BALI’s LISS/CSCS SmartCard scheme announces plans to withdraw all Industry Accreditation cards by 2024
Do you work in the commercial land-based industry? Looking to upskill your own workforce? Trouble accessing certain live commercial sites? The Land-based Industry Skills Scheme (LISS) and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is a jointly managed scheme (LISS/CSCS) administered by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) and enables you to work on live commercial landbased/construction sites.
The scheme recognises qualifications and training experience, in turn improving employment prospects and enabling the ability to tender for commercial work that requires a LISS/CSCS SmartCard. LISS/CSCS is administered by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).
It is a standalone scheme but is also a requirement of the National Highways Sector Scheme 18 (Land-based). For all full operational SmartCard levels, the minimum requirement is the ROLO Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness Course and the CITB Touch Screen Test appropriate to your SmartCard level. Please note for the Modular Paving industry only the CITB Touch Screen Test appropriate to your SmartCard level is required.
For several years the strategic direction of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has focused on ensuring that all applicants can demonstrate the achievement of a nationally recognised construction related qualification. With the withdrawal of the Construction Related Occupation card and the planned removal of the Site Visitor card the next step is the withdrawal of cards issued under Industry Accreditation.
Industry Accreditation allowed workers to obtain LISS/CSCS cards on the strength of an employers’ recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. LISS/CSCS closed Industry Accreditation to new applicants in 2013 but those already holding a card are currently able to renew on the same basis.
LISS/CSCS is led by CSCS who have consulted with the industry and agreed a plan that will pave the way for the eventual withdrawal of cards issued under Industry Accreditation.
From 1st January 2020, all LISS/CSCS cards renewed under Industry Accreditation will expire on 31 December 2024 and CSCS will stop issuing the card from 30 June 2024. The withdrawal of Industry Accreditation will be the final step towards achieving the Construction Leadership Council’s objective of ensuring SmartCards are only issued to those who have achieved, or are in the process of achieving, a nationally recognised landbased related qualification.
Up to now Industry Accreditation has permitted SmartCard holders to operate on live land-based commercial sites solely through an employer’s recommendation.
To find out more information or to apply for a SmartCard visit bali.org.uk/lisscscs.