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CSCS cards?
Hi all, I hope you are all well.
We, as a group, are very experienced sign makers and installers but as we are seeing a growing trend in the need for a CSCS card I thought I would make some enquiries.
(I have only ever been asked for this card once by the way to date)Bizarrely we can only be assigned a ‘sign installers’ card if we hold an NVQ in sign manufacturing even though this would be completely unnecessary!
Have any others here experienced the same issues as we would be limited to a ‘site operatives’ card otherwise which will limit us on site.thanks as always
Ryan
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14 Replies
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Ryan im interested in this too, where have you found the details re sign operative/sign installer ?
John
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Just called the CSCS on 0844 57687772.
They were quite helpful, if a little rude.
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There was a bit of a furore about this a few years ago when cscs cards were first proposed for the sign industry. Back then existing sign companies and individuals could claim these cards based on their existing experience. A time limit was then set in which to claim a card – after this time any new applicants needed "qualifications" to gain accreditation.
All this was pushed by the sign making "establishment" who had a vested interest in pulling up the drawbridge and lessening the competition from new entries into the sign business.
Do a search for CSCS on these boards and you will find a hotbed of inflamed and passionate debate 😕
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Hi,
I did the CSCS card last week just got the yellow card just incvase I am ever asked for one.
Details below
YELLOW CARD – REGULAR VISITOR
The yellow Regular Visitor Card is for people who frequently visit a construction site, but have no construction specific skill.
The card is issued on a personal basis via application form, the applicant will need to take and pass the ConstructionSkills health and safety test CSCS Operative health and safety test.
The card has been designed to allow access to a Construction Site to be made easier, as passing the health and safety test status can reduce the amount of site induction that is required.
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I thought it would be politically based!
What a joke. I potentially have guys with 15 years sign install experience having to face an NVQ to qualify!
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Thanks Ian.
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Myself and Derek Heron took the test a few months back (working at heights add on) and when we received our cards his was White mine is green and says "Construction site operative" on the rear it says working at heights h&st passed and also industry accreditation. Dereks is totally different. Very strange ohhh well.
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Have the white card which is Construction Related Occupation as I fit window film as well as signs. On the back it describes my services as window films, graphics and manifestation operative!
Never been asked for it since I had it but one day…..
If you do take the test buy the book, although easy for 8 quid you cannot fail to pass.
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Hi
i have a gold card & it wasn’t recognized as a suitable qualification when i had to go on to the Olympic site. In my opinion it is a disgrace that the sign industry signed up to it.
Supposedly national qualification but training isn’t available nationwide.
Not recognized by one of the largest building projects in the UK
3 years & never been asked for it, although have flashed it in Shopping Centres & to skip inductions on building sites.It seems that most building site don’t even know of it for sign companies
Kev
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quote Chris Windebank:Have the white card which is Construction Related Occupation as I fit window film as well as signs. On the back it describes my services as window films, graphics and manifestation operative!Never been asked for it since I had it but one day…..
If you do take the test buy the book, although easy for 8 quid you cannot fail to pass.
I do window films, signs and sometimes subcontract installing solar panels on roofs. For all this I have a Green card with "Construction site operative" on it.
Only a complete fool could fail could fail the short multiple choice questionnaire.The different types of card are explained here
http://www.cscs.uk.com/types-of-cards#MoreredReading through, the different colours seem to show what card you applied for but in themselves are not a qualification and I’m not sure they should be used to assess competence in a particular trade.
They are just to show site managers that you understand basic site safety awareness.There is an equivalent card to the NVQ card called an Experienced worker card which I would have thought sign installers without NVQ could apply for.
Never had a site manager question the colour or what was written on the back, they just want to know you have a card to satisfy site H&S rules.[/url]
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I was only thinking about CSCS last week, when browsing Sign update magazine. Some companies looking for subbies advertise fitters need CSCS -would the basic one suffice?
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Stuart, I know plenty who have failed due to comments like yours. The test does or can include basics like colour of fire extinguishers / labels, not evryone know these.
I agree the test is simple but if you take the trouble of sitting the test read up first.
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Hi,
The test was very easy, I did 1hr before the test going through the practice CD. This helped a lot. Just remember the fire questions and you are sorted.
Ian
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quote Chris Windebank:Stuart, I know plenty who have failed due to comments like yours. The test does or can include basics like colour of fire extinguishers / labels, not evryone know these.
I agree the test is simple but if you take the trouble of sitting the test read up first.
I agree Chris, I should have said only a fool could fail the test after reading the book. If you go for any sort of test without some basic revision of what that test entails then you are a fool.
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