Following discussions between the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and the Isle of Man Employers' Federation, a Manx Accredited Construction Contractors Scheme will be launched on 1st April 2010.
The formulation of the new Scheme was one of the key recommendations of a report prepared in 2006 by George Dunlop of JR Knowles (‘A Strategic Review of the Construction Sector’) and both the Treasury Capital Projects Unit and the Office of Fair Trading have been involved in the development of the Scheme.
The new Scheme will be based around the current criteria for inclusion on Government’s List of Approved Contractors but will be expanded to take account of contractor performance in areas such as workmanship, financial performance and customer feedback.
The Scheme will be managed by a Board comprising representatives from DTI, the Treasury, Office of Fair Trading and the construction industry and will be administered by the IOM Employers’ Federation.
The Treasury have agreed that from the Scheme’s introduction on 1st April 2010, membership of the Scheme will be necessary for all contractors wishing to undertake construction works funded by Government or the Local Authorities.
Chief amongst the DTI's concerns is the encouragement of good practice by small contractors, and the Scheme will provide supervision and practical support from the administration. There will be a range of advice and assistance provided to both small contractors and domestic clients in an attempt to minimise lack of understanding and potential disputes.
A new website is being developed by the Isle of Man Employers’ Federation to support the Scheme which will contain details of the range of services and skills offered by contractors, together with a range of support material for contractors and customers.
It is anticipated that inclusion in the Scheme will become a strong marketing tool for contractors and use of the Scheme logo and title on letterheads, vans, etc, will be actively encouraged.
It is further hoped that domestic customers will recognise that contractors within the Scheme have met minimum standards, that their performance is ‘under supervision’ and where problems occur there will be an independent party to assist in their resolution.
Contractors currently included on Government’s List of Approved Contractors have already been advised of the introduction of the new Scheme and renewal information will be sent out to those contractors in early March.
Minister for Trade and Industry, David Cretney MHK, commented, "I am very pleased that the Manx Accredited Construction Contractors Scheme is going to be introduced as it is something that I have been encouraging for some time.
"The Scheme will benefit both consumers and contractors; consumers who use accredited contractors will be able to have confidence they are dealing with reputable people who offer a quality service while the contractors themselves will be able to use their accreditation as a marketing tool which will gain them new customers.
"Contractors who gain accreditation will also be putting clear blue water between themselves and the small number of contractors whose work or practices may not be up to the mark."
