The Competence Steering Group (CSG) has published a blueprint to improve competence for those working on higher-risk buildings and drive culture change in the fire and built environment industries
‘Setting the Bar’ is the second and final report of the CSG, it sets out a blueprint for improving competence and driving culture change in the fire and built environment.
The proposed overarching system of competence set out in the report is made up of four key elements:
- A new competence committee sitting within the Building Safety Regulator
- A national suite of competence standards – including new sector-specific frameworks developed by 12 working groups
- Arrangements for independent assessment and reassessment against the competence standards
- A mechanism to ensure that those assessing and certifying people against the standards have appropriate levels of oversight.
Since the publication, the CSG and its working groups have consulted widely and taken on board feedback as they have continued to develop sector frameworks and overarching competence frameworks.
These frameworks will deliver the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours needed to carry out specific roles and deliver a more rigorous approach to the essential training and assessment that is required.
Additionally, the competence requirements for the new role of Building Safety manager have also been completed.
The CSG is recommending that all individuals whose work on higher-risk buildings is likely to materially affect safety outcomes, or who work unsupervised on these buildings, should meet the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours set out in the competence frameworks developed by the industry.
‘A step change across the sector’
CSG chairman, Graham Watts, chief executive of the Construction Industry Council, said: “We would see higher-risk buildings as an essential starting point for the new competence frameworks for the whole of the built environment, which would result in a step change across the sector and change of industry culture.”
The CSG has worked closely with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government and some of the report’s key recommendations have already been adopted, including the proposal for a committee on Industry Competence.
The CSG is urging Government to make mandatory the assessments against the frameworks for those working on higher-risk buildings, and is calling on Government to take the lead by requiring that the competence framework set out within this report must be met by any company or individual working on any higher-risk building.
Watts commented: “There is no time to lose in casting aside the substandard practices that have shamed the industry.
“In this document we have set a new bar and we would urge all those working in life-critical disciplines to attain these higher levels of competence.
“Only then can we rebuild the trust of those who occupy and live in the buildings we design, construct and manage.”
Anthony Taylor, chairman of WG8, director of H&S for Avison Young, said: “Developing the completely new role of Building Safety Manager has been an enormous undertaking, which we have worked closely with MHCLG to achieve.
“We believe the competences and job functions we have set out will deliver the reassurance and trust to residents that their buildings are being managed safely by landlords.”
Chief executive of the Association for Project Management, Debbie Dore, added: “The report provides a blueprint agreed by professional bodies coordinated by the CIC in response to the Hackitt report ‘Building a Safer Future’.
“We feel this recognises the key role that project managers and the project profession can contribute.
“We are supportive of the drive to improve both the competences and behaviours identified in the Hackitt report.
“The professional bodies are united in their determination to build a proper legacy for those who died in the Grenfell tragedy and ensure that this step-change is embedded in the future high standards for the whole of the built environment.”
The full report ‘Setting the Bar’ can be downloaded here.
