10 years ago the construction industry introduced CSCS as a form of self regulation principally aimed at reducing accidents on site. All workers are required to hold a CSCS card commensurate with their level of skills which needs to be renewed on a regular basis. A requirement of the CSCS cards is the touch screen Health & Safety Test, which must be passed in English, using the computer to satisfy contractor's health and safety policies. Today, the CSCS card is mandatory on most constructions sites run by the major contractors and has become the ?passport to work? for many construction workers.

By embedding the CSCS test into the Skills for Life learning, Learning and Skills Solutions (LaSS) have seen extremely positive results. Adrian Bouckley, Director of Training for LaSS explains; ?The CSCS test can be a frustrating bridge to cross for thousands of construction workers, as well as costing the worker money, poor literacy, language and computer skills can make it difficult to pass the test. Our skills for life program quickly bridges this gap, and provides the learner with a nationally recognized qualification. We also fund the CSCS card and test, which takes a bit more pressure off the learner?.

In fact, the skills for life benefits reach much further than just aiding CSCS carding. In so many cases by improving basic literacy and numeracy skills LaSS sees improved motivation from the learner. Often people

complete the courses and see the benefits of developing their skills and look for other ways to become more qualified. Skills for life can create

the initial motivator to do so. LaSS is accredited to deliver construction NVQ's and refers many of its learners onto these courses after Skills for life.

Donna Hamblion, Tutor Manager comments ?In one instance I heard back from one of our first learners who said that the Skills for Life course opened up so many doors to him that he continued learning and is now studying for a degree?.

Historically it has been very difficult to deliver Skills for Life training with construction workers despite there being a real need to raise the standards of literacy/numeracy and language. As migrant labour has become more and more prevalent within the industry Health and Safety issues have been raised to a critical level.

Attendance at college for evening classes has until recently been the only avenue available to construction workers and this environment is normally unattractive to a typical construction worker.

Recognizing the need to raise basic skills and also the importance of Health and Safety in the workplace LaSS have adopted the model of embedding the training as part of the preparation for the CSCS Health and Safety Test. This training is normally delivered on site, to ensure minimal disruption to the working day.