NDTG’s Virtual CCDO Smart Card Scheme launching

17th July, 2017 signifies the launch of the NDTG’s Virtual CCDO Smart Card Scheme using ‘Vircarda.’ The first to market with this technology from partner Reference Point, the NDTG were keen to build upon the momentum gathered since its launch of their CCDO Smart Cards back in August 2016.

What is a Virtual Smart Card?

From Monday, 17th July, new applicants have the choice of being issued with a Virtual CCDO Smart Card in addition to a physical CCDO Smart Card. The virtual card works by way of an app downloaded to the card holder’s smartphone or tablet saving the need to carry cards on site.

All of the demolition worker’s relevant qualifications can now be stored on the 'Vircarda' App. The virtual card can simply be scanned and read by the site supervisor on the same Go Smart software used for reading a physical card, working in much the same way as an online ticket for a flight.

How does it Work?

On completion of an NDTG application form, the customer service team at the NDTG will issue members with a Virtual CCDO Smart Card.

When a virtual smart card is set up, an email and SMS containing a personal registration number and PIN is sent to the cardholder and includes directions on how to download the Vircarda app.

1. Select your NDTG Smartcard in Vircarda.
2. Select the ‘Read Card’ function and Vircarda generates a secure QR Code.
3. The person checking your card reads your QR code and is then able to access the required information stored on your Smart Card - these QR codes can only be read using the Go Smart app.
4. You receive a notification that your card has been read with the time and location, where available.

The Right Choice

“We are delighted to be the first to market with the launch of the eagerly awaited Vircarda CCDO Virtual Smart Card using the Gencarda cardholder management system. This once again proves that the demolition industry remains at the forefront of technology. The Virtual Smart Card gives workers and supervisors immediate access to information, reducing both the need to carry a physical card and the possibility of fraud. Furthermore, the app will work on Apple devices, which is a big plus.” NFDC/NDTG CEO Howard Button.

NFDC CCDO smart cards suffer technical delay

Howard Button, CEO of the NFDC, has relayed the following update regarding the new NFDC CCDO smart cards:

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The NFDC CCDO smart cards launched on the 1st September have unfortunately suffered a technical problem that has delayed the card delivery side of the system.

Every effort is being made to ensure card delivery as soon as possible, and I ask that you bear with us during this transition period.

The NDTG staff will produce certification for all courses completed and offer reassurance to clients that your operatives are qualified.

HBCD-containing polystyrene insulation foams and end-of-life treatment

Anyone who has worked in construction or demolition knows all about HBCD-containing polystyrene insulation foams. They offered great insulation for housing while remaining highly durable and flame retardent. But the European Union has classified HBCD (Hexabromocyclododecane) as a Persistent Organic Pollutant as stated by the UNEP Stockholm Convention. It is also subject to authorisation under REACH.


With that in mind, the NFDC has produced a case study document on the end-of-life treatment for HBCD-containing polystyrene foams.

New style CCDO Smart Cards are now in use

We are now in the month of September, which means one thing: the new style CCDO Smart Cards are now in use and will be issued for all NDTG completed courses going forward.

Click on the image below to see the Smart Card Scheme breakdown:


From this month, all CCDO cards will be issued in accordance with the new CCDO Smart Card Scheme criteria and rules applied with a requirement to:

• have or be registered for and working towards attaining an industry relevant NVQ
• successfully attain the relevant Demolition Health, Safety & Environment Touch Screen Test
• attend a National Demolition Training Group (NDTG) approved asbestos awareness course and card specific approved CCDO course with end test

The card scheme has also gone SMART, which means that a Demolition Operative’s complete training records can be accessed on site using an easy to use card reader and software via a smartphone, tablet or PC, making it simpler and quicker for operative to access site, whilst at the same time, as a manager or supervisor ensuring that an operative has the correct skills and competence to work on site.

The timetable for completing a 2016 CITB LEVY return

The NFDC has posted information relating to the timetable for completing the 2016 CITB Levy Return, a process which has been delayed due to system changes at CITB.

Here's the post in full:

Filling-in your levy return
Employers will be able to fill in a postal levy return as normal, or have the option to complete their return online:

• Postal levy return - Employers will receive their levy return forms in mid-August 2016
• Online levy return - Online users will be able to submit their levy return from the beginning of September 2016. Employers will be notified once the service is available.

The deadline for completing postal and online returns is 31 December 2016. Due to the levy return process being delayed, employers who submit their levy return by the 31 December deadline will still qualify for Supplementary Payment.

