The latest SICCS audit data is in, and the numbers make for encouraging reading!
“Year to date, our digital competence card builds are up 26% on the same period last year. Over the last tracked 12-month period, the SICCS Scheme delivery team at the NAS is now in receipt of high-level verification requests and new build demands each week – a consistent rate that reflects genuine momentum, with notable spikes in February, June and August pointing to periods of particularly high activity across the sector”, reports Amanda Scott – SICCS Scheme Director.
The mix of cards being issued tells its own story. The top three experienced worker card (blue in colour) types remain Shopfitting Site Worker (SFSW), Shopfitting Bench Worker (SFBW), and Solid Surface Fabricator & Installer (SSF), with SFSW alone accounting for 37% of all builds year to date.
Advanced Craft cards (gold in colour) in Shopfitting now make up 20% of this year’s total output – a reflection of a workforce not just entering the scheme but progressing through it. The newest addition to the SICCS family, the Commercial Signage Installer Provisional card, has already generated 8% of total builds in its first year – a strong start for a card that broadens the scheme’s reach into a closely related trade.
Labourer card numbers remain low which may appear to sound strange, but no, it is a positive indicator – high labourer builds would raise flags with our CSCS Alliance Partner Scheme auditors and suggest a sector leaning on unskilled labour. The figures here point in the opposite direction.
Apprenticeship card issues do remain low making up just 3.6% of builds this year, but that is no surprise given the well-documented challenges around apprenticeship provision and uptake in shopfitting – challenges the NAS is actively working to address and look forward to bringing you new solution-based outcomes, relating to pathway developments in the existing Trailblazer and Scottish Modern Apprenticeships
“This year’s returning results of the Digital SICCS Scheme strategic outcomes show the effectiveness of the works, and our growth ambitions doesn’t stop here, with more new card types in development, the scheme’s scope continues to grow, to support the major and satellite skilled occupations in the Shopfitting arena.” – Amanda
One final note for anyone thinking their renewal is due soon and they have an older CSCS card, all cards are now issued based on the qualification you hold, with 26% of IOC members identifying as Shopfitters and hold Shopfitting occupationally competent qualifications – our partners the CSCS will automatically direct you to the NAS SICCS delivery team.
If you are not yet registered on SICCS, now is a good time to find out more, remember as NAS and IOC members you will receive a 10% discount. To find out more or to apply for your new card head to our webpage on https://www.shopfitters.org/siccs/ or hit our live chat button.
