CSCS to withdraw 100,000 Visitor cards
Most people are familiar with the contribution made by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) towards improving standards and safety on UK construction sites. For several years now the strategic direction of the scheme has focused on ensuring that all applicants achieve a nationally recognised construction related qualification.
The next step towards ensuring that all CSCS cardholders achieve a qualification is the withdrawal of the Construction Site Visitor card. The card was originally introduced for workers who often did not perform a construction related role but visited site on a regular basis.
Graham Wren, Chief Executive at CSCS said: “Following the closure of the Construction Related Occupation card in 2017, the Site Visitor card is now the only card issued without the need for the applicant to achieve a recognised qualification. The Construction Site Visitor card does not support industry’s desire for a fully qualified workforce and as such it will be withdrawn.”
CSCS has consulted with the industry and agreed a plan that will pave the way for the eventual withdrawal of the card.
As a joint partnership arrangement LISS/CSCS will be implementing the same procedure as CSCS.
All LISS/CSCS Visitor cards issued from 3rd September 2018 will expire on 31st August 2020 and LISS/CSCS will stop issuing the card from 28th February 2020.
For the avoidance of doubt, all LISS/CSCS Visitor cards issued before 3rd September 2018 will remain valid until their expiry date.
The good news is many people holding the LISS/CSCS Visitor card will not be required to obtain another LISS/CSCS card. LISS/CSCS cards are intended for non-construction land based activities only and many people holding the card work in roles considered to be non-construction related, such as site cleaning and catering staff. Historically these workers have applied for the LISS/CSCS Visitor card because they were told to do so by their employer, this was often a result of policies requiring sites to be 100% carded, as opposed to construction/land based workers being 100% qualified.
However, those with Site Visitor cards that work in land based related occupations must now start to develop plans to move across to the appropriate skilled card. For some this will be straight forward as they will already hold the appropriate qualification or membership of a recognised professional body. Those working in land based related occupations without qualifications will be expected to register onto the appropriate qualification before their LISS/CSCS Visitor card expires.
Graham Wren continued: “The withdrawal of the Site Visitor card will see an increase in the numbers of individuals turning up to site without a card. We are not suggesting site supervisors and managers turn non-cardholders away from site. If a worker is there to carry out a construction related activity then a card is required as proof of their training and qualifications. If they are there to perform a non-construction related activity it then becomes the responsibility of site supervisors and managers to induct and supervise these people to ensure they remain safe at all times when on site.” This will apply to those working in the land based industry.
The decision to withdraw the Site Visitor card is supported by the Construction Leadership Council’s recent announcement that not everyone needs a card to gain access to site and cards should only be issued to those working in land based related occupations.
Visit http://www.bali.org.uk/lisscscs to find out what steps you need to take to replace your LISS/CSCS Site Visitor card.
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Notes to Editors
- CSCS is the leading skills certification scheme within the UK construction industry
- LISS/CSCS is a joint partnership arrangement who issues cards for the land based industry. LISS/CSCS cards are administered and issued by BALI.
- LISS/CSCS cards provide proof that individuals working on construction sites in a land based capacity have the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out
- The scheme keeps a database of people working in land based activities who have achieved, or are committed to achieving, a recognised land based related qualification
- Successful applicants are issued with a card confirming their identity and qualifications and that the holder has met the necessary health and safety requirements for their occupation
- The scheme is widely used on the majority of UK construction sites and LISS/CSCS cards carry the LISS/CSCS logo
