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Building Industry Accreditation
Scheme
One comment often raised during discussions on the
weathertightness issue is the lack of control over those entering
the industry. Licensing or registration is often suggested in response
but it is generally accepted that enforced registration would be
unlikely to gain approval. The proposed scheme detailed below is
a voluntary self regulating accreditation scheme that recognises
the skills and experience of participants without hindering the
entrance of new people or companies.
Any comments on this proposal would be most welcome.
Summary
Name: Building Industry Professional Accreditation
Co-operative
Purpose:
To improve the performance of the building envelope
through information sharing and ongoing education programmes.
It is most likely that the focus of the accreditation
scheme will expand from the building envelope to buildings in general.
Aims:
a. To improve the level of understanding of water management
principles
b. To provide a framework through which existing and future site
workers can receive ongoing training
c. To improve the level of co-operation between industry members
- the scheme will be based on industry members recognising industry
members
d. To improve the information sharing between the various trades
and professions working on the building envelope.
Overview:
Background
1. Weather related problems are causing rot in structural
components of buildings in NZ and overseas.
2. Problems caused by a combination of factors involving all sectors
of the construction industry. These include the following;
a. proliferation of materials and/or systems available on the market
b. increasing complexity of building designs
c. lack of understanding of water management principles
d. lack of moisture control with some systems
e. poor construction practices on-site
3. The proliferation of building systems and materials and increasing
complexity of design is placing increased demands on the skill levels
of industry participants. Without ongoing training skill levels
will fall below levels required.
4. It is acknowledged that the quality of a job is dependent on
the skills and experience of the people doing the work. It is not
possible, long-term, to inspect quality into work.
5. The Weather-tight Building Steering Group (WBSG) suggested the
development of an accreditation scheme to recognise the attainment
of the necessary skills, expertise and understanding of weather
related issues and how to apply these on-site.
Accreditation Scheme Structure
6. The proposal is to work with and use the existing structures
of industry organisations to put in place a system of accreditation
that recognises the skills and expertise attained by individual
members of the construction industry.
7. The accreditation scheme will be run by a coordinating body -
Building Industry Personal Accreditation Co-operative (BIPAC) -
made up of participating industry organisations such as NZ Certified
Builders Association, Registered Master Builders Federation, Roofing
Association etc etc. Individuals can't become members of BIPAC.
8. The scheme will use internet based registers to check on accreditation.
BIPAC will use a central site with links to the various accrediting
bodies, manufacturers etc. Checking accreditation etc can then be
managed through the one site.
9. TA's will be able to use the registers to check the authenticity
of Producer Statement authors and will have the ability to bring
authors to account (at least in terms of accreditation).
10. Accreditation is a voluntary system of registration (or licensing)
of the industry.
11. Individuals do not need to be accredited to work in the industry.
The accreditation scheme will however offer a significant marketing
advantage over non-accredited individuals as awareness and understanding
of the scheme grows.
12. Accreditation can only be given to an individual NOT a company,
partnership, or other business relationship.
13. The member organisations of BIPAC will provide all the education
and training services necessary for accreditation of their members
and other individuals working in their particular area. The member
organisations will be the accrediting body, and maintain an up-to-date
register of those individuals they have accredited.
14. (For example, the Roofing Association will provide the training
needed for those in the roofing industry - whether members of the
Association or not. The Roofing Association has access to the necessary
expertise and latest product information through their manufacturer
members, consultants etc as well as direct access to those installing
the various roofing products.
15. Those individuals working in the roofing area that are not members
of the Association can expect to pay a higher fee for accreditation
than members. This may result in new membership applications)
16. Accreditation does not tie an individual to the body through
which they were accredited. They must however remain associated
with an organisation that provides accreditation in their particular
area.
17. The accreditation scheme will support the guarantees or warrantees
offered by industry associations, professional bodies and manufacturers
by providing the necessary training to meet their requirements.
The scheme itself does not provide a warranty or guarantee over
workmanship.
Accreditation
18. Accreditation of an individual will take into account their
educational and/or trade qualifications, as well as their level
of site experience and skill. It will not be necessary to be trade
or professionally qualified (unless required by law) to receive
accreditation.
19. Membership of an industry association and/or a trade or professional
qualification does not give an automatic right to accreditation.
Individuals must still demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills
to receive and maintain accreditation.
