Construction Site Visitor card withdrawal

The Construction Site Visitor card is intended for those people who frequently visit a construction site but do not carry out a construction related occupation.

Card issued up to 31^st August 2018 are valid for five years. All applicants must have passed the CITB Operatives Health, Safety and Environment Test.

In 2015 the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) announced (via the Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025) that skills certification card schemes carrying the CSCS logo must operate with nationally recognised qualifications (NVQs or approved equivalents) in place for all occupations.

The Construction Site Visitor card was intended for non-construction related occupations for which there are no nationally recognised construction related qualifications and as such does not meet the requirements of the CLC.

All Construction Site Visitor cards issued from 3rd September 2018 will expire on 31st August 2020 and CSCS will stop issuing the card from 28th February 2020.

For the avoidance of doubt, all Construction Site Visitor cards issued before 3rd September 2018 will remain valid until their expiry date.

The good news is many people holding the Construction Site Visitor card will not be required to obtain another CSCS card. CSCS cards are intended for construction related occupations only and many people holding the card work in roles considered to be non-construction related, such as site cleaning and catering staff. Historically these workers have applied for the Construction Site Visitor card because they were told to do so by their employer, this was often a result of policies requiring sites to be 100% carded, as opposed to construction workers being 100% qualified.

However, those with Site Visitor cards that work in construction related occupations must now start to develop plans to move across to the appropriate skilled card. For some this will be straightforward as they will already hold the appropriate qualification or membership of a recognised professional body. Those working in construction related occupations without qualifications will be expected to register onto the appropriate qualification before their Construction Site Visitor card expires.

Use the CSCS Card Finder tool to find out which qualifications and cards are available for your occupation. Simply enter your occupation into the Card Finder and follow the steps on the screen. www.cscs.uk.com/card-finder

If your application is received before 3^rd September 2018, you will be able to obtain a Construction Site Visitor card which will remain valid for 5 years. However, if you work in a construction related occupation you must achieve or be registered for a recognised construction related qualification for your occupation to get an alternative CSCS card before it expires.

Your card will remain valid until its expiry date. However, if you work in a construction related occupation you must achieve or be registered for a recognised construction related qualification for your occupation to get an alternative CSCS card before it expires.

CSCS believes it isn’t appropriate to issue a card which is valid for less than six months as it would add additional and unnecessary renewal costs to the card holder.

A card issued in February 2020 will last for six months and will not be renewable. Before it expires the cardholder must achieve or be registered for a recognised construction related qualification and apply for the appropriate CSCS card for their job.

Use the CSCS Card Finder tool to find out which cards are available for your occupation. Simply enter your occupation into the Card Finder and follow the steps on the screen. www.cscs.uk.com/card-finder

Due to the wide range of skills required on construction projects, there are times when a worker arrives on site to perform a non-construction related activity, for example catering staff, drivers delivering materials, cleaners or security guards. These individuals are not construction workers and CSCS has stopped issuing cards for these kinds of occupations. It is the responsibility of site managers to induct and escort non-construction related personnel to ensure they remain safe at all times when on site.

If your employer or main contractor is unaware of the requirements direct them to www.cscs.uk.com/visitorcard

It has been agreed that a number of construction related occupations are better represented by one of CSCS’s Partner Card Schemes. Click here for more information about our Partner Card Schemes.

CSCS card applicants must have achieved or be working towards a qualification. If you are employed talk to your manager or training provider. If you are self-employed you need to contact your local college or training provider. The qualification you need to achieve will depend what job you do on a construction site. Check the requirements by using the CSCS Card Finder tool at www.cscs.uk.com/card-finder

Construction Site Visitor card holders with approved qualifications will be able to move directly onto a skilled worker card without having to complete any further qualifications. A valid CITB Health, Safety and Environment test may be required. Use the CSCS Card Finder tool to find out which qualifications are approved for your occupation: www.cscs.uk.com/card-finder

If you are attending site to carry out a construction related qualification then please enter your professional body into the PQP search tool at www.cscs.uk.com/pqp to see if your Professional Body is recognised by CSCS and if so which card you are eligible for. A valid CITB Health, safety and environment test may be required.

We are aware the cost of training to obtain a qualification can be an issue for many people in the industry.

The cost of training is determined by the numerous training companies delivering training and will vary depending on who is delivering the training and where in the UK the course is delivered.

There is a wide range of financial support available to both employees and the self-employed seeking to achieve qualifications within the UK construction industry.

Go to https://www.cscs.uk.com/applying-for-cards/funding-for-training/ for some of the funding options for you to consider.