A package of financial and training support remains available to those with CSCS cards issued under Industry Accreditation.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards issued through Industry Accreditation (IA) can no longer be renewed using this route after the deadline passed on 30 June. All remaining cards obtained under IA will expire on 31 December 2024, when the IA route will be discontinued entirely.
Historically, IA saw CSCS issue cards on the back of a recommendation from an employer rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. CSCS stopped issuing new cards under IA in 2010 but until 2020 the rules allowed existing IA cardholders to renew their cards for a full five-year term.
Many of those who need to renew will be able to use an existing vocational or construction-related academic qualification, while professional body memberships such as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) are also accepted as part of CSCS card applications.
Alternative qualification routes
Those without such credentials will need to register for the appropriate qualification using the package of financial and training support available, as provided by a crossindustry task group set up to assist IA cardholders and employers during the transition.
The support offered includes enhanced Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) grant funding for levy payers and flexible assessment options ensuring individuals do not need to attend college – a common misconception among remaining IA cardholders.
The strategic direction of the scheme is designed to mirror that of industry and help facilitate a fully qualified workforce in line with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) recommendations.
The CLC recommendations, updated earlier this year, require the industry to “specify and promote card schemes carrying the CSCS logo” and that “industry card schemes operate with nationally recognised qualifications in place for all occupations”.
The recommendations also highlight that cards will not be issued for those visiting site to carry out a non-construction-related role. This means that individuals who are now in office-based roles or simply visiting site to attend a meeting in a site office do not require a card.
Tackling misconceptions
Alan O’Neile, director of communications at CSCS, explains: “Industry has had several years to absorb the change and migrate individuals off IA cards. However, some remain under the misapprehension it will involve experienced workers forced off site to return to college and complete a qualification
“The reality is entirely different. The process of gaining an NVQ is not as onerous as many might think. Experienced workers are not required to attend college and it might be as simple as completing an onsite assessment, putting together a portfolio of experience gained or having a skills assessment interview.
“In addition, CITB has increased the grants for supervision and management VQs to £1,250 and £1,500 respectively to help support with the phasing out of IA.”
A large percentage of those initially affected have already moved off IA cards, with many of the remainder likely to already have the vocational qualifications necessary to retain their cards, such as City and Guilds Craft or Advanced Craft certificates. Alternatively, they may be holders of degrees or professional body memberships, allowing them to apply for the Academically or Professionally Qualified Person cards respectively.
A fully qualified workforce
IA card holders who no longer attend site or are in non-construction-related occupations do not require a card, so can allow their card to expire.
O’Neile continues: “CSCS is committed to playing its part in delivering the fully trained and qualified workforce industry needs. We would urge employers, trade associations, awarding organisations and training providers to put plans in place to support the remaining affected workers ahead of December 2024.”
Over recent years, safety and standards have been improving in construction and, following the
introduction of the Building Safety Act, the expectation is that workers must be able to prove competence and part of that process is the achievement of a recognised qualification.
The withdrawal of IA is the latest move by CSCS to work towards the goal of a fully qualified, but not necessarily fully carded, workforce, following the removal of the Construction Site Operative, Construction Related Occupation and Site Visitor cards
Those impacted by IA can get further information and details on the support available, the qualifications required for specific occupations and the different assessment routes offered by training providers by visiting: CSCS.uk.com/industryaccreditation.
This article has been produced by Construction Management in association with CSCS
