The Kalcrest Guide To CSCS Cards

Most of the temporary construction jobs we recruit for at Kalcrest require workers to have a CSCS card, but not all the cards are the same.

The scheme is designed to ensure that everyone who works on construction sites has the skills and qualifications needed to do the job and, more importantly, that everyone understands health and safety procedures.

Most major housebuilders and main contractors now require all site staff to hold a current CSCS card, so they are a must for anyone who wants to find work as a labourer, in the skilled trades or even in a management position.
There are a number of different CSCS cards that you can apply for, with the most suitable depending on your skills and experience.

Green - Labourer Card

This card allows labourers to demonstrate to prospective employers that they have the health and safety knowledge needed to work on site. To obtain a green CSCS card, you need to have completed a relevant training course, such as the QCF Level One or SCQF Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment, IOSH Working Safely or Site Safety Plus Health and Safety Awareness.

To find out how to apply for the Green Card, watch the video below.

Red - Working Towards A Qualification

As many construction qualifications require some hands-on experience, the red CSCS card allows you to work while you train. There are a number of different red cards available, including Apprentice (for people undertaking a recognised apprenticeship), Trainee - Craft and Operative (for anyone registered for and working towards an NVQ or SVQ), and Trainee - Technical, Supervisory and Management (for anyone studying for a recognised construction qualification at a university or further / higher education college).

There are also Experienced Worker and Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager red cards available for anyone who has more than a year’s work experience, but who has not yet passed the relevant qualifications.

To obtain any of the CSCS red cards you will need to pass the CITB Health Safety and Environment Test.

Blue - Skilled Worker

The blue CSCS card is for workers who have achieved a construction related NVQ or SVQ level 2, or who have completed an employer sponsored apprenticeship. If there is not a full NVQ or SVQ available in your trade, you can gain a blue card if you have passed the relevant trade specific units.

Gold - Advanced Craft / Supervisory

The gold CSCS card is for workers with advanced skills in a particular craft or experience as a site supervisor. To qualify for it, you need to have a construction related NVQ or SVQ level 3, completed an indentured apprenticeship or an employer-sponsored apprenticeship.

Black - Manager

The black CSCS card is for those in management level jobs who have achieved a relevant construction related NVQ or SVQ level 4, 5, 6 or 7.

White - Qualified Worker

There are two versions of this white card available, both of which are aimed at workers seeking senior positions. The Academically Qualified Person card is for people who have construction related degrees, HNDs, NEBOSH diplomas or CIOB certificates, while the Professionally Qualified Person card is available to those who have achieved membership of recognised industry bodies such as the CIOB, CIHT, ICE or RICS.

White - Construction Related Occupation

A third version of the white card is available to workers in construction related jobs that are not eligible for any of the other CSCS cards. There are a wide range of qualifying occupations, including fire engineer, asbestos surveyor, architectural metalworker, solar panel installer and structural glazier.

Yellow - Site Visitor

This card won’t help you to find work. It is simply for people with jobs that involve site visits but no construction skills to demonstrate that they have basic health and safety knowledge.

For information about applying for a card, visit the CSCS website. If you already have a CSCS card and are looking for work, take a look at Kalcrest’s latest construction jobs.