and straightforward. However, responses will carry significant weight in shaping key decisions that affect the CISRS scheme and the broader scaffolding sector.
“This feedback will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of CISRS, ensuring that it remains fit for purpose in an evolving industry,” Clive highlighted. Participants in the survey will also have the opportunity to be involved in follow-up interviews to further explore their insights.
A Response to an Industry-Wide Call for Action
The push for this feedback follows the findings of the Training in the Scaffolding Industry: Report 2024, which, as reported by Scaffmag, revealed urgent gaps in scaffolding training. The report identified nearly 2,000 job vacancies, particularly among Part 2 scaffolders, and underscored the need for better leadership skills, mental health awareness, and greater accessibility to training in certain regions.
In response, NASC has pledged to overhaul its training framework, with the CISRS board fully backing these reforms. The survey aims to refine these planned changes by allowing the industry to voice its opinions on how the CISRS can evolve to meet today’s challenges.
If you’re a non-registered employer and thus a non-member of NASC, wishing to take part in the survey. NASC has asked that you email [email protected] and a link will be sent to you by PFA.
Findings to Be Presented at ScaffEx 2024
The survey results will be revealed at the highly anticipated ScaffEx event on 29 November 2024, where the industry will have the opportunity to engage with key suppliers and industry leaders.
ScaffEx will offer a platform for further discussion on the future of scaffolding training, providing attendees with critical insights into the changes that could give them a competitive edge in the market. Scaffex24 is open for free to all within the sector, register today at www.scaffex24.com .