Levy assessment
Employers will receive their 2016 Levy Assessment paperwork in March 2017 as normal. All employers should have already received their 2015 Levy Assessment. If not, please contact CITB on 0344 994 4455.

Claiming CITB Grants
The 2016/17 Grants Scheme Year will begin on 1 August 2016 and eligible claims can be submitted from this date. The rules on claiming grant will be:

• Grant claims submitted between 1 August 2016 – 31 December 2016 will be paid regardless of whether the employer has completed their 2016 levy return
• Grant claims submitted between 1 January 2017 - 31 July 2017 will only be paid to employers who submit their 2016 levy return by the deadline of 31 December 2016.

This is particularly important for employers paying both the CITB Levy and the Apprenticeship Levy and who will be eligible for support under a one year transitional package covering the first year of the Apprenticeship Levy’s operation. The Apprenticeship Levy will begin in April 2017, and eligible employers will receive support under the transition package through an Enhanced Training Grant. As a result, employers who do not submit their 2016 levy return on time will not receive support under the transition package for the period 1 April 2017 – 31 July 2017.

The rates for the 2016/2017 Grants Scheme will remain unchanged from the previous year.

More information on completing your levy return is available on the CITB website.

CCDO Smart Card Briefing event on 15th July

The CCDO card scheme is going smart with substantial changes to align the scheme with CSCS standards.

A briefing event is taking place for NFDC and NDTG members at the Montague on the Gardens Hotel in central London on the 15th July 2016 to prepare all interested parties prior to going live on the 31st August 2016.

The briefing event is aimed at Administrative staff for them to better understand how going smart and the additional changes being made to the scheme will affect them.

Format and timings for the event are as follows:

09:30 - Registration with tea, coffee and biscuits
10:00–12:30 - Scheme briefing inc Q&A session
12:30 - Lunch
14:00 - Briefing event concludes

If you would like to attend, please register for a ticket!

Howard Button is concerned about the future of training

A message from Howard Button, CEO of the NFDC:

The CITB meeting on 16th December 2015, focused on predicted changes following the implementation of the Government’s Apprentice Levy announced in the Autumn Statement, with a levy of 0.5% being charged on firm’s payroll exceeding £3 million.

The predicted effect on CITB income is a reduction of a massive £32 million. The change, due for introduction in April 2017, leaves many questions unanswered for CITB and more importantly for BIS.

Various options were tabled by CITB to compensate for the predicted £32 million shortfall from 2017, with several industry hybrid levy options tabled; all of which naturally resulted in cuts to the training board income.

Thankfully, not many NFDC member companies are directly affected by the Government charge, however the general knock-on affect to CITB grants may well be catastrophic for the industry in general, despite CITB advising that grants would still be available.

Simple maths however, tells us that you can only play with the funds you have.

Howard will be monitoring the situation carefully over the coming months and reporting any developments as they arise.

Source: NFDC

Free guide to non-licensed work with asbestos containing materials available to download

The NFDC has made available a feee downloadable guide, entitled, "Industry guidance for non-licensed work with asbestos containing materials within a demolition or refurbishment environment."

Here's the scop of what the guidance covers, taken from the above document:

In response to recent changes to the control of asbestos regulations and to explain the additional administrative requirements for NNLW, (Notifiable non-licensed work) the NFDC has produced this guide in order to ensure industry best practice by clarifying and where necessary, highlighting generic methods of operation. In using this guide, it should be recognized that all generic methods of working are subject to a site survey and should be adapted to suit the site in question by preparation of a method statement and risk assessment.

The information contained within this guidance is for non-licensed work with asbestos containing materials only. Licensable work with asbestos containing materials is to be carried out by an HSE licensed asbestos removal contractor employing fully trained operatives holding a current medical certificate. For work with any type of asbestos it is recommended that the HSE publications L143 and HSG247 should be consulted.

The table of contents for the guide is as follows:

1. Scope of Guidance
1.1 Scope of Guidance
1.1.1 Nature, applicability and status of guidance
1.1.2 Limitations of good practice guidance
1.2 Objectives of guidance
1.3 Responsibilities
1.4 Safety legislation
2. Management procedures
2.1 Training
2.2 Operative requirements
2.3 Site requirements for work with NNLW
3. Work methods
3.1 Wet & drop i.e. roofing and side sheeting
3.2 Cut & lower
3.3 Vinyl floor tiles
3.4 Textured coatings
4. Summary
4.1 Setting up safely - RPE
4.2 Monitoring
4.3 Decontamination
4.4 Waste disposal
Appendix 1 - HSE Asbestos decision flowchart
Appendix 2 - Asbestos Work Categories

Please download the guide for free.

