The construction industry is getting qualified!

As you know by now, all personnel attending any kind of ‘construction site’ must hold a CSCS card.

This includes people’s homes as work sites and comprises all trainees, tradesmen, managers, regular visitors etc.

The CSCS card is a means of ensuring that everyone has Health and Safety training to the same standard.

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme is the standard that has been set and these standards have been approved by the CITB and the Government and is now a mandatory requirement.

There are four types of red cards which are for new, recent entrants to occupations in the construction industry and experienced workers whose occupation has been closed for Industry Accreditation and are working towards a NVQ or SVQ.

RED CARD - TRAINEE (Craft and Operative)

You will qualify for this card if you are a trainee, and registered for an NVQ or SVQ (or Construction Award) but have not yet achieved level 2 or 3 and have met current CSCS Health and Safety requirements.

RED CARD - TRAINEE (Technical, Supervisory and Management)

You will qualify for this card if you can provide evidence of current registration with a further/higher education college or university for a nationally recognised construction related qualification.

Trainees have must pass the health and safety test and the card is valid for three years. However it can be renewed for a further three years on application.

RED CARD - GRADUATE (Technical, Supervisory and Management)
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You will qualify for this card if you have completed a nationally recognised construction related qualification with a further/higher education college or university. You will be required to complete the Managerial and Professional (known as MAP) Health and Safety Test.

No Occupations or qualifications are endorsed on the reverse of the Graduate Card.

The Graduate Card is valid for three years and can be renewed for three years on application.

RED CARD - EXPERIENCED TECHNICIAN, SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER (Technical, Supervisory and Management)
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This card is available to Supervisors and Managers with on the job experience (normally at least one year in the last three), but missed the industry accreditation opportunity and do not hold an NVQ or SVQ level 3,4 or 5 or a member of an approved Professional Body - we can advise you if you need further clarification.

To qualify for a card you need to:

• Check to see if your job role is covered by CSCS- we can advise you with this.
• Pass the health and safety test
• Register for an NVQ or SVQ
• Complete an NVQ or SVQ profiling session

The card is valid for three years and is non-renewable.

The card is issued on a temporary basis, while a NVQ or SVQ is being achieved. It is expected to be replaced by a skilled five year card on achievement of NVQ or SVQ Level 3 or higher

RED CARD - EXPERIENCED WORKER

This card is available to everyone with on the job experience (normally at least one year in the last three), but missed the industry accreditation opportunity.

To qualify for a card you need to:

• Check to see if your trade is covered by CSCS.
• Pass the health and safety test

The card is valid for one year and is non-renewable.

The card is issued on a temporary basis, while a NVQ or SVQ is being achieved. It is expected to be replaced by a skilled five year card on achievement of NVQ or SVQ Level 2 or higher.

An Experienced Worker Card can not be replaced by a Construction Site Operative or a Basic Skills Green Card.  

GREEN CARDThe green card is available to operatives who carry out basic site skills only (e.g. Labourers).

There are two ways to apply for a green card: via NVQ level 1; or by employer's recommendation (industry accreditation), which is only open for a limited period of time. The employer must use the industry accreditation competencies when assessing the applicant.

All applicants must pass the construction health and safety test. For those who have completed the working at heights health and safety test, this can be endorsed on the card.

This card is valid for five years

BLUE CARD - SKILLED WORKER 

You may qualify for a blue skilled card if you have achieved an NVQ or SVQ level 2 or if you have completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate.

If you do not have these qualifications, you may apply for a skilled card if you are experienced in your job (see Experienced Worker Card for more information)

All applicants must pass the CSCS Health and safety test.  

BLUE CARD – CRAFT UNIT LEVEL

This route is for occupations where a full NVQ or SVQ does not exist, but trade specific units do.

All applicants must pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test.  

This card is valid for five  years.

GOLD CARD - SKILLED WORKER

You may qualify for a gold skilled card if you have achieved an NVQ or SVQ level 3, or if you have completed an approved indentured apprenticeship (e.g.with NJCBI, BATJIC etc.) or an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate.

If you do not have these qualifications, you may apply for a skilled card if you are experienced in your job see Experienced Worker Card for more information.

This card is valid for five years

All applicants must pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test.

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GOLD CARD - SUPERVISOR

The gold card is available for supervisor and technician occupations.

Achievement of an NVQ or SVQ level 3 in a relevant occupation is required to apply for this CSCS card.

For those who do not have an NVQ or SVQ level 3 application is by the experienced manager card. CSCS has recently introduced the Profiled Route which is for highly competent supervisors. This card is valid for five years

All applicants must pass the supervisor level ConstructionSkills health and safety test.  

BLACK CARD - MANAGER

The black card is available for manager occupations.

Achievement of an NVQ or SVQ level 4 or 5 in a relevant occupation is required to apply for this CSCS card.

For those who do not have an NVQ or SVQ level 4 or 5 application is by the experienced manager card. CSCS has recently introduced the Profiled Route which is for highly competent managers.

All applicants must pass the Managerial and Professional (known as MAP) ConstructionSkills health and safety test. Please note that there are specific revision materials for this test.

From 1^st August 2009, all cards that previously required applicants to pass the Professionally Qualified Persons test (PQP and Managers cards) will now need to take the Managerial and Professional test (MAP). Individuals who have taken the PQP test prior to 1^stAugust 2009 will still be eligible to apply for a PQP, Manager or lower level card within two years of passing the test.

This card is valid for five years

WHITE/ YELLOW - PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED PERSON CARD

The white/yellow Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) card is for competency assessed members of CSCS approved Professional Bodies, such as ICE, CIOB, RICS etc. The scope of the PQP card has recently been redefined after lengthy consultation with the Professional Bodies, and no longer has a time spent on site restriction placed on it.

In order to apply for a PQP card the applicant must:

• Be a competence assessed member of an approved institution
• Pass the Managerial and Professional (also known as the MAP) ConstructionSkills health and safety test (please note that there are specific revision materials for this test)

Complete the application form

Cards are valid for five years and can be renewed on re-verification of the PQP criteria.

WHITE/ GREY CARD - CONSTRUCTION RELATED OCCUPATION (CRO)

This card covers construction related occupations not covered by the other categories of card and shows the holder's occupation.

A CRO card is valid for five years and to renew it applicants must retake and pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test

YELLOW CARD - REGULAR VISITOR

The yellow Regular Visitor Card is for people who frequently visit a construction site, but have no construction specific skill.

The card is issued on a personal basis via application form, the applicant will need to take and pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test CSCS Operative health and safety test.

The card has been designed to allow access to a Construction Site to be made easier, as passing the health and safety test status can reduce the amount of site induction that is required.

Important Notes:

Although the health and safety tested status can reduce the amount of site health and safety induction required, some site-specific health and safety induction may also be required.

The issue of this card does not relieve the site managers from their legal obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people entering their sites.

This card is valid for 5 years

PLATINUM CARD - MANAGER

The platinum card was withdrawn from the Scheme on January 1st 2010. From this date anyone who has passed S/NVQ levels 4 or 5 should apply for a black CSCS card.

Whether it is a whole workforce  or just one or two of you, let DCS provide you with the support to get through the Health and Safety Test with as little disruption as possible.

By providing us with some simple details we can provide training and administrative support to get you through your CSCS Test and apply for your card.

Contact us on 0191 2652277 to discuss your requirements.