Last year the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) announced they were withdrawing the Industry Accreditation (IA) route for CSCS cards. IA, or ‘grandfather rights’, enabled employers of experienced and competent operatives without formal qualifications, to certify the competence of their staff and enable them to apply for a CSCS card.
As of 1st January 2020 all cards renewed under Industry Accreditation will now expire on 31st December 2024, and CSCS will stop issuing the card from 30th June 2024.
What does this mean for you?
If your card expires after January 2020 you will not get the full five years validity when you renew. In order to renew your card after June 2024, you will need to have completed or to be registered on an appropriate vocational qualification (NVQ).
Next steps
You can retain and renew your CSCS card whilst doing an NVQ if it will be completed by 31st December 2024, or by registering on the NVQ you are permitted to apply for a trainee card (valid for up to five years).
For more information, see the LEIA information sheet on different cards and their applicability. You can also find out more about the card at https://www.cscs.uk.com/news/ia-withdrawal/.