Following a successful £208k commission from the CITB last November to train 16 new instructors, CISRS has reported being on track to fulfil its first-year objective.
With seven new trainee instructors already on board, CISRS is confident of reaching its target of having eight new instructors delivering CISRS Part 1 training before the end of 2023.
The CITB commission was specifically designed to boost training capacity and increase the number of personnel entering the scaffolding sector, a critical area for construction growth.
The 16 new scaffolding instructors will play a vital role in achieving new NASC President David Brown’s mission to boost workforce numbers and enhance skill levels within the sector.
Funding from the commission, available to core scheme CISRS training centres, will empower the development and training of new scaffolding instructors within England and Wales.
The initiative seeks to attract qualified Scaffolders to transition into instructor roles, enabling them to share their knowledge and experience with the next generation. The focus will particularly be on those UK regions identified as being most in need of support.
To maximise the impact of the commission, CISRS is working in close collaboration with CITB and training centres. CISRS Managing Director, David Mosley, expressed optimism about the project’s future.
“CISRS is making all efforts to ensure that the commission is a complete success. We are confident that this hard work will bolster scaffolding instructor numbers in England and Wales and ultimately help to increase a qualified scaffolding workforce,” he stated.
CISRS’ progress in this project comes at a crucial time, highlighting the potential for targeted investments to address critical labour market needs, as the industry continues to grow post-pandemic.
Tata Steel UK has been fined £120,000 following a tragic accident that resulted in an employee suffering permanent brain damage. The incident, which occurred at the company’s site in Port Talbot, Wales, in 2017, was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who found Tata Steel UK responsible for several health and safety breaches.Gavin Rowlands, an employee of Monolithic Refractories Limited, was struck in the face by a scaffold tube used to force open a jammed paddle mixer door. The impact of the tube caused him to fall backwards, hitting his head and losing consciousness. The injuries sustained were so severe that they resulted in a broken jaw and permanent brain damage for Mr Rowlands.The HSE investigation highlighted that Tata Steel UK had failed to provide a safeguarded mixer for use by Monolithic’s employees and that the door of the mixer was prone to jamming. The investigation also found that, due to the lack of a protective guard on the mixer, workers were compelled to adopt an unsafe practice of using a scaffold tube to open the jammed door – a procedure that led to Mr Rowlands’ injuries. The company was also found to be at fault for not adequately supervising the workers using the mixer at its site.Tata Steel UK Limited, headquartered in Grosvenor Place, London, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. In addition to the £120,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay £14,138.06 in costs at Swansea Crown Court on 5 July 2023.HSE inspector Gethyn Jones emphasised that the incident could have been easily avoided had suitable control measures and safe working practices been implemented. He warned companies of the fundamental requirement for safe working systems and adequate supervision, underlining that the HSE would not hesitate to take enforcement action against those that fall short of required safety standards.
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) is heralding a new era after announcing the appointment of Clive Dickin, an experienced trade body leader, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dickin brings over a quarter-century’s experience leading membership trade associations, a skillset that NASC looks forward to harnessing in the coming years.Dickin’s illustrious career commenced in the B2B sales landscape, where he collaborated with renowned Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star John Cleese at Video Arts, a well-known training film company. From there, Dickin expanded his horizons, spending a decade as a CEO within the plant tool and building services sectors. His love for aviation also led him to take the reins as National Director for the air ambulances.In recent years, he has focused on the construction industry, serving as the Commercial Director for the National Federation of Builders. With this deep understanding of the sector, Dickin’s appointment as NASC’s CEO is a strategic move designed to accelerate growth and expand the organisation’s outreach, according to NASC’s press release.Discussing his appointment, Dickin stated, “I am very excited to get the opportunity to take charge of NASC – a superbly well-established, highly respected organisation that’s transparent, open, friendly and is ‘here to help’ people build a successful scaffolding business, based on high quality, industry-respected assurance standards.”He also emphasised his commitment to proving the NASC’s progressive nature and supportive membership. “NASC is a modern, forward-thinking trade body that is here to help all businesses within the scaffolding and access sector with its recognised independently vetted standards that reduce risk and gain more business for members,” he added.David Brown, NASC President, expressed his enthusiasm about Dickin’s appointment: “Clive’s experience and personality shone through during the recruitment process. With Clive’s excellent leadership abilities, the NASC is going to be in safe hands as we move forward.”Clive Dickin CEO, David Mosley MD CISRS at a leading training centre Construction College MidlandsIn addition to this, outgoing acting NASC Managing Director, Dave Mosley, applauded Dickin’s understanding of NASC’s current position and plans for the organisation’s future. “Clive really impressed the board during the interview process with his understanding of NASC’s current position – identifying areas where there is room for improvement and how he plans to move the organisation forward. We are all looking forward to him coming on board and kick starting a new era in NASC’s illustrious history,” Mosley said.With Dickin’s appointment, Mosley will return to his role as Managing Director of the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) and NASC Director of Training.Followers of NASC’s journey can read more about Clive’s background and plans for the organisation in the next issue of NASC’s leading publication, Scaffolding Matters, due this month.
