Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
CSCS
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme, also known as CSCS, is the leading training and qualification verification scheme for the industry. Launched in 1995, CSCS aims to ensure that all construction workers in the UK receive appropriate training and qualifications suitable for their role, shown by a CSCS card. By doing so it will help to improve standards and safety within UK construction.
Holding a CSCS card is not a legal requirement. It is up to the main/principal contractor or client to decide if their site workers need one. However, a card does offer a quick and easy way for managers to check the qualifications of the contractors on their site. If their team have the correct training, it goes a long way to ensuring the project and site is meeting its Health and Safety requirements.
SEMA and CSCS Card
When the CSCS scheme was first launched there were several different cards available for both traditional and specialised roles. They also covered construction-related professions which needed access to sites but did not fall into any other CSCS card category or there was no relevant pre-qualification available.
Following the release of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025, CSCS set out to improve the qualifying levels for contractors and identify a one card scheme. To cover ‘specialised roles’ the CSCS signed agreements with Partner Card Schemes who would cover training requirements and meet conditions set out by the CLC. SEMA through the SEIRS initiative were one of the founding members to sign up for the Partner Card Scheme.
Today 38 organisations – known as the CSCS Alliance - have signed up for the scheme. The CSCS cards awarded by the alliance cover any skilled trades that may need to work on a construction site.
Racking Projects
If you are having a new warehouse or manufacturing facility built, the racking work may fall under the requirements for a construction site. As such, your racking may fall under the requirements of Construction, Design & Management 2015 (CDM 2015) regulations. As a result you, as the client, would be responsible for ensuring the racking project is planned, constructed and completed safely to meet safety measures and regulations as set out in CDM 2015.
SEIRS CSCS Card
If your racking project is on a construction site, the project or site manage may required the racking installers to hold a CSCS card. SEIRS is the only route for gaining a CSCS card relevant to racking installations. Be aware that not all SEIRS installer cards show the CSCS logo. For the SEIRS Foundation, Diploma, Supervisor or Manager card to show the logo the installer must specifically apply for the CSCS qualification. They must also pass the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment test before attending the course.
KNOWLEDGE HUB
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