The Construction Skills Certification Scheme: CSCS
PH Jones Ltd, specialist heating and property maintenance contractor promotes safe working through the adoption of the CSCS scheme.
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card is the industry's largest scheme and covers 220 occupations including trades, technical, supervisory and management. Established in 1995, the aim of improving quality and reducing accident rates in the construction industry was welcomed. From April 2008, the cards will become compulsory: not having a CSCS card may affect eligibility to work on certain sites, such as gas servicing, installing new central heating systems, kitchens and bathrooms.
The scheme has helped to prevent unqualified and uninsured builders, strengthening the safety of other workers and of buildings. It has been so successful at providing a benchmark that most contractors, clients and the Government now demand proof of competence, before allowing workers onto their sites, by requesting the CSCS card.
CSCS cards list the holder's qualifications and are valid for either three or five years. It also shows they have health and safety awareness as all cardholders have to pass the appropriate CITB - Construction Skills Health and Safety Test.
The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone working within the construction industry, on site, is qualified and competent in health and safety. The industry is looking to reduce accident rates, which rose slightly in 2006/07: there were 3711 reported major injuries to employees, according to the Health & Safety Executive.
Obtaining a card involves completing an online multiple choice test, held at various test centres around the country. The cards are colour coded in line with the individual’s qualifications and there are different levels of cards:
Green – site operative: For someone with no formal construction qualifications
Red – trainee: For someone registered for an NVQ (but not yet achieved) or a Construction Award
Blue – skilled worker For NVQ Level 2 (or if the person has worked for at least 1 year of job experience) This is issued on a temporary basis and cannot be renewed but can be replaced with a skilled worker card once NVQ level 2 is achieved. It is advised that the trade is checked, to be sure it is covered by CSCS.
PH Jones Ltd is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees, clients and residents, and in 2004 established an in-house training school to address the issue of skills shortages. The training centre is CSCS accredited and has undertaken internal training programmes, as well as enrolling external candidates. For further information on courses available email Training Administrator Sue Peach
Director of Social Housing, Derek Corbishley said:
“We are committed to ensuring our activities avoid causing unnecessary or unacceptable risks to the safety of all employees, contractors, customers and the general public. We use the CSCS card as a benchmark for our clients to have confidence in the workmanship of PH Jones Ltd”.
If you have an enquiry related to this news story, please complete the online enquiry form.
