Most people who work in construction are familiar with CSCS cards. They are used by the majority of contractors and clients to provide proof that those working on sites have the training and qualifications required for the work they carry out. But not everyone will be aware that the recent introduction of an online application service, which marks the single largest operational change the company has undertaken since it was set up in 1995.
CSCS is the first to admit that, in recent years, applying for a CSCS card has not provided the smoothest of customer experiences and that the application process has been behind the curve when it comes to offering applicants a truly modern service. “Until recently, you couldn’t actually apply online,” says CSCS chief executive Graham Wren.
“You could get information on the CSCS website, but you were required to scan and email in your documents before making a lengthy telephone call to process your application and make a payment – a process that had its critics, particularly during busy periods when the service struggled to meet the expectations of the industry.”
Modernised service
The new service went live in early December and the process for applying for a card is now completely online, including payment.
So what does this mean for CSCS card applicants? There are a number of benefits, whether that’s for those applying for the first time or simply renewing their existing card, according to the organisation.
The web-based offering is also convenient and designed to fit around busy working lives. “Online applications are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round, and you can apply from a mobile phone, tablet device or PC,” Wren says. “The process is straightforward. You won’t need to send us hard copies of your documents and you won’t need to pick up the phone to make a lengthy call to apply. It’s also secure – your personal information and payment details are kept entirely confidential throughout the application process.”
With CSCS having now completed this digital journey, it is keen to stress that the new online application system delivers benefits for both applicants and the CSCS itself. On the one hand, using the service will be faster and more convenient for workers. On the other, it will help prevent fraud, resulting in improved standards and safety on site.
Application support
The new service includes a new contact centre, which users can call for support when making an application. Another significant benefit of investing in an online service for CSCS is that it helps to tackle card fraud. Over the past few years, the organisation has made several high-profile changes that ensure construction workers hold the correct qualifications for the job they do on site. The most well-known of these was the withdrawal of the Construction Related Occupation card and the planned closure of the Construction Site Visitor card, which allowed non-qualified workers to access sites.
Now that the achievement of a qualification is essential for every application, a card has become significantly harder to obtain. Historically, in some cases you simply required the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, which to an experienced operative required little or no study to pass. Today, applicants are expected to achieve a recognised qualification – usually an NVQ – which takes up to two years to complete.
Grandfather rights
As part of CSCS’s drive to place qualifications at the heart of every application, it is reminding the industry of its plans to withdraw cards under ‘industry accreditation’. Also known as ‘grandfather rights’, industry accreditation allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employer’s recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. CSCS closed industry accreditation to new applicants in 2010, but those already holding a card are currently able to renew on the same basis. CSCS has consulted with the industry and agreed a plan that will pave the way for the eventual withdrawal of cards issued under industry accreditation. From 1 January 2020, all cards renewed under the system will expire on 31 December 2024 and CSCS will stop issuing the card from 30 June 2024.
Following the closure of the Construction Related Occupation card and the Construction Site Visitor Card, those gained by industry accreditation are the only ones in the CSCS scheme that do not require the holder to achieve a recognised qualification,” says CSCS head of communications Alan O’Neile.
What each of the 60,000 industry accreditation cardholders need to do next depends on their occupation and any qualifications they may already hold. Those without qualifications will be required to register for the appropriate qualification for their occupation before their cards expire in 2024.
“The withdrawal of industry accreditation will be the final step towards achieving the Construction Leadership Council’s objective of ensuring cards are only issued to those who have achieved, or are in the process of achieving, a nationally recognised construction-related qualification,” O’Neile says.
Visit www.cscs.uk.com/ia to find out which steps you need to take to replace a card issued under industry accreditation.
