CISRS exit puts future scaffolding card arrangements under scrutiny

The scheme behind the dispute

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has provided scaffolding training recognition for more than 50 years, according to Roofing Today. Its qualifications are recognised by organisations including Build UK, UNITE, the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and major scaffold system manufacturers.

Its planned departure from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Alliance has raised questions about future arrangements for recognising scaffolding competence. The Scaffolding Association says it has received confirmation, through Build UK, that an industry scaffolding card carrying the CSCS logo will continue to be available. That assurance concerns the continuation of a card meeting the required standards, rather than a published transition process for existing holders.

The association said it had held back from public speculation while seeking information about the decision. It surveyed its members and contacted CSCS, Build UK and other industry stakeholders before setting out its concerns about consultation, governance and the reasons for withdrawal.

Contractors and training centres question consultation

The association said its member survey found no evidence that the wider scaffolding contractor base had been meaningfully consulted before the decision. That finding included responses from businesses which also belonged to NASC. It presented the survey as evidence that consultation concerns extended beyond contractors belonging only to its own organisation.

Training providers have raised a separate concern about their involvement. The Scaffolding Training Alliance (STA), which represents principals of CISRS-accredited training centres, said no centre known to the group had been told about the proposal or invited to contribute before it was announced.

The STA wants the evidence supporting withdrawal to be published, alongside a summary of the legal advice behind it. It has also called for a structured consultation process and assurances about the standards that will apply in future. Those requests cover both the basis for the decision and how subsequent arrangements will be developed.

Legal explanation faces challenge

According to the Scaffolding Association's account, CISRS has said legal advice identified a conflict with Construction Leadership Council (CLC) requirements because the scheme covers construction and other sectors. The association is seeking clarification of the specific conflict that makes withdrawal necessary.

The association said information received through Build UK indicated that the CLC did not intend its requirements to stop someone with a CSCS-logo card from working in another sector or workplace. It argues that this clarification leaves an unanswered question about why cross-sector working requires CISRS to leave the alliance.

It also reported confirmation that the CLC and its members would work with CSCS on the future scaffolding card. Their stated commitment is to maintain an industry card that meets the required standards and carries the CSCS logo. Roofing Today's report does not identify a future operator or set out what existing cardholders will need to do.

Oversight during the notice period

The governance concerns predate the withdrawal announcement, the Scaffolding Association said. It reported that the Access Industry Forum had already raised questions about CISRS governance. The association also said the current CISRSQAC structure did not provide the independent sector representation and oversight it considered necessary.

Its proposed approach would give workers, employers, training providers and clients a meaningful role in the scheme's governance. It said an industry-wide competence scheme needed independent checks and accountability, rather than allowing any single organisation disproportionate influence over standards and future direction. The association said it was not seeking to replace one controlling organisation with another.

For the notice period, it wants independent scrutiny of decisions made by CISRS, alongside immediate engagement with the wider industry on future CSCS-recognised arrangements. It has called on CSCS to take responsibility for the next stage, arguing that the sector should not wait until withdrawal to shape the replacement arrangements.