Information On the different CSCS Cards.
What Is A CSCS card?
CSCS stands for Construction Skills Certification Scheme Card. It is your proof that you have the necessary training to carry out the work that you will be carrying out.
You do not have to have a CSCS card to work within construction, however pretty much all major contractors, such as John O’Connor, Grahams, Kier Group to name a few, will insist that workers on their sites hold a valid card, otherwise you will be unable to work on their sites.
What Are The Types Of CSCS Cards?
Currently there are 12 different types of CSCS cards and it can be a minefield. The following info graphic, shows all of the different cards and their uses.
Types of CSCS cards
Labourer
Card Requirements
You can apply for this card if you have either:
- Completed the RQF Level 1/SCQF Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
- Completed the SCQF Level 5 REHIS Elementary Health and Safety Certificate.
Valid for 5 years
Apprentice
This card is available to people who have commenced on a recognised apprenticeship framework.
Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager
This temporary card is available specifically to Supervisors, Managers and Technical Workers with on the job experience (normally at least one year in the last three) whom are registered to a complete an Construction Related NVQ or SVQ Level 3 or higher and are not a member of an approved Professional Body , which is acceptable for a CSCS card.
Applicants must also have passed the appropriate level CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last 2 years.
Experienced Worker
This temporary card is available specifically for workers with on the job experience (normally at least one year in the last three) who are registered to a complete a Construction Related NVQ or SVQ Level 2 or higher which is acceptable for a CSCS card.
Applicants must also have passed the appropriate level CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last 2 years.
Trainee Card
This temporary card is available if you are a trainee and registered to complete a construction related qualification. The qualification may be vocational, academic or professional, but must be acceptable for a CSCS card.
Applicants must also have passed the Operative level CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last 2 years.
Skilled Worker
You can apply for this card if you have either:
Achieved a construction related NVQ or SVQ level 2
or
Completed an apprenticeship, such as an Employer sponsored apprenticeship, a City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate or a CSCS Approved Trailblazer
If you do not have these qualifications, but you are experienced in your job and have registered for a qualification applicable to your occupation, you may apply for an Experienced Worker Card. Click here for further details on the Experienced Workers card.
All applicants must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test
Valid for 5 years
Advanced Craft
This card is available if you have either:
- Achieved a Construction Related NVQ or SVQ level 3
- Completed an approved indentured apprenticeship (e.g.with NJCBI, BATJIC etc.)
- Completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate.
Supervisory
This card is available for supervisor and technical occupations subject to the achievement of a Construction Related Supervisory/Technical NVQ or SVQ level 3 or 4
Manager
This card is available for manager and technical occupations subject to:
- Achievement of a relevant Construction Management/Technical related NVQ/SVQ level 5, 6 or 7
- Holding a pre-existing NVQ level 4 in construction management.
Academically Qualified Person
This card is available to people who have completed certain construction related degrees, HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates and NEBOSH diplomas. There is a list of the qualifications accepted here
To apply for the card, applicants will need to supply a copy of their qualification and where possible evidence of the units achieved within the qualification.
Professionally Qualified Person
This card is available to competence assessed members of CSCS approved Professional Bodies.
This card is valid for five years.
All applicants must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test.
Applicants will need to supply proof that they hold current membership of the professional body at a level accepted by CSCS, by providing one of the following:
- A membership certificate
- A membership card (both sides)
- An up-to-date letter or email from the professional body
The above evidence must show membership for the current year.
Provisional (temporary card only)
This card is for people who are working through probationary periods while employers assess their suitability for employment.
Please note: Provisional cards are only available for those who have never held a CSCS card.
Applicants must have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the past two years.
This card lasts for six months and is not renewable. Before it expires Provisional card holders must achieve or be registered for a recognised construction related qualification and apply for the appropriate CSCS card for their job.
The information above, has been taken directly from the CSCS website, the page is available here
We hope the information above sheds a bit of light on the various CSCS cards that are available. We regularly have positions that require a CSCS card, if you would like further information, please email us at labour@ultimateworkforce.co.uk or call us on 01366 388499.
