Working in construction is pretty straight forward. Getting on site however, that’s another story. There are so many cards to choose from (to grow or maybe even start your career) and the more you think about it you feel like your head might just explode!

Don’t worry – we’re here to help you out, to tell you what you need without making it overly complicated.

Welcome to our third blog post, where we explain cards, how to achieve them and what to do when they expire.

If there is any other information regarding this topic that you require then please feel free to contact our team on 0121 706 0851

There are 38 card schemes all that display the CSCS logo, these are known as the Partner Card schemes. These card schemes are here to represent the professional sectors that work within the construction industry like plant, scaffolding, demolition and so many more.

If any of the following cards are what you are looking for the please visit the links provided

ACAD – Asbestos analysis, surveying and removal – Call 03333 327 751

ACE – Engineering construction – Call 01923 260 000

ADIA – Automatic door installation – Call 0207 788 7676

ADSA – Automatic door installation – Call 01827 216 136

ALLMI – Lorry loading – Call 0344 858 4344

ARMI – Asbestos analysis, surveying and removal – Call 01283 566 467

BFBi – Drink dispenser installation and maintenance – Call 01902 422 303

CCDO – Demolition – Call 01442 217 144

CISRS – Scaffolding – Call 0844 815 7223

CSR – Construction and Plant (Northern Ireland only) – Call 028 9087 7150

CSWIP – Welding and Joining – Call 01223 899 000

DHP – Door and gate installation – Call 01827 52337

Drilling and Sawing Association – Drilling and Sawing – Call 0844 879 3452

ECS (SJIB) – Electrics (Scotland only) – the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test cannot be used for electricians’ cards – Call 0131 445 9216

ECS (JIB) – Electrics (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only) – the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test cannot be used for electrician’s cards – Call 01322 661622

Engineering Services Skillcard – Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration – Call 01768 860406

FASET – Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training – Call 01948 780 652

FISS – Fencing – Call 02476 696 996

GEA – Garage equipment installation – Call 0132 731 2616

ICATS – Industrial Coating – 01604 438 222

Institute of Explosive Engineering – Explosive Engineering – Call 01785 594 136

JIB PMES – Plumbers (England & Wales only) – Call 01480 476925

LEEA – Lifting Equipment Engineering (only issued to employees of LEEA member companies) – Call 01480 432 801

LISS – Landscaping – Call 02476 690 333

MPQC – Extractive Plant Operations – Call 01159 835 755

NPORS – Plant – Call 01606 351240

PAL – Powered access operations – Call 01539 566 700

PASMA – Access Tower Specialists – Call 0345 230 4041

Q-card – Glazing and Construction – Call 01142 720 033

SAFed – Engineering Inspection – Call 02075 823 208

SEIRS – Storage Equipment Installation – Call 0121 601 6718

SICCS – Shopfitting and Interior Contracting/Fit Out – 01883 624 961

SNIJIB – Plumbing (Scotland and Northern Ireland only) – Call 0131 524 1225

SSPC Trainthepainter – Industrial Painting – Call 0125 273 2220

TICA – Thermal insulation operations – Email skillcard@tica.uk.com

TTM – Temporary traffic management – Call 02476 696 996

CPCS – Plant – See below for information on how to achieve cards

EUSR – Utilities – We offer the relevant training to achieve these cards

Let’s talk about CSCS cards

CSCS issue a variety of cards which provides evidence that individuals working on construction site are qualified and have the appropriate training.

There are a wide range of cards that CSCS issue that reflect the various occupations in the construction.

What cards do CSCS offer and how do I achieve these?

How to get a CSCS Labourer card – what do I need?

If you’re simply looking to get on site, the green labourer card is the card you’re looking for. To achieve this card, you will need to pass our 1 day Health and Safety Awareness course and the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for Operatives

This card is valid for 5 years

The cardholders are required to apply for a new card once expired

How to get a CSCS Apprentice card 

The apprentice card is only available to people who are completing a recognised apprenticeship.

To apply for this card, it is mandatory to submit evidence that you are registered for an apprenticeship as well as passing a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.

This card is valid for exactly four years and six months and cannot be renewed.

The cardholders are expected to complete their apprenticeship by the time the card expiration date rolls around.

For further information on how to apply for an apprentice card please visit the CSCS website.

How to get a CSCS Experienced Technical Supervisor or Manager card

Is a temporary card available to Supervisors, Managers and Technical workers with job experience (commonly at least one year in the last three years).

Need to be registered to complete a Construction Related Technical, Supervisory or Management NVQ or SVQ.

Delegates must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last 2 years.

This card is valid for three years and cannot be renewed. Cardholders are expected to complete their qualification by the time the card expires and then go on to apply for a Skilled CSCS card.

How to get a CSCS Skilled Worker card 

You can apply for the Skilled Worker card as long as you have either achieved a construction related NVQ or SVQ level 2 or completed an apprenticeship.

All applicants must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the past 2 years and at the relevant level for the occupation being applied for.

