CSCS Cards - Are You Qualified?

Fast becoming a prerequisite for working on construction sites, CSCS cards are changing and qualifications will be essential to achieve a permanent card as the CRO cards are withdrawn.
In brief -

As many will know already, the Construction skills Certification Scheme provides a range of cards to enable appropriate entry for work on construction sites.

Temporary cards (where applicants have experience but not recognized qualifications) are still available in a range of options but are only valid for three years and cannot be renewed.

CRO (Construction Related Occupation)cards are being phased out. Introduced in 2005 they were intended for those occupations for which there was no nationally recognized qualification. Applicants only needed to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test and recent years have seen a lot of people applying for these cards as the fastest route of entry to site without "the need or commitment to be qualified". In response to this:

From 1st October 2015all CRO cards will expire on 30th September 2017 and are not renewable.

From 31st March 2017 CSCS will stop issuing CRO cards.

Anyone who does not already hold a nationally recognized construction related qualification can apply for a CRO card at the moment but this will expire on 30th September 2017 (NEXT YEAR!)and they will be expected to register for the appropriate qualification before the CRO card expires. Once qualified delegates can apply for a skilled CSCS card.

As a guide to some of the permanent skilled cards available:

All require the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test but in addition

SKILLED WORKER must have achieved a construction related NVQ or SVQ level 2 or completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which includes the achievement of a City and Guilds certificate and 'F Gas'.

ADVANCED CRAFT must have achieved a construction related NVQ or SVQ level 3 or an approved indentured apprenticeship or completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship which includes the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate and 'F Gas'.*

In a nutshell - by September 2017 you will need to be qualified to get a permanent skilled card for working on site but - we can help!

With an already impressive track record for delivering NVQ qualifications (level 2 and level 3) we are now looking to extend our existing courses to run specific courses for experienced engineers who need these qualifications. As with our existing courses:

• Block learning, not day release
• Plenty of hand outs/course notes/guidance
• Technical units are delivered by time served RAC/Electrical engineers
• Open to all ages
• You don't have to have taken your level 2 with us to join us for level 3.

For more information, follow the links on our 'useful links' page to visit CSkills or their CSCS website.

Then - please contact us now! Courses are being arranged all the time but fill up quickly. PLEASE don't leave it until the last minute!

Telephone: 01282 452152 Email: info@prtc.co.uk


* All information taken from the CSCS website where additional details can also be found.