CSCS Cards again! Aaargh!!!

The references in the BuildUK standard are somewhat spurious and based on the musings of a quango that seems to meet only when it feels like it, and where Vince Cable turns up (if you're lucky) for the first ten minutes.

From the CLC minute of 24th November 2014:


"Competency and Card Certification Schemes
3.3 The Council were then presented with a paper on Card Certification schemes, encompassing strategy actions on a single recognisable logo, and taking forward the Pye Tait report on competence. It was recommended that the industry should adopt a single logo that demonstrates meeting an accepted minimum standard for all new cards issued. The current model of independent schemes carrying CSCS logo is supported by the industry and the CLC Delivery Group recommended that CSCS should be the industry recognised logo.
3.4 The Council was supportive of the paper and agreed that industry including trade associations, contractors, clients and government, should specify and promote card schemes that feature the CSCS logo. Discussion centred on timeframes for implementation, alignment with smart cards and the next steps to promote awareness and momentum within the industry."

ACTION - Tony Burton (CIC) to follow up on the communication plan.

and from the next meeting (February 2015):

"2.2 The Council had agreed that the industry, including trade associations, contractors, clients and government, should specify and promote the ten card associated schemes that currently carry the CSCS logo. Tony Burton, as Chairman of the SFfC, was asked to communicate the decision to the wider industry. He confirmed that letters had been circulated to CSCS, card schemes and trade associations and will also be sent to the trade press. All are encouraged to cascade the key messages through their communications networks. A copy of the letter is appended to these minutes."

"Action complete"

Unfortunately, the letter isn't available on- line (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/460794/Feb_2015_Minutes_-_CLC062015M01-1.pdf)

So someone thinks it correct that all commercial card scheme providers be required to carry the logo of what is essentially a competitor. Tony Burton sends a letter out to that effect. No power, no authority, no justification other than they think it a 'good idea'.

Utter farce.

Rant over

By the bye, I've read through Pye Tait's excellent research report on the state of card schemes in the UK. IT's a cracking and revealing read. Kudos to Pye and his research team.