{"id":529001,"date":"2025-09-19T12:48:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T11:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=529001"},"modified":"2025-09-19T12:46:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T11:46:54","slug":"revised-contracts-issued-in-scaffolding-training-dispute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/skills\/revised-contracts-issued-in-scaffolding-training-dispute-19-09-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Revised contracts issued in scaffolding training dispute"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has issued revised contracts to training centres after months of negotiations, with its chair defending its proposed reforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

The scheme, owned by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), has faced sustained criticism from some training providers over the planned reforms, leading to the breakaway<\/span> Scaffolding Training Alliance (STA)<\/span><\/a> being formed in May.<\/span><\/p>\n

The alliance accused the CISRS of failing to consult properly and warned the proposed changes could damage the sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wayne Connolly, who chairs the CISRS board, admitted the original draft agreements outlining changes to training with centres were too loosely defined and required redrafting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe training agreement wasn\u2019t as clear cut as it should have been. We\u2019re straightening that out,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Training centres were given the draft contracts in February, and were later invited to comment through a shared document, according to Connolly.<\/span><\/p>\n

CISRS lawyers reviewed the feedback alongside providers\u2019 own legal advice, making what Connolly described as \u201csubstantial\u201d word changes on issues such as insurance clauses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve gone above and beyond\u201d to meet centres halfway, he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne provider even gave us a paragraph from its lawyer that made sense, so we copied it in. The new contracts are now issued and we expect centres to come on the journey with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Connolly admitted it was \u201cimpossible\u201d to please all stakeholders in a scheme involving unions, employers and commercial training businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

But he insisted: \u201cDoing nothing is not an option any more. I understand some groups will not like it, but we must move forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed reforms, initially outlined last year, include the introduction of an app and digital card system, while classroom time will be reduced in favour of more hands-on training supported by online learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Connolly said scaffolding\u2019s need for practical content would not be lost, but that digital delivery would allow learners to progress at their own pace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are behind the times. Lawyers can do exams online. Financial advisers can. Why not scaffolders?\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Connolly argued online tools would help learners who struggled in group settings, while allowing centres to expand their offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not about cutting centres out. They will deliver and sell the online courses,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

The chair defended the decision-making process, pointing to an independent perception survey of NASC members commissioned in 2023. \u201cThat survey gave us the mandate to change,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is not the board acting on a whim. We were mandated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But he conceded communication could have been handled better. \u201cPerhaps we should have got the principals of training organisations in a room right at the start and said: this is happening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe tried a softer approach, but when change came in February people said, \u2018I didn\u2019t know that.\u2019 Well, we had been signalling it since last summer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Connolly said he chaired a heated meeting with providers earlier this year but ruled out recognising the STA, which he described as an unclear \u201cbreakaway group\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

He added: \u201cWe cannot entertain splinter groups. We must talk to all centres together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Connolly said that CISRS was still uncertain about exactly who was formally involved in the STA, but confirmed a further online meeting with centres is scheduled for next week.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dispute has delayed the rollout of reforms, but Connolly insisted the programme will continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody likes change, especially when their business model is built around the status quo. I am sympathetic, as a business owner myself, but we must make these changes,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n