CSCS cards coming to an end

[Bob Scullion]

There is a card for a Window Films, Graphics & Manifestation Operative which is recognised as a Construction related occupation

[Kevin Flowers]

John
what card have you got? As far as i know they aren’t doing away with the sign makers craft card

Kev

[John Thomson]

My CSCS card is for

"Window film, graphics & manifestation operative"

John

[David Hammond]

I may be wrong but we recently looked at getting the CSCS cards, as we’ve been asked for them a few times…

You need an NVQ qualification, for which the job is on the card. IE: NVQ in Sign Making for Sign Installers, NVQ in Electrics for Electricians, with some sites not accepting a card with ‘Joiner’ on it, when they’re not doing a chippie’s job on site. So whilst a competent chippie could fit some hoarding panels, you’ll need a sign installer to fit it.

We had quotes on obtaining NVQ’s in sign making, at a cost of around £2000 per person, before applying for the CSCS Cards. :yikes:

I think the CSCS card will remain beyond the date on the letter, but you will need an NVQ to obtain/renew one?

I spoke with a guy who could get me a CSCS card… trouble is it’s valid for 1 year, and cannot be renewed, it’s designed for those working on sites, to obtain the NVQ.

I’m not anti H&S, but it seem’s to that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the smaller companies to fulfil all these obligations.

[Kevin Flowers]

They are doing away with all operative cards whatever the trade, my card has Sign Installer Illuminated & non Illuminated Gold Craft Card. These cards have been a pain since there inception the Olympic Park would never accept them. Sites I have been on have never checked them & one site manager said he didn’t even realise that sign makers needed them. Although he had checked every other trade had them

Kev

[John Thomson]

The letter clearly states

All CRO cards will expire on 30/092017 and are not renewable

John

[David Rogers]

If we all go "screw you!" and nobody gets a card and refuses to work on building sites / gets refused access…pretty sure the lack of signage & manefestations on buildings before handover will irk the building industry enough for them to come up with a sensible solution….I’ve seen me in full PPE to walk through a COMPLETED office block (still a building site as not handed over) to fit etch film—and then be told it’s OK to breach ALL the rules by removing hard hat, gloves & hi-vis full sleeve jacket as they needed the job done as I couldn’t work in all the gear.

Dave

[Kevin Flowers]

Not doubting it John below is the page from CSCS site. I kicked up a fuss when they introduced mine & got it under grand father rights hence the gold card which carries and industry accreditation. My argument was how can it be a national qualification when at the time the only college that did a sign making course was at Walsal. If i had to be assessed it would have cost nearly £4000 to apply for the assessor to come to London etc.

CRO Card Changes

CSCS’s primary objective is to provide evidence that individuals working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out.
By certifying construction workers have the correct training and qualifications CSCS can play its part in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites. It was for this reason that CSCS ceased issuing the green Construction Site Operative card and replaced it with a qualification based card for Labourers.
Since introducing the Labourer Card in July 2014 more than 35,000 have been issued to applicants who have achieved either a Level 1 qualification or recognised equivalent. This is a positive step forward but further changes to the scheme are required if the industry is to realise its ambition of a fully qualified workforce.
The CRO card was introduced in 2005 at the request of industry and was intended for those occupations for which there were no nationally recognised qualifications. Since 2005 over 300,000 CRO cards have been issued covering more than 400 occupations.
Following the introduction of the green Labourer card in July 2014 applications for the Construction Related Occupation (CRO) card have grown significantly. Many applicants are now applying for the CRO card as no qualifications are required and they only need to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test to be eligible for a card.
Prior to the introduction of the new Labourer card CSCS issued 3,000 CRO cards per month. This monthly figure has now risen to 12,000. This clearly demonstrates CRO cards are being used by site workers as the fastest route of entry to site without the need or commitment to be qualified.
The CRO card is no longer fit for purpose and CSCS has consulted with industry to determine the best way to address this issue. From 1st October 2015 new measures were introduced which will pave the way for the eventual withdrawal of the CRO card.
What happens next?
From 1st October 2015 the following changes to the CRO card were:
All CRO cards issued from 1st October 2015 will expire on 30th September 2017* and are not renewable
You will be expected to register for a nationally recognised construction related qualification before the card expires
Only one occupation will be displayed on your CRO card from 1stOctober 2015
CSCS will stop issuing CRO cards from 31st March 2017.
* Please note existing CRO cards issued before 1st October 2015 that expire after 30th September 2017 will remain valid until their expiry date.
When you apply for a CRO card CSCS will check if your occupation is covered by a nationally recognised construction related qualification and whether you hold that qualification. On submission of the necessary evidence CRO cardholders who have the required qualifications for their occupation will be issued with the appropriate skilled card.
If you have not obtained a nationally recognised construction related qualification you can apply for a CRO card that will expire on 30thSeptember 2017 and is not renewable. You will be expected to register for the appropriate qualification for your occupation before the CRO card expires. On completion of your qualification you will be able to apply for a skilled CSCS card.
If you do not register for the construction related qualification for your occupation by 30th September 2017 you will be unable to obtain a CSCS card.
From 1st October 2015 only one occupation will be displayed on the card. If you currently hold a multi-occupation card you must notify CSCS which occupation you wish to have displayed.
CSCS is aware there are existing construction related occupations without nationally recognised qualifications. Where appropriate, work is already underway to develop new nationally recognised qualifications for these occupations.
To ensure you apply for the correct card you or your employer should use the card finder tool on the CSCS website. Input your current occupation and the card finder will show you which qualifications are accepted together with the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test that needs to be completed. Card Finder will also tell you which CSCS card to apply for.
The introduction of these new measures is a practical approach towards industry’s desire for a fully qualified workforce while improving standards and safety on UK construction sites.
For further information on the CRO changes please use this flowchart or visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website.