Concerned about the expiry of Industry Accreditation (IA) cards and what it means for your career in the construction industry?
If you are a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) IA card holder, understanding why these cards are being withdrawn and how you can prepare yourself is crucial to minimising disruption to your employment.
What is a CSCS industry accreditation card?
A CSCS industry accreditation card is simply a CSCS card that has been issued under Industry Accreditation, which is based on references from either employers or other competent individuals who can testify on behalf of the holder to their skills and experience within a certain role.
Why is industry accreditation (IA) being withdrawn?
According to official CSCS guidance, IA has been withdrawn as a route to obtaining a CSCS card to meet the Construction Leadership Council’s recommendations.
These recommendations state that “all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications in place for all occupations.”
As IA cards were issued on the strength of the employer’s or another competent individual’s recommendation rather than a recognised qualification, IA does not meet with these CLC recommendations.
The preference of qualification-based CSCS cards over the IA-issued alternative is to help improve the skills, safety, and efficiency of construction site workers.
What is changing? And when?
Before 2010, IA made workers eligible to apply for and renew a CSCS card.
Following the introduction of these new recommendations, IA CSCS cards issued from January 1 2020 will expire on December 31 2024 and cannot be renewed using IA.
To apply for a new CSCS card, workers will therefore be required to achieve a relevant NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) or equivalent accreditation.
At SB Skills Solutions, we provide training and assessment services for a wide range of work-based NVQs – from Level 2 to Level 7 NVQ.
Cardholder Scenarios
Not all CSCS card holders will need to apply for a new card – especially if you have moved to an office-based role or rarely attend construction sites.
However, for those who still hold site roles, you will need to obtain the relevant NVQ qualification.
- Black manager card holders – Level 6 or 7 NVQ qualification
- Gold supervisor card holders – Level 3 or 4 NVQ qualification
- Gold skilled worker card holders – Level 3 NVQ qualification
- Blue skilled worker card holders – Level 2 NVQ qualification
Contact SB Skills for NVQ qualification support
Does your CSCS card require renewal?
If you pursued the route of IA to previously achieve your CSCS card, then you will need to ensure that you have a recognised qualification before applying again.
Fortunately, the expert team of instructors and assessors at SB Skills Solutions can help you achieve a relevant NVQ qualification in the construction industry.
This nationally recognised qualification can function as your stepping stone to your CSCS card application or renewal.
Another essential test that applicants must pass to secure their CSCS card is the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Health, Safety & Environment Test.
As well as this test, we also provide a range of health and safety courses to support the competence of these workers.
To find out more about the contents of our health and safety or NVQ qualification courses, please feel free to contact the knowledgeable and experienced team of professionals at SB Skills Solutions.
Simply call 01695 558 420 for expert help choosing the right NVQ qualification for you.
We also welcome email enquiries sent to info@sbskills.co.uk and those submitted using our convenient online contact form.
