Industry groups and the Home Office this week backed proposals for a compulsory integration programme for migrant workers in the UK construction industry.

Delegates at a CITB-ConstructionSkills workshop, including representatives from the Home Office, the Construction Confederation and the Major Contractors Group, gave “clear support” to a five-point programme aimed at addressing concerns over differing levels of safety knowledge and skills between migrant workers and their UK counterparts.

The programme would include screening for English language, a health and safety test, a skills competency test, an overview of the UK construction industry and employment practice and a briefing on technical issues.

Fraser Clement, the CITB’s director of skills strategy, said that the delegates’ backing would enable the organisation to push ahead with the programme. He said: “Hopefully we can now produce an integration package for the whole industry.”