SITEWORKS Calls for Reform Training for Commercial Furniture Installation
SITEWORKS has issued a strong call to action for a complete overhaul of the current training standards for commercial furniture installation, citing critical safety gaps that put workers at daily risk.
Michael Norman-Kime, Managing Director and Owner of SITEWORKS said:
“In my years working in commercial furniture installation, I’ve continuously encountered a troubling reality: our current training systems, such as NVQ Level 2 and CSCS Labourers cards, are insufficient for the demands of our work. It’s personal for me because these gaps in training mean that every day, crews like mine face heightened health and safety risks on active sites – dangers that wouldn’t be as prevalent if our training standards were more targeted and thorough.”
While NVQ and CSCS certifications are foundational in the broader construction sector, they fail to address the specific complexities of commercial furniture installation, including high-volume assembly, logistical coordination, and dynamic site conditions. Despite consuming a significant portion of training budgets, these programmes leave workers underprepared for the unique challenges they face.
Recent industry surveys show that over 60% of installation professionals feel inadequately trained, which has a direct impact on safety, productivity, and project success. The lack of role-specific training has led to rising incident rates, declining safety compliance, and widening skill gaps across installation teams.
SITEWORKS is advocating for a bespoke training programme tailored to commercial furniture installation, one that incorporates site-specific challenges and safety needs. By investing in specialised training, the industry can improve safety outcomes, enhance job quality, and strengthen overall workforce competency. Additionally, through investment in skills and competencies, it increases employee job satisfaction, an in turn aids labour retention.
The SITEWORKS team is urging industry leaders, training providers, and policymakers to acknowledge the limitations of current training systems and take immediate steps to develop more relevant, practical, and safety-focused alternatives.
Michael Norman-Kime concluded:
“This is about protecting workers and raising standards across the industry, we’re calling on our peers and stakeholders to join us in pushing for change.”
To support and sign the petition, visit: www.change.org/p/reform-training-for-commercial-furniture-installation
