I read John Spanswick’s column (15 September, page 32) with some amusement. Perhaps if he were to open his eyes, he would realise that there is, in fact, intelligent life outside of the headquarters of the Major Contractors Group.

CITB-ConstructionSkills is committed to working with the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) to develop a site supervisors’ safety training course for the shopfitting and interior contracting sectors.

The three-day course, accredited and certified by CITB-ConstructionSkills, will offer a recognised qualification to those overseeing site operations and will be delivered by approved training providers.

The NAS also has the ability to influence the shape of new construction, design and management regulations by sitting on the committee that is preparing the guidance for the construction industry. Shopfitting firms, large and small, are being asked to prove their worth in one way or another, and this is where the difficulty lies. There is no uniformity in the questions being asked and no set standard in the accreditation being sought. Questions may range from health and safety and risk assessment to sustainability.

Pre-qualifications on one contract may be completely different from those on another. The objective, however, is usually the same.

Robert Hudson, director, National Association of Shopfitters

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