8 November 2022
As many in our industry will by now be aware, the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has announced that it will be withdrawing Industry Accreditation/Grandfather Rights as a route to a CSCS card from 31st December 2024, with no card renewals permitted from 30th June, 2024.
This follows the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) requirement that all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications (NVQ/SVQs) for all occupations.
To-date, Industry Accreditation (Grandfather Rights), has meant workers have been able to obtain a CSCS SKILLcard based on their experience in the industry and the recommendation of their employer.
However, following the CLC’s directive, access to a CSCS card via Industry Accreditation will be replaced with competence-based assessments (NVQs/SVQs).
This aligns itself with the requirements of the new Building Safety Act 2022, which is primary legislation, requiring individuals to have the requisite “Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours”.
In order to renew a CSCS SKILLcard after 31st December 2024, all applicants will need to have achieved a relevant qualification.
Graham Wren, chief executive at CSCS said: “Industry accreditation does not support industry’s desire for a fully qualified workforce and as such it will be withdrawn…We are making this announcement early to ensure card holders and their employers have enough time to make the necessary alternative arrangements.”
The achievement of a nationally recognised qualification is the final step towards achieving the Construction Leadership Council’s objective of upskilling the industry and removing Industry Accreditation as a route to obtaining a CSCS SKILLcard.
Do I need to sit any exams?
No. Our Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications are based on the relevant National Occupational Standards (NOS), as such applicants will be required to demonstrate they meet both performance and knowledge criteria. For experienced workers this will be relatively straightforward. Applicants will be required to prove their knowledge, but several methods can be adopted to achieve this, including answering a series of questions, in their own time, professional discussions, writing a job assignment, relevant industry certificates, and specific documentation. Whilst the performance can have similar assessment methods, applicants will also be directly observed, in the workplace, at their convenience, by one of our assessors.
Can I apply for a CSCS Blue Experienced Worker SKILLcard as soon as I’m registered on the qualification, and before I finish? Yes. Once you have registered on a Level 2 or Level 3 NVQ/SVQ you will be issued with an Experienced Worker card. On achievement of the qualification, it will be replaced by a five-year CSCS SKILLcard.
How long will the qualification take to achieve?
That depends on several things, Including:
What Paddeco qualifications, will allow me to apply for a CSCS SKILLcard?
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