The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has lauded the Government’s new industrial strategy, Construction 2025, for identifying the need to improve the image of the building industry.
FMB chief executive, Brian Berry, has said that every effort must be made to drive out unscrupulous practices of people operation in the informal economy and more must be done to set standards of quality and tradesmanship. He was speaking on the day that Construction 2025 – the latest national strategy for construction – was officially launched at the Government Construction Summit in London.
Mr Berry said that the plans relating to the TrustMark scheme were a particularly laudable move.
“Today’s announcement to expand the TrustMark scheme for tradespeople and to introduce new standards is a welcome step to help drive out the rogue traders,” he said. “The challenge going forward both for government and the building industry as a whole will be to ensure that consumers are made aware of the benefits of only using TrustMark-accredited tradespeople.”
TrustMark is a not-for-profit organisation, licensed by the Government and supported by consumer protection groups, aimed at maintaining standards among tradesmen and giving customers the peace of mind that they are employing reputable and trustworthy workers.
Accredited tradesmen have proven that they abide a set code of practice, and have undergone rigorous checks of aspects of their operation, including qualifications, quality of work, trading record and health and safety standards.