Staffing agency Now Recruitment is to put candidates through a rigorous training programme geared at slashing the number of injuries in the construction industry.

The agency has joined forces with specialist training company Smarter Builder to implement the government-backed training standard Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

All staff must undergo training and on-site assessment until they have met the criteria for each level of accreditation.

The firm plans to sign up 25 recruits every two to three weeks.

Managing director Gary Redman said: “CSCS accreditation will ensure that construction companies are protecting their reputations, and their bottom line, by putting safety and skills first.”