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10 CSCS cards

CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme)

cards provide proof that individuals working on
construction sites have the appropriate training

and qualifications for the job they do on site. By Labourer cards currently in circulation, CSCS state

ensuring the workforce are appropriately qualified it is evident that the card is oversupplied, with data
the card plays its part in improving standards and suggesting that 85% of Labourers do not renew
safety on UK construction sites. their card.
Holding a CSCS card is not a legislative By reducing the Labourer card’s initial validity to
requirement. It is entirely up to the principal two years, CSCS claim they can better track the
contractor or client whether workers are required actual number of active Labourers in the sector
to hold a card before they are allowed on site. and state “the requirement for proof of working in
However, most principal contractors and major a labouring role upon renewal will ensure the card
house builders require construction workers on is no longer used as the default easy option for site
their sites to hold a valid card. access.”

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme Additionally, the CITB Health, Safety, and
(CSCS) has been in place for nearly 30 years, Environment test, required for the initial two-year
creating CSCS cards that provide proof that card application, will have its validity extended to
individuals working on construction sites have the three years. This extension allows the same test to

appropriate training and qualifications for their be used for both the initial application and the first

role. It has seen many changes in that time moving renewal, reducing financial and logistical burdens

from a 100% carded policy to qualification led on cardholders.
policy, with 2024 also seeing the removal of cards The second change to came into force relates
issued via Industry Accreditation. to red trainee cards. However, it is important to
emphasise that this does not affect the flooring
From February 2025 CSCS implemented significant sector. But for completeness, explanation

changes to their Green Labourer and Red Trainee is needed. Within entry level construction
CSCS cards. CSCS note that these changes aim qualifications there is a route whereby (usually

to enhance workforce competency and align with a young) person can try a trade at college. This
the Building Safety Act's emphasis on safety and provides them with a flexible approach to learning
competence within the construction industry. via a limited amount of college time ending in a
For the contract flooring sector, contractors and L2 ‘diploma’ qualification. Because it is limited

individual installers working on carded sites should in scope, with no employment or site related
take note of the changes as they align with other time, it does not have enough content to claim
suggested changes to site access. competence in a qualification sense. Therefore, it is

The first change focuses on the initial term for known as an ‘occupation-related non-competence

first-time Green Labourer card applicants, which qualification.’

has been reduced from five years down to two For these qualification and entrants into industry,

years. After this two-year period, individuals CSCS offer a two-year red trainee card. At the end
continuing in labouring roles can renew their of that initial two-year period cardholders can then
card for an additional five years by providing obtain a new three-year trainee card by providing

evidence of employment in a labouring position. evidence of registration onto an N/SVQ or an
This adjustment seeks to ensure that only those agreed alternative (such as an apprenticeship). It
actively engaged in labouring duties hold the mainly applies to Construction T-Levels, Bricklaying,
card, addressing concerns about an oversupply of Site Carpentry, and Joinery, where such college-
Labourer cards in the industry. based courses are available. However, flooring
The Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) does not have equivalent college courses, but
Construction Skills Network Forecast indicates that instead encourages new entrants into the industry
approximately 140,000 labourers will be needed via our fully developed apprenticeship route, or on-
annually by 2028. However, with around 500,000 site assessments towards an S/NVQ L3.
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104 CFA Contract Flooring Industry Training Guide 2025 Visit: www.cfa.org.uk Tel: 0115 941 1126
Contract Flooring Industr
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