The BBC filmed undercover to expose fraudulent training
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme is to independently review the anti-fraud measures put in place at test centres run by CITB and other exam authorities after a Newsnight/BBC London investigation this week uncovered “cash for qualifications” scams.
CSCS is taking action to shore up its own reputation after the BBC revealed that workers have been able to gain CSCS cards and employment on major sites after handing over bundles of cash to corrupt test centres.
The tests featured in the BBC undercover investigation included the CSCS-mandated HS+E test, the five-day SMSTS site management course (mandated by Tier 1 contractors in Build UK), and the two-day SSTS supervisors course (also mandatory for Build UK sites).
The BBC also made a Freedom of Information request to the CITB, which showed that it had received 96 reports of card fraud in 2012, 264 in 2013, and rising to 311 in 2014.
A CSCS spokesperson told Construction Manager: “In the light of what’s been discovered the CSCS is going to get around to all the awarding bodies [the CITB’s CSkills Awards, City & Guilds and Pearsons] and examine their review arrangements and audit procedures.
“There needs to be more robust checking by the CITB and CSCS where appropriate. We have to be more active as although CSCS is not directly responsible for this fraudulent activity it damages the reputation of CSCS cards.”
Yesterday, the CITB’s Carl Rhymer, delivery and customer engagement director, told Construction Manager that it was putting a hold on new applications to become an authorised CITB test centre “while we take a step back and review our procedures.”
But he stressed that all three of the corrupt test centres highlighted in the BBC investigation were already part of its anti-fraud investigations.
Rhymer said that WEP HSE had in fact been suspended in August, while Future Training for Jobs in Ilford and a third firm in north London were also under investigation.
According to the CITB, four other test centres authorised to deliver CITB training courses have also been suspended, while another eight are under review.
Rhymer also indicated that prosecutions are being sought. He told Construction Manager: “Our investigation team is working extremely closely with other agencies, including the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police to gather the evidence to bring prosecutions. Our role is to identify fraud, look at the evidence, then have a conversation with the police.”
"These cases are a few centres [out of 553 registered with CITB] that do seek to get around the rules and we want to come down on them hard. The suggestion on the BBC was that this is endemic, but that’s definitely not our view – it’s a minority of centres."
Carl Rhymer, CITB
“These cases are a few centres [out of 553 registered with CITB] that do seek to get around the rules and we want to come down on them hard. The suggestion on the BBC was that this is endemic, but that’s definitely not our view – it’s a minority of centres, but we need to focus on uncovering that minority.”
Rhymer said that CITB in June had required all new test centre applicants to install CCTV, and had planned to make it mandatory in every centre in 2016. However, it would now attempt to accelerate CCTV installation “as soon as practical”.
But he acknowledged that the BBC revelations would inevitably damage the industry’s confidence in CITB-run testing and the CSCS card system. “Understandably when you see the footage, it’s going to make a dent to confidence. But I would go back to what we said in the statement, it isn’t endemic, it’s a small section, and we want to reassure the industry that we are on top of this.”
Asked about the CITB’s methods for detecting fraud at test centres, Rhymer said test results were analysed to look for any suspicious patterns, that “whistleblowers” sometimes came forward, and spot checks were also undertaken. The anti-fraud department is sometimes assisted by private investigators, whose tactics can include posing as applicants.
Build UK issued the following statement. “Build UK fully supports a comprehensive training and qualifications structure capable of delivering the necessary skills and properly certifying the diverse construction workforce. We are committed to recognising industry card schemes that carry the CSCS logo. CSCS relies on the Awarding Organisations to verify that an individual has achieved the required qualifications before issuing the appropriate card and we welcome the introduction of Smart Technology which is already helping to reduce card fraud.
“Where fraudulent testing activity is discovered, this enables cards gained in this way to be invalidated. However, it is vital that construction sites use the technology available to check all cards so that workers that have had their qualifications revoked are not allowed onto site.
“CITB already has an auditing process in place for test centres and has announced an acceleration of this programme to include monitored CCTV and spot checks. We fully support this activity and welcome news that operating licences for test centres found to be undertaking fraudulent activities have or will be removed.
“Build UK is confident that the majority of cards issued are correct and will work with its members, CSCS, CITB and, where appropriate, government to make sure that all employers carry out the proper checks on the construction workforce.”
