Specialists groups have accused major contractors of issuing 鈥渆dicts from on high鈥� after the Major Contractors Group announced plans to introduce a compulsory qualification for its subcontractors without consulting them.

From 2010, supervisors will have to complete a 拢395 two-day ConstructionSkills safety training scheme if they want to work with MCG firms.

The MCG, whose 12 members represent some of the largest contractors in the industry, says it wants to set common safety standards for its supply chains.

An internal survey by MCG member HBG found that 35% of subcontractor supervisors had not received formal training.

Specialist groups are angry that the MCG made the decision without consulting them.

Suzannah Nichol, chief executive of the National Specialist Contractors Council, said: 鈥淭he industry needs to be better joined up when making decisions. It frustrates employers who are investing in training if the rules change, and they haven鈥檛 been able to say their piece.鈥�

The industry needs to be better joined up when making decisions

Suzannah Nichol

Rudi Klein, chief executive of the Specialist Engineering Contractors Group, called the decision an 鈥渆dict from on high鈥�.

He said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e got the approved code already in place in the form of the CDM regulations [which includes requirements for training supervisors]. This is all very strange.鈥�

A spokesman for the MCG said: 鈥淭he proposals are simply a way of ensuring that supervisors have attained a common standard, a level at which we hope they would aspire to in any event. This initiative is not particularly onerous.鈥�

The MCG made it mandatory for its subcontractors to hold CSCS cards in October 2006.

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