The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has clarified rules about site workers carrying skills cards following changes implemented in the last few months.
The move follows confusion over non-construction staff being refused entry to sites because they were not Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card holders.
Many in the industry had taken the hard line approach with a 100% carded workforce policy, resulting in confusion and delays on site for entry of non key construction workers and trades.
The CLC has now confirmed that not everyone needs a card to gain access to site and cards will only be issued to those working in construction-related occupations.
CSCS chief executive Graham Wren said: “I welcome this update from the CLC. It reflects industry practice in that cards are only required for those undertaking construction work.
“The rigid enforcement of a 100% carded workforce results in legitimate, non-construction related, workers being refused entry to site as they do not hold a card. This indicates a misunderstanding of the card schemes carrying the CSCS logo and undermines the construction industry’s desire for a fully qualified, as opposed to carded, workforce.”
Other areas covered by the CLC’s revised requirements ensure that apprenticeship standards are maintained and guidance is issued to anyone considering setting up a new card scheme within the industry.
Wren continued: “The original CLC requirements have had an incredibly positive effect on upskilling the workforce and improving standards on UK construction sites. Since 2015 over 30 card schemes operating in construction have committed to the CLC’s requirements and are now displaying the CSCS logo on their cards.
“This equates to hundreds of thousands of workers in the industry achieving nationally recognised qualifications. I fully support the CLC’s updated requirements as they provide additional support and guidance towards achieving a fully trained and qualified workforce.”
To view the CLC’s updated requirements in full visit: www.cscs.uk.com/clcupdate.