To renew this card, cardholders must complete the Operatives Touchscreen test as well as CPCS modular test. You must also have an up-to-date logbook over 5 years validated or complete an onsite assessment / practical test.

Valid for five years

How to get a CSCS Trainee card 

The Trainee card is valid for five years and is available to those who are a trainee and registered to complete a construction related qualification – this qualification may be vocational, academic, or professional, but must be acceptable for a Skilled CSCS card. Applicants must also pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test for Operatives within the previous 2 years.

This card cannot be renewed. Cardholders ae expected to complete their qualification by the time the card expires and go on to a Skilled CSCS card.

How to get a CSCS Industry Placement card 

This card became available the month of September 2021 and is valid for 3 years and cannot be renewed.

This temporary card is available for learners undergoing a construction related qualification or training programme which requires the completion of a work placement.

To be eligible for this card, it is mandatory that applicants be ages sixteen or over, be registered on to a qualification or training programme requiring a minimum of 30 days’ work experience and have successfully passed the relevant Health, Safety and Environment test within the last 2 years.

Applicants must provide proof of registration on to their T Level, Traineeship or other programme, complete the Enrolment Evidence Form and upload it during the application process

For CSCS, SKILLcard and JIB-PMES, this will be the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Operatives test.

How to get a CSCS Experienced Worker card

To achieve this temporary card that is valid for one year, applicants will need to pass CITB Health, Safety and Environment test as well as provide proof of registration on to NVQ or SVQ qualification

The Experienced Worker card cannot be renewed. Cardholders are expected to complete their qualification by the time the card expiration date arrives and then go on to apply for a Skilled CSCS card

How to get a CSCS Advanced Craft card 

This card, valid for five years and can be renewed, is only available if you have either achieved a Construction Related NVQ or SVQ at level 3, completed an approved indentured apprenticeship or completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship

As well as this, all applicants must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last 2 years, at the relevant level for the occupation being applied for.

How to get a CSCS Supervisory card

To achieve the Supervisory card, you will need to complete a Construction Related Supervisory/Technical NVQ or SVQ level 3 or 4 or an Occupational Work Supervision NVQ or SVQ Level 3 and all applicants must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for Supervisors

This card is valid for five years and to renew the card, all applicants must re-sit the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for Supervisors

How to get a CSCS Manager card

This card is available for those in a managerial role.

To achieve this card you will need a relevant Construction Management/Technical related NVQ/SVQ level 5, 6 or 7.

You will also need a SVQ Level 4 in Construction Management/Technical related qualification or hold a pre – existing NVQ level 4 in construction management.

On top of this, all applicants need to pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test.

This card is valid for five years, to renew, the cardholder must hold a valid touchscreen test.

How to get a CSCS Academically Qualified Person card 

This card is available to those who have completed certain construction related degrees such as HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates and NEBOSH diplomas

To apply for this card, applicants will need to provide proof of their qualifications and possible evidence of the units achieved. On top of this, the applicants looking to achieve this card must pass the CITB Managers and Professionals Health, Safety and Environment Test.

This card is valid for five years

How to get a Professionally Qualified Person card 

This card is valid for five years.

All applicants need to supply proof that they hold current membership of the professional body at a level accepted by CSCS by providing one of the following: a membership certificate, a membership card, an up-to-date letter, or email from the professional body confirming membership for the current calendar year and a receipt of payment for membership for the current year.

This card cannot currently be renewed and once expired must be applied for as a new application.

How to get a Provisional (temporary only) card 

This card is only eligible for those who have not held a CSCS card before.

All applicants must have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the past two years.

This card is valid for six months and is not renewable. Before the expiration date, the cardholder must achieve/be registered for a recognised construction related qualification and apply for the appropriate CSCS card that will fit their job role.

What cards do CPCS offer and how can I achieve them?

CPCS offer a smaller range of cards compared to CSCS cards.

How to get a CPCS Red Trained Operator Card 

To achieve the CPCS card, you will need to achieve a CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test and CPCS Theory Test within 2 years of the HSE test also achieving the CPCS Practical Test within 6 months of the theory test and 2 years of the HSE test.

The Trained Operator Card is valid for two years. This card is non-renewable so the next step will be to move on and get the blue CPCS Competence card.

How to get a CPCS Blue Competent Operator Card 

Provide proof of achievement of the Level 2 NVQ for the category that is being applied for and pass a relevant CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test as well as completing CPCS theory within 2 years of the HSE test and complete a CPCS practical within 6 months of CPCS theory and 2 years of the HSE test.

This card is valid for 5 years, you will be able to renew your card if you have passed the CITB HSE Test within the past 2 years, completed CPCS renewal tests for all the categories that are held on the card and demonstrated on-going practical operating experience. This practical experience can be identified through an on-site assessment, CPCS practical test or a logbook

If any of these card schemes appeal to you, please contact our team on 0121 706 0851 so we are able to sort the right training for you and get you on the right career path that suits you.