Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme PCCCS

[edit] The principal contractor competence framework

The framework for competence of individual Principal Contractors: PAS 8672:2022. Built environment specification was published on July 31, 2022. It is part of set of standards, developed by three steering groups, made up of built environment professionals and under the government-funded Built Environment Competence programme and as such is freely available for download.

The PAS 8672:2022 standard specifies competence requirements for the duty holder role of principal contractor. It also describes specific competences common to all principal contractors and those which are additional for those undertaking the role on higher-risk buildings (HRBs). It covers roles and responsibilities; skills, knowledge and experience; behaviours and ethics; additional competences for higher-risk buildings; and limits of competence.

It is aimed towards; professional institutions, licencing bodies and awarding organisations, regulators and enforcing authorities, principal contractors, clients, building owners and leaseholders undertaking repairs, maintenance and improvements (RMI) to buildings.

[edit] CIOB principal contractor competency certification scheme (PCCCS)

The CIOB Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme (PCCCS) provides a route to proving your competency as a Principal Contractor, as required by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The regulatory transformation introduced with the establishment of the BSR includes the creation of new safety-critical roles, including the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, both with building safety responsibilities.

The Principal Contractor has control over the building during the construction phase. Where the Principal Contractor is an organisation, there will be a requirement for them to designate an individual under their control who has the task of managing their functions as the Principal Contractor.

CIOB’s PCCCS is suitable for individuals performing or appointed to the role of the Principal Contractor, and is open to those currently carrying out the Principal Contractor role under the Building Safety Act 2022. The applicants must also either be current members of CIOB or an alternative qualifying professional body.

These duty holders require an overarching understanding of all aspects of building safety, and are expected to demonstrate they have the appropriate competence to:

• interrogate design and construction activity
• challenge the quality of work and bad practices
• identify major hazards and minimize the risk to safety during building use.

[edit] PCCCS application process

Applicants can apply for two certifications, depending on their level of experience:

• Those working on projects involving all building types, including higher-risk buildings (HRBs)
  • Eligibility requirements:
    • Chartered Membership of the CIOB or equivalent
    • a relevant construction-related qualification, such as a HNC/HND, NVQ, Bachelor or Master’s degree
    • typically, 3+ years’ experience in managing construction works in managing construction works on all buildings (including on higher-risk buildings)
• Those working on projects only involving non-higher risk buildings (HRBs)
  • Eligibility requirements:
    • CIOB membership, including TechCIOB, or equivalen
    • a relevant construction-related qualification, such as a HNC/HND, NVQ, Bachelor or Master’s degree
    • typically, 3+ years’ experience in managing building works

[edit] PCCCS re-certification

All members of the scheme are required to be re-certified and peer reviewed after five years. The re-certification process may allow progression to or from one category to another.

Members of the scheme who are certified for non-HRBs can apply for an upgrade to HRB certified through the re-certification process, however they must have held membership at their current grade for at least 12 months before applying for an upgrade.

[edit] Comments and experience of PCCCS

"I was privileged to be offered the opportunity to participate in the CIOB PCCCS pilot scheme. With the step change in the industry following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, the importance in demonstrating compliance and capability of construction professionals has never been more important. It has been exciting to play a part in the CIOB shaping their Principal Contractor Competence Certificate Scheme.2" Dan Harmer, Project Manager, Tilbury Douglas

Follow link for full Construction Management article 'What I learned from CIOB’s PC competency scheme’

For further information about this course and to check eligibility contact pcccs@ciob.org.uk, for further information regarding the CIOB Academy Principal Contractor Competence and Legal Duties course click here.

This article appears on the specialist certification page of the CIOB website as 'Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme (PCCCS)'

--CIOB

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