The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) have decided that they will cease renewing cards that were issued by Industry Accreditation from the 30th June 2024 and any cards issued from the 1st January 2020 will expire on the 31st December 2024, and will not be renewed.
What is Industry Accrediation?
The IA allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards based on the workers quality of work, performance, and employers’ recommendation, rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification.
CSCS stopped issuing cards under the IA in 2010, but if a worker previously held a card under the IA, the scheme allowed them to continue to renew.
What are my options?
- Vocational Qualifications – cardholders who have achieved qualifications for their job can renew their card as normal.
- Academically Qualified Person: available to those who have completed construction-related degrees, HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates, NEBOSH qualifications.
- Professionally Qualified Person: available to those who have been competence assessed of a CSCS approved Professional Body, for example, the CIOB.
- You may not need a card: for example, if you were a IA card holder but you have moved into a role where you rarely visit site, have moved into a management role, have moved to a more office-based role.
Do I have to go back to college, even though I have years of experience?
Sean Kearns, Chief Executive at CSCS said: “IA cardholders will not need to attend college as much of the assessment can be deliver remotely.
Many IA cardholders will find it a straightforward process to replace their cards, such as moving across to the Academically or Professionally Qualified Persons cards. In addition, those who no longer attend site or are in non-construction related occupations will not require a card.
If a worker does not have a qualification, they will be required to register for the appropriate qualification for their job, before their card expires in 2024. But! This doesn’t mean attending college.
Assessments can take place in the workplace, remotely or via a professional discussion depending on the individual circumstances – further info can be found here [LINK]
What now?
Employers, organisations and training providers are urged to put plans in place to support their workforce who will be affected ahead of the 2024 card withdrawals. Find out more here.
