CITB-ConstructionSkills has responded to the HSE report calling for a new independent agency to oversee and monitor the current 'card scheme confusion' in the UK.
Mark Farrar, chief executive, CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: 'CITB-ConstructionSkills welcomes the Pye Tait report on 'Routes to Competence' and agrees with the key recommendation that we need to tackle the current card scheme confusion with the setting up of a new independent agency.

'The establishment of a 'Construction Industry Card Registration Authority' (CICRA) to monitor and 'quality mark' card schemes is the right way to go. It's likely to be the only way to secure the credibility of card schemes - and maintain the buy-in and confidence of clients, employers and individual card holders for such schemes - in the future.

'As the Sector Skills Council with responsibility for standard setting in the construction industry we believe we could play a role in establishing the Construction Industry Card Registration Authority. We could also help determine the new definition of competence and identify how it could be measured.

'Through the consultation with industry on the Construction Qualifications Strategy we will be leading this debate and talking to the relevant industry stakeholders about the next steps in implementing all the report's recommendations.'

Link to full report: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr877.htm#?eban=rss-research