Industry Accreditation by the CSCS, also known as Grandfather Rights, allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employers’ recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. This was closed to new applicants in 2010 but those already holding a card are currently able to renew on the same basis, until now.
what does the loss of grandfather rights mean?
what is a CSCS card?
CSCS cards are proof of training and qualification to work on construction sites. With a card-carrying workforce, it ensures your business is compliant to safety standards and regulations. For workers, it is an easy way to display the ability to perform certain jobs on a construction site to a specific standard.
what is the loss of CSCS card grandfather rights?
For several years the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has ensured all applicants can demonstrate the achievement of a nationally recognised construction related qualification.
Industry Accreditation, also known as Grandfather Rights, allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employers’ recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. This was closed to new applicants in 2010 but those already holding a card are currently able to renew on the same basis, until now.
CSCS has agreed a plan to gradually withdraw the cards issued under Industry Accreditation. From 1st January 2020, all cards renewed under Industry Accreditation will expire on 31st December 2024 and CSCS will stop issuing the card from 30th June 2024.
what do you do with a CSCS card?
If you hold a CSCS card and obtained it using grandfather rights you will need to enrol on the relevant NVQ in relation to your skillset. If you work for Randstad CPE please contact a member of the training team on 01454 626 555 and we will be able to advise you on the best course of action. We can also assist you in sourcing the NVQ for your area of expertise.
If you would like to check what qualifications are required for the CSCS card you hold please click here for more information.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact our training team at trainingservices@randstadcpe.com
For all other CSCS related queries please contact the CSCS Helpdesk at 0344 994 4777
IMPORTANT - CSCS Card Changes
With immediate effect, any worker that holds the Academically Qualified Person (AQP) or Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) CSCS card cannot renew the card once it expires. They will need to apply for a new card. This involves providing copies of their original qualifications as well as taking the appropriate touchscreen CSCS test.
The Green Labourer card cannot be renewed and once it expires the worker will also need to apply for a new card. They will need to attend another CITB Health & Safety Awareness Course (1 day) as well as taking the appropriate touchscreen CSCS test.
With regards to the Manager, Supervisory or Blue Skilled Worker card, these cards can still be renewed as long as it is with 12 months of the expiry date and after taking the appropriate touch screen CSCS test. If it exceeds this time a new card will need to be applied for and copies of original certificates will need to be provided.
Please do not hesitate to contact the training team on 01454 626 555 if you require further assistance or contact the CSCS Helpdesk on 0344 99 44 777.
CSCS cards go online for faster applications.
Initial reactions to the CSCS card applications have been seen as slow and difficult.
Until recently, you couldn’t actually apply online...you were required to scan and email your documents before a lengthy phonecall...
Now the process is much simpler with online uploads, application systems and payment. It takes minutes to complete an application, and once approved you will be sent an electronic version of your card which can be used on a phone app. The physical card will then arrive later in three to five days.
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week you can apply on mobile, tablet and PC anywhere at any time. There’s no need for hard copies and no longer a lengthy phonecall process.
what types of CSCS card do you need?
There are 12 cards, each representing a different meaning in a range of colours. This spans from general labouring (green) to experienced site worker (red).
what is a green CSCS card?
The green CSCS card is the basic skills for a general labourer. If you were a candidate looking to apply for this card then you used to be able to get this from an employer’s recommendation. However, this has now changed as per the removal of grandfather rights to which we explain here.
what does a blue CSCS card represent?
This card can be given on completion of an apprenticeship or an SVQ or NVQ level 2 along with a certificate from City of Guilds and the London Institute. With this, you would be considered a semi-skilled worker.
what’s a gold CSCS card?
This card can be owned by skilled workers who have achieved an employer-sponsored apprenticeship or SVQ / NVQ level 3 along with an Advance Craft Certificate from the City and Guilds of London Institute.
You can also gain a supervisor version of your gold card if you can prove experience or involvement in a supervisor occupation and already have the SVQ or NVQ Level 3.
what’s a black CSCS card?
The black card is for managers and senior managers with a level 4 or 5 in site management.
what is a yellow CSCS card for?
The professionally qualified persons’ card (PQP) is for professionals who look after health and safety responsibilities such as architects, engineers, consultants and surveyors.
The yellow Regular Visitor Card is for visitors to construction sites but without any construction ‘site’ skill.
what is a white CSCS card for?
The construction-related occupation card (CRO) shows the occupation of the cardholder. This card is mainly for the people who have construction-related occupations which are not covered by the other categories of the card.
what are red CSCS cards for?
There are a few different types of red CSCS card each for different levels of experience.
red CSCS card – trainee.
This card is for those who have not achieved the SVQ or NVQ level 2 or 3 or for those who have registered in some college for the construction-related qualification.
red card – graduate (technical, supervisory and management).
This card is for those who have completed a qualification related to construction from a nationally recognised education college. This card is valid for three years.
red card - experienced (technical, supervisory and management).
This card is available to everyone who has relevant job experience of at least one year. After achieving NVQ or SVQ, the card is issued on a temporary basis. This card is also valid for three years.
red card - experienced worker.
This is a one year card for someone who has received the NSQ or SVQ. This card requires the CSCS test of 35 questions with a 45-minute time limit to answer.
what qualifications do I need to get a CSCS card for labouring?
Each level or colour of CSCS card requires different education or qualification degrees. As mentioned above this can range from NVQs to specific CITB health and safety environment tests within the past two years.
As a labourer, you'll need to provide evidence of either a;
- QCF level 1 award in health and safety in a construction environment, or the SQCF level 4 equivalent.
- One day site safety plus health and safety awareness course
- IOSH working safely course
what does the loss of grandfather rights mean?
Initially, the strength of an employer’s recommendation was enough to warrant CSCS renewal, rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. Despite the closing of applications in 2010, those already holding a card were able to renew on the same basis. This will no longer be the case but it is now easier to gain cards with an online update.
Find a job in construction today.
If you're working with Randstad CPE, please contact Training Services on 01454 626 555
For all other CSCS related queries please contact the CSCS Helpdesk at 0344 994 4777
