Under the Fraud Act of 2006, it is illegal to purchase or produce fake CSCS cards as they will be used to defraud employers. This can lead to a lot of issues and could possibly lead to deaths if someone who is not properly trained, carries out a potentially dangerous task on-site. That’s why we’ve produced a guide to spotting fake CSCS cards so you can ensure that your site stays secure.

The Issues of Fake CSCS Cards

A fake CSCS card can cause many issues on-site as the purpose of the CSCS card scheme is to increase site safety. One of the main issues with using a fake CSCS card is that you put yourself and others in danger when you are working. As construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the world, it is essential that everyone who works on-site has the proper training and health & safety knowledge required to carry out their role. With fake qualifications, you don’t need any training and you will be free to work without any knowledge of health & safety. This would put yourself or other employees at risk of injury or death.

The second issue with Fake CSCS cards relates to site management. If you are allowing fake CSCS cards on your site, either knowingly or because proper checks aren’t done, then you will be liable if the employee causes injury, death or damage.

The Signs of a Fake CSCS Card

There are a few signs to spot a fake CSCS card but there are a few variations of CSCS cards depending on the issue date, so you need to make sure that you know the differences.

CSCS Cards Issued Before December 2019

CSCS Cards Issued Before May 2020 and after December 2019

• The cardholder’s full name appears on the card, instead of just their initials and last name.
• The HS&E tested holofoil no longer appears on the card.

CSCS Cards Issued After June 2020

• The smart chip embedded in the card is no longer visible
• There is a contactless symbol next to the cardholder’s photograph

Name on the CSCS Card

The first way to check a CSCS card is to ensure that the name on the card matches a form of ID such as a driver’s license. If the name on the card does not match their ID, then there’s a good chance that it is a fake as ID must be shown on attendance to a Health, Safety, and Environment Test so they should match. The other possibility is that the card is not theirs and they have borrowed one from a friend or relative, this is also a crime under the Fraud Act 2006.

Along with checking that the name matches is just the start. The formatting must match the date of the card. As you can see above, if the card was issued before December 2019, the card will have “Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr”, the first initial, and the surname. If the card was issued after December 2019, it will display the full name.

Expiry Date

The expiry date is the next key identifier. CSCS cards usually last 5 years with the exception of Red CSCS cards which last a year. If the card is over 5 years away from expiry, then it’s very likely to be fake. If the expiry date also doesn’t match the format of the card variation then it should raise your suspicion.

Registration Number

All CSCS cards should have a registration number to allow for identification. This number is unique to the cardholder and will allow you to check the validity of the card. You can use this number to check with the CITB card checker.

Smart Card Microchip

The smart card microchip is on all CSCS cards. However, the latest card will not have a visible microchip, it will have a contactless symbol next to the picture. This can be used to bring up the operative’s profile and verify the card using an NFC reader.

Picture

The picture on the front of the CSCS card acts as a way to verify the identity of the person presenting it. But, if the card is a fake, then you can’t use this as your only guide. It may raise suspicion though if the image isn’t in the specified CSCS format. CSCS dictates that the picture must be a passport-style photo against a plain background.

CSCS Hologram

All CSCS cards have a hologram in the top left. This verifies that the card is officially backed by CSCS You’ll also find this on CPCS and NPORS cards. This hologram is tricky to fake for forgers but not impossible. So don’t take having this as a confirmation that a card is real.

CITB Card Checker

The best way to make sure that a CSCS card is valid and genuine is to use the CITB card checker. The registration number on the front of the card can be used to find the operator profile and will only show qualifications that CITB has knowledge of. If no CSCS card is showing up, then the card is likely to be fake.

What if I spot a Fake CSCS Card?

If you spot a fake CSCS card, you should follow this process:

• Retain the card if possible
• Make photocopies of front and back
• Record cardholder’s name and address if possible
• Ask cardholder where the card was obtained from
• Contact the local police and report the matter*
• Refuse access to site (subject to company rules)
• Forward copies of all evidence to:

The Operations Team

CSCS Ltd

85 Tottenham Court Road

London W1T 4TQ marked “SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CARD”

• Or email report.it@citb.co.uk making sure to include copies of all evidence

Who Has Been Caught for CSCS Forgeries?

There has been a large investigation into CSCS Card forgeries including a BBC undercover documentary. However, the cards that were produced from that scam were genuine as they were a result of corrupt employees at the test centre.

