With the removal of industry-accredited competency cards, ensuring and proving competence has emerged as a critical issue – one that building owners, consultants, and contractors must tackle head-on.
Against a backdrop of increased scrutiny on building safety, particularly following high-profile events like the Grenfell Tower inquiry, this shift highlights the urgent need for robust processes to verify and maintain competency. In this article, we will explore what competency means under the Building Regulations 2010, Part 2A (Chapter 11F), and offer practical strategies to adapt to this new era.
What Does Competency Mean Under the Building Regulations 2010?
Competency, as outlined in the Building Regulations 2010, is defined by two key components:
- Individual Competence: Possessing the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours to conduct building or design work in compliance with all relevant requirements.
- Organisational Capability: Ensuring management policies, procedures, systems, and resources are in place to support compliance and enable employees to meet competency standards.
The regulations place the responsibility on duty holders, including building owners and consultants, to ensure that everyone involved in design or construction meets these stringent requirements. This is particularly critical for higher-risk building work, where non-compliance can lead to severe safety hazards.
The Impact of Removing Industry-Accredited Competency Cards
For years, competency cards obtained through industry accreditation (also known as grandfather rights) have been a go-to standard for verifying skills and qualifications in the construction industry.
Although new CSCS cards haven’t been issued under industry accreditation for close to 15 years, card holders could still renew and use their IA cards to prove competence. The phasing out of these cards has raised questions about how many workers and contractors will prove their competency moving forward. Key implications include:
- Increased Verification Responsibility: Building owners and consultants now bear greater responsibility for ensuring their contractors and designers meet the required standards.
- Potential Delays: Without this form of universal standard, verifying qualifications may take longer, affecting project timelines.
- Financial Strain on Contractors: Workers who relied on these IA cards may need to invest time and resources into gaining new qualifications to continue working in the construction industry.
How to Prove Competency in the New Era
With increasing regulatory scrutiny and the removal of industry-accredited competency cards, building owners, consultants, and contractors must take initiative to ensure compliance. Below, we have compiled tailored advice to navigate these changes effectively and maintain high standards across all projects.
For Building Owners and Consultants:
Implement Robust Vetting Processes:
- Verify qualifications and experience for all contractors and designers.
- Maintain detailed records of qualifications, certifications, and training.
Embrace Continuous Review:
- Regularly assess ongoing work to ensure compliance with updated regulations.
- Use technology to streamline record-keeping and verification processes.
Foster Collaboration:
- Facilitate cooperation between contractors, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure compliance at all project stages.
Our SHEQ Officer, Chesney Smith shares his advice for choosing compliant contractors:
“The biggest piece of advice I would offer developers and consultants is that CSCS cards (including the other schemes that operate under the CSCS umbrella) are only one way of proving competence. CSCS cards are not required under any legislation, they do however provide a quick way of verifying competence in a given field as the holder would need to prove competence to the scheme prior to being awarded card. As long as you can prove an individual has the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, you are covered under the building Regs 2010.”
– Chesney Smith, SHEQ Officer at Group SCS
For Contractors:
Pursue Relevant Qualifications:
- Invest in formal certifications such as NVQs or industry-specific training programs.
- Explore manufacturer-led certification schemes, such as those offered by Group SCS for smoke control systems.
Leverage Professional Development:
- Engage in CPD courses (Continuing Professional Development) to stay updated on industry standards and best practices.
Maintain Documentation:
- Keep a portfolio of qualifications, training, and project experience to demonstrate compliance readily.
Tools and Strategies for Ensuring Competency
Ensuring competency in construction is more challenging than ever, particularly as regulatory demands grow, and industry-accredited competency cards are phased out. For building owners, consultants, and contractors, this means adopting precise and reliable methods such as:
- Digital Verification Tools: Platforms for tracking qualifications and certifications can streamline the vetting process.
- Training Programs: Partnering with industry leaders like Group SCS can provide targeted training to meet specific competency needs, particularly for niche areas like smoke control systems.
- Regular Audits: Conduct internal audits to ensure all workers and contractors meet the required competency standards.
How we support compliance in the construction industry
As a leading provider of smoke control systems and part of Systemair, we are committed to supporting building owners and contractors in meeting regulatory requirements. Here’s how:
- Specialised Training: We offer system-specific training programs to ensure contractors are skilled in the installation and maintenance of smoke control systems.
- Consultation Services: We assist building owners and consultants in navigating the complexities of competency verification and regulatory compliance.
- Technical Support: We provide ongoing support to ensure systems are installed and maintained to the highest standards.
Additionally, the Smoke Control Association is currently working alongside the relevant bodies to bring a Smoke Control specific competency card, similar to what we’ve seen with the Refrigeration/Air conditioning engineer card. We will share updates when they are available from the Smoke Control Association.
Moving Forward: Embracing the Change
The removal of industry-accredited competency cards marks a pivotal moment for the construction industry. By understanding and adapting to the updated requirements of the Building Regulations 2010, stakeholders can ensure compliance, safety, and project success.
For building owners, consultants, and contractors alike, the key lies in proactive adaptation. We are ready to assist in this journey and offer you the expertise and resources you need to navigate this new era of competency in construction.
