Qualifications & Cards

In most circumstances, site workers in concrete structures industry will need a recognised qualification and a card to gain employment and access to construction sites.

Card Schemes

Our members will primarily use the following Card Schemes to allow their workers to gain access to site: 

• Construction Skills Card Scheme (CSCS)
• Construction Plant Card Scheme (CPCS)
• NPORS

CSCS is the primary card scheme for the construction sector, but some specialist skills run their own card schemes, but all must be affiliated and therefore display the CSCS logo on their schemes. This ensures the rigorous assessment criteria so that the industry can be confident that an operative working on site has the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake work correctly and safely. 

There are other affiliated card schemes in addition to those listed above, which some members may also access, although they are generally aligned to other specialist sectors. 

Qualifications

Each worker must have the appropriate qualification and card to gain access to a site. Every CSCS or affiliated card scheme requires the worker to have undertaken a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), or Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ). There are pathways for those training towards these qualifications to gain a card and access to site, which will have conditions around registration with a training provider for an S/NVQ assessment or on an apprenticeship. There are also routes for those with ‘professional’ qualifications that may be delivered by a university, for example. 

We have developed a matrix which shows the qualifications that cover the concrete structures industry, and provide a means to obtaining a recognised card to work. 

GoConstruct is a careers website which provides more information on the qualification pathways across construction. Also visit out Working in the Concrete Industry

The Institute For Apprenticeships and Technical Education and is responsible for overseeing the development and quality of all Apprenticeship Standards in England.  Please visit their website to read more on their roles and for details on current available Apprenticeship Standards and those in development.  Please note that some Apprenticeships will still be available in the Framework version whilst Apprenticeship Standards are in development.