CSCS To No Longer Issue Cards Under Industry Accreditation

CSCS Card

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is the UK's leading skills certification scheme for the construction industry. In a nutshell, CSCS cards provide proof of any training and qualifications that someone may have undergone which make them competent enough to work on site. The scheme holds a database of anyone who has gained a qualification in a given trade, as well as anyone working towards a recognised qualification.

In recent news, CSCS have now announced plans to eventually stop issuing cards under industry accreditation (otherwise known as Grandfather Rights). This comes as big news and has been in the pipe line ever since the introduction of the Labourer Card and the removal of other cards such as the Construction Related Occupation card and the Site Visitor card.

Previously, cards issued via Industry Accreditation meant workers could obtain a CSCS card through recommendation as apposed to undergoing training for a recognised qualification. This may have been beneficial to some but with the changes coming, CSCS have consulted with the industry and devised a plan to eliminate this route to working on site for good.

Here's what Graham Wren, Chief Executive at CSCS had to say:

“Following the closure of the Construction Related Occupation card and the Construction Site Visitor Card, cards gained by Industry Accreditation are the only cards in the CSCS scheme which do not require the cardholder to achieve a recognised qualification. Industry Accreditation does not support industry’s desire for a fully qualified workforce and as such it will be withdrawn.”

CSCS state that from the 1st of January in 2020:

"all cards renewed under Industry Accreditation will expire on 31st December 2024 and CSCS will stop issuing the card from 30^th June 2024"

What Current Industry Accreditation card holders need to know...

Please check which qualifications your trade requires to get you up to scratch with the rest of the industry. CSCS state that anyone without qualifications will have to register for any given qualifications relevant to their trade before the expiration of Industry Accreditation cards in 2024.

Graham Wren went on to say that:

“A lot of work has taken place to ensure those with cards issued under Industry Accreditation will be able to transition to other CSCS cards as simply as possible. We are making this announcement early to ensure card holders and their employers have enough time to make the necessary alternative arrangements.”

The efforts made by CSCS contribute towards the Construction Leadership Council’s objective of making sure cards are only given to anyone who has gained or is in the process of gaining a nationally recognised construction related qualification.

Could this mean making time to achieve an NVQ Level 2 in your given trade? With formal qualifications being what will get you on site, achieving this level of qualification will certainly let the employer know you are more than competent to carry out any trade related work.

Able Skills Construction Courses are City & Guilds accredited

Please note that Able Skills offer the following:

If you've been thinking about achieving your NVQ Level 2 in your given trade, please click on the above links for more information!