Getting started in the UK construction industry

There was a time when finding a job in the construction industry was no big deal - you could just go to nearest construction site and ask if they were looking for additional help. And most of the time they did! So you start as a general worker on a construction site and as you work you start asking some questions and pick up some skills. So on the next site you ask to try something different, like bricklaying, wire steal, tiling or whatever you could pick up on your previous job. and that was it - there was no need for special education, no need for health and safety tests, or previous experience. All you needed was some muscle to do some heavy lifting. But that was then....

Now things look a bit different. Now you can't just start working, now you need a proof of qualification and health and safety awaresness. Now you can't start in construction without a CSCS Card.

The CSCS Card was introduced by the CITB as proof of qualification and health ans safety awaresness on the construcion site and quickly became a standart. Currently there are over 1.3 million issued cards and it is practically impossible to get a job in construcion without one. Depending on your position there are different types of cards each and every one with different requirements.

Green CSCS Card - requires NVQ/ SVQ lvl 1 or employers recommendation. This card is for operatives who carry out basic site skills only - general workers.

Blue CSCS Card - NVQ/ SVQ lvl 2 or City and Guilds of London Institute Craft Certificate. The blue cards are for experienced worketrs such as tilers, bricklayers etc.

Gold CSCS Card - NVQ/SVQ lvl 3 or higher. This card is for people who are involved in supervisor occupations.

Platinum CSCS Card - The platinum card is available for manager occupations. You may apply for a card through industry accreditation, for three years from release date, or by achievement of an NVQ or SVQ level 4.

Black CSCS Card - NVQ/SVQ lvl 5. The black card is available for senior manager occupations.

Red CSCS Card - Trainee. You need to be registered for an NVQ / SVQ to qualify for this card

NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. It is a 'competence-based' qualification: this means you learn practical, work-related tasks designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge to do a job effectively. You can study NVQs at work, college, or as part of an Apprenticeship. You can find out more about the NVQ courses available here.

If you are experienced worker and you do not have time to take the course or go to college you can get your NVQ / SVQ through On-Site Assessment & Training (OSAT). OSAT helps you get the qualifications you need as you do your job.

Other then the NVQ / SVQ everyone who wants to work on a construction site must pass a Health and Safety Test in a CITB accredited CSCS Test Center