NASC to Attract Smaller Firms

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has made a bold move to attract small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) scaffolding firms to the confederation – by reducing the minimum subscription threshold, specifically:

• From 1st January 2016 a lower subscription tier has been created.
• Companies with annual turnover below £1 million will be charged an annual subscription of just £995 + VAT.
• Subscriptions for companies with a turnover between £1 million and £1,376,200 (the previous minimum annual turnover) will increase incrementally from £995 to £1,600 + VAT.

It should be noted that there will be no ‘watering down’ of the exacting standards required of would-be members  and the changes relate to financial incentives as opposed to a lessening the operational requirements of membership.

The NASC’s Managing Director, Robin James, said,  “The NASC is an inclusive organisation. We are looking to broaden the appeal of membership to smaller companies who are prepared to comply with our code of conduct, our robust auditing procedure, and help us to set the standard for scaffolding here in the UK.

“In reducing the NASC minimum annual subscription rate, we are facilitating the creation of a level playing field for the smaller scaffolding contractor. This will enable NASC to regulate this important sector of the industry – helping to drive up standards.”

NASC President, Alan Lilley, who was sworn in at the Confederation’s AGM in November 2015, said, “It is one of my main aims as the new NASC President to alter the false “club” perception of the confederation and to increase the membership – especially within the UK’s elite small and medium sized scaffolding firms, and this starts with us lowering the turnover threshold to £1 million and the annual subscription to below £1,000, effective from 1st January 2016.

We look forward to receiving applications from smaller scaffolding contractors with the same high standards to which our members adhere, and we wish them luck with their membership journey.”

For details on changes to NASC membership subscription criteria, how to join the NASC,  please visit www.nasc.org.uk/join_the_nasc.

Simian has a wealth of experience in guiding scaffolding contractors through the audit process and organisations requiring assistance with meeting the NASC’s audit criteria should contact Susan Russell on 01925 822161. (Option 1)