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Construction workers are being urged to renew their industry accreditation (IA) cards before the deadline.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) IA cards issued from 1 January 2020 will expire at the end of 2024 and cannot be renewed.
The cards are being discontinued following the Construction Leadership Council’s decision to ensure a fully trained and competent workforce.
Competence is required by the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) and the Building Safety Act.
The CLC said in a statement, “we must demonstrate to the regulator, our clients, building occupiers and the wider public that those designing, building and maintaining the built environment are competent to do so”.
Currently, 60,000 workers hold a CSCS IA card. They are being asked to move onto other forms of accreditation depending on their circumstances and qualifications.
Remote assessments
CSCS chief executive Sean Kearns said assessment for replacements would be done remotely so people will not have to attend college.
He said many cardholders will find the process “straightforward”. They could move over to the Academically or Professionally Qualified Persons cards, for example.
A task force set up to look at this issue has published guidance on the options available.
CSCS AI cards were obtainable through employer recommendation rather than on a recognised qualification. This is part of the reason why they are being phased out.
Kearns added: “CSCS is committed to playing its part in delivering a fully trained and qualified workforce. The removal of cards issued under IA represents another significant step in achieving this goal.
“The new guidance and support will help cardholders to either retain their card via the S/NVQ or to easily transition to another CSCS card. We would urge employers, trade associations, awarding organisations and training providers to put plans in place to support these workers ahead of the December 2024 withdrawal.”
This article was originally published in Construction Management.
