Competence in Construction Report 2014

Competence in Construction Aims and processes July 2013 – Government launches Construction 2025 Industrial Strategy A number of visions and joint commitments made inc. ‘a clear, standard means of recognising competence’ 2 actions from action plan include: - identify one card scheme promoted through public procurement - update on Routes to Competence report (Pye Tait 2011) Research project funded by CITB (with HSE co-funding) Steering group formed to devise research brief and appoint research organisation – Pye Tait subsequently appointed

Competence in Construction Research Activities Pye Tait undertook series of consultation activities with stakeholders/employers/employees which included: - telephone surveys - workshop - online consultation - direct interviews Questions asked related to: - industry perception of competence - current processes - components of competence - evidencing and measuring competence - factors that maintaining competency - value of cards/certification schemes

Competence in Construction Research Activities Research undertaken on how other sectors of industry define and recognise competence (6 sectors) Workshops held March/April 2014 – topics included: - current models of competence - CDM changes and HSE’s vision - work by Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group - conceptualising of competence - role of health and safety in competence - evidencing of competence Research findings collated and reported in document titled ‘Competence in Construction’ September 2014

Competence in Construction HSE Vision 2014 Competence is a long-term issue Workforce becoming more qualified Industry not relying solely on cards Principal Contractors not insisting that occasional site visitors have a card Nationally recognised qualifications being recognised and maintained Educational and training bodies build on trade skills with skills that prevent accidents and ill-health; Card schemes to support nationally-recognised qualifications

Competence in Construction

Key Factors in achieving/maintaining competence

Competence in Construction Main ways of verifying competence

Competence in Construction Behavioural attributes assessed

Competence in Construction What cards should evidence

Competence in Construction Research Findings Divided into 3 key areas: - definition - developing - evidencing Findings included both individual and organisational competence Definition of competency involves primarily SKATE/SEKA - Skills, knowledge, attributes/attitudes, training, experience Definition further incorporates: - ergonomics, environmental, policies and communication

Competence in Construction Components of Competence

Competence in Construction Research Findings Factors for developing competence: - selection - training - assessment - complexity - verification Evidencing competence includes: - types and methods - cards and certification schemes - renewing and maintaining competence

Competence in Construction Framework for Competence Report recommends a framework for competence Why a framework? - hundreds of qualifications/formal courses - thousands of short courses - lack of industry-wide understanding on human factors - supervisor training/development patchy - lack of understanding of inappropriate/invalid cards/certification - lack of understanding on what cards represent and reliability of information - 40 card schemes/350 variations means excessive/duplication of resources to check cards etc.

Competence in Construction Framework for Competence Principles of the Framework - what constitutes competence - appreciation of human factors (situational, self and risk awareness) - common standards for card/certification schemes Framework Key Elements - Components - Developing - Measuring - Evidencing

Competence in Construction Framework for Competence

Competence in Construction Card/Certification Schemes The framework should require: - an overarching system to co-ordinate and control the numerous cards/certification - training/education schemes to integrate H & S and human factors into competence cards/certification - cards to move towards smart data systems – with data stored and retrieved by the overarching body - a unifying quality or kite mark - a simplified company registration scheme for domestic-type work

Competence in Construction Report Vision For the management of competency, the framework should: - describe competency, the components, and philosophy for delivery and measurement - be applicable to all, flexible and non-prescriptive - provide clarity for evidence and, through the overarching body, a centralised database of card/certification standards Report has made 8 recommendations: - further fleshing out and agreement on the framework - disseminate and promulgate competence and understanding of competence components at all levels - appreciation of the role of human factors

Competence in Construction Report Vision Recommendations (cont’d) - Framework to define effective means for evidencing competence - Establish a Construction Competency Council - Identify most appropriate structure/organisation/body to run the council - Establish a Secretariat to progress council decisions - Ensure council consultation to maintain and improve framework and ensure remains fit-for-purpose

Competence in Construction Next Steps Referral of recommendations to Construction Delivery Group Escalation of recommendations to the Construction Leadership Council for subsequent actions Review of report’s recommendations and industry feedback session event scheduled 1 December 2014 (Solihull)

Competence in Construction Summary What the report has done - examined the meanings and perception of competence - isolated and clarified key constituent components - recognised human factors and H & S knowledge as essential components needing marbling throughout competency requirements - recognised the need for clarification and components on competency though a framework - identified the need for a body to oversee and maintain the framework, and provide benchmarks for cards/certification

Competence in Construction Thanks for listening!