CITB has issued a statement following a Newsnight report that showed fraudulent behaviour taking place at three test centres. CITB says it has been aware of card fraud for some time and has “taken steps to tackle this head on”.
CITB says it doubled investment into fraud investigations last year, which led to five internet testing centres being closed down. CITB suspended at least one of the centres featured in the Newsnight programme several months ago and is actively investigating eight other centres, a further six sites under review. All certification from the fraudulent test centres has been recalled and those who took their test at the sites under surveillance will be required to take their test again.
Here is the CITB statement in full:
“On Monday (19th October), we learned that for several months Newsnight have been conducting undercover investigations in some of the centres we use for internet testing. Last night (Wednesday 21st October), a programme was broadcast that shows fraudulent behaviour taking place at three separate test centres, including candidates being assisted to pass tests, including the Health Safety and Environment Test, and possibly assessments from other organisations.
“We have been aware of card fraud for some time and we have taken steps to tackle this head on.
“Last year, we doubled our investment into fraud investigations, which led to five internet testing centres being closed down. CITB suspended at least one of the centres featured in the programme several months ago (before we were aware this undercover investigation was happening). We?re actively investigating eight other centres and a further six sites are under review. We have recalled all certification from the fraudulent test centres and those who took their test at the sites we have under surveillance will be required to take their test again.
“We are also accelerating plans to install mandatory CCTV in all testing centres to monitor footage for signs of fraudulent activity (mandatory for new centres from June this year) and we?re launching a series of spot checks on test centres to act as a deterrent.
“Our Fraud Investigations team have been working closely with CSCS, the Home Office and the Police to crack down on card fraud and its links to illegal working.
“If you have any concerns about the tests that your workers have taken, please don?t hesitate to contact CSCS direct on 0344 994 4777. They can help your members to retake their test, if they received their certificate from a test centre under investigation, suspension or which has been closed.
“If you receive any calls on the programme, or would like to know more about how we?re tackling card fraud in the industry, please don?t hesitate to contact Michelle Summers, External Relations Manager (0300 456 5430) or Richard Purnell, Press Office Manager (0300 456 5406).”