Cowboys Culled.

There are just a few weeks left for "grandads" to claim their rights.

The accreditation route for existing workers in certain construction trades - or "grandad's rights", as it is known - vanishes on December 31.

So working brickies, painters and decorators, roofers and those currently working in other specified construction trades have until then to register with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme.

After that, anyone who wants to register will have to gain a National Vocational Qualification at level two, or produce proof of having successfully completed an apprenticeship.

This fact was brought to the notice of Record Recruitment by Chris Logan of CJL Training in Glasgow and Lochgilphead.

CJL are accredited CITB trainers but are concerned that many self-employed construction workers and tradesmen may be unaware of this change.

Chris says: "For those who fail to register, the requirement is almost for them to learn their trade all over again before they can become registered."

The scheme is voluntary and part of an effort by the industry to weed out the cowboy element but it will affect everyone.

Chris says: "Those who are not registered could find it very difficult to get on to local authority tendering lists. And they could be denied the right to tender for a wide range of contracts simply because they do not carry industry accreditation."

Part of the registration process for tradesmen is to attend a one-day refresher course in safety training.

CJL are one of several providers who run this course and, Chris says, no matter how experienced the worker, a day's safety training "does no harm whatsoever".

The five CITB instructors at CJL Training offer training over and above the requirements of the CSC Scheme and have an impressive record of experience.

CJL started as a plant hire company, but became a purely training organisation in February. It has already made a name for itself in Glasgow and Argyll, where it has centres and further afield, through its mobile training operation.

Its senior training instructor is George Livingstone, who worked in the personnel and training side for a major utility for 30 years.

He and Chris had the idea of working with local authorities to offer trainees real work.

George says: "What's the point of learning how to dig a trench and to fill it in again when exactly the same amount of work could be used in a real project, and benefit the community at large?"

l For information on CJL's full range of training courses and on CSCS registration, call Chris Logan on 01546 603800.

Mark of respect

Congratulations to Angus College, who were recently presented with the prestigious Charter Mark award at a ceremony in London.

The Charter Mark is only given to institutions who can demonstrate standards of excellence in public service and comes to Angus College in its 40th birthday year.

Staff and students celebrated by making a giant birthday cake - weighing in at 400 pounds - which they shared with residential homes within nearby communities.