Employees from PERI UK have successfully completed the summer’s Big Hike Challenge, raising substantial funds for Cancer Research UK.
The charity event saw the company employees taking on a demanding hike in Loch Lomond and the South Coast, exceeding 26 miles, in solidarity and determination to support the cancer research cause.
Cancer Research UK, dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer, is PERI UK’s chosen charity of the year. This year’s event witnessed the strong commitment and generosity of PERI UK employees, who managed to raise over £10,800 for the charity through their participation in the hikes.
This event was part of PERI’s broader initiative to contribute more to local and national charities. In a strategic partnership, employees from Cidon Construction also participated in the Loch Lomond hike under their ‘Making a Difference’ fundraising campaign, teaming up with PERI to make a substantial joint donation.
Tracy Armstrong, Head of Marketing at PERI UK, expressed her enthusiasm about the initiative. “This is the biggest fundraising event we’ve taken part in since before COVID-19. We’re committed to increasing our contribution to local and national charities and are even more encouraged by the amount we’ve raised from these two events alone,” she said.
Armstrong further added, “Whilst we raise money for charity through our local offices, events like this are great at bringing our colleagues together from all over the UK for a good cause.”
In their continued efforts to support charity events, PERI employees will also participate in the Night Shine Walk for Cancer Research UK scheduled for September this year. The commitment displayed by PERI employees not only exemplifies corporate social responsibility but also reinforces the power of collective efforts in making a significant impact in the community.
AIS Survivex, one of the UK’s foremost energy sector training providers, has announced plans to establish a new training facility in Middlesbrough’s Cannon Park area, significantly bolstering the skills capacity of Tees Valley.The ambitious project, set to become operational by the end of July, aims to support the region’s skills enhancement initiatives across key growth sectors, including wind, oil and gas, construction, utilities, and processing industries. With the capacity to train tens of thousands of delegates per year, this training centre is poised to become an integral cog in the local industrial machinery.A standout feature of the new facility will be a dedicated wind training centre, which will house a 24-foot-high training tower, climbing and rescue platforms, as well as mechanical and electrical training facilities. This centre is designed to provide trainees with the essential skills required in the thriving wind turbine industry.“Our Teesside centre will not only support Tees Valley’s long-standing processing and heavy industries but will also foster new sectors such as carbon capture,” said Emma Howorth, General Manager England at AIS Survivex. “We aim to deliver a broad array of accredited health and safety courses to companies and individuals in the region.”The centre’s establishment marks a continued commitment to the Tees Valley area, following the opening of a joint venture fire training facility with the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service last September.This expansion, focusing on enhancing offshore firefighting skills, will initially create 12 new jobs in the region, including instructor, administrative, and management roles, with further growth anticipated in the near future.“Sector-specific skills shortages remain a key challenge for businesses and we have an exceptional track record in developing competent and talented workers with the required skill sets,” Howorth added. “This centre will not only aid new customers across the entire Tees Valley area but also provide more choice and more training locations for our existing clients.”With a clientele that includes industry heavyweights such as bp, Wood, Siemens, and Bilfinger, AIS Survivex’s latest centre in Teesside will be its seventh in the UK, joining its existing centres in Aberdeen, Newcastle, Manchester, and London.
