CSCS Cards has confirmed changes to the Industry Placement card, which will see the minimum work placement duration required to qualify for the card reduced from 30 days to three weeks, and the card’s validity period reduced to two years.
The move to reduce the minimum placement duration to three weeks brings the card in line with the Department for Education’s updated guidance for level 2 and 3 construction qualifications, which sets three weeks as the minimum duration for a construction industry placement.
It also continues to cover T Levels, Foundation Apprenticeships and trade-related Level 2 and 3 Certificates and Diplomas that require a placement of three weeks or more.
The reduction also responds to a request from the Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB), which wants all industry placements to be carded to give insights into the gap between those undertaking construction training and those who go on to enter the construction workforce.
With the industry needing an estimated 60,000 additional workers each year, understanding where learners are lost between training and employment is a CSMB priority, which the collective CSCS Alliance schemes are able to provide insight on by mapping carding journeys into the workforce.
The Industry Placement Card will also have its validity reduced from three to two years, to better align with the length of the qualifications the card covers.
Garry Mortimer, Executive Director of Operations, CSCS Cards, said: “These changes bring the Industry Placement card fully in line with the Department for Education’s own placement requirements.
“With the industry needing 60,000 additional workers every year, these changes make it easier for providers and employers to get new entrants onto the right card, while giving industry the data it needs to understand where learners are being lost on the way into the workforce.”
CSCS Cards is also widening the health and safety options for an Industry Placement card, beyond the traditional CITB Health, safety and environment test.
Applicants will now be able to provide one of the following which must have been taken within the last 2 years:
- A CITB Health, Safety and Environment test for operatives, pass dated within the previous two years.
- A completion certificate for a one-day Construction Health and Safety Awareness course.
- A Certificate of Unit Credit showing completion of the Construction Health and Safety unit included in an induction or initial qualification.
The CSCS Industry Placement card is one of a range of red entry level cards designed for those entering industry and can be applied for using the My CSCS app or CSCS Online.
Those undertaking qualifications in occupations that sit outside of CSCS Cards’ footprint – such as electrotechnical, HVAC or plumbing – should apply for an Industry Placement card, or equivalent, from the appropriate CSCS Alliance card scheme.