CSCS Trainee Card : requirements and how to apply

The CSCS Trainee Card is designed for people who are training towards a recognised construction qualification or who have recently completed an approved occupation-related training qualification and are progressing towards occupational competence.

It provides access to construction sites while you work towards the qualification and practical competence required for the appropriate Skilled CSCS Card.

There are currently two main routes to the Trainee Card:

• Five-year Trainee Card – for people registered for and working towards an eligible competence-assessed qualification such as an NVQ/SVQ, HNC, HND or Degree.

• Two-year Trainee Card – for people who have achieved an approved Level 2 or higher occupation-related non-competence qualification within the last five years.

The correct route depends on your qualification, training status and construction occupation.

Ideal for people who are developing the skills and qualifications required to become fully qualified in a recognised construction occupation.

Depending on your route, this may include:

• Workers registered for a construction NVQ or SVQ

• Students working towards an eligible HNC or HND

• Students working towards an eligible construction-related Degree

• People who have recently completed an approved Level 2 or Level 3 construction Diploma

• New entrants progressing from college-based construction training into occupational competence

• Trainee tradespeople developing practical site experience

• Trainee technical construction professionals

The qualification must relate to an occupation recognised by CSCS and, for the five-year route, must be capable of leading to an appropriate Skilled CSCS Card.

Typical roles

Depending on your qualification and occupation, Trainee Card holders may be training in roles such as:

• Trainee Bricklayer

• Trainee Carpenter or Joiner

• Trainee Site Carpenter

• Trainee Construction Operative

• Trainee Construction Technician

• Trainee Civil Engineering Technician

• Trainee Quantity Surveyor

• Trainee Building Surveyor

• Trainee Construction Manager

• Trainee Design or Technical Professional

• Other recognised construction occupations

Your exact occupation and qualification should be checked before applying.

Requirements

What you need before we can apply for this card for you depends on which Trainee Card route you qualify for.

Five-year Trainee Card

You will normally need to:

• Be registered for and working towards an eligible construction-related competence-assessed qualification

• Be registered for an NVQ/SVQ, HNC, HND, Degree or another qualification accepted by CSCS

• Ensure the qualification relates to an occupation that can lead to an appropriate Skilled CSCS Card

• Provide evidence confirming your qualification registration

• Pass the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test for Operatives within the last two years, or an accepted alternative where applicable

• Provide valid photo ID where required

• Provide a suitable photograph if requested by CSCS

The five-year Trainee Card is valid for five years and cannot be renewed.

You are expected to complete your qualification during this period and progress to the appropriate Skilled CSCS Card.

Two-year Trainee Card

You may qualify for the initial two-year Trainee Card if you:

• Have achieved an approved occupation-related non-competence qualification

• Hold a qualification at Level 2 or above, or the equivalent level in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

• Achieved the qualification within the previous five years

• Hold a vocational and construction-related qualification

• Hold a qualification that is specific to a construction occupation

• Completed both practical and theory assessment as part of the qualification

• Meet the required health and safety requirements

• Provide valid ID and supporting qualification evidence

The initial card is valid for two years.

When it expires, you may be able to obtain a further three-year Trainee Card by providing evidence that you are registered onto an NVQ/SVQ or another recognised occupational competence qualification.

The subsequent three-year Trainee Card cannot be renewed.

Proof of registration

Applicants using the five-year Trainee Card route must provide evidence confirming that they are registered for the relevant qualification.

Evidence should normally come from your:

• University

• College or Training Provider

• Professional Body

• Qualification Awarding Organisation

As a minimum, your evidence should normally show:

• Your full name

• Full qualification title

• Qualification level where applicable

• Relevant qualification pathway where applicable

• Date of registration

Different registration time limits apply depending on the qualification.

For vocational qualifications such as an NVQ or SVQ, the registration evidence should normally be dated within the previous two years.

For academic qualifications such as a Degree, HNC or HND, registration evidence may normally be accepted where the registration is within the previous four years.

Two-year Trainee Card qualification criteria

An occupation-related non-competence qualification must meet CSCS requirements before it can be accepted for the two-year Trainee Card.

The qualification should normally:

• Be vocational and construction related

• Relate to a specific construction occupation

• Be awarded by a regulated Awarding Organisation

• Be at Level 2 or above, or an equivalent qualification level

• Have a Total Qualification Time of at least 130 hours

• Include both practical and theory assessment

• Have been achieved within the previous five years

Holding a Level 2 or Level 3 construction qualification does not automatically mean that it qualifies for the Trainee Card. The exact qualification should be checked before applying.

Examples of potentially eligible qualifications

Examples currently identified by CSCS include qualifications such as:

• NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying (Construction)

• City & Guilds T Level Qualification in On-site Construction

• Pearson T Level Technical Qualification in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

• IMI Level 2 Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance

• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry

• City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry

• NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry

• NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery

• NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry

Your exact qualification should always be checked against current CSCS requirements before applying.

Health and safety requirements

Trainee Card applicants must meet the appropriate health and safety requirement within the two years before applying.

CITB Operatives Test

The CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test for Operatives is accepted for Trainee Card applications.

CIC Health and Safety Test

The CIC Health and Safety Test may also be accepted for applicants registered for certain academic qualifications such as:

• HNC

• HND

• Degree

The correct test or approved alternative should be checked before applying.