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Attention CSCS Card Holders: Important Changes Ahead!
Grandfather rights are ending for Blue Gold and Black CSCS Cards
If you hold a CSCS Blue Card card under Grandfather Rights (Industry Accreditation), it’s crucial to pay attention to an important change coming your way. As of 31 December 2024, the Industry Accreditation (IA) will be withdrawn. This means that from 1 January 2025, you will no longer be able to renew your card unless you have a recognised qualification.
But don’t worry! There are quick and easy options available to help you transition smoothly into the new requirements without the need to return to college or deal with exorbitant costs or time constraints.
Why is this happening?
This is linked to competency requirements in the Building Regulations and Construction Leadership Council recommendations which state that all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications in place for all occupations.
Tailored guidance can also be found at CSCS Guidance which is designed to help cardholders replace their IA cards, depending on their occupations and qualifications.
What do we need to do?
Those requiring a qualification do not need to attend college and CITB grants are available to support CITB-registered employers achieve recognised qualifications.
There are various ways in which individuals who hold a blue, gold or black industry accreditation card (issued by CSCS, via industry accreditation) can move to an appropriate card.
This may be by:
- Recognising a qualification they already have.
- Assessing their competence against the relevant qualification for their occupation.
- In exceptional cases undertaking additional training (for most you already know this stuff!).
There are two options for experienced workers to achieve a VQ, these are EWPA – Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (where candidates attend a test centre) or more commonly OSAT – Onsite Assessment and Training. We’ve detailed below how to obtain qualifications via these routes and how to access funding below.
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What is the simplest way for most people to get qualified - Onsite Assessment and Training (OSAT)?
An OSAT can be undertaken by an experienced candidate working within scope of the qualification.
- For an OSAT, an assessor will visit the candidate on site where they will observe the candidate undertaking the activities relevant to the units/requirements of their qualification.
- Knowledge can be captured through a recorded professional discussion. Evidence can also be gathered from portfolio documents, witness testimonies and other type of evidence (many companies issue Q&A sheets to address knowledge – it should be flexible and planned with the candidate).
- Assessment visits are conducted when required, or when a candidate is in a confident position to be assessed.
- Once the assessor is happy that the candidate has met the assessment criteria, the candidate will be signed off.
- There are no time stipulations to undertaking an OSAT (candidates must be able to communicate with their assessor and be working within scope of the VQ) and it can be carried out over a period of time, as it is evidence based to ensure the candidate fulfils the criteria.
OSATs are available and are delivered through various training providers for most card holders. They are relatively painless and can be done in a few weeks.
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Is it possible to do an assessment offsite – Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA)?
- This route involves individuals/candidates attending a training centre to undertake the assessment.
- During the assessment, the candidates are in separate booths, and are given a set of instructions to follow.
- This is a time bound assessment, candidates usually have around 6-8 hours to carry out the tasks.
- An assessor will oversee these candidates/individuals, capturing evidence of the candidate doing different activities and anything that is relevant to meet the requirements.
- This is followed up with a professional discussion which is recorded.
The EWPA route is applicable for those who typically have five years' worth of general site experience.
An example of EWPA courses are below:
- NVQ level 2 Interior System – Ceiling Fixing
- NVQ level 2 Interior System – Modular Demountable Partitioning
- NVQ level 2 Interior System – Drylining Fixing
- NVQ level 2 Solid Plastering
- (Note) This is a faster route than the OSAT but is only available in a small number of trades
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Which Training Providers offer VQ assessment?
The following Approved Training Provider’s (FIS members) offer VQ assessment:
- Construction Help Line Ltd
- DMR Training
- GQA Qualifications
- Hartsmere UK Limited
- HSS Training
- Now Get Qualified Ltd
- The Construction Skills People Ltd
- The Skills Centre London Ltd
They will visit you on site and carry out an assessment – you can be assessed on the job, you don’t need to do an exam or test. All companies can be contacted via the Member Directory – FIS.
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How much will it cost and where can I get more information?
CITB is offering enhanced grants to help encourage people through the VQ process. In most instances the money for the training can be claimed back via the employing company. All of the training providers above can advise on this, but if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Marie Flinter at marieflinter@thefis.org
FIS is here to help
If you would like to discuss your situation further or have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Skills and Training Advisor Marie Flinter at marieflinter@thefis.org
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