A guide is helpful, but it can only reinforce, not replace training, Book one of our CAT B asbestos removal courses for 2016 as dates are going fast. Contact stuart@demolishdismantle.co.uk for more information.

Spaces are available on The NDTG's funded Supervisor Course

Spaces are still available (if you're quick) on the NDTG CCDO 5 Day Demolition Supervisor Course.

The course begins at 9am on July 7th at Northern Safety Ltd, 109B Allison Avenue, Teeside Industrial Estate, Thornaby, Middlesborough, TS17 9LY.

The 5 day course is split as follows:

Day 1: 07/07/2015
Day 2: 14/07/2015
Day 3: 21/07/2015
Day 4: 28/07/2015
Day 5: 11/08/2015

CITB Members of the NFDC and NDTG can save £1,000 thanks to special regional funding, meaning the course will only cost £200 +VAT. Non-members will have to pay £1,400 +VAT.

For more details please visit the course page.

NDTG Free Courses announced

The NDTG has announced a number of free courses that will be made available over the coming months. The courses will appear on our training calendar and are also listed below.

Non-licenced Asbestos
Halesowen
30/06/2015

Face Fit
Hemel
08/07/2015

Non-Licenced Asbestos
Bolton
08/09/2015

Oxy-Fuel
Bolton
09/09/2015

Supervisor Refresher
Thornaby (Northern Safety)
10/09/2015

Oxy Fuel
Hemel
16/09/2015

Supervisor Refresher
Halesowen
23/09/2015

Working At Height
Hemel
25/09/2015 AM

Non-licenced Refresher
Hemel
25/09/2015 PM

First Aid
Hemel
28/09/2015

Non-licenced Asbestos
Hemel
05/10/2015

Supervisor Refresher
Bolton
22/10/2015

Supervisor Refresher
Hemel
12/11/2015

Source: NDTG

PASMA Tower Week begins November 10th

PASMA has announced that this year's Tower Week will take place from the 10th to 14th of November. Tower Week's aim is to promote towers, ensure they’re used safely, and to promote good practice within the industry.

As part of the week-long promotion, PASMA has introduced The Tower Test. It's a 5-minute test to see how safe you are on your mobile access tower. Everyone who takes the test gets a Tower Fact Pack including an answer sheet explaining the correct answers to the test.

To find out more and take the test, visit PASMA's dedicated Tower Seek website.

10% discount on Non Licensed Asbestos Removal in Bolton on August 5th

The NDTG are offering a 10% discount on the original member price of the Non Licensed Asbestos Removal Course being held on the 5th August.

The course is being held in Bolton. NDTG and NFDC members will pay £80 +VAT, non members pay £90 +VAT.

If you're interested then please email kaila@demolition-nfdc.com, sarah@demolition-nfdc.com or dave@demolition-nfdc.com. You can also fill out the booking form.

Source: NDTG

10% Discount Open Asbestos & Demolition Awareness Course in Bolton on August 4th

The NDTG are offering a 10% discount on the original member price of the Asbestos and Demolition Awareness Course being held on the 4th August.

The course is being held in Bolton. If you're interested then please email sarah@demolition-nfdc.com or dave@demolition-nfdc.com. You can also fill out the booking form.

Source: NDTG

NFDC/NDTG announce another Working Wednesday (but this time it is on a Tuesday)

Regular readers will know that Howard Button CEO of the NFDC and Sophie Cox NDTG Group Manager are always keen to provide relevant topical information for members of both organisations and have done so over the past few years by the very well attended "Working Wednesday" initiative.

They have decided to continue with these successful events in 2014 with an event in London on May 20th.

Owing to difficulties in finding a suitable venue on a Wednesday this event will be a "Working Wednesday" on a Tuesday!

The meeting will look at the proposed changes to the Construction Design & Management Regulations and the consultation document currently in circulation. Speakers are still to be confirmed.

The venue is the Royal Horseguards Hotel (venue for NFDC AGMs in the past) and the event will start at 14.00.

As Howard and Sophie expect the event to be very popular you will need to book in advance by contacting the NFDC.

10th April DRIDS Training Course - few places left

The NFDC is offering a free training course covering Demolition and Refurbishment Information Data Sheets (DRIDS). If you haven't signed up for it, the good news is that there's places still available for the April 10th course.

The course covers the following:

• An introduction to DRIDS - where it all started and where it is today.
• DRIDS groups and waste streams explained.
• How to use the online DRIDS system.
• Best practise to use the project folder and how to search for outlets.
• The course will end with a Q&A session.

