THE National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has announced the creation of a new independent sector representative organisation (SRO).
The organisation said that the launch of the CISRS Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) Ltd, marks the ‘most significant’ reform to the governance of scaffolding and access training in decades.
The move follows a comprehensive governance review announced in late 2024 and the subsequent closure of the Assess and Scaffolding Industry Training Organisation (ASITO), with the new structure designed to deliver enhanced accountability, industry-led oversight, and the highest standards of training quality, NASC said.
CISRS’s Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) Ltd, together with the Standard Setting Bodies (CITB and ECITB) will be at the heart of this transformation. The CISRSQAC Ltd will guide the development of all new CISRS courses and oversee the quality of the programme, ensuring that training remains robust, relevant, and responsive to industry needs.
Interviews are at the final stage for the appointment of an independent Chair, who will bring impartial leadership to the SRO. Importantly, the CISRSQAC Ltd will be employer led with trade union involvement, ensuring that course design and quality assurance are grounded in the real-world needs of both businesses and the workforce.
To guarantee broad representation, key industry stakeholders such as the ECITB, CITB, Unite the Union, and the Scaffolding Association will participate directly. Training centre representations from across the UK and overseas will also sit on the SRO, ensuring that delivery standards are consistent and internationally recognised.
This new governance model involves robust controls, including in respect of conflicts of interest involving NASC, CISRS and CISRSQAC Ltd being group companies.
The CISRSQAC Ltd.’s responsibilities will include:
- Monitoring training centre performance and compliance with CISRS requirements
- Advising on the development of new CISRS courses
- Supporting fairness and consistency in assessment and certification
- Responding to evolving industry practice and regulation
- Providing research-led, evidence-based recommendations
Speaking on the changes, Group CEO Clive Dickin, said, “The launch of the Sector Representative Organisation (CISRSQAC Ltd) sets a new benchmark for training governance in our sector. By putting employers, unions, and key stakeholders at the heart of decision-making, we are ensuring CISRS continues to deliver the gold standard for scaffolding training both in the UK and overseas.”
