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Product category: Building Trade Associations and Institutes
News Release from: UK Trades Confederation | Subject: Competence schemes
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial Team on 17 June 2005

Should we all be 'competent'?

Derek Vaughan Managing Director of The UK Trades Confederation debates whether 'competence schemes' benefit or penalise a trade.

Derek Vaughan Managing Director of The UK Trades Confederation debates whether 'competence schemes' benefit or penalise a trade The construction industry is Britain's biggest, as there are an estimated two million people working within it

However, recent reports warn that there is a shortage of skilled tradesmen which could reach crisis point, and the future of construction projects is in jeopardy because of inadequate training schemes in the industry.

It has been predicted that by 2007 there will be a shortage of approximately 350,000 skilled construction workers.

It could be argued that barriers like Public Sector accreditation and the Government's new e-procurement initiative 2005 which requires suppliers to Local Authorities to be able to trade online, could deter existing and new tradesmen from continuing within the industry.

In the same way, new building regulations like Part P have made it more difficult for tradesmen to operate unless they undergo an assessment to prove they are a 'competent' person.

But without the regulation of these trades they are highly vulnerable as rogue traders, the UK's number one complaint, will continue with their shoddy workmanship giving the construction industry a bad name.

Should it therefore be the Government's aim for all trades to go through a 'competence scheme'? Perhaps regulating each trade will raise its profile as learning a trade is still seen as second rate in career terms and this in turn may solve the shortage of construction workers.

If these trades are seen as skilled professions that require qualifications and a level of 'competence,' it would change the perception of school leavers that these jobs are not just the ones to fall back on if you do not go to college.

Let us compare four different trades: Painter and Decorators, Domestic Electricians, Window Installers and Roofers.

So far, only two of these trades have a Government approved 'competence scheme' in place.

The most common route to becoming an electrician is through a four year apprenticeship scheme.

Individuals already engaged in electrical work who wish to be formally recognised opt for doing an NVQ.

However, since the beginning of 2005, the Government requires all domestic electricians to be Part P registered by an approved assessment body like ELECSA.

To become Part P registered, domestic electricians have to demonstrate that they are 'competent' to be able to self-certify their installation which otherwise would need approval from the Local Authority Building Control department.

Similarly, since April 2002 all replacement glazing in dwellings has to comply with improved thermal performance standards (Part L) and be certificated by either the Local Authority Building Control or a FENSA (Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme) registered installer.

The scheme set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation allows installation companies that meet certain criteria to be able to self-certify their work as they have gone through a 'competence scheme.' This means Local Authority Building Control departments can rely on the trade to self-certify, otherwise it would be impossible to check every electrical or window installation in the area.

For example it has been estimated by FENSA that 1- 1.2 million installations of replacement glazing happen every year.

The building regulation Part L also includes roofs in its mission to save energy and reduce C02 emissions from new houses but there is no 'competence scheme' as yet, although this is currently being looked at by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

Ray Horwood, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) explains: Competence in the roofing sector is best guaranteed by the use of companies that belong to reputable Trade Associations who vet their members and publish detailed codes of practice backed up with insurance schemes.

Such Trade Associations also ensure adequate levels of Health and Safety are endorsed.

Changes to the building regulations could mean that a 'competent person' scheme would be desirable in the roofing sector and the NFRC would certainly support any increase in overall standards within the industry.

However, before moving to a new scheme it would be important to determine that such a scheme brought with it increased efficiency and flexibility in the completion of work in order to offset the increased costs to the contractor".

Undoubtedly, having a 'competence scheme' is the most effective way of making sure building regulations are complied with.

However, as Ray Horwood points out the increased costs which can include higher liability insurance, extra administration and the actual cost of applying for the 'competence scheme' need to be justified to the tradesman to demonstrate what is in it for them.

The UK Trades Confederation (UKTC) continually has to update its membership package through forming alliances with Government approved assessment bodies so its members can comply with new building legislation at discounted prices.

In addition, UKTC tries to find ways to reduce the overheads of 'competence schemes' by providing extra facilities like free websites and email facilities as well as finding simple business care solutions to help reduce administration.

An industry where there is no 'competence scheme' planned as yet is Painting and Decorating.

Although there are no real hidden hazards to the consumer a level of 'competence' is needed to deliver a professional job and to follow a code of conduct on someone else's property.

The Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) is a regulatory body that currently has over 2500 members which have been vetted to a high standard.

Members of the PDA have to provide references, have five years' experience or appropriate qualifications, have their work examined, give evidence of adequate Public Liability Insurance and agree to the Association's Code of Practice.

However, David Powis, Chief Executive of the PDA does confirm that having a 'competence scheme' would definitely be beneficial to the trade in stamping out the rogue painters and decorators: "There is in fact a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) for various specialist trades, which the PDA has encouraged all its members to obtain.

In addition, many members who deal with Local Authorities have been audited by a Government approved accreditation body and have ISO 9001 approval.

However, until we have a fully regulated trade - which is something we would not oppose - we will never entirely eliminate the 'cowboy' element, but the PDA has made it easier for the public to select reputable and qualified tradesmen through the Yellow Pages".

Therefore it can be concluded that there is definitely two sides to the coin as to whether 'competence schemes' are beneficial.

On the one hand it raises the credibility of the trade in the public eye and regulates the construction industry, but is it at the expense of the tradesman who would arguably say that they are already competent? Maybe each time the Government brings in a new building regulation that requires the trade to prove themselves 'competent' it should be grant funded, especially as there is a national shortage of skilled construction workers!.

The UKTC would like to hear what you think, email derek@uktc.org.

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