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Posted By Tony abc jprhdnMurphy
The Construction Industry is witout doubt, its own worst enemy, and I for one would love to help bring about wholesale change.
Here is a true story. My son went to the job centre some weeks ago to speak to an advisor. He is fed up with boring jobs so wanted to explore lots of other careers. He came back with loads of information packs and I read through them.The criteria was thus:
Social Work - 2 years at Uni plus experience plus initial entry exams.
Taxi Driver - Driving license, Age restriction Knowledge test,Insurance, Police Check.
Nursery Nurse - NVQ level 3 ( 1 years training ) plus experience plus Police Check
Teacher Too many restrictions to mention.
Retail NVQ plus experience plus references plus application form, interview etc.
Construction Industry. CSCS card( if applicable) and Hard Hat.
We will allow anybody to come and work in our industry without necessary checks.No wonder we get a bad press. Admittedly some tasks dont call for Rocket Science Techniques but we should be more mindful and certainly more accountable
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Posted By GARRY WIZZ
On the other hand,
Given the restrictions to entering some of the afore mentioned professions, some young 'yob' off a sink estate just may not bother and move onto other more lucrative professions?????
or
given the lack of restrictions into the construction industry and the lowish start up costs to 'yob' and employer they may progress into a more hopeful life.
Just a thought, having raised 3 lads, one of which is not prepared to jump through all the hoops to attain a high flying career
garry
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Posted By Merv Newman
CSCS is an entry to a low level job. But it is a job and may even pay better than the dole.
It is also an exposure to discipline (getting on-site on time) and to the possibility of learning a trade. Once you get to that stage you have the probability of job-mobility and the possibility of moving up the spiral. Depends on personal capabilities and aspirations. Some labourers will always be labourers and happy(ish) with it. Others dream of out-and-up.
I once took on a handicapped, and thus out of work, brickie and eventually trained him up to be a decent lab technician. Clean work, in the warm, no chance of sunburn. He was happy, so was I.
Merv
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Posted By Jay Joshi
I do not think that we can generalise that there is no or minimal requirement of "qualifications" to work in the construction industry.
Actually, the CSCS card scheme was primarily meant to do provide a proof of construction skills competence and added to it is an extremely basic H& S awareness test!
The Trainee Card is for those registered for an N/SVQ level 2 through their college,
training provider or employer.
The skilled Workers card is for those who hold the appropriate N/SVQ or have completed an
apprenticeship.
The experienced workers card is for those who have registered for N/SVQ level 2 or 3 and have completed their profiling session with a years validity.
What is required is for the industry to support operatives to get to N/SVQ level 3 rather than level 2.
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Posted By Kenneth Patrick
Is it not Essential to have a high visibility vest to be a construction worker?
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Posted By Carl Currie
I'm inclined to agree with you Tony, the construction industry does get bad press, the entry requirements to the industry aren't the most taxing either. The CSCS card scheme may one day get a grip of the industry and every construction site throughout the land may only take operatives who have attained the card however, this is not currently the situation. I carry out on site inspections for various Scaffolding contractors both on large projects such as hospitals and universities and also new house builders. I can quite happily say that the majority of the big players (HBG, BLL & Shepherd) are asking for the cards, however house builders seem to be lagging slightly in this area. Surely if the scheme was embraced by everyone the industry could raise their profile.
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Posted By KB
Talking from personal experience nearly 14 years in the construction industry I agree with a lot of comments that it is down to the individual whether they progress or not.
The issue on CSCS is a long and drawn out one which is currently being discussed in many links on this forum and probably will continue for may more weeks.
I would like to point out that not all new starters/young people are yobs.
I have worked in some of the more underprivaliged areas and have worked with many a young person who is just glad to get the experience and learn something rather than sit on their backsides and wait for us (the tax payer) to send their cheques through. From experinece eight out of ten people wanted to learn and get on.
Give them a chance and you will be pleasantly surprised. I have been.
I know guys that started on the bare minimum and worked their way up (as I did)and take great pride in the fact that they have made something of themselves.
I suggest we look at the bad press about the construction industry because of the 'old school' culture.
"I have been doing this for x amount of years and have never had an accident."
This is what we need to change and not waste our time on moaning about whether or not CSCS cards make a person competent.
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