20. Accreditation is for a one year period and must be renewed annually.
If individuals do not continue to undertake the training required
by the accrediting body to maintain their skills accreditation can
be refused or withdrawn.
21. To attain and retain accreditation requires an individual to
commit to Continuing Professional Development.
22. The accrediting body will have the final say who will receive
accreditation. Individuals will have the right of appeal to BIPAC
if accreditation is refused.
Education
23. BIPAC is a co-coordinator of the accreditation process and the
activities this entails - education and training of the existing
and future workforce. BIPAC is not an education provider.
24. BIPAC and the accrediting organisations will produce and maintain
a calendar of educational services and events available to industry.
These can be accessed by any interested parties through the internet
websites.
25. BIPAC will encourage a "blurring" of industry boundaries
through training to reduce development of sectors in relative isolation.
All designs, systems and materials that make up the building envelope
need to work together to succeed. Layering and fragmentation will
be reduced as a consequence.
26. This will mean that specific areas of responsibility will be
identified and assigned to a particular sector. This information
must be communicated to individuals through the accreditation training
programmes.
27. The focus of BIPAC will be proactive re-educating individuals
where gaps in their knowledge are identified. The accreditation
scheme is not aimed at punishing individuals.
28. The content and format of training programmes is the responsibility
of accrediting bodies. BIPAC, through the auditing process, will
ensure that training programmes are consistent between providers
and on-going to ensure the system does not breakdown.
Audit Process
29. BIPAC will carry out periodic audits of the educational services
and training programmes of its member organisations to ensure standards
are consistently maintained across accrediting bodies.
30. The accrediting bodies will be responsible for the auditing
of those accredited. Those audited may be randomly selected, selected
as a result of a complaint through the complaint procedures, or
through an interface with a TA inspection or checking process. The
TA may indicate dissatisfaction with some aspect of the work which
triggers a complaint resulting in an audit.
31. Where problems are identified either through the complaints
procedure or the audit process, recommendations for additional training
in specific areas can be given. Refusal or failure to complete the
recommended course of action can result in deregistration.
Complaint Procedures
32. When an individual applies for accreditation they must agree
to allow the accrediting body the freedom to investigate complaints
received and recommend actions to be undertaken.
33. Complaints procedures can be categorised by degree - at the
lower end there are CONCERNS about some aspect of a persons knowledge,
and at the other end there are COMPLAINTS based on clear mistakes
that need urgent correction.
34. The complaints procedure will initially be handled in an informal
way with the individual concerned being approached to discuss the
concern or complaint made. Recommendations can be made for additional
training or some other course of action.
35. If the individual concerned fails to undertake the recommended
action to rectify problems a formal approach requiring action will
be made. If this does not work the individual concerned can then
be deregistered. The individual has the right to appeal but must
indicate why remedial actions were not undertaken. If the appeal
is not successful the individual concerned will not be able to apply
for accreditation again for the period of one year.
36. Complaints can be triggered by any number on people or causes
- the end consumer dissatisfied with some aspect of the work undertaken,
the TA's through inspections, checking drawings etc.
37. Complaints can only be considered that relate specifically to
the standard of work undertaken. The accreditation scheme does not
cover aspects such as ethics, payments, or other contractual relationships.
These may be covered by guarantee schemes or warrantees of the various
industry associations.
Funding
38. Funding will be needed for the establishment of the scheme and
to cover the ongoing running costs.
39. The establishment costs will need to be funded by those organisations
that will ultimately receive benefit from the scheme - manufacturers,
councils, insurers,
40. Running costs will have to be paid for by those receiving accreditation.
Individuals will make a one-off up-front payment to go through an
accreditation assessment process, and pay a smaller annual registration
fee.
41. The accrediting industry association will charge the individuals
the respective fees. A proportion of each will be paid to BIPAC
to fund its operations with the remainder being used to run the
training programmes, auditing of individuals, the complaints procedures
etc.
BIPAC Membership
42. Potential industry members of BIPAC include the following;
- NZIA
- IPENZ
- NZIQS
- ADNZ
- DANZ
- BRANZ
- BOINZ
- BIA
- RMBF
- NZCBA
- RANZ
- WANZ
- BCITO
- Universities and Polytechnics
- Manufacturers and Suppliers
- Territorial Authorities
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