There are several issues associated with CSCS Cards. These range from the mandatory increase in card “level” associated with certain temporary CSCS Cards (where a card applicant is granted a card as a stop gap while he or she is achieving necessary qualifications); or they may arise at the other end of the spectrum, where a card applicant has no qualifications but a wealth of proven experience.
CSCS has implemented measures to ensure that its Card scheme is both even handed and flexible – rightly recognising that preventing highly competent people from taking responsible positions in the industry is contrary to everything that CSCS stands for.
Temporary CSCS Cards and Their Replacements
There are occasions where a person with no recognised qualifications (no NVQ or SVQ) will need to apply for a CSCS Card – and will have good reason to be on or employed on a building site. In these cases a temporary card is issued. The card is Red in colour and is designed to be replaced by a skilled card after a maximum period of time. In some cases these temporary cards are non replaceable – so their holders have until the maximum time period has elapsed to gain their skilled card.
An example here is the Red Card for Experienced Technical, Supervisory or Managerial roles. This Red Card is explicitly non renewable – it is intended to mark a gap while the Card holder achieves the relevant qualifications. In order to achieve a Red Card for Experienced Technical, Supervisory or Managerial roles a candidate must pass the MAP Health, Safety and Environment Test, register for a Construction NVQ or SVQ and complete and NVQ/SVQ profiling session.
Highly Competent Personnel without Qualifications
CSCS has introduced a “Profiled Route” option to allow for highly competent and seasoned personnel who have bypassed or missed their opportunities to gain NVQ or SVQ to the level 4 or higher required for a normal Black Manager’s Card. The Profiled Route is designed to remove obstacles from the path of skilled contracting and construction site managers and supervisors, in order that the industry does not lose their expertise. However, the Profiled Route to the Black Manager’s CSCS Card applies only to very specific personnel – just contracting and construction site managers and supervisors – and CSCS has no plans to extend the Route to any other professions.
The Profiled Route is open to existing managers and supervisors only. Its purpose is to get them the right CSCS Card for their status and work without taking them out of their teams. New managers and supervisors will not get on the Profiled Route and will be asked to take the NVQ or SVQ Levels 4 and 5.
How to Apply For a CSCS Card on the Profiled Route
In lieu of a Construction NVQ or SVQ Level 4 or higher, the Profiled Route to a Black CSCS Card requires an Applicant Evidence Sheet. The AES is a profile designed to build a picture of the person against a list of industry relevant competencies.
The AES must be audited by a company review who has been appointed by the applicant’s employer.
If the reviewer agrees that the candidate has passed the relevant competences listed on the AES, then he or she will sign the applicant off on a Reviewer Sign Off Sheet. The RSOS is sent along with the CSCS Card Application and the relevant health, safety & environment test pass.