Guidance on work experience placements

Published: February 28, 2019

CSCS is asking employers to remember that not everyone on site needs a CSCS card.

Despite this, many sites insist that everyone, including non-construction staff such as caterers and cleaners, should hold a CSCS card.

Alan O’Neile, Head of Communications at CSCS said: “The rigid enforcement of a 100% carded workforce results in legitimate, non-construction related, workers being refused entry to site as they do not hold a card. This indicates a misunderstanding of the card schemes carrying the CSCS logo and undermines the construction industry’s desire for a fully qualified, as opposed to fully carded, workforce.”

This practice is also preventing work experience students from accessing construction sites. CSCS do not issue cards to those on work experience placements. Those on work experience placements are not construction workers, they are on site to better understand what a career in construction could be like. As such, they do not require a CSCS card.

Alan O’Neile continued: “People on work experience placements are there to perform a non-construction related activity and it is the responsibility of the site management team to ensure they remain safe at all times.”

Each site will operate differently so it is up to the employer as to how they keep those on work placements safe. This often includes the delivery of a site induction highlighting the specific dangers of a site and arranging for individuals to be appropriately escorted when on site.

The decision not to issue cards for work experience students is supported by the Construction Leadership Council’s announcement that not everyone needs a card to gain access to site and cards should only be issued to those working in construction related occupations.