Changes to the CSCS Labourer and Trainee cards
Published: December 4, 2024
From February 2025, changes are being made to the CSCS Labourer and Trainee cards.
The initial Labourer card will reduce from five years to two years, with workers who continue in labouring roles then able to renew their card for five years by providing evidence they are employed in a labouring role.
The Trainee card will become available to those holding certain occupation related non-competence qualifications to help ensure new entrants start their careers on a training pathway that leads to a recognised qualification and a skilled CSCS card.
As part of the outreach to industry in advance of February, CSCS delivered a briefing to the Association of Colleges. A number of questions were answered during the webinar, while those that couldn’t be responded to, due to time constraints, are available below.
The minimum level for the Trainee card and ultimately a skilled CSCS card is Level 2. CSCS would be grateful for any feedback or comments on who is providing/undertaking Level 1 qualifications in skilled occupations rather than a Level 2. This can be provided via communications@cscs.co.uk.
All CSCS cards cost £36 except for the Apprentice card, which is issued free of charge.
All construction workers should hold the relevant CSCS card to access a construction site, but those attending site to perform a non-construction occupation should not be expected to carry a card.
If you work in a non-construction occupation or are on a short-term work experience placement for less than 30 days you do not need a card.
It is the responsibility of site managers to induct non-construction workers and those on short-term work experience before escorting them where appropriate.
CSCS is aware some sites insist everyone must hold a card and continues to work with industry to tackle the issue. Such practices result in legitimate, non-construction workers being incorrectly refused entry.
The Industry Placement card is for those undergoing a construction-related qualification or training programme which requires the completion of a minimum 30-day work placement as part of the qualification requirements, such as T-Levels or Trainee Skills Development Programmes.
The qualification must have a requirement within it for a minimum of 30 days placement to be eligible for the Industry Placement card. Level 2 Diplomas do not have a specific requirement in the qualification for work experience so are not accepted and at present those registered onto those qualifications wouldn’t be eligible for any card other than the Provisional card.
The Labourer card can be applied for as many times as the individual requires the card.
However, from February 2025, initial Labourer cards will be valid for only two years and renewable for five provided evidence is supplied of working in a labouring role.
This unit is applicable to the Electrician Apprentice card which has separate requirements, below is a link to the requirements for the Electrician Apprentice card:
https://www.ecscard.org.uk/card-types/Apprentices-and-Trainees/Apprentice-Electrician
The main qualification for the Labourer card is the Level 1 Award in a Health and Safety in a Construction Environment which is a lifetime qualification and does not expire. However, there are alternative courses that can be accepted to apply for the Laboure card but these have an expiry date of either three or five years so do need to be retaken. Further information on the accepted courses for the Labourer card along with expiry times can be found via CSCS.uk.com/Labourer.
Yes, this will be accepted as an exemption to the CITB Health, safety and environment test.
However, it is recommended that they do the IOSH Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers rather than the IOSH Working Safely.
All Apprentice cards are valid for four years and six months and cannot be renewed. Cardholders are expected to complete their apprenticeship by the time the card expires and apply for a skilled CSCS card. However, if an Apprentice is unable to complete the apprenticeship by the expiry of the card they can appeal for an extension to the Apprentice card.
Electrical occupations are covered by CSCS Alliance member the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme. For more info, please visit: https://www.ecscard.org.uk/
Correct. Electrical occupations are covered by CSCS Alliance member the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme. For more info, please visit: https://www.ecscard.org.uk/
