After consultation with the industry, CSCS has now decided to withdraw industry accreditation (IA) completely, and has announced a process by which it will be phased out.
The task group have published new guidance on the CSCS website that clearly sets out the next steps CSCS IA card holders must take before the deadline.
All Industry Accreditation cards issued from January 1st, 2020 will expire on the 31st of December 2024. The scheme – officially known as Industry Accreditation – allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards based on their industry knowledge and an employers’ recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification.
More than 60,000 experienced construction workers will no longer be able to renew their skills cards. Sometimes known as “Grandfather Rights”, Industry Accreditation (IA) allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employer’s recommendation, without achieving a recognised qualification.
This process was closed to new applicants in 2010, but those already holding cards were able to renew. The Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) drive for a fully trained and competent workforce means this will now no longer be the case and from 31st of December 2024, all Industry Accreditation CSCS cards will be terminated.
Industry leading executives and organisations are fully behind the changes and believe they will usher in robust, safer and more responsible age for the construction industry. CSCS chief executive Sean Kearns said “CSCS is committed to playing its part in delivering a fully trained and qualified workforce. The removal of cards issued under IA represents another significant step in achieving this goal.
The new guidance and support will help cardholders to either retain their card via the S/NVQ or to easily transition to another CSCS card. We would urge employers, trade associations, awarding organisations and training providers to put plans in place to support these workers ahead of the December 2024 withdrawal.”
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) issued the following statement. “Building Safety and competence are two of the CLC’s priorities. As an industry, and in accordance with various sets of legislation including the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) and the Building Safety Act. we must demonstrate to the regulator, our clients, building occupiers and the wider public that those designing, building, and maintaining the built environment are competent to do so.”
Jobchange offers a free CSCS course every week from our Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley offices. The first phase is a Level 1 Health and Safety in Construction (RQF level 1) which can be delivered in class or over Microsoft Teams followed by a multiple choice test.