This course will commence on Thursday 10th April at 9am and will take place at NFDC HQ. This training session is aimed at demolition companies who will be using the system and sourcing information on material information, best waste streams, use of project folder and searching outlets.

If you'd like to book a place then email the NFDC using this address: drids@demolition-nfdc.com

C&D appointed by NDTG to deliver the first ever Demolition Management course in Gibraltar

Readers of this website will know that C&D are proud to be members of the NDTG and that we deliver their courses throughout the UK. But you may not know that we are also involved in course development with NDTG.

We are currently revising the Demolition Manager Black Card course and have now been appointed by NDTG to prepare and deliver a four day course for demolition managers in Gibraltar. The course, which will run from 3-6 February 2014, is based upon a mixture of content from the UK Demolition Manager course and the popular C&D two day course currently being delivered to major clients around the UK.

Content will include UK legislation, British Standards, CDM and how it applies to demolition, demolition techniques in 2014, why NFDC contractors with IDE members will ensure competency and a number of group exercises to allow candidates to discuss projects, interact with each other and build on the skills learnt during the course.

Sophie Cox (NDTG Manager) and John have been working with the Gibraltar client since 2010 to make this course happens and here at C&D we are delighted that Sophie's efforts have been successful.

Time running out to claim for training grants

If you intend to claim for training as part of the 2012/2013 Grants Scheme, you really need to get a move on. The closing date is Thursday, October 31st, and you need to be registered with the CITB.

Louise Calam of the NFDC sent through the following guidance:

"All eligible employers who are registered with CITB will have until Thursday, October 31st to put in their claims for training carried out or for the achievement of approved qualifications between August 1st 2012 to July 31st 2013. In addition to the existing grant available, those that have made and had a grant claim accepted during the 2012/2013 Grants Scheme year will be eligible for the Exceptional Training Grant (ETG) – a scheme launched earlier this year to incentivise training.

The ETG, a £30m incentivisation scheme agreed by CITB’s Training Committee, will be based on a percentage of all grants claimed by employers and will be paid automatically to eligible claimants (normal Grants Scheme rules apply) in December 2013. The ETG will also apply to training taken in the 2013/2014 Grants Scheme year and will be paid December 2014."

If you need more information, then please visit the grant page on the CITB website.

Demolition Plant Simulator on show at NEC in November

From Thursday 14th November to Saturday 16th November The Skills Show will be underway at the NEC in Birmingham. It's a showcase of vocational training, skills, and careers in the UK and attracts people from across all fields including the demolition industry.

Anyone visiting the show is in for a treat as the NFDC and NDTG are working with the CITB to promote the demolition industry to young people as a viable career path. And what better way to do that than to setup the Demolition Plant Simulator, which was previously seen entertaining attendees of the Demolition Expo 2013.


Both the NFDC and NDTG will be on hand to give supervised taster sessions on the simulator for anyone who shows an interest. The entire event is free of charge (although parking is £10 for a day) and representatives will be on hand to give advice and answer questions about the demolition industry.

If you'd like to know more, visit the NEC website.

Source: NFDC

Only 3 weeks until the Demolition Expo 2013

Preparations for Demolition Expo are well under way, with only 3 weeks left to go, there is still plenty of time to book your tickets and join us for the year’s most exciting demolition event!

Visit the *worlds first demolition plant simulator* working with Volvo Construction Equipment Ltd from the United Kingdom and Oryx Simulations in Sweden, try out the simulator for yourself and see if you can get the best score for the day!

Get your photo taken with the CAT 320 from the James Bond film Skyfall and speak to its owners. Our vintage area will bring back memories with an old CAT 983 and take the 22RB Chain & Ball Challenge!

You can then come right back up to speed in our Skills & Training Area with all the latest and greatest the industry has to offer, with support from Volvo.

You certainly cannot miss our exhibitor’s indoor displays and outdoor live stands! Showcasing all their recent innovations and see working machines in action in the demonstration areas.

We look forward to seeing you on the 28th & 29th June at Arden Brickworks, Solihull, sunshine will hopefully be included!

The world's first Demolition Plant Simulator will be at Demolition Expo 2013

The images you see here are of the world's first Demolition Plant Simulator.

It has been designed and developed through a collaboration between the NFDC, Volvo Construction Equipment, and Oryx Simulations in Sweden. The good news is, you won't have to wait too much longer to try it out as the simulator will be fully operational at Demolition Expo 2013.

If you'd like to attend the Expo, full details are available over at our sister site Demolish & Dismantle.