Industry Impact Fund seeks fresh, scalable ideas to tackle key challenges and transform the industry’s future.The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched the Industry Impact Fund initiative, offering CITB-registered employers the opportunity to apply for up to £500,000 in funding. The move is part of a larger effort to stimulate innovation and empower businesses to drive change in the construction industry.The new fund, the first of its kind for CITB, was launched alongside their Business Plan for 2023-24, with the aim to encourage employers to design and develop novel training and skills solutions. As such, it represents a pioneering attempt to answer the industry’s needs by providing employers with the means to make their innovative ideas a reality.“Employers’ ideas must be new and innovative, not previously supported by CITB, as well as scalable,” reads the press release. The goal is to inspire “big picture ideas that enable shared knowledge and resources across the industry and are sustainable past the period of funding.”The fund is particularly focused on solutions that enhance at least one of four key areas: productivity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.To improve productivity, the fund seeks solutions that can streamline workflows and enhance training methods, ultimately driving efficiency and effectiveness across the supply chain. In terms of equality, diversity, and inclusion, the fund is looking for innovations that create more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces in the construction industry.By backing ideas that aim to transform these areas, CITB hopes to make the construction industry a more appealing career choice for a diverse range of people and backgrounds.The selection process for the fund includes a potential invitation to a CITB panel meeting for candidates whose applications meet the necessary criteria. Proposals for funding exceeding £250,000 could be presented to leading industry figures in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitch.CITB Chief Executive Tim Balcon enthusiastically welcomed the launch of the fund: “This new fund is a fantastic opportunity to empower employers, enabling them to have greater say in how they train and build on their skills.” He continued, “It has the potential to have a huge impact and I’m really looking forward to seeing the range of ideas come through.”According to research cited by Balcon, an additional 225,000 workers are expected to be required in the construction industry by 2027, underlining the fund’s relevance. “The fund has carefully selected areas, based on research, that will support construction’s people pipeline,” he added.For more information and guidance on how to apply for the Industry Impact Fund, interested parties can visit the CITB website.
The CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS) has reached a significant milestone as demand for skilled workforce in the construction and oil & gas sectors increases globally.The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) is marking a decade since the inception of its Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS). Having issued over 20,000 cards to international cardholders, the success of the scheme reflects the growing demand for a skilled workforce in the global construction industry.The CISRS OSTS currently has 16 accredited centres worldwide, including countries such as Abu Dhabi, China, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, and Trinidad. In a bid to ensure the high standards of UK scaffolding training are maintained globally, CISRS collaborates with international training organisations and approved UK providers.The accreditation process and annual audit criteria cover every aspect of the training process, from the standard of facilities and instructor qualifications to course content and certification.Key industry professionals, companies, and individuals have been involved with OSTS since its inception in 2013 and are integral to its growing success outside the UK. Simian International Lead Instructor, Abid Gul, reflected on the scheme’s milestone. He said, “The opportunity to travel and interact with individuals from different backgrounds, coupled with the positive feedback I receive from the candidates, validates the effectiveness and importance of the CISRS scheme.”Sandeep Pakhrin Lama, Managing Director of Aecor International, a long-standing CISRS partner with centres in Nepal, India, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, observed the increased demand for a qualified workforce, placing CISRS at the forefront of scaffolding training globally. “This is particularly the case in the Middle East with their ever-thriving construction and oil gas sectors, where they demand the highest standards of safety, competence, and quality at work,” Lama said.
In line with the rising global reputation of the CISRS OSTS, more UK and International training providers are seeking CISRS approval. AIS Survivex, a UK-based company, has recently opened a centre in Qatar, expanding its footprint in the Middle East.Dave Mosley, CISRS CEO, expressed his gratitude to all the organisations and staff involved in delivering CISRS OSTS. “Lots of industry training takes place around the world, but it is only CISRS OSTS that mirrors the highest recognised UK scaffolding standards,” he said. He credited the hard work and dedication of the OSTS training providers in improving skills and regulating competence in the scaffolding sector worldwide.As CISRS OSTS continues to evolve and expand, the scheme’s contribution to the training and development of scaffolders globally is expected to remain a key driver of quality, safety, and competence in the construction industry.
