CSCS Scheme Update
February 2011
At the Construction Group Committee meeting on 26th
January, CSCS provided an update on the Scheme, the main points of
which are summarised below.
SmartCard
The primary development is the introduction of CSCS
SmartCards. Although they look very similar to the previous
cards, SmartCards contain a microchip. This has been
introduced for a number of reasons primarily:
· To make the
card more secure and difficult to forge
· To give
construction employers and clients an improved and more efficient
way of checking the validity of cards
· To allow
employers to link CSCS cards with their own systems to enable them
to be used for other purposes such as linking to their own training
records and security access systems, recording inductions and
toolbox talks or other applications.
To use this technology reader software can be downloaded free of
charge from the SmartCard website or can be accessed via a
CD-ROM. Then when an online card check is undertaken the
information on the card can be verified and any later CSCS
information that has been added to the database will also be shown
on the computer screen. This allows Site
Supervisors/Administrators and others who check CSCS Cards to use
their reader to view CSCS and other information held on the
chip.
Computer linked or handheld readers may be used. These can
be purchased from CSCS' preferred supplier or other vendors.
Technical and pricing information is available from CSCS SmartCard.
Around a quarter of a million CSCS SmartCards have been issued
and they are being read by hundreds of organisations. CSCS is
talking to a large number of contractors and clients who are
looking at how the new technology may benefit their business.
The first major project to insist on SmartCards is the £250m
VINCI/BAM Nuttall contract to upgrade Tottenham Court Road
underground station which is due to go live imminently.
PQP Card
This is the card for competency assessed members of CSCS
approved Professional Bodies - for IOSH members this means Graduate
and Chartered Members and Chartered Fellows. There has been a
complete review of the card requirements led by CIC and
ConstructionSkills. This led to the introduction of the
Managerial and Professional (MAP) Health and Safety Test. It
also resulted in the removal of the less than 30 days on site over
six months requirement which had cased confusion in the past and
now means that all competence assessed members of a recognised
Professional Body should pass the MAP test and apply for the PQP
card regardless of whether they are site based.
Graduate Card
A red Graduate Card has been introduced for graduates who have
completed a nationally recognised construction related
qualification with a further/higher education college or
university. Applicants are required to complete the Managerial and
Professional (MAP) Health and Safety Test. This card is valid
for three years and can be renewed for three years on
application.
Profiled
Route
CSCS has introduced this route to a CSCS card for experienced
Construction Site Managers and Supervisors. This route is
only available to two occupations which are Construction Site
Manager (Contracting) and Construction Site Supervisor
(Contracting).
The Profiled Route was developed with key stakeholders from
within the construction and built environment industry. It has been
introduced in response to the demand for a route to a CSCS card for
highly competent construction site supervisors and managers, such
as those who either hold a CSCS card at the incorrect level, or
have alternative qualifications which aren't recognised by CSCS
including HND and HNC. This route is not suitable for
new supervisors or managers and applicants who are
unable to demonstrate sufficient competence and experience should
pursue an NVQ or SVQ.
Applications submitted under the Profiled Route are subject to
vigorous review based on an applicant completing a profile against
a set of competencies in conjunction with their line manager which
is then assessed by a competent person and also a CSCS
Reviewer. More information about this route together with all
the documents that need to be completed are available from
CSCS.
The Future
CSCS is working with ConstructionSkills to develop an online
renewal and application process and is also looking at whether the
Scheme should encompass proof of continuing competence.
If you have any comments about the Scheme or suggestions for its
future development, please contact CSCS.