CSCS Green Card | Guide to the Labourer Card - Safetymark Training
CSCS Green Card | Guide to the Labourer Card
This
article will discuss the CSCS, what they do and their purpose. Moreover, we
will focus on the CSCS
Green Card which is one of their card options for those working in the
construction industry. We hope that this information will be useful for those
who have questions about the green card including what it is, how to get one
and the benefits of having one.
What is the CSCS?
The CSCS is the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. This scheme awards coloured ID cards to construction workers. There are Red, Green, Gold, Blue, Black and White cards. The aim of the CSCS is to ensure that workers hold the appropriate experience and qualifications for their job position. This experience and knowledge are primarily required for health and safety purposes. Therefore, requiring that all workers hold a valid CSCS card protects employers, employees and businesses from health and safety risks.
The
CSCS card is not obligatory, but many businesses choose to make it a
requirement that all of their workers hold one. In addition, the different
types of card can help employers differentiate between different experience
levels that have been proven. For example, someone holding a green card is
qualified as a labourer with all the necessary health
and safety information they must know for that role. Moreover, to get
a supervisory card, you need to have passed the supervisor’s health and safety
tests.
What is the CITB HS&E Test?
For all cards, it is required that you pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test. There are three different tests depending on the card that you are applying for and your level of experience. These are:
·
Operative
·
Management and Professional
·
Specialist
The
tests are run in Pearson Professional Centres in the UK.
The CSCS Green Card
Requirements
Now that we have the background information out of the way, we can discuss the green card in specific. This is the labourer card. It is a card for those who are trained to do manual work on a construction site. Those who want to obtain the labourer card will have to satisfy the following requirements:
·
Pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for operatives
AND,
hold one of the following:
·
An RQF Level 1/SCQF Level 4 Award in Health and Safety in a
Construction Environment
·
An SCQF Level 5 REHIS Elementary
Health and Safety Certificate.
·
A CSCS approved alternative qualification
How Do You Get a CSCS Green Card?
To start the process of obtaining a green card you should apply to the CSCS directly on their online application service.
You
will need to book your HS&E test with the CITB and pass this test before
you make your application to the CSCS.
This test costs £22 and you can book it on the CITB website to take at your
nearest available centre.
After
this, you will need to provide your test ID number to ensure that you have
completed the correct test for the type of card you are applying for (in this
case the operatives test).
During
your application to the CSCS, you will be required to submit a scanned copy of
your qualifications and pay a fee of £36 for the card itself.
What Are The Benefits of Having a CSCS Green Card?
There are a huge variety of benefits that come with having a CSCS Green Card. Here is a list of just a few, you can use this list to determine whether it is most suitable for you.
It Improves Your Opportunities
Many
construction companies will only employ labourers who have a CSCS Card due
to its guarantee that you have the required level of health and safety
experience. Therefore, if you want to be in with more work opportunities,
potentially with some of the best construction companies that work on famous
infrastructure, it is highly beneficial to have a green card.
Protect Yourself and Others
The
CSCS
Green Card is not only used for employability or to show credibility. It is
also used to protect the holder and those that they work with. Having a card
ensures that you know how to keep yourself safe and others safe.
It Can Be Used to Consolidate Your Qualifications
Having
a green card can be used as a tool to indicate which qualifications you have without
having to show all the relevant certificates. This is because your certificates
are checked when you apply for the card. It can be used to quickly indicate to
employers which qualifications you have. The card includes a chip that states
your work history, qualifications and skills.
You Are Promoting the Continuation of Improving Standards
The
CSCS cards the main purpose is to increase health and safety on site. However,
it is also in place to improve construction site standards. This ensures that
all of those on a construction reaches a certain level of standard. Further,
this ensures that workers are competent, there is less likely for mistakes and
less likely for injuries. Therefore, by choosing to get a CSCS Green
Card you will be helping CSCS continue this essential work.
Increased Pay
It
is thought that employers are willing to pay more for those who hold a CSCS
card than they would for someone without.
Your Future Career With a Green Card
Obtaining the CSCS Green Card is just one of the steps towards a highly rewarding long term career. You can progress your construction career through a combination of experience and qualifications and perhaps upgrade your CSCS Card too.
If
you are currently a labourer who has their green card or is going to apply for
one after reading this article, there are a few courses that we offer that may
be of interest.
Labourers
can progress to be site supervisors, managers, or even progress into different
areas such as engineering, quantity surveying and more. One of the great things
about the construction industry is that there are multiple different routes
that you can choose to go down.
Other
CSCS Cards
All of these courses can help you to develop beyond CSCS Green Card status.
Gold Card
The
Gold Supervisory CSCS Card could be yours if you progress to become a Site
Supervisor.
Black Card
The
Black CSCS card is for fully qualified managers. This is one of the most
reputable cards to obtain and are very desirable to employers. With a Black
Card, you are able to open yourself up to more opportunities and higher paid
jobs.
Red Card
Currently,
there are many different red cards. Some of them are for experienced workers or
apprentices.
Final
Thoughts
This article has discussed the importance of the CSCS Green Card. It outlined what it is used for, how you can get one, and the many benefits of having one. Furthermore, it discussed your future career progression after obtaining your CSCS Green Card.
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