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Industry Accreditation

  • What help is available for the self-employed?
  • CITB grant funding is available to CITB Registered employers who are up to date with their Levy Returns.

    Employers can apply for this grant for all directly employed staff on the payroll, business owners and partners, and all subcontractors. Those self-employed or sub-contracted on projects should speak to the primary contractor in the first instance regarding grant funding.

    For further information, please visit our IA Grant Information page.

  • What is changing with Industry Accreditation?
  • Cards issued under Industry Accreditation (IA) are being withdrawn and cannot be renewed via this method.

  • Will I have to do the N/SVQ again to renew my CSCS card?
  • No, N/SVQ’s generally are lifelong qualifications so once they are completed, they do not need to be completed again.

  • Would I need to take time off work?
  • No, SVQ/NVQs are completed in the workplace, however, you will need some time to spend with your assessor, planning the assessment and feeding back their assessment of your evidence and/or work.

  • Won't it take me years to complete an N/SVQ?
  • S/NVQs can be achieved in a minimum of 14 weeks, but usually takes between 6-12 months from registration though to receiving your certificate. The time taken will depend on the availability of evidence, for example an experienced manager with numerous years’ experience could complete it in a shorter period of time, whereas an inexperienced candidate will take more time – no two cases are the same. As this is an assessment rather than a training course, you will work with your assessor to collate evidence of your skills via a range of assessment methods.

  • Do I have to go back to college to complete my assessment?
  • No, this assessment is completed in the workplace and in many cases remotely.  As you are likely to be a highly experienced worker, the process should be relatively simple and there are many ways to show evidence of your competence, including:

      • A Professional Discussion
      • Knowledge Evidence Questions.
      • Reflective accounts
      • Witness Testimonies (confirming previous workplace activities undertaken),
      • Product Evidence, e.g. minutes of meetings, RAMS, products of work
      • Observations
  • How do I know if I have an Industry Accreditation card?
  • If you have an Industry Accreditation card, the rear of your physical CSCS card will state ‘Industry Accreditation’. This will also be stated on your virtual card should you use My CSCS.

    Individuals can also use one of the other card checking options listed here.

     

  • Will it be expensive to complete an experienced worker assessment?
  • The cost is set by individual providers, but as experienced workers are unlikely to need any upskilling or training, the assessment-only route provides a quicker and simpler way to achievement.

    CITB grants are available to support CITB registered employers achieve recognised qualifications.

    To further support CITB registered employers during the Industry Accreditation card transition period, a number of CITB grants will receive enhanced funding.

    To find out about the CITB grants available and enhanced funding please visit the CITB website.

  • Are AQP/PQP card holders able to supervise sites?
  • Construction site supervisors are advised to complete the NVQ Diploma Level 4 in Construction Site Supervision in order to retain their Gold Supervisory card. The AQP and PQP routes available to those on IA would be more applicable to technical occupations within the Supervisor card such as Surveying, Buying, Site Technical Assistant, etc.

  • Can I renew my Industry Accreditation CSCS card if it expires between now and 31st December 2024?
  • Industry Accreditation cards can still be renewed, if their expiry date is prior 30th June 2024. However, the renewed card will expire on 31st December 2024. Any Industry Accreditation CSCS card with an expiry date of 1st July 2024 onwards cannot be renewed.