CITB鈥揅onstructionSkills and CSCS are in a contractual stand-off over the introduction of smart card technology to the industry鈥檚 skills card scheme.

The dispute centres on a 鈥渃hange control order鈥 sent by CSCS to the CITB, which runs the scheme on its behalf. The order confirms that CSCS wishes to alter its contract with the CITB so that it can go ahead with a smart card scheme.

But CITB-Constructionskills has not responded to the order.

A source said: 鈥淚t wants to drag it out. Each day that goes by, it gets more money from the current scheme. It doesn鈥檛 want a smartcard if someone else does it.鈥

CSCS is thought to be searching for a dedicated smartcard provider to deliver the new cards.

The CITB declined to comment.