Trainee

Trainee card applicants must be able to provide proof of registration onto their qualification. As a minimum, you are required to provide evidence from your University, Professional Body or qualification’s awarding body that includes:

• Applicant’s Full Name
• Full qualification title of the course you are registered to, including level if relevant.

Date of registration proof is required for:

• Vocational Qualifications (i.e. NVQ or SVQ) must be in the last two years.
• Academic Qualifications (i.e. Degree, HND or HNC) must be in the last four years. This is due to the difference in lengths of time achieving these qualifications.

Occupation related non-competence qualifications must meet the following criteria to be accepted for a two-year Trainee card. If you believe a qualification meets these criteria and would like it reviewed, please email communications@cscs.co.uk.  

• The qualification must be vocational and construction related.
• The qualification must be occupational specific e.g bricklaying, carpentry.
• The qualification must be awarded by a Regulated Awarding Organisation.
• The qualification must be at level 2 or above (or equivalent levels in Scotland, Wales, NI).
• The qualification should have a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of at least 130 hours.
• The qualification must have required both a practical and theory assessment
• The qualification must have been achieved within the last five years.

Skills Boot Camps and other such nationally recognised training initiatives will be considered on merit through the relevant Standard Setting Body and Sector Representative Organisation(s).          

Below are some examples of occupation related non-competence qualifications that meet the criteria for the two-year Trainee card. 

• NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying (Construction)    
• City and Guilds T Level Qualification in On-site Construction     
• Pearson T Level Technical Qualification in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction (Level 3)  
• IMI Level 2 Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance (Construction)     
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Site Carpentry 
• City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma In Site Carpentry 
• NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry (Construction) 
• City & Guilds Level 2 Extended Diploma In Site Carpentry 
• NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery 
• NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry 
• NOCN Level 2 Extended Diploma in Site Carpentry 

What is changing with the CSCS Trainee card?

From February 1st, 2025, individuals who have attained an approved Level 2 (or above) occupation related non-competence qualification will be eligible, with the initial card valid for two years.

Upon the card’s expiration, the card holder can gain a new three-year Trainee card by providing evidence they are registered onto an N/SVQ or an agreed alternative. Registration onto the qualification will be verified with the relevant awarding body prior to card renewal.

What are the two routes available for a Trainee card? 

A flowchart showing the two routes available to gaining a Trainee card is available here. 

Can I still apply for the five-year Trainee card? 

The five-year trainee card remains available to those that have registered to complete a construction related qualification such as the NVQ or SVQ and remains a recognised route to competence for construction occupations.

What happens when the initial CSCS Trainee card expires?

Upon expiration, individuals can renew their Trainee card for an additional three years by providing evidence of being registered onto a construction related qualification such as the NVQ or SVQ. This registration will be verified with the relevant awarding body prior to renewal.

When my two-year card expires, will I get a new three-year card or keep the existing one? 

Individuals renewing their Trainee card with registration onto a construction related qualification will receive a new three-year card. This three-year card cannot be renewed, with cardholders expected to complete their qualification by the time the card expires.

Why are CSCS making these changes? 

The changes follow an extensive consultation with employers, standard-setting bodies, over 40 sector representative organisations and unions. They are designed to help ensure new entrants start their careers on a training pathway that leads to a recognised qualification and a skilled CSCS card.

This supports the direction of travel emerging from the Building Safety Act. The Act is challenging how all in the construction industry must operate, with anyone undertaking a construction role now under a legal duty to ensure they are competent for their role.

Why can’t I just apply for the Labourer card?

The Labourer card is for those in labouring roles only and shows employers the holder is not on a recognised training pathway. In light of the Building Safety Act, anyone undertaking a construction role is now under a legal duty to ensure they are competent for their role.

What is an occupation related non-competence qualification? 

Approximately 120,000 candidates annually undertake level 2 (or above) occupational related non-competence qualifications for construction trades. Examples of these are listed below.

None of these qualifications meet the industry’s N/SVQ Level 2 occupational competence qualification threshold or provide site experience to be eligible for a CSCS skilled worker card.

• NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying (Construction)    
• City and Guilds T Level Qualification in On-site Construction     
• Pearson T Level Technical Qualification in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction (Level 3)  
• IMI Level 2 Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance (Construction)     
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Site Carpentry 
• City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma In Site Carpentry 
• NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry (Construction) 
• City & Guilds Level 2 Extended Diploma In Site Carpentry 
• NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery 
• NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry 
• NOCN Level 2 Extended Diploma in Site Carpentry 

How do I know if an occupation related non-competence qualification is eligible for the two-year card? 

Occupation related non-competence qualifications must meet the following criteria to be accepted for a two-year Trainee card. If you believe a qualification meets these criteria and would like it reviewed, please email communications@cscs.co.uk.

• The qualification must be vocational and construction related.
• The qualification must be occupational specific e.g bricklaying, carpentry.
• The qualification must be awarded by a Regulated Awarding Organisation.
• The qualification must be at level 2 or above (or equivalent levels in Scotland, Wales, NI).
• The qualification should have a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of at least 130 hours.
• The qualification must have required both a practical and theory assessment
• The qualification must have been achieved within the last five years.

Skills Boot Camps and other such nationally recognised training initiatives will be considered on merit through the relevant Standard Setting Body and Sector Representative Organisation(s).     

Those with construction related qualifications awarded outside of the UK, not currently recognised by CSCS, should contact Ecctis to apply for an Industry Skills Statement.

Certain occupations are not covered by CSCS and are instead covered by members of the CSCS Alliance – the 38 card schemes that display the CSCS logo.