Considering applying for your black CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card but in need of the relevant qualifications, experience, and skills first? Find out how you can achieve and apply for this essential card from the national training experts at SB Skills Solutions. We also explain the important recent changes made to the way in which some black CSCS cards can be renewed after 2024, which you should be aware of.
What is a CSCS Black Manager Card?
A black CSCS card, also known as the manager-level card, provides proof that the holder possesses the relevant knowledge, skills, and experience to work in a management position on a construction site.
As the highest CSCS card you can achieve, black CSCS cards are often used to become a construction site manager, but they can also help holders achieve other managerial positions such as a contracts manager, operations manager, or director.
These top-level cards are valid for five years and must be renewed after this period if you want to continue working in the same type of role and industry. However, if you’ve moved into an office-based role or no longer attend site regularly, you may no longer require a valid black CSCS card.
While not a legal requirement in the UK, many contractors will request that their workers hold a valid black CSCS card to work in a management role. As a result, if you don’t hold a valid black CSCS card, you could be denied access to the construction site or turned down for a manager’s position.
You may therefore want to consider applying for your black CSCS card if you aspire to move into a site managerial role or increase your earning potential.
How Do You Get a CSCS Black Manager Card?
Obtaining a black CSCS card typically involves just two steps: completing a relevant qualification for your occupation and applying online with CSCS.
Achieve the Required Qualifications or Accreditations
To apply for a black CSCS card, you must hold the necessary training, experience, and qualification or accreditation for the construction role you’re working in. According to CSCS, black CSCS card applicants should hold either an appropriate level of SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) or NVQ (National Vocational Qualification), or an acceptable form of overseas qualification.
The type of training you must successfully complete varies depending on your occupation. However, all black CSCS card applicants must also pass the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) Health, Safety, and Environment (HS&E) test for managers and professionals.
CSCS does not provide training themselves, so you will need to get in touch with a qualified training provider. At SB Skills Solutions, we offer training assessment services for a variety of qualifications that can be used to obtain your black CSCS card. This includes the Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management, and Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management.
Please feel free to contact us today if you’d like to discuss your requirements or have any questions about our services.
Apply Online with CSCS
After achieving the relevant qualifications or accreditations, simply head online to the official CSCS website to apply for your black CSCS card. Once you’ve logged into your existing account or registered as a new user, there will be an online application form for your black CSCS card that you should fill in as directed.
You’ll also be asked to provide a scanned copy of your qualification certificate, a passport-style photo of yourself to prove your identity, and the test ID number from the top of your CITB HS&E test pass certificate. After paying the CSCS card application fee of £36 via debit or credit card and supplying information about your current role in the construction industry, you should have provided CSCS with everything they need.
However, application requirements may vary depending on your specific circumstances, so if you require up-to-date guidance or help applying for your black CSCS card, please speak directly to CSCS.
What’s the New Equivalent Qualification to a CSCS Black Manager Card?
To apply for a black CSCS card, you must successfully complete a Level 4, 5, 6, or 7 NVQ or SVQ in a relevant construction management qualification. Learn more about which qualifications are relevant for different black CSCS card occupations here.
Renewing a CSCS Black Manager Card in the Future
As black CSCS cards are only valid for five years, it’s important to ensure your card doesn’t expire when you need it most. However, checking that you possess the right type of qualification for your current occupation is essential to ensure a smooth renewal process.
This is due to the recent changes made to the CSCS card renewal process whereby construction industry workers will no longer be allowed to renew their black CSCS card using Industry Accreditation (IA) after 2024.
As per the guidance from the CLC (Construction Leadership Council), there should be nationally recognized qualifications in place for all occupations instead. These changes impact all black CSCS cardholders that currently possess IA cards and want to renew their CSCS card after 31st December 2024.
Previously, IA meant that construction workers could obtain a CSCS card based on a reference from an employer or another competent individual. These changes were made to ensure construction workers meet industry requirements and can competently and safely perform their role.
Fortunately, there are numerous other types of relevant qualifications and accreditations that you can obtain to help you apply for or renew your black CSCS card, including academic qualifications, professional body membership, as well as the SVQ or NVQ route.
If you previously obtained your black CSCS card using IA and therefore don’t currently hold any of the necessary qualifications or accreditations to renew your card, our experienced national training instructors can help. At SB Skills Solutions, we offer assessment services for a variety of recognized courses that can help you to obtain your black CSCS card – a card that is often essential for moving up in the construction industry and increasing your earning potential.
The courses available at SB Skills Solutions include a Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management, and Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management. Our team of national training instructors has the experience and knowledge to guide you through the process of achieving the qualification you need. Upon successful completion of the necessary NVQ course, you will be able to apply for your black CSCS card.
Alternatively, you may not even need to renew your black CSCS card if you’ve moved into an office-based role or no longer regularly attend the site.
Still unsure which qualification you should take following the recent IA CSCS card renewal changes? Contact our professional team today to receive expert advice from our fully qualified trainers and assessors.
How SB Skills Can Help
At SB Skills Solutions, we can help you to identify and pass the relevant CSCS course to help you pursue your desired card and construction role. Alongside helping you to achieve your black CSCS card, we also offer assessment services for a range of other courses.
If you’d like to learn more about our range of NVQ qualifications or health and safety courses, please feel free to contact our friendly and professional team today.
To find out more about how we can help to upskill either yourself or your employees, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 01695 558 420. We also welcome email inquiries sent to info@sbskills.co.uk as well as online inquiries made using our convenient online contact form. Alternatively, you can head straight to booking a course online to register your interest!
