Industry 鈥榞utted鈥� as workers face qualifications lapsing without prospect of renewal

Thousands of workers face being thrown off site after the Learning and Skills Council cut its Train to Gain NVQ funding programme.

The announcement, made at the end of July, affects more than 23,000 staff who have 鈥渆xperienced worker鈥� CSCS cards.

Workers can chose to upgrade their standard labourer cards to these non-renewable cards with a one-to-three-year life span. Once a card is nearing its expiry date, the worker must obtain an NVQ to obtain a 鈥渟killed operator鈥� card.

However, industry bodies fear many workers could be left without a card now that funding for the NVQs has been cut.

Howard Button, chief executive of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e had to decline those who want to do NVQs because we can鈥檛 get funding to put them through. We鈥檙e gutted. We have workers who could lose their cards, and be thrown off site.鈥�

The average cost of an NVQ is 拢1,026. It is understood that firms that are eligible for funding from the ConstructionSkills levy, which can also fund the NVQs in some cases will only receive a maximum of 拢450 towards sponsoring a worker, which is not enough to fund the course.

Suzannah Nichol, chief executive of the National Specialist Contractors Council, said: 鈥淓mployers have obligations to train their workforce and we will lobby hard for the Learning and Skills Council to reinstate the funding.鈥�

Button said the NFDC had applied to ConstructionSkills for a time extension on the experienced worker cards.

But Brian Adams, chief executive of CSCS, said a 鈥渂lanket extension鈥� would not be issued. He said: 鈥淲e would review each case on its own merits.鈥�

A spokesperson from ConstructionSkills said: 鈥淲e have raised the issue with the LSC and we are gathering information from employers and providers so we can report back on the extent of the problem.鈥�

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