CSCS Archives

CSCS latest news

by Oscar Venus | 27 Mar, 2025 | CSCS

CSCS has announced that the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) will no longer issue cards carrying the CSCS logo from 21 April 2025 after withdrawing from the CSCS Alliance. Construction sites are advised to continue to accept SAFed cards until 30 September 2025 as long as they are valid and within the original expiry date.

During this transition period, SAFed cardholders should take the following steps to obtain an appropriate new card depending on their occupation:

Engineer Surveyor – Obtain a CSCS card via CSCS
Steel Fabricator Welder or Stud Welder – Replace their SAFed issued card via CSCS
All other welding occupations or Welding Inspector – Replace their SAFed issued card via TWI Cert.

Build UK members are encouraged to use CSCS Smart Check to verify that individuals hold the right card for the occupation they are undertaking. It can also help to identify card fraud where individuals have obtained cards illegally, including with genuine qualifications. CSCS Smart Check enables all 2.2 million cards carrying the CSCS logo to be checked with the same platform, and any suspected fraudulent cards should be reported to CSCS.

Changes to CSCS Cards

by Oscar Venus | 30 Jan, 2025 | CSCS

Following the introduction of the Building Safety Act, which requires individuals to be competent to undertake their roles, CSCS is making changes to the Labourer and Trainees card from 1 February to “better align with the competency expectations of the Act” and encourage more new entrants to start on a ‘Red’ card with a recognised training pathway.

Labourer card ‐ The initial validity will be reduced from five to two years and only operatives who continue in a labouring role will be able to renew their card for five years by providing evidence they are employed as a labourer. The accompanying CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test will also have its validity extended to three years so any operatives who do continue in a labouring role can use it to renew their card.
Trainee card ‐ In order to provide a simplified route into the industry for new entrants with prior training, individuals who have attained an approved Level 2 (or above) occupation related non‐competence qualification will be eligible for a two‐year Trainee card. More information on the routes to a Trainee card can be found in this flowchart.

All CSCS cards obtained via Industry Accreditation have now expired and the CITB funding available to support individuals who require a qualification to move onto the appropriate card has been extended until 31 March 2026.

Reforms to the CSCS Card – your views are important

by Oscar Venus | 8 Aug, 2024 | CSCS

FIS have been working closely with CSCS to review how competency is tracked and new requirements for re-accreditation should be managed. As part of discussions CSCS has sought FIS views on proposed changes to the Labourer, Trainee and Provisional cards.

Beyond the digitisation process, the reform looks at whether it is relevant to reduce the validity of the (green) Labourers Card to 2 years (from 5) with a view to providing the industry with greater accuracy on the number of active labourers in construction. The suggestion is that this also provides more frequent checks to ensure individuals continue to work in a labouring role and encourages their progression onto a Skilled card. Within the proposals CSCS are recommending that after the first renewal the 5 year period is restored.

Changes to the trainee card are also proposed with a view to ensuring those completing a college diploma (not entitled to a skilled worker card due to lack of site experience) are issued with a red trainee card to ensure that their journey to a (blue) skilled worker card is clear and to avoid further distortion of the(green) labourer card.

Final changes are proposed to the (red) provisional card available to individuals working through probationary periods while employers assess their suitability for further training and employment. It currently lasts for 6 months and is not renewable. Employers have indicated that the (green) Labourer card is currently favoured as it is a more cost-effective route to obtain than the provisional card, because it’s a longer duration card, even though the candidate has to complete a formal level 1 qualification. Proposals are to extend the Provisional card validity to enable more time to assess the suitability of a worker and enrol them on the correct occupational journey for their skills and abilities.

You can feed your views in via the short survey here. We need your response by close of play Wednesday 14^th August.

If you haven any questions about the card scheme and which cards you should be using for what or comments reference the above proposals, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the FIS Skills Team on 0121 707 0077.

You can visit the FIS Skills Hub here to access further guidance on recruitment, funding, competence and training support available.

Have you looked into how the FIS Competency Passport can support your business? It enhances the CSCS process with specific information that is relevant to employers in our sector.

Industry Accreditation Conclusion

by Oscar Venus | 9 May, 2024 | CSCS

In accordance with the latest CLC recommendation regarding Industry Card Schemes, it is now mandatory for all cards bearing the CSCS logo for skilled occupations to be obtained through qualification. As of 30 June, Industry Accreditation cards will no longer be renewed, and all existing cards will expire on 31 December. The number of individuals holding Industry Accreditation cards has decreased to 25,000 from over 60,000, and CSCS has provided guidance on replacing Blue, Gold, or Black Industry Accreditation cards issued by the core scheme.

Companies need to determine the appropriate path for each worker to transition to the relevant card based on their occupation and qualifications. For workers requiring qualifications, plans should be put in place promptly. Currently, there are enhanced CITB grant rates for attaining specific S/NVQs when replacing Industry Accreditation cards. CSCS does not issue cards for non-construction roles, and individuals who do not regularly visit the site may not need a card.

CLC updates its recommendation on Industry Card Schemes

by Clair Mooney | 28 Mar, 2024 | CSCS

The CLC has published an updated version of its recommendation on Industry Card Schemes following the introduction of the Building Safety Act and the increased focus on competence.

The CLC recommendation has been adopted across the industry since it was first published in 2015, with the result that cards carrying the CSCS logo are specified and promoted for those undertaking recognised construction occupations. It confirms that CSCS Smart Check should be used to verify that individuals hold the correct card for their occupation and that cards should not be issued for non‐construction related occupations or those visiting sites.

Following the successful rollout of CSCS Smart Check, which enables cards across all 38 card schemes carrying the CSCS logo to be verified using the same platform, CSCS ‘Go Smart’ will be turned off on Sunday 31 March. Cards will not be able to be checked using Go Smart after this date, so members should ensure they have fully switched over to CSCS Smart Check in time, and this recent CSCS webinar outlines the steps to take.

CLC has also launched its Bi‐Annual Review and Plan for 2024 which sets out the CLC’s key priorities for this year, including Building Safety, Net Zero and Biodiversity, Next Generation Delivery, and People and Skills

Card checking platform Go Smart to be withdrawn

by Clair Mooney | 4 Jan, 2024 | CSCS

Following the successful rollout of CSCS Smart Check, which enables cards across all 38 card schemes carrying the CSCS logo to be verified using the same platform, CSCS has announced that its previous app ‐ ‘Go Smart’ ‐ will be turned off on 31 March 2024. CSCS Smart Check incorporates API technology allowing it to be installed directly into site access systems, which can help to improve site safety and tackle card fraud. Any members still using Go Smart should put in place plans now to move across to CSCS Smart Check as soon as possible, as cards will not be able to be checked using Go Smart after 31 March.

Build UK’s How to be a Smart Site guide explains how to check cards using CSCS Smart Check and make sure everyone has the right card for the job they are doing on site. Members are reminded that CSCS does not issue cards for non‐construction related occupations, and it is the responsibility of the site manager to induct and escort non‐construction workers arriving on site without a card so that they can carry out their work safely.