Altrad has announced that it has won a 4.5-year maintenance contract for SABIC’s petrochemical complex located in Teesside. The contract, which has an option for four additional one-year extensions, significantly bolsters the industrial services provider’s presence in the region.The lucrative deal involves Altrad delivering a wide variety of fabric maintenance services, such as mechanical, fabrication, electrical, instrumentation, access, insulation, and painting. The services are expected to improve the performance of the complex and solidify Altrad’s relationship with the petrochemical giant.Altrad’s Vice President (Onshore), Karl Bramwell, expressed delight at securing the multi-year maintenance contract. “We look forward to working collaboratively with SABIC, using our industry-leading skills and capabilities to enhance the performance of these contracts to be the best they can be,” Bramwell said.The contract, which commences on 1st July 2023, is seen as an extension of Altrad’s long-standing relationship with SABIC, stretching back several decades. The award of this contract demonstrates the trust and confidence SABIC has in Altrad’s services.Moreover, the contract significantly expands Altrad’s operational team for SABIC, with more than 170 new talents being added to create an over 200-strong team onsite. The new additions will bolster the existing team, enhancing the service delivery capabilities of Altrad.“We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this contract, and we look forward to demonstrating our value in the form of tangible improvements that add value to SABIC at every touchpoint,” said Tony Jester, Executive Vice President (Operations) at Altrad.This strategic contract win aligns with Altrad’s commitment to delivering unparalleled services and will undoubtedly help in fostering the growth and success of SABIC’s petrochemical complex in Teesside.
Unite, the union, has raised grave concerns over the safety of workers in the industry after revealing that unannounced, proactive inspections by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have dropped to an all-time low.According to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the union, there were only 7,647 unannounced inspections in the construction sector in 2022/23, marking a 2% decrease from the previous year’s 7,793 inspections.Unannounced inspections are pivotal to maintaining safety standards within the UK’s most hazardous sector – construction. These unexpected assessments ensure that employers comply with safety regulations, providing a critical safeguard against potential risks to workers.However, since the Conservative-led government enacted austerity cutbacks in 2010, the frequency of these proactive inspections has been on a constant downward spiral. In the fiscal year 2013/14, the HSE conducted 11,303 such inspections, indicating a staggering 32% decline over the past decade.“The construction sector is not slowing down, and neither should the safety inspections. These alarming figures beg the question – how can construction workers be safeguarded if inspections continue to decline?” questioned Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary.Construction, marked as the UK’s most dangerous industry, has seen an unnerving drop in oversight, increasing fears of unsafe work conditions and raising questions about the sector’s commitment to worker safety. Graham stressed the unacceptability of compromising construction safety in such a manner.Jerry Swain, Unite national officer, further illuminated the risks posed by this trend. “Many construction employers have shown a willingness to play fast and loose with safety standards. The fear of getting caught during these inspections has been the primary deterrent keeping them on the straight and narrow,” he stated.With a decrease in the frequency of inspections, there are fears that the tendency to cut corners on safety protocols might increase, resulting in an even riskier working environment for construction employees.
An HSE spokesperson said: “Britain continues to be one of the safest places to work in the world. Counting the number of inspections we carry out is not the only way that we measure impact. Over the past ten years, we have focused on the areas of greatest risk and targeted our inspection activity using insight and intelligence.“Our inspections are only one part of what we do to keep people safe. We use a range of regulatory tools to improve health and safety, such as working to influence industries and providing free, clear, and accessible guidance.”
SCP – Forgeco, a leading manufacturer and stockist of high-quality scaffold fittings and other building products, has just announced the third edition of its annual ‘Scaffolders Golfer of the Year event. The much-anticipated event will be held on 22nd September 2023 at the Astbury Golf and Lodge Resort, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.Located just 18 miles from Wolverhampton, the Astbury Golf and Lodge Resort is situated near the historic town of Bridgnorth on the banks of the River Severn. The resort offers a par 71, 6,500-yard golf course aligned with USGA standards. Set amidst 300 acres of stunning Shropshire parkland, the resort offers impressive views, offering a championship challenge to golfers of all skill levels.This is the third year in a row that SCP – Forgeco has organised this event, which has become an esteemed gathering for golf-loving industry insiders. It has consistently provided a unique platform for industry professionals to network and compete in a friendly yet competitive round of golf. The winner will be awarded the prestigious ‘Scaffolders Golfer of the Year trophy, with various other prizes distributed throughout the round.Open to all levels of golfers within the industry, the day will commence with bacon rolls served upon arrival, followed by a shotgun start and 18 holes of golf. After a day on the greens, participants will be treated to a buffet dinner and an awards ceremony.The company expects heavy demand for participation and will accommodate golfers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those interested in participating are urged to contact Ron Johnson: [email protected].The team at SCP – Forgeco is looking forward to seeing all participants at the Astbury Golf and Lodge Resort on 22nd September for a day filled with fun, camaraderie, and competitive golf.
