Developers welcome construction skills card scheme

The Malta Developers Association has welcomed a new scheme that will render a construction industry skills cards mandatory for public procurement contracts.

“Through this scheme, a genuine effort is going to be made to give due recognition to those who work in the construction industry and, at the same time, the system is going to help raise quality, health and safety standards at the workplace, and improve the conditions of employment of those who are qualified,’ the MDA said in a statement.

The first trades to be included in the scheme are those of plumbers, assistant electricians, painters and tile layers, which the MDA describe as sectors in which there is a demand for trained people who are recognised for their level of capabilities.

“Through this scheme, the level of quality in the construction industry will continue to rise because at last there is going to be official recognition of these workers’ abilities.

“This system will lead to fewer accidents at the workplace and will help to curb the unjust competition between those who provide these services. On the other hand, consumers will be more reassured that they will be getting a high level of workmanship and therefor value for their money, and they will be better protected because they are going to be better informed on the level of service they will be receiving.”