National Association of Shopfitters introduce sector specific competency card

The National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) has introduced the Shopfitting and Interior Contracting Competency Scheme (SICCS) to ensure that everyone in the sector can demonstrate the necessary level of competence, qualifications and health and safety awareness.

The card will identify an individual’s occupational competency, from apprentice through to director level. It will only be issued to those who can demonstrate the prerequisite knowledge and a high level of health and safety awareness through the achievement of the existing ConstructionSkills Health & Safety Test. This will be further supported and enhanced by other qualifications based on national occupational standards in addition to key accredited learning programmes that have been developed by the Shopfitting Independent Training Forum (SITF) in conjunction with ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry.

The Scheme (SICCS) aims to provide the following benefits to employers:

• identification of operatives with recognised industry skills, competence and qualifications
• better quality of work
• improved health and safety awareness amongst the workforce of the shopfitting and interior contracting sector
• provision of training standards to equip individuals with relevant skills to enter the industry
• a move to a qualified and carded workforce, which will help to improve customer satisfaction and the industry’s image

What better time for the scheme (SICCS) to be introduced, for shopfitters and interior contractors to underline their independence and show to the world at large the difference between themselves and the construction industry in general. In making this statement the Director of the NAS said “this scheme gives shopfitters the opportunity to carry the single card (SICCS) and be proud to be a part of the Shopfitting and Interior Contracting sector.

The scheme (SICCS) will be processed, accredited and branded by ConstructionSkills as NAS appointed Service Provider (Based at ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31) which is supported by Shared Services to process applications and the Contact Centre to handle customer enquiries.. Applications can be requested via the dedicated telephone number, 0844 847 4409.

Downloads

SICCS Scheme Booklet
Application form for SICCS