The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has announced major changes to its Labourer and Trainee cards.
Under the new rules, which came into effect on 1st February, the validity of CSCS Labourer Cards has been reduced from five years to two, while Trainee Cards will now be open to holders of certain occupation-related non-competence qualifications.
The CSCS says the changes have been implemented to ensure Labourer Cards are only held by those working in relevant roles, and to ‘support the direction of travel emerging from the Building Safety Act’.
Garry Mortimer, Executive Director of Operations at CSCS Cards Limited says: “The competence of the construction workforce is at the heart of the Building Safety Act.
“These changes better align with the competency expectations of the Act as they will encourage more new entrants to start their career not on the Labourer card, but on one of CSCS’s red cards, which demonstrate to employers that the cardholder is on a recognised training pathway that supports long-term career progression.”
What do changes to CSCS Labourer Cards mean?
Any Labourer Card that is now issued will have a validity of two years. However, those who continue working in labouring roles beyond this length of time can renew their card for five years by providing evidence that they are employed in a suitable labouring role.
To help ease the potential financial burden of the changes, the CSCS has confirmed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test that must be completed to obtain a Labourer Card will see its validity extended to three years. This allows it to be used for renewals for a longer period of time for anyone continuing in labouring roles.
Explaining the reduction in validity, Mortimer said: “Our data shows that 85% of Labourers do not renew their card, and feedback from employers highlights many workers leave the industry long before their Labourer cards expire.
“By reducing the Labourer card’s initial validity to two years, we can better track the actual number of active Labourers in the sector. The requirement for proof of working in a labouring role upon renewal will ensure the card is no longer used as the default easy option for site access.”
What’s new with CSCS Trainee Cards?
In an effort to ensure new entrants to the industry begin their career on a pathway that leads to a recognised qualification, the CSCS Trainee Card is now available to those holding certain Level 2 (or above) occupation-related non-competence qualifications. Examples of these can be found here.
The initial card will be valid for two years, and upon its expiration, the holder can apply for a new three-year Trainee Card by providing evidence that they are registered onto an N/SVQ or agreed alternative training programme.
The five-year Trainee Card is still available to those who are registered to complete a construction-related N/SVQ.
What else has the construction industry done to improve competency?
The CSCS’ changes follow the scrapping of Industry Accreditation Cards, informally known as Grandfather Rights, from 2025 onwards. This accreditation provided experienced workers a route to obtaining a CSCS card without the achievement of a formal qualification, and instead on the strength of an employer recommendation.
This decision came after the Construction Leadership Council recommended that all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications for all occupations.