For those undergoing a construction-related qualification or training programme which requires the completion of a minimum 30 day work placement, such as T-Levels or Trainee Skills Development Programmes.
This card is valid for three years and cannot be renewed. The Industry Placement card does not lead to a skilled CSCS card.
To be eligible for this card, applicants must:
- Be aged 16 or above
- Be registered onto a qualification or training programme requiring a minimum of 30 days’ work placement
- Provide proof of registration onto their T Level, Traineeship, or other programme by completing the Enrolment Evidence Form and upload it during the application process.
- Have successfully passed the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test within the last two years. For CSCS, SKILLcard and JIB-PMES, this will be the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Operative test. For ECS, it will be the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment.
How to apply
Log in to CSCS Online. Online applications are quick, easy and secure.
Once approved, cards should arrive within five working days.
T-Levels and Traineeships Guide
| T Level
|
Specialist pathway | How to apply?
|
| Onsite Construction | Carpentry & joinery | Visit CSCS |
| Onsite Construction | Plastering | Visit CSCS |
| Onsite Construction | Bricklaying | Visit CSCS |
| Onsite Construction | Painting & decorating | Visit CSCS |
| Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction | Civil engineering | Visit CSCS |
| Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction | Hazardous materials analysis and surveying | Visit CSCS |
| Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction | Surveying and design for construction and the built environment | Visit CSCS |
| T Level
|
Specialist pathway | How to apply
|
| Building Services Engineering for Construction | Electrical and electronic equipment engineering | Visit ECS |
| Building Services Engineering for Construction | Electrotechnical engineering | Visit ECS |
| Building Services Engineering for Construction | Gas engineering | Visit JIB PMES
or |
| Building Services Engineering for Construction | Protection systems engineering
|
Visit ECS |
| Building Services Engineering for Construction | Plumbing and heating engineering
|
Visit JIB PMES
or |
| Building Services Engineering for Construction | Heating engineering and ventilation
|
Visit Engineering Services SKILLcard
or |
| Building Services Engineering for Construction | Refrigeration engineering and air conditioning engineering
|
Visit Engineering Services SKILLcard |
| Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction | Building services design | Visit Engineering Services SKILLcard
or or |
To locate the details of a Traineeship visit the government’s find a traineeship webpage. Enter your postcode and the Traineeships in your area will be displayed.
The Traineeship Reference number can be found on the right-hand side of the government’s webpage displaying the Traineeships details.
If you are delivering a programme (that includes a minimum of 30 days placement) but it is not yet recognised by CSCS for the Industry Placement Card, then please contact CSCS.
When contacting CSCS to make a programme recognition request, please include:
- The full title of the programme
- The registration number of the programme (if appropriate)
- The name of Awarding Body registered with (if appropriate)
- The name of training provider, a contact name, email address and contact telephone number.
When the request is received, CSCS will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
How much does an Industry Placement card cost?
How much depends on which of the four schemes you apply to (CSCS, ECS, PMES or SKILLcard). In CSCS’s case we charge £36. However, in all cases, it is the Training Provider who pays, not the student. The Department for Education have confirmed Providers are expected to pay for their students’ IP cards. The money is available to them via their funding formulae, of which a proportion is to support facilitating work placements.
Does it matter which certification scheme a student gets an Industry Placement card from?
If an Industry Placement card displays the CSCS logo then it will allow access to site. It will be necessary for students to get their Industry Placement card from the certification scheme relevant to the curriculum being studied. This will ensure an efficient progression transition through the required cards. So, for example, transitioning from the Industry Placement card to an Apprentice card and then to a Skilled Worker card.
Will students be eligible for a CSCS logoed Skilled Card once they have completed a T Level or traineeship?
No, students who have completed a T Level or Traineeship will not be eligible for a Skilled Card. If they are progressing onto an Apprenticeship, they will be eligible for an Apprentice card. If they are registering onto an N/SVQ or other recognised alternative occupational competence qualification, then they will be eligible for the Trainee card. Completion of a recognised Apprenticeship, N/SVQ or other recognised alternative occupational competence qualification will allow them a Skilled Card.
What types of qualification programmes require industry placements of 30 days or more?
Examples of qualification and training programmes requiring a minimum of 30 days’ work placement include T Levels, Traineeships, Foundation and Progression Qualifications (Wales) and Sandwich Degrees.
Are the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) work experience initiatives applicable?
The short DWP work experience initiatives are not relevant to this card as they are not linked to any national qualification programme initiative such as T levels or Traineeships.
Who applies for the Industrial Placement card, the student, training provider or employer?
It is expected that with T Levels and Traineeships, the training provider will apply for their student’s cards. This will be different with Degrees however where it is expected the student will apply. In all instances, students should check with their training providers before making an application.