Posted By David S Burt Naomi, There is no such thing as an accredited Planning Supervisor, a title that will be replaced by Co-ordinator under the proposed new CDM Regulations. To operate in the role of PS or Coordinator the person and or persons need to demonstrate that they are competent. Attendance of a course alone will not allow you to be deemed as being competent. I understand that the Association for Planning Safety do run accredited courses that provide details of the role of the PS. These courses will allow you to become a member of the Association of Planning Safety and subject to you completing another short exam, you can apply to become a Fellow of the APS. Becoming a Fellow of the APS will allow you to be regarded as a competent co-ordinator as defined in the new draft CDM Regulations providing that you also have a NEBOSH Construction Certificate. Interestingly enough being a CMIOSH with substantial Design and Construction experience, say over 10 years, will not currently allow you to take on this role. I have placed a posting on the Internal Business Forum on this matter and I would urge all IOSH members who are involved with Construction as `defined in the CDM ACOP to read the postings and comment accordingly.

Posted By Ian Mitchell Hi Naomi, I have just completed the three day APS accredited PS course in Cardiff a fortnight ago. As has been said, it is an insight into the role, and although the course is mostly real life case studies, and the assessment is by completing simulated actual PS duties, there is indeed no substitute for experience. My employer was hopeful that I could move from H+S Adviser into the vacant PS role immediately upon completion but I have declined on professional and moral grounds until such time as I feel I have gained enough experience to do this very important role justice. If you have lots of experience but ust want a formal certificate to back this up, then this is ideal. If you are after a fast track to PS capability (which I/my employers naively hoped for!) then there isn't one. All the best, Ian

Posted By Davelfc Naomi. BYL do a 3 day course accredited by the association for projetc safety, I don't know if they have fully ammended to include the proposed changes. www.byl.co.uk Also the national construction college have 2 ady modules on the changes from project co-ordinator to duties for the Principal Contractor. www.nationalconstructioncollege.co.uk