In its first year of existence, growth of the Building Services Engineering Employment Agency Alliance has been 'modest' with 15 firms having so far met the 'rigorous' entry criteria.
Independent chairman Lord O'Neill of Clackmannan made the comments while speaking at the alliance's first AGM in London this month.

However Lord O'Neill also said he was confident that, by the same time next year, more key labour providers would be convinced to sign up as members and be in a position to meet key commitments of joining.

The HVCA established the alliance in the April 2008, which brings together contractors and manpower providers to discuss areas of mutual interest.

So far, every firm which has applied to become an alliance member has eventually succeeded in meeting the membership criteria.

Peter Rimmer, head of employment affairs at the HVCA said in the recession, every company had to increase its efficiency, re-examine its working practices and streamline its operations.

'Engagement with the Building Services Engineering Employment Agency Alliance can do a great deal to assist contractors in fine-tuning their policies and strategies in the important areas of vocational training and manpower deployment and development,' said Rimmer

The 'rigorous' criteria focuses on a prospective member's compliance with specific employment, commercial and business standards. Compliance is independantly assessed by the third party firm BM Trada Certification which is based in High Wycombe.

Commercial standards includes an assesssment of:

Financial standards (including checking a firm's accounting procedures are appriopriate to the size and complexity of the business.

Insurance

Regulation

Long-term commitment to training

Tax and NI insurance compliance


Business standards includes:

Business activity

Customer relations

Client confidentiality

Quality of workers provided

Workers' performance standards

Health and Safety (proactive in assessing H&S risks)

Training records

Managing compliants


Employment standards include:

Terms of engagement

Equal Opportunities

Worker confidentiality

Overseas workers

Membership certificates were presented at the AGM to the two new alliance members: Watford-based Fast Track Management Services and Rullion Alltrades of Altrincham, Cheshire. AGM discussions included implementation in the UK of the European Agency Workers directive.