End of CSCS Cards

Unfortunately the end is in sight for those CSCS cards gained via Industry Accreditation, as by 2024 they will have expired and will not be renewed. So what does this mean for CSCS card holders? Does this mean that workers will no longer be able to gain industry accreditation via the strength of an employers’ recommendation? Let’s take a further look into this for you.

What is a CSCS card?

So if you aren’t already familiar with the CSCS cards, they are proof of training and qualification to enable you to work on construction sites. A business that has a card-carrying workforce is compliant with the latest safety standards and regulations. For workers themselves the CSCS cards are colour coded; which means they can easily display their ability to perform certain jobs on a construction site.

What are ‘grandfather rights’?

If you work in the construction industry you may well have heard of ‘grandfather rights’. This is where workers were allowed to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of their employers’ recommendation. Meaning that they didn’t necessarily have to achieve a recognised qualification – their industry experience was sufficient, until recently. In 2010 workers were no longer able to apply for CSCS cards based on these ‘grandfather rights’, but those who were wishing to renew on the same basis were allowed. Up until now anyway.

Withdrawal of CSCS cards

CSCS has agreed to gradually withdraw any cards that have been issued under Industry Accreditation (aka ‘grandfather rights’). From the 1st January 2020, all cards renewed under this format will expire on 31st December 2024. The card will stop being issued under Industry Accreditation as of the 30th June 2024.

Next steps to take

As you can see, this is quite a big overhaul in the construction industry and is going to have a large impact on workers. There are a couple of options if your CSCS card is set to expire in 2024. Firstly, if you hold a CSCS card and obtained it using grandfather rights you could enrol on the relevant NVQ for your skillset. Alternatively, as you will already be extremely competent in your field you could have a slight career change and become a CSCS card Assessor.

Although for both options you would be required to undertake studying in order to gain a qualification, becoming a CSCS card Assessor could open up many doors for you. The only qualification you would need is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) as this would allow you to assess learners both within the workplace and within their learning environment.

There are a whole host of benefits of becoming an Assessor, the main one being that it provides a lot more flexibility. You can plan your working day to fit around your busy lifestyle, and work the hours that you choose. To find out more about the Assessor qualifications we offer here at Brooks and Kirk please call us on 01205 805155.