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Posted By Davelfc
I have recently put together a strategy in my workplace to get all in the company CSCS cards, at all levels.
I am though finding the task increasingly frustrating, very time consuming and also very inconsistant.
Has anyone else found this problem?
even to basic booking of the test the touch screen test for individuals, some times it can take 45 minutes.
it seems that there is wide range of competence at the test centres and some staff are not taking all the information from candidates.
Even when the candidate has been breifed and give the information they come back with employers declarations etc.
It hasn't all been poor service and some have gone through remarkably easily, though not in the timescales CSCS initially put across.
I don't want to get into a CSCS bashing contest, and would quite like to support the scheme, but the time and effort to get to the end game of actually getting a card for our staff has been frustrating.
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Posted By Chris Bramall
I run an M&E Contracting Company in yorkshire and we operate on sites which require CSCS but also on sites which require the CCNSG passport to safety.
The passport to safety covers all the H&S training and assessment in greater depth than just the CSCS and can be used as an equivalent with several of the CSCS affiliates (i.e. JIB)
Regards
Chris Bramall
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Posted By Jim Walker
We started something similar 2 years ago.
Progress has been very slow. Initially we tried to get everyone at one site through at once but encountered so many problems we are doing one at a time now.
Main problem is when you ring help desk - sometimes excellent advice at others totally illogical, basically the folks on CSCS help desks don't have a clue if you can't tick the boxes on their crib sheet.
Everyone sailed through the so called H&S test, but are stuggling to match their trades with ones that CSCS understand
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Oh dear not only me then!
Dont get me on to one of my favourite subjects NOT!
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Posted By Robert Weiland
The test centres haven't been that bad after getting through 300 employees nationwide. Our biggest problem seems to be the helpline staff who seem to pick an answer out of the air. You can phone 5 minutes later and get a completely different response.
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Posted By holmezy
I, through the company I worked for, used to deliver the SPA (Safety Passport Alliance) course, to a variety of trades. The overall feeling was that this was more comprehensive than the cscs and was slowly becoming the course to do, and the course that firms using contractors, asked for.
There was also horror stories of folks being able to buy a cscs card on the black market, but never came across it personally.
I'd go the SPA route, or do a "working safely" course through IOSH or approved training org.
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Nice idea,
However we have SPA and CCNSG however as none of these recognise each other and CSCS does not either, you still have to do the touch screen test and apply for the 'correct card' using the 'correct application form' if you want a CSCS card.
there are still a few trades which are exempt from prior learning but for new people you will need to enrol them on an NVQ.
SPA / CCSNG / touch screen test is about regurgitating info the NVQ is about doing the job correctly and safely.
So if it's CSCS you require then do not bother with SPA / CCNSG as this does not hold any sway whatsoever with CSCS or the CITB / MCG either
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Posted By Davelfc
Thanks for the responses not just me then, In my previous company I put over 100 site managers and assisstants through in a three or four month period with not too much of a problem.
It just seems to have become more difficult to administer. I realise now that there are NVQ's to be had and along with that comes OSAT training, and that the industry accreditation has now gone for many of the management levels.
and I agree with the comments of it depends who you get on the phone to what your answer will be. so frustrating, as I am trying to drive this in my company so I am actually very positive, but I may soon lose patience with it.
I have set myslf acheivable targets, and will hopefully still acheive them but, it will be at the expense of our personnel I have about twenty in the system, and some went to the same test centre are the same level of trade, and the same trade did the test on the same day and one has had his card for a couple of weeks and the other is getting stressed out.
Another question does anyone have a definative answer of what date the MCG and the HBF are going to make it compulsory on site? we are not a part of this elite group and our chaps don't need the CSCS as they we are Principal Contractor on site, but it is a question I am reguarly asked.
Regards
Dave
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Posted By Alison Rogerson
Hi,
I have had lots of experience of dealing with the CITB. We obtain basic cscs site cards initially then if they stay with us we send them down the NVQ route of getting a card specific to their trade. We mainly operate plant so go for CPCS cards. But we also have CSCS civils supervisor/manager, welders, trainee cards, contract manager, and health & safety cards. The MCG are pushing for everybody to be carded which is a great idea in theory......but when I asked to see a copy of a site managers card for one of the main contractors that we were working for I was told he didn't have one but I could see his CIOB card! Any new employees I put through the touch screen test first as you cant get any kind of card without that!
Beware of schemes that offer to get the test and card in one as you will find that you give up your right to any grant that you can claim, that is if you are a levy payer.
You can e-mail me direct on alison@coletspiling.com
regards
Alison
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Posted By Michael Battman
There used to be a mobile test centre that would come to your site / offices. This obviously cuts the down time for each individual.
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