What is Industry Accreditation?
Withdrawal of Industry Accreditation from CSCS cards and the affect this will have on an estimated 60,000 construction workers and companies across the UK.
An estimated 60,000 CSCS cards are currently due to expire at the end of December 2024. All Industry Accreditation (also known as Grandfather rights) cards issued from 1st Jan 2020 will expire on 31st Dec 2024 and cannot be renewed.
CSCS is bound by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) requirement announced in 2015 (via the Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025) that cards carrying the CSCS logo must operate within a nationally recognised qualification framework for all occupations.
Over recent years CSCS has focused on ensuring applicants are able to demonstrate they have achieved a nationally recognised construction related qualification. The next step in this plan is the withdrawal of cards issued under Industry accreditation.
Industry Accreditation (also known as Grandfather rights) allowed workers to obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employers’ recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. Industry Accreditation to new applicants ceased in 2010 but those already holding a card up until now have been able to to renew on the same basis. From 30th June 2024, renewal applications will cease for Industry Accreditation cards.
There are 38 card schemes that display the CSCS logo affected by this changes, known as the CSCS Alliance. Those with cards issued under IA by other CSCS Alliance card schemes should be aware that each card scheme will have varied guidance on what to do and what qualifications can be used.
If your CSCS card states on the back Industry Accreditation this means your card has been gained through Industry Accreditation and you will need to take action to be able to renew your card.
You may already have a qualification that can be used to move away from an IA card.
For those who do not, they will be required to register for the appropriate qualification for their occupation before their cards expire in 2024.
What individuals need to do next will depend on their occupation, their role, and what qualifications they already have.
Those needing to obtain a qualification do not need to attend a college. When working towards the achievement of an NVQ, there are no exams. Product evidence from the working environment as well as observation and discussion cover most of the criteria. The NVQ can be achieved via various routes and CITB grants and funding is available to support with the cost of the qualification for employers as well as the self-employed. CITB have confirmed a number of achievement grants will receive enhanced funding towards the achievement of an NVQ to support industry with the cost of assessment.