The government is in talks with construction chiefs over creating a register of reputable trade body skills qualification schemes.

Geoffrey Norris, senior policy adviser to the prime minister, has requested guidance from the Specialist Engineering Contractors Group on methods of identifying reliable competence awards.

The discussions could lead to the independent audit of all schemes and a streamlined register that would be recognised by all public sector clients.

Rudi Klein, a barrister and chief executive of the SEC Group, said: 鈥淭he government is sympathetic to reforming the qualification process. The question is how we should take the issue of corporate competence forward. We have to find a way of identifying reputable schemes that public sector clients can use.鈥�

However, Klein ruled out the possibility of a universal skills competence scheme to cover the industry. He said: 鈥淭he government appreciates that it can鈥檛 ask for all firms to belong to a single scheme, but by identifying key criteria we hope to significantly reduce the number of schemes companies are asked to comply with.鈥�

An overhaul of the system is widely regarded as necessary in order to ensure that schemes represent high-level training in professional practice and health and safety awareness.