Andrew Weeks is the most publicised case of CSCS Card forgeries as he claimed to be able to forge any qualification and was generating CSCS cards for construction workers. This led to a joint investigation from many of the skills cards organisations such as CITB, ECS, and CSCS.

Andrew Weeks was sentenced to Three Years and Eight Months in prison at Warwickshire Crown Court and was forced to pay £6000 for copyright infringement.

How to get a real CSCS Card

After reading this article, we’d hope you’d be put off buying fake CSCS cards as it poses a serious safety concern for everyone on site. If you’d like to learn more about applying for CSCS cards, we have great guides to teach you the process of each card.

The post How to Spot a Fake CSCS Card appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

The Blue Skilled Worker CSCS card proves your competency in a given trade within the construction industry.

You may be familiar with the Blue CSCS Card, but you may be wondering about the best route to achieve your card.

Do you need a Blue CSCS Card?

As you may have seen from our “CSCS Card Types” article or the “How to Get a Green CSCS Card” article, you don’t need to have a CSCS card to work on-site at all. This is because CSCS is not a legal requirement. However, CSCS cards are mandatory on most construction sites. This is because holding a CSCS card is a way for employers to ensure that construction workers are competent in health and safety.

Health and Safety being so key in construction, is a major selling point for an employer who is hiring a new employee. With CSCS accreditation, the employer can be sure that you are able to conduct yourself properly on a construction site with many dangers.

Why get a Blue CSCS Card over a Green Card?

You may be wondering why you need a Blue Skilled Worker card rather than a Green CSCS Card. The Blue CSCS card certifies that you are competent and able to work safely like the green card. However, it also certifies that you are competent in the trade that you work in

What trades can you get a card for?

There are many trades that you may find you need this card for. If you are operating in a role that is trade-specific, the chances are that you will need a card. Below you will a few of the roles that you can get a card for:

• Steel Fixing
• Steel Erecting
• Roofing
• Bricklaying
• Carpentry and Joinery

You can find a full list of trades on the CSCS website when applying for your card. The chances are, if you have a specific job role on site, there is an NVQ and CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card to match it.

What qualifications do you need?

To get any card within the CSCS card scheme, you will need to meet some requirements which vary between cards. The Skilled Worker Card is attained with a trade-specific Level 2 NVQ and a Health, Safety and Environment test for operatives. By sending these qualifications off to CSCS, you will be eligible to receive your Blue Skilled Worker card. If you don’t have a Level 2 NVQ, you can use your Level 2 Apprenticeship to apply if it is eligible with CSCS.

So which Level 2 NVQs are eligible?

The list isn’t shown on the CSCS website as there are hundreds of different qualifications that you can use.

The NVQs that SB Skills can offer to allow you to get your Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card are:

• NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Steel Fixing Occupations
• NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Cladding Occupations
• NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems
• NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Interior Systems
• NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Steel Erecting
• NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Curtain Wall Installation

And many more.

The best part about achieving your NVQ is that it never expires. This means that you won’t need to renew your NVQ with a refresher course at any point.

How much does this all cost?

There is no industry standard of pricing as it all depends on the NVQ you undertake and the company you choose. To find out about the price of NVQs with SB Skills, give us a call on 01695 558 420.

The Health, Safety and Environment test for operatives will cost you £21 through Pearson Vue and the card application is £36.

How do you renew the Blue CSCS Card?

Renewing is fairly straight forward. As we mentioned before, NVQs are for life and never expire, this makes renewing very simple.

To renew your Blue CSCS card, all you will need is the Health, Safety and Environment test for Operatives and a copy of your NVQ.

You’ll need to then fill out your certificate details and upload a picture or a scan. Then upon paying the £36 card fee, you will be able to track the progress of your application up to being posted out to your address.

Benefits of the Blue CSCS Card

The Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card is a great step in your construction career as it allows you to carry out skilled labour such as bricklaying, steel erecting, carpentry and many more roles. This can help you to progress through your career into a supervisory role if that is your career choice or become a specialist in your field with a Gold Advanced Craft CSCS Card.

The Pay

Having a Blue CSCS Card can increase your salary potential greatly. Having a Green CSCS Card can allow you onto the site but the difference in having a Blue Card is the responsibility. Taking on greater responsibilities that require skill to provide quality to customers will always be a way to increase your salary. This is because you will be a more qualified member of staff, do you think that Bricklayers and Labourers earn the same?

Safety

If you are working on-site or managing a team of skilled workers, you will be concerned with the safety of yourself and others. It is the duty of the employer to ensure that all staff working on-site have the right qualifications and training to perform their roles. Therefore, if you are carrying out skilled trade work with a Green CSCS card, you will not be covered by the card for any damage or injuries that occur while performing the role. With the Blue CSCS card, you will be backed by CSCS to prove that you are competent in the trade listed on the back of the card. This will ensure that your employees are safe and knowledgeable in performing their role, leading to fewer injuries and accidents on-site.

Employability

With this card, you will be seen as a lot more employable by companies that are looking to hire new staff. Because you are more qualified, fewer people will be competing for the job role as it is more specialised.

You will also be seen as more employable with the Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card for a skilled worker role as employers like to know that you are not a safety liability.

Further Progression

The Blue CSCS Card will open up so many more options for you in your construction career. This card allows you to prove your value to a company by providing a trade on-site.

If you’re looking to become a supervisor and take the management route in construction, then the Blue Skilled Worker card will give you the chance to show your employer how knowledgeable you are in your trade. Your employer may decide to give you more responsibility and eventually allow you to run a gang on-site. With this repsonsiblity, you could undertake your NVQ Level 3 and achieve a Gold Supervisor CSCS Card.

Alternatively, if becoming an expert in your trade is the route you want to take, an Advanced Craft Gold CSCS Card may be the route for you. This shows employers that you are not only competent in your trade, but you have years of experience and expert insight. Supervisors may consult with you if they are looking for more effective work methods and you will be responsible for more skilled tasks.

Contact the team at SB Skills Solutions if you need more information on the Blue Skilled Worker Card.

The post How to Get a Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

Grandfather rights allowed workers to attain their CSCS Cards based on a strong employer recommendation rather than using a CSCS recognised qualification. CSCS terminated the Industry Accreditation route in 2010, but the cards could still be renewed if the applicant was an existing cardholder.

CSCS now wants all cardholders to be qualified with a construction-related NVQ, therefore from January 2020, all cards will expire by December 2024 at the latest. This has also led to CSCS removing cards such as the Construction Site Visitor card.

Graham Wren, Chief Executive at CSCS said: “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.”

Do you need the Black CSCS Card?

The CSCS Card Scheme is seen as the passport to construction sites as it is often essential for access. Although CSCS Cards are not legally mandatory, they do comply with CDM regulations.

CDM regulations, as you’ll know from the Manager’s Health and Safety Tests, specify that employers must ensure that all employees have the appropriate training required to work safely in their environment.

Only carry out construction work if they have the relevant skills, knowledge, training and experience – or they are provided with the training and supervision that enables them to do it safely and without risk to health

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

As well as the CDM regulations, you will know that for any job role in construction, you will require the CSCS card as the principal contractor will usually specify this as a requirement. This allows them to lower injuries and deaths caused on site as they will know that all employees are competent in their role.

As a manager of a construction site, the principal contractor will want to ensure that you are competent to look after a large number of staff working in a construction environment. This reduces their own liability as they will know that there is a responsible site manager in place with industry experience. The CSCS card does exactly this.

How do I Renew my CSCS Card Now?

Without the NVQ, you may be wondering about the next steps for keeping your Black CSCS Card. CSCS has a list of recognised qualifications that can be used to apply for the Black CSCS Card which can be found on the Card Finder. Simply put, you will need one of the following:

• Achievement of a relevant Construction Management/Technical related NVQ/SVQ level 5, 6 or 7
• An SVQ Level 4 in Construction Management/Technical related qualification or
• Holding a pre-existing NVQ level 4 in construction management.

You will also need to have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for Managers and Professionals within the last 2 years.

The most simple way to renew your Black CSCS Card with SB Skills would be to achieve the Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management.

What is the Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management?

The Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management is a competency-based qualification that proves to CSCS and other card schemes that you have the necessary skills and experience to manage a construction site effectively and safely.

This is one of the most prestigious qualifications in construction and allows the holder to apply for the Black CSCS Card. The qualification can take anywhere from 3 months to 12 months, depending on the time it takes you to return the evidence requested by the assessor.

Upon meeting all 19 mandatory units and the optional units from the pathway that you choose, you will be awarded the NVQ and be ready to renew.

The post 60,000 Site Managers to Lose their Black CSCS Cards appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.